Barriers Veterans and Their Families Face
Members of the military community encounter significant barriers when searching for employment opportunities.
At the end of 2023, the unemployment rate for active-duty military spouses was around 21%.*
Despite their unique skills and considerable value to employers, a significant number of military community members report encountering obstacles in attaining employment.
Why Hire Military-Connected Talent?
* COVID-19 Military Support Initiative (CMSI) Pain Points Poll
**Veteran Job Retention Survey, Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University, 2016.
of HR professionals say the talent pool of veterans is embedded with diversity of gender, race, and age.*
of HR professionals say veterans are uniquely trained to work through chaotic times.*
of HR professionals say compared to civilians, veterans are more resilient remote/virtual workers.*
of HR professionals, managers, and senior-level leaders reported positive experiences working with military spouses.**
Learn More About the Benefits of Hiring Military-Connected Talent
Through the Military Community at Work initiative, SHRM Foundation works directly with HR stakeholders to reduce barriers within the hiring process and enhance support for transitioning veterans, military spouses, caregivers, and National Guard and Reserve members throughout the employment life cycle.
Military Community at Work Initiative Builds Business Case for an Untapped Talent Pool
Judith Tavano, a seasoned human resources (HR) professional, knows that employers struggle to find qualified talent… Read More
Military Community : A Force Worth Keeping in Your Workforce
Veterans and members of the military community bring many strengths to the private-sector workforce….Read More
Discover Our New Guidebook
Ensure your organization’s talent strategy includes highly skilled and motivated military-connected talent with SHRM Foundation’s new guidebook, Mission-Ready: Strategies and Best Practices for Recruiting, Retaining and Advancing Military-Connected Talent…Read More
Programs and Resources
SHRM Foundation, in conjunction with our investors, initially developed our Veterans at Work initiative, which has expanded to the Military Community at Work initiative to provide HR stakeholders with proven educational content and resources to learn effective ways to reduce barriers and stigmas affecting the employment of members of the military community. Together, we provide resources at no cost thanks to generous funders that help all HR stakeholders implement better employment practices for military community members in their workplace.
Military Community Ambassadors
Become a volunteer in our Military Community Ambassador program to provide education and training within your community to support the recruitment, hiring, and retention of members of the military community.
Veterans at Work Certificate
A free program that teaches best practices to attract, hire, and retain veterans. 10 PDCs on completion.
Employing Veterans: Digital Toolkit
High-quality resources focused on veteran hiring for HR professionals in small and midsize companies.
Wendi Safstrom
President, SHRM Foundation
“The SHRM Foundation knows veterans and their families are valuable members of our workforce, and our Military Community at Work initiative will help HR professionals attract, hire, and retain members of the military community.”
Thank You to our Corporate Investors and Partners
Transformation Partners:
Innovation Partners:
Collaboration Partners:
Champion Partner:
SHRM Foundation is proud to be part of the Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP). We have joined more than 500 organizations to support this important partnership and to renew our dedication to recruiting, hiring, promoting, and retaining military spouses.
