Jul 16, 2024
On National Hire a Veteran Day, Hire a Veteran
Every year on July 25, Veteran-led PureTalk joins the rest of the country in recognizing National Hire a Veteran Day.
It is a simple idea with a big impact: shine a spotlight on Veterans, highlight the skills they bring to the civilian workforce, and encourage employers to give them a fair shot.
In a tight labor market, Veterans are not a nice-to-have. They are some of the strongest hires you can make.
What Is National Hire a Veteran Day?
National Hire a Veteran Day is observed on July 25 each year.
The goal is to:
- Raise awareness of the challenges Veterans face when they transition from military to civilian life
- Encourage employers to actively recruit and hire Veterans
- Remind hiring managers that Veteran resumes may look different, but the skills are highly transferable
Every day, thousands of service members hang up the uniform and step into a job search. On July 25, employers are reminded to look at those candidates first, not last.
Why Hiring Veterans Is Smart For Your Business
Veterans bring hard skills, soft skills, and a proven track record under pressure.
Leadership and teamwork
- Veterans are trained to lead teams, large and small
- They are used to working in cross-functional groups
- They understand mission, roles, and accountability
Whether they supervise a team or contribute as an individual, Veterans show up ready to work with others.
Adaptability and resilience
- Veterans are used to constant change
- They have worked in tough environments, with limited resources
- They know how to stay calm when the stakes are high
- In fast-moving industries, this kind of resilience is a major advantage.
Technical skills and certifications
Many Veterans bring:
- Experience in IT, cybersecurity, logistics, aviation, engineering, communications, and healthcare
- Industry-recognized certifications and formal training
- Comfort with complex systems and standard operating procedures
They may not use corporate buzzwords, but the underlying skills are often a direct match for your job descriptions.
Strong work ethic and integrity
- Military culture builds:
- Discipline and punctuality
- A strong sense of ownership
- Respect for rules, processes, and safety
Veterans understand what it means to be responsible for people, equipment, and outcomes. They take that responsibility seriously.
Problem-solving and mission focus
- Veterans are trained to assess, decide, and act
- They know how to break down complex problems into clear steps
- They are comfortable making decisions with incomplete information
If you need people who can work through challenges instead of getting stuck, Veterans are a natural fit.
How Employers Can Attract And Support Veteran Talent
Hiring Veterans is not only the right thing to do. It also improves performance and culture. Here are practical ways to make your company more Veteran-ready.
1. Build a Veteran-friendly hiring process
- Add “Veterans encouraged to apply” to your job postings
- Train recruiters to read military resumes and translate ranks and roles
- Map common military jobs to your key roles, so screeners know where to place talent
2. Make the application experience simple
- Remove unnecessary steps or jargon that can confuse first-time applicants
- Offer a direct point of contact or email address for Veteran candidates
- Consider a “Veteran talent pool” application for candidates who are open to multiple roles
3. Offer structured onboarding and mentorship
- Pair new Veteran hires with a peer mentor, ideally another Veteran
- Provide a clear 30–60–90 day plan
- Explain workplace norms that may differ from military culture, such as meeting etiquette or feedback styles
4. Create a supportive culture
- Start a Veteran employee resource group (ERG) or affinity group
- Recognize military holidays and service anniversaries
- Offer flexible policies for Guard and Reserve duty
5. Invest in growth and mental health
- Provide access to training, tuition assistance, and certifications
- Share information about mental health resources and employee assistance programs
- Communicate that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness
When Veterans see that your company values both their service and their future, they are more likely to stay and grow with you.
How To Observe National Hire a Veteran Day
You do not have to be a large corporation to make a difference on July 25. Here are simple actions any employer or leader can take.
Review open roles with a “Veteran lens.”
Look at your open positions and ask: where could a Veteran thrive?
Host a virtual or in-person info session.
Invite local Veterans to learn about your company and ask questions.
Partner with Veteran organizations.
Connect with groups like local Veterans service organizations, military transition offices, or workforce boards.
Train your HR and hiring teams.
Spend an hour on how to interpret military experience and avoid bias.
Share your commitment publicly.
Use internal channels and social media to share your pledge to hire Veterans. Include the hashtag #HireAVeteranDay.
Small steps add up. Even one offer letter can change a family’s future.
A Brief History Of National Hire a Veteran Day
National Hire a Veteran Day was founded by Marine Corps Veteran Dan Caporale, creator of the non-profit Hire Our Heroes.
He saw how many Veterans struggled to find meaningful work after leaving the military and asked a simple question:
What if there were one day each year where employers focused on hiring Veterans?
From that idea came an online career fair, then a formal national awareness day. Today, companies of all sizes use July 25 to spotlight Veteran hiring and launch new commitments.
How PureTalk Honors Veterans Year-Round
As a Veteran-led wireless company, PureTalk’s support for Veterans does not stop on July 25.
PureTalk:
- Offers a 20% discount to those who are actively serving or who have served
- Has committed to forgiving $10 million in Veteran debt in partnership with ForgiveCo
- Supports America’s Warrior Partnership (AWP) and other organizations working to prevent Veteran suicide
- Features Veteran stories, including Medal of Honor recipient Clint Romesha, in our Voices of Valor and American Stories content series
Supporting Veteran employment is one more way we work to honor service and strengthen American families.
Honor Their Service. Unlock Their Potential.
National Hire a Veteran Day is more than a date on the calendar. It is a call to action.
When you hire Veterans, you:
- Gain proven leaders and problem-solvers
- Strengthen your culture with people who understand teamwork and sacrifice
- Help men and women who served our country build stable, meaningful civilian careers
This July 25, join PureTalk in looking at your open roles and asking a simple question:
Can a veteran succeed here?
If the answer is yes, take the next step. Reach out, interview, and hire. You will be glad you did.
Posted 1 year ago