Study Finds Veterans Need More Support in Civilian Workforce

A new study finds that veterans, despite being highly ambitious and skilled, are tuning out and stalling out in the U.S. workforce. Sixty-four percent of veterans say they are not using three or more of their skills that could be relevant in the corporate context. Nearly 40 percent (38 percent) say that senior leaders are not capable of seeing their full potential. These findings were published today in Center for Talent Innovation’s Mission Critical: Unlocking the Value of Veterans in the Workforce, a book that highlights the unique opportunities and challenges that U.S. veterans face in the workplace. Booz Allen Hamilton is one of seven sponsors of the study.

Booz Allen President and Chief Executive Officer Horacio Rozanski said the findings and recommendations in the study will benefit private sector employers who are looking for ways to help veterans succeed in second careers. “The findings align almost perfectly with our experience at Booz Allen in terms of what creates success in attracting, hiring, developing, and retaining veterans,” he said. “Veterans deserve to be supported with the right policies and an inclusive culture, as well as find a meaningful mission.”

Rozanski, who serves on CTI’s board of directors, and Booz Allen Executive Vice President Angie Messer both participated in an event celebrating the release of Mission Critical on Tuesday, November 10, at the New York Stock Exchange.

To celebrate Military Family Appreciation Month, Booz Allen is focused on renewing its commitment to, and support for, military family members and veterans through a variety of community partnerships, volunteer events, and recruiting initiatives. This week’s events include:

DC Summit: The Case for Corporate Employee Engagement in the Military Community
Booz Allen is joining forces with Blue Star Families and other partners to convene this November 13 event that represents a continuation of the work of White Oak 2015. Booz Allen and Blue Star Families will bring together representatives from commercial organizations, military/veteran nonprofits, the uniformed military, the White House, and DoD leadership to discuss the changing needs of military families.

The Rise of the Military Spouse Career – More Than Just a Job
Also on November 13, Booz Allen will host a panel discussion on military spouse careers that is free and open to the public via live webcast. The all-military spouse panel includes Booz Allen Hamilton Vice President Cathy Breeze; Victory Media Vice President of Military Spouse Programs Suzie Schwartz; and Associate Director of the DoD Office of Family Readiness Policy Eddy Mentzer. The panelists will explore the value of hiring military spouses, and how military spouses can take action to navigate a professional career through regular military moves.

In San Diego this week, Booz Allen volunteers will help to refurbish a youth center at Camp Pendleton.  This weekend, our employees will help to pack and distribute Thanksgiving meals to military families in the DC metro area as part of the USO’s Turkey for Troops program.

For more information about what Booz Allen does to support veterans and veteran communities, visit: http://www.boozallen.com/content/dam/boozallen/responsive-assets/military-family/img/BoozAllen_Veterans_Infograph_ForWebsite.pdf   

For more information on what Booz Allen is doing to mark Military Family Appreciation Month, visit: http://www.boozallen.com/lp/military-family-appreciation

For more information on Mission Critical: Unlocking the Value of Veterans in the Workforce, visit www.talentinnovation.org.