Most people associate military service with discipline, hierarchy and command and control. This reputation is well-deserved and the military service is tremendously empowering for many servicemen and women. It instills confidence, teamwork and integrity: qualifications crucial for any growing organization.

The media reports frequently about post-traumatic stress disorder, an unfortunate label for a psychological condition that, when treated appropriately, is often overcome. Some less informed employers, however, may not realize this. This excessive PTSD coverage could potentially generate an unspoken bias among some hiring managers who may fear veterans won’t be as good as non-veterans as an employee. Realistically, veterans are often far more effective than civilians, especially when the pressure builds. Getting shot at tends to widen one’s perspective on what is high-pressure, and how to handle it.

A lot of vets will be without jobs this Christmas and some will be without homes. It is an unfortunate reality of the times. The question I ask is why? During a time when we have the best equipped armed forces and military support is at its highest, why would a veteran of all people struggle to land a good job?

It’s at least partly due to ignorance and an ever-widening rift between the military and civilian society, particularly among so-called elites. Veterans make up only 20 percent of Congress today, compared with 70 percent in 1975. With only 1 percent of Americans serving in the military today, some folks just don’t get it. They don’t understand the valuable qualities service members bring to the table.

It’d be nice if we could just punt responsibility and blame veteran unemployment on the lousy economy or the sluggish job market. But even the nation’s financial woes cannot explain why our youngest veterans, heroes fresh from fighting our wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, face a hard time finding a job. I recently read an article by Rye Barcott, author of “It Happened on the Way to War” and it put some things into perspective, most notably the ever-widening gap between those who have served and those who haven’t.

Not only do veterans have a hard time translating their skills for civilian employers, the military’s emphasis on teamwork can make self-promotion a difficult, uncomfortable thing for vets. The military prides itself on teamwork and the suppression of individual identity. It’s service-based, and that can come in conflict with modern capitalistic values.

But make no mistake: Hiring veterans is not a matter of charity. For those organizations looking to excel in the world, it is pure, enlightened self-interest. Veterans deliver results. They build teams. They are, in the words of Colin Powell, “force multipliers.” We here at NaVOBA have constantly talked about the “Buy Veteran Campaign.” What better way to “Buy Veteran” than to “Hire Veteran.”

Happy Holidays!

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