7.6 million working-age veterans likely have these desirable qualities
In a month that celebrates Armed Forces Day, it’s a good time to mention why seeking out military veterans for our mining industry is advantageous. Yes, we all know veterans don’t seem to mind getting dirty or working in austere conditions, but there are other attributes that also mesh well with the resource sector. And keep in mind that there are 7.6 million people who served in the U.S. Armed Forces since 2001. It’s a large population we shouldn’t ignore when looking for mining industry talent.
HERE’S WHAT YOU REALLY NEED TO KNOW WHEN CONSIDERING A VETERAN’S RESUME.
THEY’RE RULE FOLLOWERS
From day one in boot camp or basic training, recruits are taught to do as they’re told. Miles of running or dozens of push-ups are the consequence of not doing so. An order is an order and as long as it’s ethical and doesn’t endanger anyone, most military members will “salute smartly and drive on”. Later in an after action review is the time to question why a procedure is done a certain way, or whether it can be made better. In an industry where safety comes first, this is a key quality in an employee.
THEY HAVE EXPERIENCE MEETING DEADLINES
It isn’t a stretch to say that in the seven branches of the military if things don’t happen on time, people get hurt, so the old adage is true— If you’re early, you’re on time and if you’re on time, you’re late. In an era where work-life balance and a flexible schedule are desirable, there are still times when being where you need to be exactly when you’re supposed to be there is still vitally important. Many former service members have Type-A personalities that fuels a drive for on-time mission completion.
THEY’RE CREATIVE
With so much structure built into the national defense industry, you may not think veterans have much experience with diverse ways of looking at problems or ingenuity in fixing one. I beg to differ. Most service members today are veterans of wars fought in far-flung places and frequently those places are low on quality of life amenities. In the film Heartbreak Ridge, Clint Eastwood implores young Marines to improvise, adapt and overcome. Long before he uttered the words, the phrase was recognized as an unofficial motto of anyone who’s had to operate out of a tent with spotty electricity, no running water and sometimes sketchy meal prep facilities. The ability to look at adversity as a challenge and make sense of a puzzle is vitally important in the mining industry.
THEY’RE EDUCATED
Traditionally, military officers were college degree holders and enlisted (non-commissioned officers) were not. That’s changed a lot in the past two decades. Today’s military force may be the most educated it’s ever been with 43% of today’s veterans holding associates, bachelors, masters or advanced degrees. On top of traditional civilian education, there are hundreds of training courses and continuing education required by everyone in uniform. And since I live in an Air Force town, I can tout that the Community College of the Air Force automatically enrolls every airman and encourages them to earn at least an associates degree. Today’s military has learned how to learn.
COMMITMENT AND HEART
This may be the best reason to hire those who have worn a uniform. When you’ve signed your name on a military contract, you’ve literally committed your entire life to the organization. While mining isn’t as dangerous a profession as those in combat boots, veterans know what dedication is, what heart is, what commitment to the mission is. And aren’t those qualities we’d all love in our employees?
If you’re looking to make a career change, MRC can help connect with us or submit your resume.