What has your company done to hire and retain more veterans and/or help them transition?

My company is looking to hire since it is growing very, very quickly. I also know they have a huge emphasis on diversity, with a definite focus on veterans. In fact, the reason I work there is because another veteran is actively recruiting veterans. http://www.mopro.com/

My company, Sandia National Laboratories, started a program specifically designed to assist combat injured/disabled veterans. They used Oracle's successful similar program as their model. It's called the Wounded Warrior Career Development Program. I have attached a link, but the short story is that it offers positions supporting SNL's different missions. If you meet the requirements of the program, you are only competing against other "wounded warriors" for positions. The goal is to provide the veteran with training and education opportunities in order to help them establish a successful post-military career.

http://www.sandia.gov/careers/special_programs/wounded_warrior_career_development_program.html

My company (Microsoft.com) is very active within the veteran hiring realm of activities. In fact, this week I'll be attending the Centurion Military Alliance's (CMA) 4th Annual MEGA Warrior Transition Readiness Workshop out at Randolph AFB, helping transitioning veterans better prepare for their upcoming civilian life. Not only are we donating our time, but my employer will also be converting the time we're volunteering into money and matching it for a financial donation to this military non-profit.

My goal is to land a career where I can help companies improve their veteran hiring rates or create a veteran recruiting team. With over 14 years in military recruiting, would love to be on the other end of the spectrum from being first person the recruit had initial contact with to enlist into the service to be the first contact they had into a company who wanted to hire them to begin their re-entry back into the civilian workforce.

Military veterans possess many skills and talents that can benefit companies, they are already professional trained and they learn and adapt pretty fast. The obstacle is networking and finding that one person in the company who understand what the veteran brings to the table. Having that one person be a veteran him/her self helps overcome this obstacle.

If you know a company who is in need of a recruiter to add to their team, could you please recommend them to me? I am facing my own challenges of entering the corporate world.

Thank you.

We have a Veterans Network Program. Usually veterans are bumped up if they meet the qualifications desired for the position. In addition, during the interview process, someone from the veterans network will interview the applicant to translate their military experience.

We are actively hiring veterans, it starts with having a veteran in the initial process dedicated to the veteran applications. We are involved with many agencies, groups, vet reps and vendors that are military specific.

My personal opinion on this next item is mine alone, there are a lot of sites and vendors out there that say they have a good base with veterans, transitioning and NG or Reserve members that they want to connect employers with, and they have that intention in mind.

As an employer we want to connect every where we can with veterans, but some of these companies are taking an awful lot of money to help companies accomplish that with minimal or no return on investment. There are many vendors and groups that truly are working to employ us and doing it at no or very little cost to the veteran or us as an employer. We tend to work more with them, then a company that will charge us 800-1000 for a booth space and 5 K for ads.

If they are truly wanting to connect the veterans and military members and get them employed than do that at an affordable cost for all companies and not try to drive up profit to themselves.

TMC transportation goes out of its way to bring veterans in. The company was started by a marine fresh out of Vietnam. It's is now an employee owned company.

First of all, it's not the responsibility of civilian employers to help service members transition; they will appreciate your service, just don't become a burden to them or you'll be "let-go". Many large firms and government jobs have education and training programs available, but must growth in the economy has been in small businesses and they typically cannot afford employee training. Also, it's not the civilian employer's responsibility to make sure you are trained - that's your job and you do it generally at your own expense, unless you were able to qualify and utilize your education benefits or quality for some sort of training benefit through the VA. The work place environment is highly competitive, you aren't the only one with your eye on the good job. Having said that, most government jobs have some sort of point system for hiring and usually veterans get some points and disabled veterans get more. Our department has a few reserve members and hired one off active duty years ago. He did not pass probation because he was too confrontational with our customers (they are customers and professionals, not the enemy). Many employers require certifications or qualifications that can be obtained while still serving on active duty; so it's helpful to just know what you want to do, search out the qualifications and take the study courses and obtain the certifications. Then research employers that you like and go directly to them. Also, working for the government is a good place to be if you want a reserve career after active duty. Many civilian employers don't run very deep so they are always pressuring reserve members to give up their service and just work those extra weekends for the employer for free (your supposed to be grateful that they gave you a job). Also, if you decide to start your own business avoid the reserve since there is a good chance you might lose your business when you are mobilized (ya, that still happens). I know some people that were able to keep their business going when they were gone, but must fail.
Please keep in mind that in general, pay and benefits in the DOD surpass what you'll find in the civilian sector unless you are a highly talented individual who is destined for greatness (entertainer, executive, investment banker, creative entrepreneur, taking over the family business, etc). You're not going to start out with 30 days of vacation, paid time at the gym, a six hour work day and having an employer that cares about your family. It is your responsibility to be the rock and leader of your own life. Good luck and go out there and make it happen.

I currently work for Yellow Ambulance of Indiana and Kentucky out of Louisville. They hire current qualified EMT/ALS/PARA Plus they also pay while you attend in their EMT training program. Lots of veterans in the company. Its a good company and the work is needed. Call [login to see] , [login to see] or [login to see] (switchboard). Also has Yellow Taxi services.
This company is owned by Procarent, which has Gateway Ambulance in Saint Louis MO and Care Ambulance in Indianapolis IN. There is another location for Yellow at Owensburg KY.
As for anything else, it's what you make of it. You'll hear the good and the bad but it's a good starter company on a new career outside the military. Do a couple of years there and you can work pretty near anywhere in the U.S.A.

Ryder hires many veterans, check them out. Also google top veteran employer's and that will give you some large companies to target. Many smaller companies do not have the resources to target veterans, but like the dedication and work ethic, so check out local companies. Good Luck