Panel, Conference Presentation
Deploying the Human Capital of Military Veterans: A Global Priority
- Over half of the 18,000 UK military personnel leaving annually may fail to complete contracts, prompting a shift from a "push model" to a "pull model" where transition training occurs throughout a career rather than solely at discharge.
- The UK system is expected to continue treating veterans as ordinary citizens without a dedicated Department of Veterans Affairs, relying instead on the National Health Service and private sector involvement, while Germany anticipates a delayed public recognition of its first post-9/11 veteran generation amidst media focus on negative outcomes.
- Team Rubicon Global plans to expand to 12 international teams within five years, including locations in the UK, Australia, Norway, India, and Pakistan, with a further projection to integrate Russian, Australian, British, and German veterans into joint missions within four to six years.
- Natural disasters are predicted to double in frequency and size over the last 30 years, creating a demand for disaster response organizations to absorb veterans as assets for global relief and climate mitigation efforts.
- US transition programs may continue with the week-long Transition Assistance Program (TAP) and the formation of Community Veterans Engagement Boards (CVEBs) by summer, which will operate as organic networks to facilitate partnerships between veterans and mental health providers.
- Corporate strategies are projected to evolve toward specific hiring commitments, the expansion of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) for retention, and increased C-suite involvement, though more companies must move beyond current leaders like Starbucks and PepsiCo to achieve broader adoption.
- Veterans are increasingly viewed as "triple threat" assets capable of disaster response, climate change mitigation, and corporate leadership, with unique skills like decision-making under uncertainty expected to command higher value despite potential hiring stigmas.
- Future discourse may shift from viewing veterans as victims or heroes to portraying them as civic leaders and normal citizens, requiring media representation, particularly by Hollywood, and corporate sensitivity training to overcome stereotypes and the "gray area" of public perception.
- The "Joining Forces" initiative and similar government efforts may continue to seek corporate sign-ups for veteran hiring, while the US Department of Veterans Affairs maintains a "My VA" initiative focused on veteran-centered care and taxpayer stewardship through strategic private sector partnerships.
- International cooperation via veteran-led disaster relief may serve as cultural diplomacy, fostering relationships between historically warring nations and influencing US foreign policy perceptions among G7 and G8 nations, though the UK may need to overcome the lack of a driving force for specific veteran infrastructure.