Posted on May 6, 2015
Are we creating a generation of entitled Veterans?
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Recently I was talking with my brother who works for a medical supply company. The topic of hiring Veterans came up.
He talked about how many of the veterans that his company hires are lazy, lack loyalty, and feel that they are entitled. They show up late, miss deadlines, and constantly need supervision.
The turn over rate for these veterans is significantly higher than other employees. These are not wounded veterans, whom his company makes accommodations for, nor are they combat vets. These are service members that have completed thier initial enlistment, many of whom never left the country.
Essentially, these vets feel and act as if they deserve a job, and that this company should feel privileged to have them work there.
So my question is, are we creating a generation of entitled Veterans?
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He talked about how many of the veterans that his company hires are lazy, lack loyalty, and feel that they are entitled. They show up late, miss deadlines, and constantly need supervision.
The turn over rate for these veterans is significantly higher than other employees. These are not wounded veterans, whom his company makes accommodations for, nor are they combat vets. These are service members that have completed thier initial enlistment, many of whom never left the country.
Essentially, these vets feel and act as if they deserve a job, and that this company should feel privileged to have them work there.
So my question is, are we creating a generation of entitled Veterans?
Invite others to respond by typing @name
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 30
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My husband and I are both veterans, USMC, and since rejoining the work force have outdone our peers. Both of us work at different companies where our supervisors are constantly aknowledging our work ethic. I cannot stand some of my peers who just come to work for a paycheck and have no sense of pride in their work. I think this generation is entitled and disrespectful (I think it's because spanking got banned.. Kids need a smack sometimes to get their ego in check)
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I don't "sit on my laurels" and rely solely on my veteran status to land me a job. Most of my prior employers didn't even know I was a veteran because I left that box unchecked on the application. Besides what I did as a sailor (deck ape on a tugboat) often has no direct bearing on whatever position I'm applying for. Knowing which end of a marlinspike is which doesn't tell my potential employer that I know how to do the job they want done. Which, before I FINALLY returned to college 20+ yrs later, was pretty much being a secretary/desk jockey.
Now that I'm wanting to pursue a Bachelor's & eventually Master's degree in Nursing to become a Nurse Practitioner, my time in the Navy has even less in common with my career goals.
And don't EVEN get me started on the long lines that form in local restaurants giving away free meals to vets on Veteran's Day .... that's a whole 'nother topic...
Now that I'm wanting to pursue a Bachelor's & eventually Master's degree in Nursing to become a Nurse Practitioner, my time in the Navy has even less in common with my career goals.
And don't EVEN get me started on the long lines that form in local restaurants giving away free meals to vets on Veteran's Day .... that's a whole 'nother topic...
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SCPO (Join to see) As a wounded warrior I wish there were businesses like you that would have hired around here. I have met dirt bags of all shapes and kinds, best thing to do is warn them then fire them if they fail to step up. Veteran or not, they owe a decent days work for a decent days pay.
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SCPO Chris Klave - What do you mean by "are we creating a generation of entitled Veterans?" Who is creating this entitlement mentality, society or the military?
In my experience, many of the Veterans I see are older and have been in the civilian sector for many years, most have served only one term in the military. Civilian life has impacted them MUCH more than military life as far as job skill sets, moral, and values are concerned
The younger Vets I see are seem to be employable and easy to place into jobs. They do not seem to have a chip on their shoulder and are career orientated. Job retention is more likely if they are hired in a position that matches their career goals and provides upward mobility (younger vets can be aggressive), this reduces turn around.
To put it bluntly, younger veterans are very proud of their service, they feel they should have a leg up on employment, compared to same aged civilians, when the leave the service (as they typically should through their experiences), and they are motivated for upward mobility.
In my experience, many of the Veterans I see are older and have been in the civilian sector for many years, most have served only one term in the military. Civilian life has impacted them MUCH more than military life as far as job skill sets, moral, and values are concerned
The younger Vets I see are seem to be employable and easy to place into jobs. They do not seem to have a chip on their shoulder and are career orientated. Job retention is more likely if they are hired in a position that matches their career goals and provides upward mobility (younger vets can be aggressive), this reduces turn around.
To put it bluntly, younger veterans are very proud of their service, they feel they should have a leg up on employment, compared to same aged civilians, when the leave the service (as they typically should through their experiences), and they are motivated for upward mobility.
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I don't think it's an issue limited to veterans. My current job sees me working alongside people who would rather not be there. The simplest tasks I ask to be completed aren't done and it seems that they'd rather be in their cell phones than actually doing their job. Essentially, it comes down to a poor work ethic. The entitlement aspect you mention I've yet to see in the workforce but it's something common in other places. Bars and restaurants come to mind. It's shameful.
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Firstly Senior I have to ask how old these veterans are. I have noticed the trend you mention also but mostly in younger (one or two term) veterans who tend to be in their 20's. The older veterans such as myself, who did 20 or more years, I've noticed have all of the qualities you mention that are lacking.
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Is ANYONE watching all this and believing this is not a smear campaign? It is too organized and they are too worried about uniform changes, sex changes an unisex facilities just to impose their will on everyone. So be it. I am sick of the anti-military rhetoric.
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I know Soldiers that are serving today that act the way you described. Hell, I know Soldiers who have a sense of entitlement and they are still serving. This is what society is breeding and it will only get worse.
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I don't believe we are creating this because alot of Soldiers come in new to the military have that attitude. I believe it is a generation that has been brought up by computers instead of parents that had no resposibility or supervision and everything was done for them.
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MSG Brad Sand
1SG (Join to see)
I will say, that when we were stopped from taking soldiers behind the wood shed, we were no longer able to knock all the bad attitude out of them.
I will say, that when we were stopped from taking soldiers behind the wood shed, we were no longer able to knock all the bad attitude out of them.
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I feel we are and aren't. I still think that positions to be hired for you must meet the requirements or exceed them. If it was a close "race" to hire a couple people for 1 position I would likely choose the veteran.
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