Why Hiring a Veteran is Good for Business: Employer Benefits & Impact

Hiring the right talent is one of a business’s most important decisions. Employers want team members who bring strong leadership, adaptability, problem-solving skills, and dedication—qualities that drive success in any industry. But what if you could find all these attributes in a single hire?

That’s where veterans come in. Men and women who have served in the military bring invaluable skills and a strong work ethic to the civilian workforce. Yet, many veterans struggle to find employment after leaving the military despite being some of the most qualified and disciplined candidates available.

By hiring veterans, businesses gain highly skilled and dedicated employees and contribute to a meaningful cause—helping those who served our country successfully transition to civilian life.

If you want to strengthen your workforce, enhance company culture, and gain financial benefits, hiring veterans is one of the best decisions you can make for your business. Connect with us to find out how to make this possible!

The Business Case for Hiring Veterans

Many employers hesitate to hire veterans simply because they’re unfamiliar with military backgrounds or worry about how military experience translates to civilian work. However, veterans bring many skills and traits, making them excellent employees in nearly any field.

Veterans Have Strong Leadership & Teamwork Skills

Military service builds leaders. Whether leading a team in high-pressure situations or working together to achieve mission success, veterans understand the importance of collaboration, delegation, and responsibility.

Veterans excel at motivating teams, handling responsibility, and taking initiative.
They have proven leadership experience, making them great management and supervisory candidates.
Teamwork is a fundamental part of military training, making veterans highly effective at working with diverse teams in the workplace.

Veterans Are Adaptable & Perform Well Under Pressure

Business environments can be unpredictable, requiring employees who can problem-solve, think on their feet, and handle stress effectively. Veterans have already mastered these abilities through their military service.

Veterans thrive in high-pressure environments, making them well-suited for fast-paced industries.
They can quickly adapt to new challenges, workflows, and company cultures.
Military training instills a solution-oriented mindset, ensuring veterans approach challenges with focus and determination.

Veterans Bring Technical & Specialized Skills

Many veterans leave the military with highly valuable technical and specialized skills immediately applicable to civilian jobs.

Logistics, IT, cybersecurity, healthcare, mechanics, and engineering fields often align directly with military training.
Veterans are highly trainable and eager to learn new technologies and industry-specific tools.
Their ability to follow complex protocols and operate sophisticated systems makes them ideal candidates for technical roles.

Veterans Have a Strong Work Ethic & Commitment

Veterans are known for their discipline, reliability, and strong sense of duty. In the military, showing up on time, following through on responsibilities, and working toward a common goal are non-negotiable values.

Veterans bring a mission-driven mentality to their work, ensuring commitment and reliability.
They are highly disciplined, organized, and accustomed to meeting deadlines.
Their respect for structure and processes makes them valuable team players who effectively follow company policies and procedures.

Hiring Veterans Can Provide Tax Benefits

Beyond veterans’ skills and experience, businesses can also take advantage of federal tax incentives for hiring veterans. Programs like the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) and the Returning Heroes Tax Credit offer businesses significant tax breaks for employing veterans.

The WOTC provides tax credits of up to $9,600 per veteran hired, depending on their background and service history.
The Returning Heroes Tax Credit incentivizes hiring unemployed veterans, helping businesses and veterans thrive.
Employers who hire veterans with disabilities may qualify for additional tax credits and financial benefits.

These incentives make hiring veterans a win-win situation—your business gains a highly skilled employee while receiving financial advantages for supporting those who served.

3 Ways Businesses Can Get Involved

Hiring veterans is a strategic advantage for any company. Whether you’re a small business or a large corporation, there are many ways to integrate veterans into your workforce.

1. Develop Veteran Hiring Initiatives

Establish veteran recruitment programs within your company.
Partner with organizations that help match veterans with employers.
Offer on-the-job training to help veterans transition smoothly into civilian roles.

2. Connect with Veteran Employment Services

Many agencies, including CareerSource Brevard and veteran hiring programs, can help match businesses with qualified veteran candidates.

Use veteran job boards to post openings.
Attend veteran career fairs to meet potential hires.
Work with NVHS and other veteran-focused organizations to connect with job-seeking veterans.

3. Create a Veteran-Friendly Workplace

Provide mentorship programs to help veterans transition into your company culture.
Offer flexible training opportunities to accommodate veterans adjusting to civilian roles.
Foster a supportive work environment that values military experience and leadership skills.

Success Story: How Stable Housing Opened the Door to A Better Future

When Air Force veteran Paula P. relocated to Brevard County, she was at a breaking point. She slept in a rented car when she could afford it, stayed with friends when possible, and, at times, lived on the streets. With no stable housing and limited local resources, finding work seemed impossible.

After reaching out to NVHS, everything changed. We immediately placed her in temporary lodging and provided food and hygiene supplies. From there, we partnered with a local agency specializing in housing for women veterans, and she successfully entered transitional housing.

With a safe place to stay, Paula P. could finally focus on her future. She began actively searching for employment, now with a physical address and the peace of mind that she wouldn’t have to worry about where she’d sleep that night.

Her story is a powerful reminder of why hiring veterans matters. When given stability and opportunity, veterans bring resilience, discipline, and dedication to the workforce—qualities forged through service and strengthened through hardship.

NVHS: Helping Veterans Build a Brighter Future

At National Veterans Homeless Support (NVHS), we are committed to helping veterans transition into stable housing, employment, and financial security. Through our programs, we:

Provide housing and financial assistance to prevent veteran homelessness.
Connect veterans with career services and job placement programs.
Support businesses looking to hire veterans by facilitating job matches.

Veterans possess the leadership, discipline, and technical skills businesses need to thrive. By hiring veterans, employers not only strengthen their workforce but also make a lasting impact on the lives of those who served.

Looking for veteran talent? Want to support NVHS in our mission? Connect with us today!