Do you want to foster inclusivity and a sense of belonging to help the Veterans on your team thrive? Are you unsure about what to do? No matter the setting (work or community) there is so much YOU can do – no action is too small! Let’s specifically look at actions you can take at work.
Veterans and their families have served and sacrificed to defend your freedom; now it’s your turn to S_E_R_V_E them!
This acronym will help you remember things you can do and help YOU lead the Veteran Champion movement.
S – Search 🧐 👀
- Identify Veterans at work
- Women Veterans are particularly challenging to find because they “don’t look or act the part” … as a matter of fact, most women Veterans feel invisible
- Chances are military women are married to military men
- Be creative to encourage self-identification at work – Learn more here
- Ask on the work application “Did you ever serve in the military?” – NOT “Are you a Veteran?”
E – Engage 🤩 😁
- TAKE THE FIRST STEP
- LISTEN to understand – Be sincere & authentic – Veterans “sniff out” insincerity “in a heartbeat”
- Anticipate needs
- DO acts of service
- Provide supportive resources and refer
- Support their families
- Connect /Invite/Include – TAKE THE FIRST STEP
- Ask if they would like to join the Veterans or other ERGs, civic group, parent–teacher association/organization, book club, sports team, bible study, church, etc, etc
- Learn how to connect with Veterans here
- ASK if something seems amiss & ENGAGE
- Express your concern, Say: “I’m worried about you and want to help” – Learn what to say to a Veteran who is struggling here
- Ask directly about suicide, Say: “Are you having thoughts of suicide?” – This shows you’re willing to talk about it openly
- Provide Veteran Suicide Prevention training to your work and community groups – Learn more here
- Contact the Veteran’s Crisis Line EARLY: Dial 988 and press 1
- Lead with your heart – If you don’t understand something, authentically ask for an explanation
- DO NOT ask if they killed someone – They DO NOT want to talk about it
R – Recognize 🙌 🇺🇸
- Thank them for wearing the uniform
- Or, Thank them for their service and sacrifices
- Learn how to go “Beyond Thank You For Your Service” here
- SHOW appreciation for their service and sacrifices privately or publicly
- Get input from individuals on the best way to recognize them
V – Value 👍 ⭐️
- Acknowledge the value of Veteran talent and that they are civic assets in your community
- Advocate for building a Veteran-hiring initiative at work with C-suite, Hiring Managers, Human Resources, Talent Acquisition, and DEI/B leaders – contact Vanguard Veteran to learn more about how to build your company’s Veteran Talent Strategy
- Appreciate & respond to cultural differences – The first step is to learn about it – Vanguard Veteran can provide your team Military Culture Training
E – Embrace 😉 🥳
- Get to know them as individuals
- Get them involved in Veteran ERG activities and participate as an ally
- Thoroughly onboard – connect then with a civilian and military “buddy at work”
- Give feedback early/often – don’t be intimidated – give them feedback to help them succeed
- Offer career advancement pathways
- Engage them in professional development activities
- Fully leverage their skillsets – Did you know underemployment is 15X greater for Vets 😩
- Support them and their families during deployments
- Volunteer & donate to Veteran community causes – It is an effective retention strategy
Need a Speaker? Questions?Contact Kathy@VanguardVeteran.com or 270-945-7286. Register for Vanguard Veteran’s monthly newsletter, here.
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