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Do you have a Veteran’s skillset?2 min read

Proud saluting male army soldier on american flag backgroundNovember 11th is Veterans Day, and an opportunity for us to give thanks to those that served our country. Veterans Day began in 1919 when President Wilson declared the 11th hour, of the 11th day of the 11th month as Armistice Day; when fighting ended in World War I. After World War II, this was later changed to Veterans Day and became a day to honor all of those who served our country.

Today there are over 22 million veterans according to the United States Department of Veteran Affairs, and almost 1 million of these men and women are unemployed. As a way of thanking veterans for their selfless acts, perhaps we should all considering hiring a veteran and reducing this staggering unemployment statistic.

Why hire a veteran? They possess skills and talents need in today’s businesses. Among them teamwork. Following the motto “There’s no ‘I’ in TEAM” isn’t just a saying. No one understands the crucial, life and death, importance of teamwork more than a veteran, and knowing how much more we can all accomplish when working together.

Another trait of veterans is their ability to perform under pressure. Whenever you might think that your job is stressful and you’re ready to throw in the towel, remember that no one is throwing a grenade into your cubicle. You get to drive home after work and have dinner with your family. Veterans know the importance of carefully and thoroughly completing their mission if they want to go home, no matter what kind of day they’re having. There’s no quitting for veterans!

Veterans don’t try to control a situation. Instead they respect leadership and procedures. In every organization, there is a job for everyone and a methodical way of completing individual tasks. Their accountability to the team to accomplish their individual task, and follow the correct system and procedure to do so, is vital to the overall success of the group.

This year marks the second annual National Veterans Small Business Week. Thousands of men and women of the Armed Forces have used their skills to start their own business. Help out these individuals by patronizing their businesses, and consider hiring a veteran for your own organization. It’s the least we can do to show our appreciation for their sacrifice to us and our country.