Hiring Managers: Understanding the Skills of Military Veterans and Interviewing Guidance

Hiring Managers: Understanding the Skills of Military Veterans and Interviewing Guidance Tweeting this session? Use #HireAVet and @ValueOfaVeteran © 2012 The Value Of a Veteran (all rights reserved)

What Does it Take to Develop a Successful Military Recruiting & Retention Program? Education (Leadership, Recruiters, Hiring Managers, Supervisors etc.) Retention Program Training Program Skills Crosswalk Sourcing Strategy Outreach Strategy Identify Champion, Program Mgr (Dedicated Recruiters & Advisory Team) Present the Business Case (get support => staffing, funding, budget) © 2012 The Value Of a Veteran (all rights reserved)

What Comes to Mind When You Think About What We Do In The Military? Photo Courtesy of U.S. Army Photographer: Staff Sgt. Mike Pryor Photo Courtesy of U.S. Army Photographer: SPC Jeffery Sandstrum 5 © 2012 The Value Of a Veteran (all rights reserved)

Veterans Have the Skills you Want to Hire Foreign Area Specialists Welders Construction HVAC Food Service Intelligence Satellite Contracting / Purchasing Plumbers Media/Graphic Arts Pilots Postal Operations The military has over 7,000 job positions across more than 100+ functional areas and 81% of these jobs have a direct civilian equivalent. Air Traffic Controllers Marine Specialties Lawyers Engineers Police / Security Doctors Finance / Accounting Material Handling Telecommunications Nurses Medical Specialties Transportation Supply Chain / Logistics Mechanics Human Resources / Training / Recruiting IT / Computer Machinists 6 © 2012 The Value Of a Veteran (all rights reserved)

The Military Has Technical Experience Did you know that, in today’s highly-digitized military, a majority of service members work with computer systems daily? U.S. Air Force Capt. Jennifer Kennedy and Staff Sgt. Robert Goodnight, both from the 573rd Global Support Squadron, Travis Air Force Base, Calif., update operations and satellite data in computer systems at Castle Airport, CA Photo courtesy of US Air Force Photographer: SSgt. Dori Jones U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rojelo Zarate uses a PRC 150 multiband tactical radio system to transmit data with a Toughbook computer at Camp Ramadi, Iraq. Photo courtesy of US Marine Corps Photographer: LCpl. Alvin D. Parson U.S. Navy Information Systems Tech. Seaman Michael Cadiz checks the RAM on a computer in the automatic data processing shop aboard aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) Photo courtesy of US Navy Photographer: MC3 Christopher S. Harte U.S. Army Capt. Jack Nicholson, assigned to 450th Civil Affairs Battalion, is setting up computer systems in Haswah, Iraq. The computer systems will help farmers track their cash flow electronically and help them with business decisions for the growing market near Haswah. Photo courtesy of US Navy Photographer: MC2 Kim Smith 8 © 2012 The Value Of a Veteran (all rights reserved)

But, What If There is Still a Skills Gap? • Your company can choose to develop an on-the-job training program to bridge it. • Funding may be available to pay for much or all of this OJT program: • State-provided jobs training grants • G.I. Bill • Eligible costs for reimbursement include: • course design and development • instruction costs for job-specific training • training materials and supplies • training facility rental • travel costs 9 © 2012 iStockPhoto © 2012 The Value Of a Veteran (all rights reserved)

Veterans are Educated • DoD FY 2011 Officer and Enlisted End Strength by Current Highest Level of Education Attained • Active Duty numbers only • Does not include Coast Guard • Numbers don’t equal 100% as not all reported http://www.dantes.doded.mil/Sub%20Pages/Resources/Resources_Main.html#FactSheets 11 © 2012 The Value Of a Veteran (all rights reserved)

Special Programs Exist to Help Service Members Obtain Civilian Credentials Military programs fund some or all fees for professional credentialing exams for enlisted members • Army Credentialing Opportunities Online (COOL) https://www.cool.army.mil/ • Navy Credentialing Opportunities Online (COOL) https://www.cool.navy.mil/ • Air Force Credentialing and Education Research Tool (CERT) https://augateway.maxwell.af.mil/ccaf/certifications/programs/ 13 © 2012 The Value Of a Veteran (all rights reserved)

The Military is Diverse The military is made up of over 41% non-white service members and women make up 15-20% of each service. Photo courtesy of US Navy Photographer: MC1 TIFFINI M. JONES Photo courtesy of US Marine Corps Photographer: CPL. DANIEL R. LOWNDES Photo courtesy of US Navy Photographer: Ensign Kristine Volk Photo courtesy of US Army Photographer: : Sgt. Juan Torres-Diaz Photo courtesy of US Air Force Photographer: : A1C Wesley Farnsworth Photo courtesy of US Navy Photographer: : MC1 TIFFINI M. JONES 15 © 2012 The Value Of a Veteran (all rights reserved)

Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers have Extensive Management/Supervisory Experience The military places its members in leadership and managerial positions within 1-3 years of joining the service. The average 26 year old service member has more years of managing people than the average 30-something (and they’ve done it under much more challenging situations). Photo courtesy of US Air Force Photographer: Airman 1st Class Liliana Moreno 17 Photo courtesy of US Air Force Photographer: TSGT MARVIN R. PRESTON © 2012 The Value Of a Veteran (all rights reserved)

The Military Culture is Built on Accountability The military entrusts junior enlisted members with more personal and financial responsibility for the people and equipment assigned to them than the average company requires of its mid-level managers Photo courtesy of US Air Force Photographer: Airman First Class Courtney Witt Photo courtesy of US Air Force Photographer: Staff Sgt. Jesse M. Shipps 19 © 2012 The Value Of a Veteran (all rights reserved)

Concern Someone who serves in the National Guard / Reserves might get called up and have to take a leave of absence for a few months or even years. © 2012 The Value Of a Veteran (all rights reserved) © 2012 iStockPhoto

You Cannot Show a Bias Against Hiring National Guard and Reserve Members • You can’t guarantee you’ll have any employee for a long period of time – don’t discriminate against Guard/Reserve members • You already support civilian employees who take extended leave for pregnancy, family medical emergencies and personal emergencies • USERRA (Uniformed Service members Employment and Reemployment Rights Act) is no joke! © 2012 The Value Of a Veteran (all rights reserved)

Uniformed Servicemembers Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA) Feb 19, 2012 http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/returning-military-members-allege-job-discrimination--by-federal-government/2012/01/31/gIQAXvYvNR_story.html?hpid=z2 © 2012 The Value Of a Veteran (all rights reserved)

Uniformed Servicemembers Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA), cont. For complaint and settlement details on this or any USERRA case filed by the DOJ, please visit http://www.justice.gov/crt/spec_topics/military/cases.php © 2012 The Value Of a Veteran (all rights reserved)

The Disabled Veteran’s Barrier to Employment Recruiters, hiring managers, employees, and even company leadership can present significant challenges to employing any group of people with disabilities • Many companies do not provide any kind of training for employees / supervisors / hiring managers on working with or providing accommodations to persons with disabilities • Those that do provide training do not make it a routine part of professional development (i.e., only required to take it once) • Very few companies require people in a position to hire to take awareness training regularly 25 © 2012 iStockPhoto © 2012 The Value Of a Veteran (all rights reserved)

THe Disabled Veteran’s Barrier to Employment, cont. Keep in mind that the veteran’s disability was acquired after he/she entered the workforce: • The service member was able-bodied when he/she began his/her career • The military invested a considerable amount of money to train and educate the veteran to do a particular job • While serving in the military the service member sustained an injury that ultimately resulted in him/her leaving the service • The veteran is now a young (age 18-40) adult learning how to cope with a life-changing condition while also trying to find suitable work that utilizes the skills he/she has already attained © DoD photo by Cherie Cullen/Released 26 © 2012 The Value Of a Veteran (all rights reserved)

Definition of “Service - Disabled” Veteran • “Service-connected disability” sounds a bit scary and intimidating to those unfamiliar with the term. • The Department of Veterans Affairs evaluates the veteran and determines that he or she has an injury or illness that was incurred or aggravated during active military service. • Disability levels are rated from 0% up to 100%. 27 © 2012 The Value Of a Veteran (all rights reserved) © 2012 JupiterImages Corporation

Definition of “Service - Disabled” Veteran, cont. • Examples of disabilities include: • Hearing loss due to working around generators • Lower back injuries sustained during an armored vehicle accident resulting in wheelchair use • Amputated limb from a heavy equipment accident • Loss of vision from chemical solvent splash • Facial disfigurement from exposure to an improvised explosive device (IED) blast • Traumatic Brain Injury / Acquired Brain Injury as a result of a fall from an antenna tower 28 © 2012 The Value Of a Veteran (all rights reserved) © 2012 JupiterImages Corporation

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) PTSD – It’s not just a veteran’s condition! Anyone can show signs of PTSD if they have experienced: • Contentious divorce/custody proceedings • Traumatic loss of a loved one • Physical or sexual assault • World Trade Center / Columbine / Virginia Tech / Oklahoma City / airplane landing on the Hudson River… When your sense of safety and trust is shattered, it’s normal to feel crazed, disconnected or numb –most people would. 29 © 2012 The Value Of a Veteran (all rights reserved) © 2012 JupiterImages Corporation

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), cont. That said, many of our veterans who have served since September 11, 2001 have been exposed to some kind of traumatic combat-related situation: • Being attacked or ambushed • Seeing dead or severely wounded people • Being shot at • Knowing someone who was seriously injured or killed © U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brandon M. Owen/Released 30 © 2012 The Value Of a Veteran (all rights reserved)

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), cont. The service member may not even realize that he / she has not fully mentally addressed and coped with the traumatic experience until a trigger produces PTSD symptoms. The trigger(s) and the expressed PTSD symptoms could occur weeks, months or even a year or more after the traumatic event. 31 © 2012 The Value Of a Veteran (all rights reserved) © 2012 iStockPhoto.com

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), cont. When most people think of veterans and PTSD they are afraid that they will witness the person having flashbacks and violent outbursts at work and that they won’t know how to handle that if it happens… 32 © 2012 The Value Of a Veteran (all rights reserved) © 2012 iStockPhoto.com

The Real Concern? • Once explored, managers and HR professionals fears are actually that: • They won’t recognize the warning signs of someone struggling with PTS • They don’t know how to address the symptoms with the veteran if they suspect PTS • They don’t know whether their Employee Assistance Program (EAP) covers PTSD • They don’t know any additional resources to assist the veteran they suspect has PTS symptoms 33 © 2012 The Value Of a Veteran (all rights reserved)

Recognizing PTSD Symptoms • PTSD symptoms: • Re-experiencing event • flashbacks / nightmares • intense physical reaction (nausea, sweating, pounding heart) • Avoidance • Loss of interest in activities / life in general • Avoiding places, people, activities • Increased arousal • Difficulty sleeping • Irritability / outbursts of anger • Jumpy / easily startled Internal triggers: • thoughts • memories • feeling out of control External triggers: • Sights or sounds • Smells • Specific places • Anniversaries/holidays • News item / TV report • Seeing someone who reminds them of a person connected to the traumatic event 34 © 2012 The Value Of a Veteran (all rights reserved)

Veterans Have the Skills you Want to Hire Foreign Area Specialists Welders Construction HVAC Food Service Intelligence Satellite Contracting / Purchasing Plumbers Media/Graphic Arts Pilots Postal Operations The military has over 7,000 job positions across more than 100+ functional areas and 81% of these jobs have a direct civilian equivalent. Air Traffic Controllers Marine Specialties Lawyers Engineers Police / Security Doctors Finance / Accounting Material Handling Telecommunications Nurses Medical Specialties Transportation Supply Chain / Logistics Mechanics Human Resources / Training / Recruiting IT / Computer Machinists 37 © 2012 The Value Of a Veteran (all rights reserved)

There are Tools to Help You Translate the Military Jargon O*Net Online can help you decipher these resumes and cross-reference your hiring needs with military skills • Can search by Military Occupational Code (MOC) (i.e., 90A) • Can also search by military job title (i.e., “Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Operator” • Can crosswalk military occupation to civilian equivalent • http://online.onetcenter.org/crosswalk/ 38 © 2012 The Value Of a Veteran (all rights reserved)

There Are Intangible Skills as Well • Just by serving in the military, veterans gain skills that are transferable: • Project management • Personnel management • Training/instruction • Counseling • Operations • Interpersonal communication • Leadership • Problem solving / decision making / trouble shooting • Process improvement • Requirements gathering 39 © 2012 The Value Of a Veteran (all rights reserved)

What About Those Unfamiliar Job Titles? Some position titles seen on a military resume won’t show up in O*Net Online: • Commander/Commanding Officer/Platoon Leader • Executive Officer • Platoon Leader • Operations Officer • Command Master Chief / Command Sergeant Major • Staff officer (i.e., S1, J3, N4) • Action Officer Wikipedia is a great source for layman descriptions for and lists of responsibilities of these positions www.en.wikipedia.org 40 © 2012 The Value Of a Veteran (all rights reserved)

Example - Commander/Commanding Officer/Platoon Leader • APlatoon Leader is the commander of a platoon (O-1 or O-2) • Commanders are found at Company (O-3), Battalion (O-5), Brigade (O-6), Division (O-7) and Corps (O-9) levels • Senior-most leader of that specific organization • Significant responsibilities • Budget distribution & oversight • Personnel actions (legal, firing, military punishment) • Direction and vision of organization • Mission preparedness (personnel and equipment training, certification, qualification) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commanding_Officer “I was a combat transport platoon leader…” 41 © 2012 The Value Of a Veteran (all rights reserved) © 2012 JupiterImages Corporation

Example - Executive Officer • Found at Company (O-2), Battalion (O-4), and Brigade (O-5) levels • Considered staff position • Second-in-command • Oversees and directs day-to-day activities of business departments that support organization (logistics, maintenance, personnel administration, communications, etc.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_officer#Military “I was XO for the 308th Quartermaster Company…” 42 © 2012 The Value Of a Veteran (all rights reserved) © 2012 JupiterImages Corporation

Example - Staff Officer • Usually identified by a letter/number combination (e.g., S-1, J-2) • The letter gives an idea of the size of the organization • The number identifies the business departments that support organization • 1 = personnel administration/HR • 2 = intelligence • 3 = operations and training • 4 = logistics/maintenance • 5 = planning and policy development • 6 = telecommunications and IT • 7 = professional development and education • 8 = resource management (budgeting, procurement, financial mgmt) • 9 = concept development & experimentation (research, integration, test & evaluation) “I just finished up as the S1…” © 2012 The Value Of a Veteran (all rights reserved) 43 © 2012 JupiterImages Corporation

Officer & Enlisted Salary Expectations, Based on Grade Military members earn a combination of several types of pay which determines their total compensation package. • Base pay • Housing Allowance* • Subsistence Allowance* • Position-based specialty pays (i.e., doctors, pilots, etc.)* • Skill-based pays (paratrooper, linguist, etc.) * = not taxed 44 © 2012 iStockPhoto © 2012 The Value Of a Veteran (all rights reserved)

Questions You Shouldn’t Ask • “It says here in your resume that you are still serving in the Guard/Reserve. Won’t that interfere with travel or weekend work requirements? What are your chances of being called up?” • If you express doubts like that during interview process, and the applicant is subsequently not hired, you run a risk of having a Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) complaint flied against you or even potentially a lawsuit being filed. 48 © 2012 The Value Of a Veteran (all rights reserved)

Questions You Shouldn’t Ask, cont. • “I see from your resume that you’ve had a couple of deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Seen any scary stuff over there? Did you get hit by any IED’s? How have you been feeling since you’ve been back?” • Questions like that may be interpreted by the veteran as you are trying to determine if he/she has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or a hidden disability (such as Traumatic Brain Injury). You run a risk of complaints being filed for a violation of USERRA or the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and potentially lawsuits being filed. 49 © 2012 The Value Of a Veteran (all rights reserved)

Questions You Shouldn’t Ask, cont. • NO: “What kind of discharge did you receive?” “Why didn’t you get an honorable discharge?” • OK: “Did you receive a favorable (i.e., honorable or general) discharge? • The reason is that service members can receive a discharge that is less than “honorable”, but that is still considered favorable for many different reasons, and your digging for the reason why it is not “honorable” may lead you to ask other unacceptable questions that will get you into trouble. Type of discharge is listed on copy 4 of the DD-214 but not on copy 1 50 © 2012 The Value Of a Veteran (all rights reserved)

Hiring Managers: Understanding the Skills of Military Veterans and Interviewing Guidance