Genesis10 was recently presented with the "Above and Beyond" award for recognition in supporting their employees that are members of the Guard and Reserves. It was a wonderful experience to sit in a room of service members that are representative of the Citizen Soldier, or those people that balance the difficult requirement of being both a service member and a civilian. For employers interested in hiring veterans, this recognition highlights the benefits of hiring veterans for organizations that value service and strong performance.
Pictured from left to right are Minnesota ESGR State Chair Paul Monteen, National ESGR Chair Paul E. Mock, Nicholas Swaggert, Genesis10 Minnesota Branch Director Angelia Brekke and Major General Richard C. Nash.
Why Hiring Veterans Makes Business Sense
The primary reason for the event was to recognize those employers that see the value of having an employee that serves their country. Many employers see support as a function of giving back or supporting national security, but I would argue there is a less altruistic and more of a business case to be made for having a Guard or Service member on your team:
- Training: Each year, every service member is required to complete a litany of different training classes: information security, ethics, and leadership, many of which translate from the military world to the civilian world.
- Worldly: Guard and Reserve members typically engage in missions around the world with unique and different personalities. This translates into employees that are empathetic, customer focused and cross cultural.
- Referrals: Guard and Reserve members have an extensive network of other service members who are ready and able to contribute in roles in the corporate world.
How to Connect with Veteran Talent
If you are considering how to hire veterans, partnering with veteran employment programs and local ESGR resources can help you connect with skilled candidates efficiently.
Bottom Line
Veterans, whether still participating in the Guard/Reserves or not, are great hires, not because it is the right thing to do or because it assists with national security. Hire a veteran because it is a good business decision that will positively influence your organization's bottom line.
Q&A
Question: What recognition did Genesis10 receive, and why?
Answer: Genesis10 received the ESGR “Above and Beyond” award in recognition of its support for employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserves. The award honors employers that value and back team members balancing military service with civilian careers.
Question: What does “Citizen Soldier” mean in this context?
Answer: “Citizen Soldier” refers to service members—often in the Guard or Reserves—who manage the dual responsibilities of military duties and civilian employment
Question: How can employers efficiently connect with veteran talent?
Answer: Partner with veteran employment programs and local ESGR resources to access skilled candidates. In addition, leveraging referrals from current Guard/Reserve employees can expand your pipeline. Genesis10’s team of 150+ recruiters also helps companies hire great talent across technology and business functions in contract, contract-to-hire, and permanent roles.
