6 Qualities That Make Veterans Excellent Employees

By Cass Jacoby, RCS Reporter.  

Fill vacancies within your crew by tapping into the talent pool of veterans. 

As an employer, you are always on the lookout to recruit hardworking and loyal employees who will add value to your company. With ongoing labor shortages, it can be hard to know where to look, but there are thousands of veterans who have served our country that are an ideal fit for working in roofing and construction. 

If you are wondering how military training uniquely posies someone to work well in construction, read on for five qualities of veterans that make them excellent employees. 

1 – Team players 

According to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, "Teamwork is considered an essential part of daily life and is the foundation on which safe military operations are built." Veterans have a focus on teamwork that grows out of their military responsibilities. When you hire a veteran you are hiring a team player.  

2 - Respect for procedures and processes 

Veterans have been trained to value accountability and respect their place within an organizational framework. More than others, they have a tangible grasp of how policies and procedures empower an organization to exist. 

3 - Safety oriented 

Service members have had extensive training and are aware of safety protocols for both themselves, the welfare of their team and others. For Construction Pros states that this awareness and conscientiousness translates into protection of employees, equipment and materials. 

4 – Able to perform under pressure 

Tight schedules and limited resources are no stranger to service members, who have a highly developed ability to accomplish priorities in spite of high-stress scenarios as part of their daily regimen.  Veterans will stick with a task until it is done correctly and, in its entirety. 

5 - Resilience 

They have the ability to follow through on assignments and tasks, even under difficult or stressful circumstances. Military.com states that veterans have proven their tenacity in mission critical situations demanding endurance, stamina and flexibility through strength and determination. 

6 – Trainable 

Service members are expected to continuously learn and develop from the moment they join. Further, a veteran is a master of adaptability, capable of following orders for a specific task as well as taking initiative.  

Looking to hire more veterans? 

In our Coffee Conversations podcast we sat with experts in the roofing industry who are veteran-focused, asking them how the industry can start hiring more veterans. 

“I would advise any contractor to check with their state for a Veterans Affairs program,” says Mandy McIntyre. Mandy works with the National Women in Roofing (NWIR) Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) committee leading the celebration of women veterans in roofing this Veteran's Day. 

“Whenever someone leaves the military, they go through a Transition Assistance Program where they help them write a resume and they help connect them with resources,” Elizabeth Evans adds. Elizabeth found her passion for construction while studying civil engineering at West Point and later went on to be a colonel in the U.S. Army.  She now owns her own roofing and construction company. 

“If you can get in front of those career counselors and say, 'Hey, here's who I am. Here's my company. We'd love to open a booth at your next career fair' it is an easy way to attract more veteran employees,” added Elizabeth.  

"Honestly, being a soldier and a veteran, I'm looking for a friendly employee aspect of it. We're looking for a culture that is going to allow us to still have those core values as a soldier,” says Angelica Brager. Angelica served in Iraq from 2017-2018 and has been in the Army National Guard for 15 years. She is now senior estimator at Young Construction in Mason City, Iowa.   

“My best advice is to go out there and hire them,” says Angela. “They're going to be probably one of the biggest assets to your team because we are always looking to leveling up, because in the military you're accountable to level up." 

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