Today’s post is going to take on a more serious, impactful tone – my hope is that it touches the reader as much as it touched me to write it.
As of early 2008, our number of Disabled Veterans had jumped over 25%, to 2.9 Million in total. As of today, I can find no data (2010) on a further increase, but we can all agree that the number is larger. Our military campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan have accompanied significant enhancements in medical technology, in addition to the implementation of the “Golden Hour”, whereby the goal is to medically evacuate (medevac) the wounded Veteran to a field-hospital within a 1-hour window. The result? Wounds that would have killed Veterans in the Vietnam War (and earlier) are now successfully treated. Lives are being saved.
Good news, right? Perhaps, but to answer with a blanket statement would prove to be uninformed. Our suicide rate among young Veterans (those 18 to 29 years old who have served) increased 26% from 2005 to 2007. Earlier this year, VA Secretary Eric Shinseki stated that of our (approximately) 30,000 suicides in the U.S., 20% are committed by Veterans. Yeah, let that one sink in for a minute: 1 in 5 of our current annual suicides are being committed by those who have served our country. Further, the unemployment rate of Veterans has been 30% higher than the general population. Oh, and if that doesn’t blow you away, how about the fact that the unemployment rate among Female Veterans has increased by more than 60% from last year alone? Let’s not even get into what PTSD is all about, or the fact that the VA
estimates approximately 6 out of 10 Veterans who have served in a combat
zone return with some form of it. Who would want to disclose that
disease (along with all the civilian misconceptions about it) on an
employment application? You get the picture.
While the statistics laid out in the above paragraph don’t extract out the number of Disabled Veterans that fall into each category, I believe the numbers would be worse. Don’t believe me? Take a stroll through your local VA Hospital if you’d like to form your own assessment.
So, here’s where I’m going with this: I think it’s outstanding that Employers are building “military talent communities” and creating their own military-focused websites. They’re fantastic, albeit with one caveat: the majority of jobs listed advertised within them are “skilled” positions. Competition for these “skilled” Veterans is fierce – they’re getting a job either way. That’s right – if all we’re doing is competing for the same “skilled” military talent, we’re not making a dent in the problem. Sure, it’s a nice PR bump, but in reality, it’s window dressing.
While I greatly respect those Veterans who were not “Combat-Arms” focused, they’re not the individuals most susceptible to losing limbs or their sight, etc. That’s not said to discount the importance of Combat Support by any means, because supporting the actual WarFighter is absolutely necessary. But what I am suggesting is this: It’s not the “skilled” guy (or girl) typing on a keyboard back in the air-controlled, “Green Zone”, Command-and-Control tent that gets rocked by an IED. It’s the Marine on patrol in the Sunni Triangle of Iraq. It’s the Soldier “winning the hearts and minds” of the Afghani population in the Korengal Valley of Aghanistan. Again, you get the picture.
So, am I biased? You bet. See, when I volunteer at the Atlanta VA Regional Hospital, I don’t work with Veterans who are “skilled.” Why? Not because I wouldn’t, but because they don’t ask me to. They’re being competed for; they’re “good to go.” I find myself working with the people who are missing legs and arms (sometimes both), most of whom can’t get an interview with a local Piggly Wiggly because they’re not “skilled” enough. Nope, they’re the guys and girls that bought into the Military Recruiting vision – they wanted to “fight the bad guys” (or “fight for their country”), not knowing what the long-term costs of such a sacrifice might be. Yeah, yeah, the “We Thank Our Troops” bumper stickers are nice, but they don’t help anyone get a job. In a sense, these Disabled Veterans are “Not Gone, But Forgotten.”
And if you want the truth, most severely Disabled Veterans aren’t looking for help with a resume, or a call to a local organization that they respect. Nope, they’re looking for a boost to their confidence; something to believe in again; something to strive for and get them up out of bed in the morning.
The job that you’re currently recruiting for might just be it.
If this post moves you in any way, it has done its job. My only request for you is this: Understand that “skilled” Military Veterans are heavily competed for. It’s not the “skilled” who really need and could use your help. If you want to make a difference, dedicate some time to helping a Disabled Veteran or an “unskilled” Vet who actually spent his or her time fighting and didn’t have the opportunity to build up their slate of ‘transferable skills’. It won’t be an easy feat, but it will be a real accomplishment that you can be proud of. Further, you’ll have made a real dent in Veteran unemployment, not to mention touched yet another life in an extremely positive way.
Josh,
Your dedication to service is without end…This is not only a moving post but an inspirational one.
Wonderful post – and a very very important topic.
Great post. Todd Raphael
Josh, thank you for your post and reminding us of the sacrifices of our veterans.
We don’t have this in my home country of Canada, unfortunately, but delighted that the USA has support for what you call ‘Vetrepreneurs’… that is, returning military vets are supported in creating their own entrepreneurial ventures.
See http://www.navoba.com/ and
http://www.vetrepreneurs.com/
Well done U.S.A.
I agree Josh, but as a retired Infantryman (retired Aug ’09) I know the skills that a war fighter brings to the table plus I know the military education they bring, especially in this day and age when you must be enrolled in a higher learning institution to make rank. Not too mention the need to effectively complete leadership schools to keep said rank.
The problem is much deeper. The problem is a system which does not recognize the education and experience of our heroes. The problem is the military does not credential personnel because they would be prime targets for corporate America to recruit directly from their ranks. The problem is, in general, our education institutions do not afford accreditation, instead they make the soldier start from ground zero, which means more Uncle Sam $$ for their university pockets.
Skill sets are NOT the problem with our military. They have the skills, desire and motivation, but they do need direction. They need a system which recognizes and certifies, which cannot be done solely at the employer level.
Josh, thanks so much for starting the conversation here, because it NEEDS to continue in as many places as possible until the system is fixed. Our Executive Director (@DirectEmployers) and I have been speaking all over the country on MILITARY VETERAN HIRING and have made many visits to DC to speak federal contractors, DOL/ETS, VETS & anyone with influence who will listen. Later this month I will be speaking at a conference with hundreds of Veteran Representatives who serves veterans throughout their states.
My point? We need more voices. The question is are you ready to enlist? I see Todd Raphael’s comments but would ask, knowing his ERE stump, what are you going to do about this issue and providing awareness?
It’s time to challenge each other because a “thank you for your service” isn’t enough anymore. A comment isn’t enough when action is needed.
Thanks @Jenny DeVaughn for challenging me to read this post and reach out to you ;o)
Post and back-links soon to follow.
Thanks for the comments Chad. At ERE we have published articles on the topic, and have done multiple sessions on it at our conferences, and I did a (very) little volunteering on my own helping veterans, but would like to do more. Happy to have any suggestions. Todd
@Chad, you’re really hitting the nail on the head with taking this discussion further. To be honest, that’s all I can ask.
Your comments really dive into Corporate America and the Military itself – your efforts are much needed and from what I hear, you’re making a huge dent in the status quo. That’s truly commendable
What I was hoping for in this particular post was to humanize (or ‘make personal’) the very fact that Recruiters have so much power to make a difference. What we need is more Recruiters that are more concerned with helping Vets than adding a badge to their site or LI profile that suggests they’re actually doing something. Why do I say that? Because I’ve been hearing the following lately: “Oh yeah, I’m part of that Veteran project.” When I asked what they’ve done as a result, some stare back at me and say, “Um, I registered on the site; what else am I supposed to do?”
Also, I can’t help but point out the companies that act as if they’re doing something when they’re not. I know of one Leader who recently left one of these “military-friendly” firms because of its complacency and push for PR (press releases and articles on major Recruiting sites) instead of actually living what they were putting out there. This Leader was in charge of the Program itself, so we do have an issue out there that is tough to talk about – the time has come to take action.
@Todd, ERE is a reputable media site and can make a difference. Here’s the rub — I’d recommend more people who have actually served (i.e. worn the uniform) writing about military hiring programs and what it’s like to return to the Civilian world and fight for a job. Recruiting Leaders writing about their “community” or career site (to position for a promotion or marketing themselves for their next gig) is worn out like an old pair of tennis shoes. Many are Baby Boomers (hey, age matters in hierarchical firms) who never served. Any of us who have actually served our country often wonder what some of the Authors are talking about on many sites. Bottom line: If you haven’t walked the walk, you’re not qualified to talk the talk. “Close, but no cigar.” We need more people who have lived the challenge than Recruiting Leaders shooting for some stage award or PR bump. And speaking of Awards, please give them to companies that can show, without doubt, they’ve done something meaningful. It’s about results (i.e. how many ‘Disabled Vets’ did you hire this year?), not supposed process improvements and career websites that have a guy or girl giving a salute (or worse, a bald eagle rendition.)
@Chad, one thing I forgot to mention: A couple years ago, OnRec put out a request for nomations of companies that should receive a Recruiting Award.
I nominated the USMC and they won for their site and use of user-generated content (Marines, Mothers, Fathers, Coaches, etc.) RD Whitney himself called me to let me know of the award, along with the fact that no military organization had ever been nominated.
Small world, right?
In fitting fashion, I could reach no Marine PR Reps to go receive the award in Chicago. In their words, “Awards are nice and we do appreciate it, but we have a war to fight. Our job is to make sure Americans can sleep safely at night, not cavort around with Corporate America on stage.” I thought that was great
We dn’t have in this country, Canada, unfortunately, but I am pleased that the United States is to support what they call Vetrepreneurs or by returning military veterans to support the creation of their own business idea.