Embracing Veteran Talent: From Recruiting to Retention

Name: Embracing Veteran Talent: From Recruiting to Retention
Rating: 4.2 (3 reviews)

Practical strategies to recruit, hire, onboard, & retain veterans—plus policies, culture, ERGs, & manager best practices

Role Play

Created byPracticalGrowth Learning

Last updated 2/2026

English

What you'll learn

Build a veteran-ready hiring process that reduces bias and improves fit
Translate military experience into civilian skills for fair screening decisions
Design onboarding that reduces culture shock and accelerates performance
Implement veteran-supportive policies for leave, reservists, and protections
Launch or strengthen Veteran ERGs to drive belonging and retention
Apply practical accommodations and wellbeing support with confidence
Create career paths, mentorship, and stretch roles that keep veterans engaged
Track veteran hiring and retention metrics and turn insights into action

Course content

4 sections • 13 lectures • 1h 42m total length

Introduction to Embracing Veterans7:47
What does it really mean to “embrace” veterans in today’s workplace? This lecture sets the stage for the rest of the course by exploring why veteran inclusion is both a timely issue and a strategic advantage for modern organizations. You’ll learn about the size and diversity of the veteran talent pool, and why the transition from military to civilian work can be more complex than it first appears. We’ll also introduce some of the biggest challenges veterans face—and why solving them benefits everyone.
Understand what embracing veterans means beyond hiring
Learn why veteran inclusion is a business and cultural priority
Explore the size and diversity of the modern veteran workforce
Discover common transition challenges veterans face in civilian roles
Preview the key themes and strategies we’ll cover throughout the course
The Business Case for Hiring Veterans7:25
Looking for dependable, adaptable, and mission-driven talent? You might already be overlooking your best candidates. In this lecture, we break down the clear, measurable value veterans bring to the workplace—not as a gesture of goodwill, but as a smart business move. You'll learn why companies that invest in veteran hiring often see stronger teams, higher retention, and even competitive advantage.
Discover the skills and traits veterans bring that translate into business success
Learn how veterans perform compared to non-veteran peers on metrics like leadership, reliability, and advancement
Understand how veterans contribute to team culture, diversity, and crisis resilience
Explore the financial and strategic advantages of hiring from the veteran talent pool
See how companies like JPMorgan Chase and Hilton turned veteran inclusion into long-term wins
Veteran Employment Landscape and Challenges8:12
If veteran unemployment is low, why are so many veterans still leaving their first jobs early? In this lecture, we dig beneath the headlines to uncover the real story behind veteran employment today. You'll gain critical insight into the challenges veterans face when transitioning to civilian work—and why getting hired is only half the battle.
Explore current veteran employment trends and underemployment risks
Understand the military-to-civilian translation gap and its hiring impact
Learn how culture shock and poor onboarding contribute to early turnover
Unpack common misconceptions about veterans and how they hold teams back
Discover how global companies are addressing these challenges with targeted support programs
Military Culture 101 for Civilians8:11
Veterans often bring a distinct way of working—shaped not by personality, but by a different professional culture. In this lecture, we’ll give you the foundational knowledge you need to understand where veterans are coming from and how to connect across cultural lines in the workplace. You don’t need to be a military expert—but cultural fluency goes a long way.
Learn how military hierarchy, rank, and structure shape workplace behavior
Understand key military values like discipline, mission-focus, and teamwork
Explore the soft skills veterans bring, from pressure-tested leadership to rapid problem-solving
Decode common military terms and communication styles you might encounter
Discover how to build trust and collaboration by understanding veteran workplace norms and expectations
Section 1 Knowledge Check

Sourcing and Attracting Veteran Talent8:54
Posting a job and hoping veterans apply? That’s not a strategy—it’s a missed opportunity. Veterans bring exceptional value to the workforce, but reaching them takes more than traditional hiring tactics. In this lecture, you’ll learn how to proactively connect with veteran candidates and build an employer brand that speaks their language.
Discover targeted recruiting channels like SkillBridge, veteran job boards, and base transition offices
Learn how to craft employer branding that resonates with veterans’ values and goals
Explore how veteran ambassadors and referral programs can expand your talent pipeline
Understand the government incentives that reward veteran hiring in both the U.S. and U.K.
Find out how real companies are building trust and visibility in veteran communities through storytelling and support programs
Veteran-Friendly Hiring Practices and Bias Training7:51
Ever passed over a veteran resume because the job title didn’t “translate”? You’re not alone—but that oversight could be costing you top talent. In this lecture, we look at how to make your hiring process more inclusive, accurate, and welcoming for veteran candidates. From decoding resumes to running bias-aware interviews, we’ll show you how to uncover the leadership, adaptability, and accountability that military experience often hides in plain sight.
Learn how to read military resumes and spot transferable skills
Adjust your screening tools to avoid filtering out veteran talent
Train hiring teams to recognize and overcome unconscious bias
Structure interviews that give veterans the chance to showcase their experience
Understand common missteps—and how to build a process that values what veterans truly bring to the table
Aligning on a Veteran-Inclusive Interview Plan
Policies, Benefits, and Legal Considerations9:04
What happens when a reservist returns from duty—and their job isn’t waiting for them? In this lecture, we explore the legal responsibilities, policy decisions, and benefit strategies that separate veteran-friendly employers from those putting themselves at risk. You’ll learn how to stay compliant, go beyond the bare minimum, and create policies that build loyalty and trust.
Understand key legal protections like USERRA and the UK Armed Forces Covenant
Learn about recognition programs such as the HIRE Vets Medallion and ERS Awards
Explore policies that support military leave, health benefits, and flexible scheduling
See how companies like Dominion Energy and Comcast build long-term trust with veterans
Discover how thoughtful benefits and mentorship programs improve retention and reduce legal risk
Section 2 Knowledge Check

Onboarding Veterans for Success7:19
The first day on the job can shape everything that comes after—especially for veterans. In this lecture, we explore how to design onboarding experiences that set veterans up to succeed, not just survive. You'll learn how structure, mentorship, and intentional manager support can turn a good first impression into long-term engagement.
Build a 30-60-90 day onboarding plan that aligns with veterans’ expectations
Use buddy systems and mentorship to create connection and reduce early attrition
Equip managers to give clear, consistent feedback veterans can act on
Align veterans’ roles with purpose to boost motivation and retention
Understand how empathy and structure help veterans navigate cultural transition early on
Week-2 Onboarding Check-In and Expectations Reset
Promoting an Inclusive Culture and ERGs9:02
Inclusion doesn’t happen by accident—it happens by design. In this lecture, we look at how to build a workplace culture where veterans aren’t just present, but truly belong. You’ll learn how to educate your workforce, challenge common myths, and create support structures like Veteran ERGs that make a lasting difference.
Learn how to combat stereotypes and foster respectful curiosity about military service
Discover how storytelling and recognition create belonging and visibility for veterans
Understand the purpose and power of Veteran ERGs—and how to start or grow one
Explore how veteran inclusion fits into your larger DEI strategy
See how companies like Leidos and WeDriveU elevate veteran voices year-round
Supporting Veterans’ Well-Being and Accommodations7:24
What if supporting a veteran’s well-being was the key to unlocking their full potential at work? In this lecture, we explore how thoughtful policies and everyday actions can create a culture where veterans—and their families—feel seen, supported, and set up to succeed. From mental health to reservist leave, we’ll cover what matters most and how to get it right.
Learn how to normalize mental health support and reduce stigma in the workplace
Understand legal and best-practice approaches to accommodations for service-connected conditions
Discover how to support reservists through deployment, reintegration, and flexible leave
Explore family-focused benefits that indirectly boost veteran retention and loyalty
See how leading companies like Booz Allen Hamilton and Baxter International put these practices into action
Private Accommodation Conversation After a Workplace Trigger
Section 3 Knowledge Check

Career Development and Retention of Veteran Talent6:30
Hiring veterans is only the first step—what you do next determines whether they stay and thrive. In this lecture, we explore how to turn great veteran hires into long-term contributors by focusing on growth, mentorship, and meaningful engagement. You'll learn how to retain veteran talent by giving them the tools, trust, and opportunities they need to succeed.
Design career development plans that align with veterans’ skills and goals
Build mentorship programs that offer both guidance and cultural translation
Identify leadership opportunities where veterans can shine and grow
Track retention and promotion trends to spot gaps and improve outcomes
Learn how veteran feedback and ERGs can shape smarter, more supportive policies
Stay Interview: Growth Path for a High Performer
Case Study: Starbucks Coffee Company - Veteran Hiring & Inclusion7:32
What does veteran inclusion look like when a company goes all in? In this lecture, we explore how Starbucks built one of the most ambitious and successful veteran hiring and support programs in the private sector. You’ll see exactly how they moved from a bold promise to real-world impact—through structure, support, and storytelling.
Learn how Starbucks set and exceeded veteran hiring goals ahead of schedule
Explore how Military Family Stores, ERGs, and tailored benefits drive retention
See how mentorship, relocation support, and mental health access support veterans holistically
Hear how leadership and frontline employees worked together to scale the program
Take away practical ideas your company can adapt—from onboarding to career mobility
Recap and Next Steps6:49
Making your workplace veteran-ready isn’t a checkbox—it’s a mindset, and it builds over time. In this final lecture, we’ll bring everything together and help you turn learning into action. Whether you’re just getting started or ready to level up your efforts, this recap will help you reflect, prioritize, and take meaningful next steps to build a veteran-ready workplace.
Revisit key takeaways from hiring, onboarding, development, and retention
Identify practical actions you can take now—regardless of budget or team size
Explore tools and resources like SHRM’s Veterans at Work certificate and veteran hiring partners
Learn how to use employee feedback and ERG input to keep improving
Get inspired to lead with intention and create long-term impact for veterans and your organization
Section 4 Knowledge Check
Final Challenge

Requirements

There are no pre-requisites for this course

Description

Every year, around 200,000 service members transition out of the U.S. military and into civilian life—and thousands more do the same across other countries.

Here’s the opportunity most employers miss: veterans bring proven leadership, adaptability, and mission focus—yet many are screened out by ATS filters, hired into underleveled roles, or leave early because the workplace wasn’t built to support the transition.

And that “early exit” problem is real. Research has found that 43% of veterans leave their first civilian job within a year, and 80% leave within two years—often due to misalignment, lack of growth, and weak onboarding.

That’s exactly what this course is designed to fix.

You’ll learn how to build a veteran-ready employee experience—from recruiting and hiring to onboarding, inclusion, wellbeing, and long-term retention. This is built for HR leaders, managers, and people teams who want practical tools they can implement immediately.

In this course, you’ll learn how to:

Identify where veterans get unintentionally filtered out—and redesign your process
Source veteran talent using the right channels (programs, partners, job boards)
Translate military experience into job-relevant skills (fair, bias-aware screening)
Run structured interviews that help veterans demonstrate transferable value
Build onboarding that reduces culture shock and accelerates performance
Create policies and benefits that support veterans, reservists, and families
Strengthen belonging through Veteran ERGs and inclusive team practices
Support wellbeing and accommodations with confidence and respect
Retain veteran talent with clear career paths, mentorship, and leadership growth

You’ll also walk through a real-world case study (Starbucks) to see what veteran hiring and inclusion looks like at scale—and how to adapt the lessons to your organization.

If you want to move beyond “good intentions” and build a workplace where veterans are truly set up to thrive, you’re in the right place.

Who this course is for:

HR leaders, HRBPs, and People Ops professionals
Talent acquisition teams, recruiters, and sourcing specialists
Hiring managers and interviewers who evaluate veteran candidates
DEI leaders and ERG program owners building inclusive culture
Managers onboarding or leading veteran employees (including first-time managers)
Learning & Development teams designing onboarding and manager training
Leaders creating policies for reservists, military families, and accommodations
Organizations starting (or scaling) veteran hiring and retention programs

Embracing Veteran Talent: From Recruiting to Retention

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction and Context4 lectures • 32min

Effective Veteran Talent Acquisition4 lectures • 26min

Successful Onboarding and Inclusion5 lectures • 24min

Retention and Continued Engagement4 lectures • 21min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: