Military Veterans in Manufacturing: Untapped Talent for Texas Employers

Military veterans represent one of the most valuable and underutilized talent pools for manufacturing employers. With their technical training, leadership experience, discipline, and problem-solving skills, veterans are ideally suited for manufacturing careers. Yet many manufacturers struggle to effectively recruit and integrate veterans into their workforce.

Why Veterans Excel in Manufacturing

Veterans bring unique strengths to manufacturing:

Technical Training: Many veterans receive extensive technical training in the military, including:

• Equipment maintenance and repair
• Quality control and inspection
• Process management
• Safety protocols
• Troubleshooting and problem-solving

Leadership Experience: Veterans often have leadership experience, making them ideal candidates for supervisory roles.

Discipline and Reliability: Military service instills discipline, punctuality, and reliability—essential traits in manufacturing.

Problem-Solving Skills: Veterans are trained to solve problems under pressure and adapt to changing situations.

Teamwork: Military service emphasizes teamwork and collaboration.

Safety Focus: Veterans understand the importance of safety protocols and following procedures.

Work Ethic: Strong work ethic and commitment to mission completion.

Common Military Skills That Transfer to Manufacturing

Maintenance and Repair: Many veterans have experience maintaining and repairing complex equipment, directly applicable to manufacturing maintenance roles.

Quality Control: Military quality standards are rigorous, and veterans understand the importance of quality.

Process Management: Veterans often have experience managing processes and ensuring compliance with standards.

Supervision: Many veterans have supervised teams, making them natural candidates for supervisory roles.

Technical Operations: Veterans may have experience operating complex technical systems.

Documentation: Military service emphasizes proper documentation, important in manufacturing quality systems.

Challenges in Recruiting Veterans

Despite their qualifications, manufacturers face challenges in recruiting veterans:

Translation Gap: Veterans may not realize how their military experience translates to manufacturing roles.

Language Differences: Military terminology doesn't always align with manufacturing terminology.

Resume Format: Veterans may not format resumes in ways that highlight relevant experience.

Lack of Awareness: Veterans may not be aware of manufacturing opportunities.

Perception Issues: Veterans may have outdated perceptions of manufacturing.

Strategies for Recruiting Veterans

1. Understand Military Experience

Learn about military roles and how they translate:

• Research military occupational specialties (MOS)
• Understand rank and responsibility levels
• Recognize leadership experience
• Value technical training

2. Translate Skills

Help veterans understand how their skills apply:

• Create skill translation guides
• Provide examples of military-to-manufacturing career paths
• Highlight transferable skills in job postings
• Offer career counseling

3. Partner with Veteran Organizations

Work with organizations that serve veterans:

• Veterans Employment Services
• State workforce agencies
• Veteran service organizations (VFW, American Legion)
• Military transition assistance programs
• Veteran-focused job fairs

4. Modify Job Postings

Make job postings veteran-friendly:

• Use language that welcomes veterans
• Highlight transferable skills
• Avoid requiring specific manufacturing experience when military experience is equivalent
• Include veteran-friendly benefits

5. Offer Internships or Apprenticeships

Provide pathways for veterans to enter manufacturing:

• Veteran-specific training programs
• Internships for transitioning service members
• Apprenticeship programs
• On-the-job training opportunities

6. Create Veteran-Friendly Culture

Build a culture that supports veterans:

• Recognize military service
• Provide support for transition challenges
• Offer flexible scheduling for VA appointments
• Create veteran employee resource groups
• Celebrate military holidays

Onboarding Veterans

Effective onboarding is critical for veteran success:

Clear Expectations: Provide clear job descriptions and expectations.

Mentorship: Pair veterans with experienced employees who can help them adapt.

Training: Provide comprehensive training on company-specific processes.

Support: Offer support for the transition from military to civilian work.

Recognition: Recognize and value their military experience.

Common Roles for Veterans

Veterans excel in many manufacturing roles:

Maintenance Technicians: Technical training and problem-solving skills.

Quality Control: Attention to detail and process compliance.

Production Supervisors: Leadership experience and team management.

Safety Officers: Safety training and protocol adherence.

Process Technicians: Technical operations and process management.

Logistics Coordinators: Supply chain and inventory management experience.

Success Stories

Many manufacturers have found great success with veteran employees:

Aerospace Manufacturer: Hired veterans for quality control roles, finding they excelled at attention to detail and process compliance.

Automotive Plant: Recruited veterans for maintenance positions, leveraging their technical training and problem-solving skills.

Food Processing Facility: Hired veterans for supervisory roles, benefiting from their leadership experience and work ethic.

Resources for Employers

Veterans Employment Services: State and federal agencies that help connect employers with veterans.

Veteran Hiring Programs: Programs that provide incentives for hiring veterans.

Tax Credits: Work Opportunity Tax Credit for hiring certain categories of veterans.

Training Programs: Programs that help train veterans for manufacturing careers.

The Bottom Line

Military veterans represent a valuable talent pool for manufacturing employers. Their technical training, leadership experience, and work ethic make them ideal candidates for many manufacturing roles.

Companies that effectively recruit and integrate veterans benefit from:

• Skilled, reliable workers
• Natural leaders for supervisory roles
• Strong work ethic and commitment
• Diverse perspectives and experiences
• Support for those who served

At The Hammitt Group, we help Texas manufacturers connect with veteran talent. We understand how military experience translates to manufacturing roles and help companies identify veterans who are a great fit for their needs.