The Business Advantage of Hiring Veterans and Military-Connected Talent
Whether you are recognizing National Hire a Veteran Day or optimizing your recruitment strategy year-round, the business case for hiring veterans and military-connected community members is compelling. Companies that actively recruit veterans and military-connected talent consistently gain access to skills, leadership qualities, and professional values that are difficult to cultivate through traditional hiring channels. The result is a workforce that can help reduce onboarding costs, strengthen performance, and improve retention.
The data backs this up. According to a Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) research report, “98% of HR professionals believe veterans can thrive in both team and individual settings, with many saying that veterans outperform civilian employees in key areas such as work ethic (68%), teamwork (61%), and leadership (58%).” Because these attributes are forged in dynamic, high-stakes environments, many employers find veterans require less support in foundational areas such as teamwork, accountability, and leadership development.
At Hiring Our Heroes (HOH), this research is reinforced daily through conversations with hiring managers and business executives.
“We’ve seen firsthand how military veterans and service members bring unmatched skill sets and viewpoints to the workplace. And we look forward to furthering our commitment to supporting more of our heroes.”
– Mary Beth Mandanas, CEO, Onyx Renewables
Hit the Ground Running
From deep technical skills to an instilled work ethic, military-connected job seekers statistically enter the job market with more on-the-job experience and practical training than their civilian counterparts. That translates to faster onboarding and real savings in time and resources from day one.
“The technical competency they bring to the table is extraordinary,” explained Jamie Gayton, Executive Vice President of Member Relations & Global Fixed Assets at PenFed Federal Credit Union. “In addition, the passion, the engagement, the grit, and the ‘get-it-done’ mentality that comes with anybody that’s associated with the military – it’s powerful.”
The benefits extend beyond technical know-how. Military environments inherently cultivate essential ‘soft skills’ – high-stakes leadership, effective communication, and team cohesion. Hiring individuals equipped with this built-in accountability and drive means less time micromanaging and more time advancing your broader organizational goals.
“Military-connected talent brings attributes such as initiative, leadership, critical thinking, dedication, and many other great qualities in addition to highly trained and self-disciplined professionalism to an organization.”
– Keith Fox, Senior Recruiter, Military Sourcing, CarMax
Measurable Impact on the Bottom Line
The impact of veteran hiring extends far beyond individual organizations. According to a 2023 McKinsey & Company study, improving employment outcomes for transitioning service members and veterans could add nearly $15 billion to the U.S. economy over the course of a decade. The study notes that “veterans represent a source of labor potential that is untapped relative to the breadth of experience and depth of skills that they acquire and develop during their service.”
That economic ripple starts at the company level. Businesses that tap into this talent pool may strengthen innovation, reduce productivity disruptions associated with turnover, and improve organizational performance. As commercial builder Luke Dressman put it plainly: “The veterans on my team are my biggest advantage.”
The Loyalty Dividend
High retention rates are another hallmark of veteran talent. Replacing an employee can cost a company thousands of dollars and months of lost productivity. But veterans’ mission-focused mindset and adaptability make them more likely to stay and grow within an organization.
A 2023 LinkedIn report found that veterans are 27% less likely than non-veterans to leave their first job within six months and 39% more likely to be promoted early in their civilian careers. By staying longer and advancing faster, veterans save HR teams the time and money required to recruit, hire, and train new personnel.
“We’ve seen that the values instilled in the military—honor, commitment, grit—translate into loyalty and long-term success in our industry.”
– Ryan Robida, TMC Transportation
Streamline Your Search
The good news for employers looking to take advantage of military talent? You don’t have to navigate this alone. For over 15 years, Hiring Our Heroes has connected members of the military community with American businesses to build economic opportunity and strengthen the workforce.
Through world-class hiring events, digital engagement opportunities, and fellowship programs, HOH functions as an extension of your recruiting team. We help connect employers with highly qualified veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses while providing job seekers with professional development resources that support successful career transitions.
There are a variety of ways to get involved:
Attend a hiring event. HOH hosts Career Summits on military installations around the globe, industry roundtables in cities nationwide, and virtual hiring fairs, connecting employers directly with skilled military-connected talent.
“Hiring Our Heroes continues to be the gold standard of in-person events. The knowledge that the attendees learn in the morning session really translates well to the hiring event in real time.”
– Participating employer, Barksdale 2026 Career Summit
Host a fellow. Many HOH fellowship programs are offered at no cost to employers, providing the opportunity to assess a candidate’s fit and capabilities in a professional setting before making a hiring decision.
“Hosting a fellow has been amazing as it benefits both the fellow and the employer in significant ways. The fellow gains valuable real-world experience, which can be pivotal for securing future employment. Simultaneously, the employer enjoys a low-risk opportunity to evaluate a potential new hire’s capabilities before making a decision.”
– Career Forward Fellowship Employer
Partner with Hiring Our Heroes. Whether you’re looking to fill critical talent gaps, diversify your talent pipeline, or strengthen your veteran and military spouse recruitment efforts, HOH offers resources, programs, and connections to help you reach qualified military-connected talent.
This National Hire a Veteran Day, don’t just recognize military talent, put it to work for your organization.
