Hiring more than just military veterans
Private sector employees are often incredibly supportive of our nation’s military through transition programs that help veterans find and maintain civilian employment, but there is resource you may be missing out on. Military spouses are an asset to business that you shouldn’t leave untapped.
Dependent spouses of active duty military members have been known to be overlooked by prospective employers, and though it certainly cannot be proven, we have to wonder if employers are afraid the military lifestyle not being conducive to business, when in fact the opposite is true.
While the active duty member and the stability of family life could be a bit tumultuous, most military spouses are going to be able to commit to employment longer than the average civilian counterpart. Typical private sector turnover is twelve to eighteen months. A military spouse will usually commit to a spouse’s entire tour at an installation, which is usually more than two years and often up to five or six years.
Military spouses are resilient and resourceful
They take care of absolutely everything at home during spouse deployments, they are professionals at moving and immediately plugging into a community, and they have experience with many people across cultures and backgrounds. They have no choice but to learn quickly and be the best at what they do, and they are consistent and calm in handling stressful situations. They are an important part of our national defense, and will be an asset to your business.
From a strictly business standpoint, hiring a military spouse is a good financial decision. Military benefits are excellent; a military spouse has health benefits, reliable childcare, and all the resources of a military base at his or her disposal. The military takes excellent care of its spouses, and that is certainly a benefit to you. Considering military spouses for employment is a step toward supporting our military and adding an excellent resource to your business.
Kristyl Barron holds a BA in English Education from the University of Central Oklahoma and an MHR in Counseling/Organizational Management from the University of Oklahoma. Barron has been writing professionally since 2008, and projects include a memoir entitled Give Your Brother Back His Barbie and an in progress motivational book called Aspies Among Us.
