As we celebrate Veterans Day, let’s show our appreciation not just in words, but in action—by welcoming their talents into our workplaces and building a future that values their service and skills.

Veterans bring unique strengths to the workplace: leadership, resilience, and a can-do attitude that’s hard to match. Hiring veterans means adding team members who are natural problem-solvers and dedicated professionals. 

What are the benefits of hiring a veteran?

• Extensively trained in a specialty - From learning about complex equipment to some of the world’s most advanced technology, they learn a variety of universal skills that translate well to civilian life.

• Mental fortitude – they have grit!

• Ability to cope with stress

• High emotional intelligence (EQ)

• Strong leadership skills

• Potential tax breaks and subsidies-

The VA has on-the-job training funds through the Veteran Readiness and Employment program. It subsidizes a veteran’s wages so that you can pay them an apprentice-level wage during their training, allowing you to get a talented applicant while offsetting onboarding costs. As the veteran becomes more experienced at your business and completes training, the VA subsidy slowly decreases.

The Special Employer Incentive (SEI) program is another VA benefit that reimburses employers for hiring veterans who meet certain requirements. This program can reimburse up to half of the employee’s salary for a maximum of six months, plus the cost of instruction, any loss of productivity that your business incurs during training and any supplies and equipment. The SEI is designed for veterans who struggle to get jobs after serving and eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Where do I find veterans to hire?

• Partner with organizations that serve veterans. When you have these partnerships in place, it’s easy to share job advertisements and spread the word about your company’s hiring needs. Consider contacting the Disabled American Veterans, the American Legion and other military organizations in your area.

• Post your advertisements on military job boards. Specialized job boards can help you expand your reach to veterans and candidates with military experience. Here are few:

• Recruit Military: https://recruitmilitary.com/employers/

• DOL Veterans' Employment and Training Service:  https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/employers/hire

• Clearance Jobs: https://about.clearancejobs.com/employers/

• Hire a Veteran Job Boards: https://hireveterans.com/

• Hiring our Heroes: https://www.hiringourheroes.org/

• Send a representative to veteran job fairs. Many military organizations host career fairs for veterans looking for work. These events can be a great place to share your company’s story and open jobs.