Wisconsin National Guard educates employers on value of veterans

By 1st Sgt. Vaughn R. Larson

Wisconsin National Guard Public Affairs

More than 130 business representatives convened in the workplace of champions Friday (March 30) to learn about championship-caliber members available to their teams.

The goal of the inaugural Wisconsin National Guard Business Summit, held during the "Year of the Veteran" in the Lambeau Field Atrium in Green Bay, Wis., was to educate employers about the value military veterans can bring to their organization. The summit received significant support from the American Legion.

Maj. Gen. Don Dunbar, adjutant general of Wisconsin, asked those in attendance to make hiring veterans a priority. He noted that U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics indicate that the national unemployment rate for veterans who served since 2001 is 50 percent higher than the national average of 8.3 percent, and that the Department of Defense recently estimated that unemployment among currently serving members of the National Guard and Federal Reserve to be more than 20 percent.

Dunbar noted that one reason employers don't hire veterans is because they don't realize the value of veterans. He related that the skills, experiences and character veterans have developed should mesh with the qualities employers are seeking.

"In order to mine gold you have to literally move tons of dirt," he said. "In terms of human capital, when it comes to our veterans, we in the military have already removed tons of dirt and these veterans truly are pure gold.

"My message is simple," Dunbar continued. "I do not suggest charity. I'm not asking you to give anybody anything. But I do believe it's in your best interest as an employer to hire veterans."

He urged employers to understand the value of veterans and make hiring veterans a priority.

Mike Hinz, vice-president of driver recruiting for Schneider National - who makes hiring veterans and service members a priority - echoed Dunbar's sentiments.

"I don't want you to get the impression that all people coming out of the military are perfect," Hinz said. "They're not. But they have the raw materials, the raw skills and developed skills, the potential to be anything you want them to be in your organization."

Hinz noted that the company's founder, Al Schneider, recruited his first drivers from the Wisconsin National Guard 76 years ago.

Maj. Scott Southworth, Wisconsin National Guard education officer, said that the military teaches teamwork and leadership, occupational skills and adaptability. He pointed out that 42 percent of Army National Guard Soldiers have education beyond high school.

"We're training people every single day to succeed at the next higher level," Southworth said. "I promise you that we will continue to train and equip the military leaders of tomorrow, many of whom are ready to serve as business leaders in your organizations right now."

1st Lt. Johnny Simmons, Wisconsin Army National Guard marketing officer, pointed out that many service members already pay for TRICARE health insurance, which has lower premiums than most health care plans employers provide. The average yearly cost of health care plans in Wisconsin is $7,233 for single coverage and $29,000 for family coverage, compared with $595.44 and $2,371.18, respectively, under TRICARE Reserve Select.

Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch reminded the gathering of the Gov. Scott Walker administration slogan, "Wisconsin is Open for Business," as well as 2012 being the "Year of the Veteran," another Walker initiative.

"We believe that they must go hand in glove," she explained. "We understand that the future of Wisconsin commerce often rests in the hands of a veteran, because our veterans are outstanding employees."

Kleefisch noted that the unemployment rate among Wisconsin veterans is double the state unemployment rate, and said that was unacceptable. The "Year of the Veteran" initiative emphasizes numerous employment services.

"Our employers should see our veterans as an opportunity to be successful," she said. "We need to make sure our employers in the state understand what an asset our veterans are. Veterans are essential to job growth and, in fact, prosperity in the great state of Wisconsin."

State Command Sgt. Maj. George Stopper, senior enlisted leader in the Wisconsin Army National Guard, said that the seven Army Values - loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage - groom many veterans to be outstanding employees. He said that enlisted leaders are responsible and accountable, from a team of four and nearly a quarter million dollars of equipment at the sergeant level to as many as 3,500 Soldiers and up to $350 million in equipment at the command sergeant major level.

"[Veterans are] someone who comes to you as an employee who understands how to operate in diverse environments, who promotes diversity, who also is very resilient, [and] shows up for work," Stopper said. "They are absolutely team players. The ability to give and receive direction is something everyone can benefit from."

Chief Senior Master Sgt. Gregory Cullen held up "the little brown book" - an Air Force manual on the enlisted force structure - detailing the expectations of junior enlisted and noncommissioned officers. Those expectations include personal readiness, leading and developing subordinates, correcting deficiencies that may jeopardize the mission, and clearly communicate the leader's direction.

"We're developing not just a Soldier, not just an Airman, we're developing a good person," Cullen said, adding that service members receive regular mandatory training on such issues as suicide awareness, human relations and diversity, and sexual assault prevention. "I feel we can bring [our values] to help your organization become stronger."

Craig Benzen, marketing director with the Green Bay Packers, thanked the business representatives for attending the summit. He said that the summit coincided with the Packers examining players in the current free agency period and upcoming draft.

"It occurred to me that there are a lot of similarities between the type of players the Packers recruit and the type of workers most businesses are trying to recruit," Benzen said. "The Packers are looking for players who are dedicated and loyal, who spends a certain amount of time perfecting their craft, somebody who knows there is a right way and a wrong way to do things, and guys who know what 'team first' means. These are the same values I think we've all witnessed in those serving in the military."

Alex Arriola and Alison Kavanaugh, sourcing diversity specialists with American Family Insurance, said that they wanted to hear more about the hiring veterans initiative as they have agency and agents-in-training opportunities. Arriola said he was impressed with what he learned about veterans' leadership qualities.

"They want to take charge," Arriola said. "They want to be the ones that bring the groups together. For an agent, and an agent-in-training, we need leaders."

Tom McGrath, regional account manager for Adecco, was looking for ways to partner with the Wisconsin National Guard. He was impressed to learn the wide range of skills veterans can bring, as Adecco is a recruiting agency representing a variety of employers.

"I think there could be a fit for many organizations, depending on the need," McGrath said. "I'm seeing entry-level to professional-level skill sets. I feel much more prepared to have conversations [with veterans] and close that gap to get people out to work."