How Military Service Helps Women Adapt to Civilian Jobs

More women join the military these days than ever before, and companies are starting to realize how female veteran employees can benefit their operations.

Statistics show almost a quarter million women now serve on active duty in the military. Women made up almost 11% of the total veteran population in 2021, and this percentage is projected to grow to 18% by 2046. So how does experience in military service help women adapt to civilian jobs, once they move on? Interviews with women veterans revealed a surprising number of ways:

Leadership

Military service helps develop leadership abilities in most people. The discipline and responsible work ethic enable members to adapt quickly to changing environments, and they typically learn to maintain a positive attitude regardless of the setbacks they might experience. Women veterans know that working with a range of different population groups provides them with a well-rounded communication style that most people understand.

Determination

Everyone hits roadblocks in their and experiences difficult days when it’s hard to get up, get dressed and get out there. Life in the military teaches commitment and determination, and women veterans display the ability to think and plan ways to overcome obstacles, develop a backup plan and tackle challenges head-on. They also tend to be great in emergencies, because they’ve been taught to maintain a cool head and get on with the job. It's important to make sure a resume reflects the benefits of military training in the workplace. 

Maturity

Many Americans reach the end of their school career without really knowing how to face life. Time spent in the military teaches them to be independent, to work under pressure and be able to handle it, and to understand the “big picture” view—how everything they do their environment in one way or another. Women veterans typically have learned well how to step outside their comfort zone, show confidence, and challenge themselves to learn new skills. 

Education

College degrees are almost essential nowadays to a solid career and building wealth, but not everyone is eligible for student loans or has the money to attend college. Joining the military enables many students to achieve higher education goals, such as bachelor's and master's degrees.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill is a VA-administered program that allows veterans who served after 9/11 to be reimbursed for the cost of tuition, books and supplies, and a basic housing allowance for the duration of their service. With this sort of education under their belt, women veterans have a much better chance of adapting to civilian life.

Structure and Flexibility

Women veterans often find themselves in possession of good strategic vision, capable of setting and achieving goals as a result of the physical and mental discipline of their surroundings. After learning to work with all types of people they have developed flexibility, as well as the confidence and drive to pursue their jobs to completion.

Family Life

Leaving young children at home is one of the most difficult aspects of a career, but women veterans who left young children at home to serve typically have established family support systems and are more comfortable doing so. By comparison, leaving their children from 9 to 5 is a breeze, and less stressful than it is for many other workers who haven’t grown accustomed to the idea.

Employing women veterans not only fulfills your staffing requirements with people who represent the best our country has to offer, but it also helps to support those Americans who have given their time in service.

Visit our job board regularly to look for suitable positions women veterans can apply for. Evaluate the requirements for each position and look for synergies with your military training, so you can highlight the benefits when you attend interviews. Above all, bring the same level of determination and persistence to your job hunt as you did to your military service.