By Brigadier General Terry V. Williams USMC (Ret), UCLA ’84
Brigadier General Terry V. Williams USMC (Ret)
We honor all former US military men and women who have served this great nation, especially as we near Veterans Day. It is right and fitting to honor them for the service and sacrifices they have made to secure our freedoms and way of life. Whether spending countless days away from families training, protecting our embassies afar, responding to contingencies or fighting in combat, we can never forget what veterans have done for this great nation. There are, however, other ways to honor a veteran; give them a job because they are more than capable and have the experience, skills and traits highly sought after in the civilian job market that will make them an asset for any company.
Veterans make great employees—and I don’t say this just because I too am a veteran; I say this because I witnessed veterans, then on active duty, for over 30 years perform absolutely incredible feats, demonstrating the highly sought-after skills and traits employers’ desire. If you Google search the “top skills and traits sought after by employers," the lists of skills and traits represent much of what veterans possess. Some of the top skills include decision-making, multitasking, creative problem-solving, collaboration, communication, professionalism, integrity, management, initiative, empathy, leadership, and teamwork—just to name a few. Many of these traits and skills are core principles of personnel development, instilled in entry level training curriculum and required for advancement.
I watched Marines plan, rehearse and execute long haul resupply convoys on IED laden routes in Iraq, day after day after day, for six months—with many doing this on multiple deployments. Their ability to successfully plan these highly complex, life-threatening missions speaks to almost all the skills I laid out above and many others found on the Google search lists. I watched Navy, Air Force, and Marine contracting specialist faithfully and honorably solicit for, and acquire multimillion dollar service and contracts without incident in an activity where potential and temptation for improper and unethical behavior was large.
I watched the logistics element of NATO's Headquarters during Resolute Support Mission, put their heads together to solve multiple complex force protection issues that solved the challenge faster and less expensive than the policy dictated method. This also demonstrated all the skills and traits as laid out above. In each case it took professionalism, exceptional communication skills in getting the NATO bureaucracy to approve the solutions.
I watched Marines prepare to deliver condolences to the family of Marines killed in action and Marines serve natural disaster displaced persons at home and abroad. Their compassion, their professionalism, their capacity to work through these complex and highly emotional events cannot be captured in words but is nonetheless awe inspiring.
I’ve watched two US naval vessels conduct an underway replenishment (UNREP); a method of transferring fuel, munitions, and stores from one ship to another while under way. This complex, highly dangerous and intense evolution requires the ships to come along side each other, matching speeds while moving on parallel courses; then transferring fuel line for fuel and supplies from one ship to another. No other country in the world can do this; it is an incredible event to witness. It requires incredible teamwork, dedication, planning, communication, management, and leadership to collectively coordinate and synchronize the two independent ships’ crews to make this successfully happen. The skills and traits it takes from all the members involved demonstrate those same skills highly sought after in the job market.
These are just a few examples that demonstrate veterans possess several highly sought-after skills and traits that companies desire. So, this Veterans Day, let's honor our veterans with parades, speeches, documentaries, and other ceremonies with all the "pomp and circumstances". And let's also honor them, by considering them for employment, and not just on Veterans Day but every day. They have earned our thanks and admiration and they have developed the skills and traits to make a positive contribution to any company.
Did you know Phi Kappa Tau has a pin specifically for Phi Kappa Tau Veterans? It is sent directly to you, complimentary of the Phi Kappa Tau Executive Offices. Click here to order.