From missing limbs and traumatic brain injuries to hearing loss and post-traumatic stress disorder, Veterans can enter the civilian world with a host of disabilities. Despite these challenges, most disabled Veterans are more than capable of working post-military. As we’ve discussed previously, Veterans easily adapt to a variety of workplaces despite any limitations. If you’re a business looking to hire — and retain — former soldiers, making accommodations to support disabled Veterans is key to all-around success.

Here are five of SAVI’s best tips to support disabled Veterans in the workplace.

1. Train Your Managers

Successful support of disabled Veterans in your workspace starts at the top. It’s important that you know how to manage the various readjustments that any Veteran, disabled or not, may have in his new civilian work environment. The VA has plenty of resources and information devoted specifically to this topic. Find the training that works for your business and equip your managers with the knowledge they need to better serve your Veteran employees.

2. Encourage Flexibility

Veteran workplace preferences will differ depending on the disability. If suffering a brain injury, a Vet may require quiet workplaces with minimal distractions. For them, a good set of sound-proof headphones could go a long way to encourage productivity. Those with PTSD, however, may view silence as a distraction. Playing low background music or sitting them near a window may be beneficial for these individuals. Regardless of preferences, it’s important to encourage your Veteran employees to find what works best for them and then be flexible.

3. Provide Resources

Many Veteran-accommodating businesses have found that mentoring programs thrive in the workplace. By creating these mentorship programs between employees, you’re able to support your team and facilitate a much smoother transition for Veterans new to the civilian sector. Mentors are typically seasoned employees who are able to answer questions, provide insight and serve as a friendly face around the office.

In addition to this mentor program, provide additional resources to disabled Veterans with more severe needs, whether they be medical or emotional. Connect them with local community groups and ensure they are informed about the counseling options in your area that specifically support disabled Veterans.

4. Create a Culture of Inclusiveness

One of the most important ways to support disabled Veterans in the workplace is by creating a culture of inclusiveness. First and foremost, make sure your business can easily accommodate those Veterans with physical disabilities. This includes handicap accessible entrances, exits, and bathrooms as well as keeping hallways devoid of clutter and office furniture spaced appropriately. Ask your employees, Veteran or otherwise, what they need to feel supported in their job. By making such accommodations, your employees will feel thought of and included.

5. Acknowledge Military Service

If you’re already making adjustments for your Veteran employees, you clearly care about their success at your company. Why not take it a step further and acknowledge their prior service through special honors or rewards? This could mean giving all Veterans the day off for holidays like Veterans Day, recognizing them in your company newsletter or providing free lunch to all Veteran employees on specified days.

Veterans have sacrificed greatly for our country. Many have put their mental and physical health at risk and spent significant amounts of time away from their families. Creating workplace accommodations for our disabled Veterans is one small way to truly thank them for their service. When including Veterans in your workplace, keep in mind that all needs differ and that some disabilities are more severe than others. If you’re flexible, resourceful, and inclusive, you will reap the many benefits that come with hiring Veterans.

Are you an employer of Veterans?

Check out our employer programs and certificates. Visit www.savivets.org/organization to learn how we can help you serve and support Veterans in your workplace. We can even connect you with transitioning Veterans looking for employment!

Are you a Veteran?

SAVI loves to connect with and support Veterans transitioning into the civilian workplace. Reach out today or visit www.savivets.org/veteran to learn more about the free help our SAVI experts can provide to transitioning Veterans.

Communication at work is less about talking and more about connecting. The first order of business when entering the civilian sector is to learn how your specific organization prefers to connect. Are they email-happy, phone call-driven, or do they prefer to meet in person on a regular basis? Most likely you’ll encounter a solid mix of these communication options, but learning your company’s preferred style is a crucial first step in effectively communicating with civilian employees. Once you know the style, you can then leverage your military training to enhance it. Here are five ways to maximize effective communication in the workplace.

Be Concise
The first rule of any type of communication in business is to be concise. Many workers are so inundated with emails and meeting invites that they’re not reading them or constantly canceling. If you want to encourage a response, get to the point as fast as possible. As a Veteran, brevity in communication is your strong suit. Use bullet points in emails to let them know exactly what you need in a format that’s easy to skim. For meetings, create a meeting agenda that keeps you on schedule. If you build a reputation of sticking to your meeting timelines, your co-workers know they can expect to end when you say they will. This makes it easier for them to plan around their busy schedules.

Follow Up
So you sent that super concise email and kept to your strict meeting agenda. Still, you’re not getting any movement from your colleagues. When people are sent too much communication they have to prioritize. Unfortunately, this means that sometimes tasks go unanswered and undone. When this happens, understand that your co-workers aren’t being rude on purpose when they ignore your initial request. They’re simply busy. By sending a reminder you’re more likely to get the response you need. Instead of typing the familiar “Just Following Up” subject line, use this opportunity to state clearly what you need and when you need it. In the body of the email, continue your short sentence structure and include again the deadline of your request. You now have on record that you’ve communicated your needs more than once.

Influence Without Authority
Unlike the military where the line of leadership is relatively clear, the civilian sector can sometimes be ambiguous. Employees often wear many hats and have more than one boss. Sometimes this causes confusion as to who an employee’s loyalties are to. Here’s where you can practice influence without authority to help co-workers help you. The point of this is to build rapport through effective communication techniques that motivate (without forcing) colleagues to want to meet your deadline. A few ways to do this include:

• Set upfront deadlines and expectations that work for their schedule
• Learn something about your co-worker that doesn’t relate to work and then talking to them about it
• Thank co-workers in public for their work

Be Predictable
One way the military was so efficient in communicating was by holding regular formations. By physically standing in formation, you were able to get the information you needed without distraction. Another reason it worked was because it was a predictable part of the job. In fact, when it came to what was expected of you, a lot about being a soldier was predictable. Use this same mentality with your communication at work. A good mantra to adopt: Always be on time, always end on time, and never cancel meetings. As mentioned above, build a reputation of sticking to your timelines. When you say a meeting will end at noon, end it at noon whether you met your objective or not. This will not only show your co-workers that you value their time, but it will also help you plan more efficiently for your next meeting — making you a more effective communicator.

Learn Technology
In business, some aspects of military communication are a benefit — and some aren’t. While in the service, you probably had your ‘little black book’ of appointments and important dates to remember. Your new workplace will require a much more streamlined approach to scheduling. Enter: The G Suite. This suite of Google tools is going to become your technology of choice in the business world, and learning to use it is essential in maximizing effective communication in the workplace. Tools like Google Calendar are especially helpful in keeping track of calendar items. A good rule of thumb in the civilian sector is if it isn’t on the calendar, don’t expect it to happen. Also, check out what Google is doing to match Veterans with suitable civilian careers.

SAVI believes that successful integration into the civilian workplace is a reality attainable for every Veteran. Contact us today to learn how we can support your transition by helping you capitalize on the skills you already have.

As you begin your exit out of the military, it’s easy to get carried away in the To-Dos of a transition. Any lifestyle or career change comes with work, but it also comes with the chance for a fresh start and reflection on one’s self. Here are three ways we encourage you to reconnect with yourself when transitioning out of active duty.

Meditation
Mindfulness activities have been shown to make a positive impact on reintegration into civilian life. Most notably, meditation is being used as a tool to help prevent and decrease symptoms of PTSD in soldiers. According to numerous studies on the technique of transcendental meditation, regular meditative practice has far-reaching and long-lasting benefits; including restorative relief from anxiety, depression, ADHD, PTSD, and addiction. This article, co-authored by SAVI’s Adrianne Phillips, dives deeper into the scientific and anecdotal evidence that’s making transcendental meditation the treatment of choice for a growing number of suffering Veterans.

Take a Celebratory Vacation
Vacations have long been touted as a way to prevent worker burnout and increase overall quality of life. Research shows that taking a vacation in between major career changes is an ideal time to get away. This is why taking time off before you delve into the civilian life is an important part of reintegration. And if you need further convincing, here are a few reasons from wellness coach Elizabeth Scott:

• A good vacation can lead to fewer stressful days for at least five weeks after your return.
• Vacations help us to reconnect with ourselves, promoting self-discovery and creativity.
• If you have a family, taking a trip with them (and without distractions) helps to strengthen bonds with loved ones.
• Vacations can lead to increased quality of work when back on the job.

Serve Others
As a soldier, your job was to serve others by improving or protecting their lives. That’s why continuing your service to others is key to staving off those purposeless notions many soldiers feel post-military. In fact, a 2015 study by the Association for Psychological Science found that helping others can actually reduce the impact stress has on our emotional functioning. Since getting out of active duty has proven to be an emotional hardship for many Veterans, finding ways to combat negative feelings should be your focus when transitioning. Start by researching nonprofits in your area that align with a cause you’re passionate about. Or, reach out to friends and family and ask them how you can help make their lives easier. Being out of the military likely means you can see your loved ones more often. Take advantage of lost time by being there for them in ways you couldn’t in the past.

Going from active duty to Veteran status is a huge change. Your life was dedicated to your country and now it’s yours again. Set yourself up for success by taking your time and reflecting on what’s important to you. Contact SAVI to learn what we can do to support your transition.

Despite the uncertainty that comes with any major career move, thousands of Veterans make the shift from soldier to civilian every single year. Why? One reason is the civilian sector is brimming with entrepreneurial opportunities that are enticing to Veterans. In fact, Vets are 45 percent more likely to start their own business than their civilian peers, leading to a massive network of Vetpreneurs.

If you’re a Veteran looking for encouragement, here are 15 Veterans we admire and what they’re doing post-separation.

1. Evan Hafer, Black Rifle Coffee Company
An Army Green Beret turned coffee guru, Evan Hafer opened Black Rifle Coffee Company in December 2014 as a combination of his two passions: firearms and coffee. Between deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, Hafer submerged himself in coffee research and roasting practice with the dream of one day opening his own coffee business. When he finally made the switch to civilian in 2015, all his efforts went to making his dream a reality. Five years later and Hafer’s once modest coffee shop now grosses $30 million a year. BRCC not only gives thousands of dollars annually to Veteran nonprofits, like Raider Project and Thin Blue Line, but also employs Vets at all levels of his business. Check out this video on how BRCC changed the life of fellow Veteran Mohammad Wali Tasleem.

2 & 3. Jake Wood and William McNulty, Team Rubicon
In response to the 2010 earthquake that shook Port-au-Prince, Haiti, former Marines Jake Wood and William McNulty formed a small group of volunteers to go and aid relief efforts. Empowered by their successful mission to help many in the underserved areas of Haiti, the Veteran vigilantes founded Team Rubicon, a disaster relief organization that has been growing ever since. Today, Team Rubicon utilizes the skills of Veterans and medical experts to aid disasters domestically and abroad, a mission that is proving to build stronger communities while also supporting transitioning Veterans. That’s a mission we can get behind!

4. Emily Núñez Cavness, Sword and Plough
With her sister, Besty Núñez, Emily Núñez Cavness opened Sword and Plough in 2014 with the ambition of bridging the civilian to military divide. A military brat and former Army captain herself, Emily knows the struggle many military Veterans face post-separation. She and her sister are helping to improve job opportunities for Veterans by incorporating them into every stage of Sword and Plough’s business: from the design and sewing to the sales and modeling of their upcycled line of repurposed bags and accessories. Their products — which are made from military surplus fabric, leather and hardware — have been featured in publications such as Redbook, Martha Stewart Weddings, and Women’s Health.

5. Adam Bird, Heroes Media Group
Founder of Heroes Media Group (HMG), 10-year Army National Guard Veteran Adam Bird is passionate about giving a voice to Vets and those who support them. Opening in 2015, this digital media media branding platform provides education, entertainment, and empowerment to everyday heroes; including active duty soldiers, Veterans, firefighters, first responders, law enforcement, educators, medical professionals, and clergy. By getting the word out about what these community heroes are doing, he’s hoping to bridge the gap between our country’s heroes and the citizens and communities they protect.

6. Mark L. Rockefeller, StreetShares
StreetShares co-founders Mark Rockefeller, an Air Force Veteran, and Mickey Konson have revolutionized how small business owners do business. In 2013, they launched StreetShares, a business funding option that offers a suite of specialty finance products to the small business and veteran markets. These products include business loans, lines of credit, and account receivables financing for the government contract community. Currently, StreetShares employs 10 Veterans, has more than 67,000 members, and has helped countless Vets get the funding they need for their business to succeed.

7. Derek Sisson, Merica Bourbon
Here’s a quick history lesson: In 1964, Congress recognized bourbon as “a distinctive product of the U.S.A.” That means that bourbon can only be made in the United States. With that in mind, it’s hard to think of anything more American than the Veteran-owned Merica Bourbon. Founded by Marine Veteran Derek Sisson, Merica Bourbon was born from a desire to create a patriotic brand that promoted American ideals and Veteran camaraderie. Teaming up with Grunt Style, another Veteran-owned brand, Sisson has gone on to turn Merica Bourbon into a booming business — even winning the silver medal in the 2017 Whiskies of the World Award.

8. Eli Crane, Bottle Breacher
Eli Crane, a former Navy SEAL, and his wife, Jen, founded one of the fastest-growing Veteran-owned businesses in all of Arizona. Part of their success came after a 2014 appearance on Shark Tank, when they secured investments from business masters Mark Cuban and Kevin O’Leary. What was so enticing about their Bottle Breacher company? The couple made bottle openers from decommissioned .50 caliber brass. Their unique, upcycled product has garnered a lot of attention since their TV airing, and today Bottle Breacher includes an ever-expanding product line of everyday products made from repurposed military gear. With such success, the Cranes like to give back. To date, they have donated to nearly 300 Veteran causes, including The Navy Seal Foundation and the Chris Kyle Memorial Benefit.

9. Daniel Alarik, Grunt Style
Pride in self, in military, and in country. This is what Founder and CEO Daniel Alarik is striving to instill in his Grunt Style patrons, and it’s working. A former Army Drill Sergeant, Alarik opened for business in 2009 and has turned his initial $1,200 investment into a $100 million business. The company, dubbed the lifestyle brand of the warrior class, employs only those with as much fervor for the country as Alarik, including many fellow Veterans. On the side, Grunt Style holds massive fundraising events and gives to charities like The Dallas Fallen Officer Foundation, Fisher House Foundation, and Toys for Tots, among others.

10. Robert Dyer, RuckPack Combat Nutrition
Another Shark Tank winner, RuckPack Combat Nutrition got its big break in 2012 when founder Robert Dyer made it on the big screen. Like previously mentioned Bottle Breacher, Dyer scored two investments and has since become one of the most aired companies in Shark Tank history, according to the RuckPack website. The idea for RuckPack, a combat nutrition company that makes supplements designed for soldiers, came around a campfire in the battlefields of Afghanistan by Dyer and his Marine Special Operations Forces buddies. With their blessing, Dyer went on to turn the idea into a real-life business, which has now become a household name in the energy drink industry.

11. Jason McCarthy, GORUCK
Founded by former Green Beret Jason McCarthy, GORUCK is an American brand exuding excellence, toughness and adaptability. Their goal is to make the toughest, most durable fitness apparel and footwear around. In addition, GORUCK puts on 1,000-plus fitness events each year that encourage team building and living active lifestyles. The very last line of McCarthy’s bio says a lot about what this company is trying to emulate: “If there’s a nobler way to live a life than in service to others, I’ve not yet seen it.”

12. Michael Ogden, Pinnacle Leadership
A retired Army pilot from small-town Indiana, Michael Ogden founded a unique military-style training experience that has caught the attention of athletics teams, big corporations, and more. Pinnacle Leadership, started in 2013, takes sports teams or other large groups and turns them into cohesive teams prepared to succeed in complex environments and ambiguous situations. To date, Ogden offers half-day, full-day, and overnight retreats for various organizations including Indiana University Athletics, Indiana University Kelley School of Business, US Women’s National Wrestling Team, and Arizona State University Athletics.

13. Tim Kennedy, Sheepdog Response
A household name in the fighter and Special Forces world, Tim Kennedy is leading the pack in accolades. A Green Beret, sniper and former Top 5 UFC Middleweight, Kennedy also co-starred in the History Channel’s “Hunting Hitler” and the Discovery Channel’s “Hard to Kill.” Add to that list founder of Sheepdog Response, a self-defense company offering full-scale, high-level defense training courses. If the world is full of violence, Kennedy wants his clients to be prepared to handle themselves. The more Sheepdogs we can train to be truly ready to respond to violence, he says, the more good guys will survive.

14 & 15. Roy B. Sartin and Eli Williamson, Leave No Veteran Behind
Leave No Veteran Behind (LNVB) is a nonprofit focused on helping Veterans successfully transition to the civilian world by providing Veteran employment training, transitional jobs, and a Veteran educational debt relief scholarship. Seeing what a solid education and secure job could do to combat the many challenges Veterans face during transition, Army vets Roy B. Sartin and Eli Williamson founded LNVB in 2008. They have gone on to help countless Veterans successfully transition by helping pay thousands of dollars in student loan debt. What’s more impressive is the mark this organization is making on a community level. As most of their executive team is from Chicago, LNVB teamed up with Chicago Public Schools to provide safe passage to and from school for the city’s most vulnerable youth. Read more about this incredible partnership here.

Seeing Veterans succeed post-military is what keeps us doing what we do at SAVI. If you would like to know more about how we can help your transition into the civilian sector, reach out today.

Celebrating holidays at work boosts morale, encourages employee interaction, and shows your workers you care about their needs and desires. For your Veteran employees, it’s just as important to acknowledge not only the traditional holidays, but the ones important to them. Here we offer our favorite holidays honoring Veterans and how to celebrate them at work.

Memorial Day — May 27, 2019
Though some may mistake this holiday for another Veterans Day lookalike, Memorial Day is specifically to honor the fallen soldiers — not the living. Formally called Decoration Day, this holiday was borne out of the Civil War as a desire to honor our dead. his special celebration has continued to be a day in which our country holds dear. We hope you’ll take it as seriously as your Veteran employees likely will, as many of them will be paying tribute to their own fallen brothers and sisters. Here are a couple ways you can celebrate along with them in the week leading up to Memorial Day.

• As an office, volunteer at your local Veterans cemetery; and place flags and flowers on gravestones of the fallen.
• Make a corporate donation to provide financial support to Gold Star families. To get employees involved, set a deadline for donations and match the final donated amount with company funds.
• Talk to your Veteran employees, and learn who they will be remembering this Memorial Day. With their help, recognize those individuals in a special newsletter that is distributed company wide. In addition, post a tribute to them on your company social media accounts, highlighting their service and relationship to your Veteran employee.

Flag Day — June 14, 2019
Flag Day has roots as far back as 1885, though it wasn’t officially recognized as a holiday until 1949 when President Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14th National Flag Day. The day, commemorates the adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States. Common ways to celebrate include flying the American flag outside homes and holding celebratory ceremonies at schools. Here’s how you can follow suit at your office this year.

• If you don’t already, consider flying the American Flag outside your business. Be sure to follow proper flag etiquette.
• Hold a Flag Day Art Contest that encourages employees to create patriotic art across various mediums, including painted canvas, sketch, and photography. The winner, voted by your staff, receives an American Flag and Amazon gift card as their prize.
• Specify a time in the work day to have all employees stop work and say the Pledge of Allegiance.

Independence Day — July 4, 2019
The Fourth of July is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in our country, and certainly the most patriotic. Commemorating the day the final draft of the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress in 1776, this important holiday is the backbone of our American nation. Though Veterans have no more claim to this holiday than any civilian, it is a day Veterans will expect to celebrate at work. Here are a few ideas to fuel the fun.

• In the week leading up to the July 4th holiday, hold a Patriotic Costume Contest prompting employees to come to work in their best patriotic garb. The award should be something equally patriotic, such as tickets to a baseball game or a gift card to a local restaurant.
• Pick a day before the holiday weekend to provide burgers and hot dogs at lunch for all employees. Go potluck style and ask staff members to bring in their favorite Fourth of July side or dessert.

Veterans Day — Nov. 11, 2019
Originating as “Armistice Day” on Nov. 11, 1919, celebrates the first anniversary of the end of World War I. In 1938, it became an official national holiday that pays tribute to all Veterans (alive or dead) who served their country in war or peacetime. More than any other day on this list, Veterans Day is when to your Veteran employees. Here’s how to give thanks to your Vets this November.

• Plant mini flags all over the office, inside and out.
• Highlight Veteran employees by putting their photos and military background around high-traffic areas in your building.
• For each Veteran, surprise them with a “Salute Package” filled with goodies you know they’d enjoy. See our post on “5 Ways Your
• Company Can Honor Veterans in The Workplace,” for more package ideas.

SAVI is always working on new ways to better support our business partners. Connect with us today to learn how we can help you ease Veterans into your civilian workplace.