Savage Invests in Veterans as a Military Friendly Employer

The military arm of the United States is one of the largest in the world. Current statistics like those provided by Statista, report that only two other countries maintain a larger force. That means a lot of Americans in uniform — more than 1.4 million as of 2022. And each has a lot to offer the workforce.

In most cases, a discharge from active service adds another person looking for employment. Savage believes that helping these individuals land on their feet means understanding their needs and giving them opportunities.

The Big Picture

Providing veterans support once they leave active duty can be challenging, but worth it. For example, a business wishing to make a difference can:

• Learn more about what it means to be a Military Friendly© Employer and achieving that standard;
• Understand the positive impact veterans can bring to the company and its Customers
• Realize the scope veterans support can have within the community

Finding jobs for veterans was a point of national concern after WWII. It is still a high priority today. Savage strives to uphold the ideals of the Military Friendly Employer because we know that investing in veterans benefits everyone.

What it Means to be a Military Friendly Employer

The Military Friendly initiative is a nationwide honor. Employers qualify as they take deliberate strides to recruit veterans. That includes working to propel their careers, as well. These employers show their veterans support in ways that include:

• Making advancement opportunities within the company available to servicemembers
• Providing benefit support to military spouses
• Gifting charitable donations to veteran aid programs
• Opening the door for education through grants and/or reimbursement opportunities

The aim of the Military Friendly organization is to improve the lives of veterans and their families. As Josh Rosen, director of the program, has been quoted here and elsewhere, “Companies that have earned this designation…advance veterans within their organizations. To them, hiring veterans isn’t just the right thing to do. It’s good for business.”

Savage feels the same way. We are honored to be an official Military Friendly Employer for six consecutive years. The following statistics show what that looks like. Through our Savage Patriots program, nearly 10% of our total personnel count are current and former service people. That equates to hundreds of jobs for veterans.

When Businesses Provide Jobs for Veterans, Customers Are Rewarded

There may be no better institution that understands the potential of veterans in the workforce than the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). They emphasize qualities of those who have served and how they can benefit employers. Whether these characteristics are learned or innate, the military has helped develop the traits that bring success in business. These include:

• Supporting synergy between Team Members
• Advanced problem-solving skills
• Good stress management
• Dedication to a common goal
• Possessing a strong work ethic

These traits are good in any workplace dynamic and can offer even more within leadership. Savage knows the value of training leaders and the influence they can have on operations and Customers. A veteran leader can motivate their teams to overcome obstacles, meet and exceed key performance indicators (KPIs), and manage the various moving parts that make up our complex industry.

The company that provides jobs for veterans gets access to the discipline and control of an individual shaped by the military. What the Customer receives in return is a safe and effective partner who consistently meets or surpasses their goals.

Giving Veterans Support Can Improve Communities and Lives

According to the 2018 Department of Defense Health Related Behaviors Survey, trauma associated with military service (commonly referred to as PTSD) comes with other comorbidities. These afflictions can range from substance use disorders to additional mental and emotional stress. Some studies have found a major depressive disorder comorbidity rate of over 52% in veterans with PTSD.

The complications surrounding PTSD can make finding jobs for veterans a trial. The National Center for PTSD lists a few of these effects, such as:

• Pronounced stigma towards veterans from people in the community
• Alienation from neighbors felt by members of the military family
• Increased feelings of guilt or shame within the serviceperson
• A rise in substance abuse to cope with PTSD

In many ways, these struggles have made it difficult to give veterans support. Communities also suffer as relationships, lives, and neighborhoods are strained. As a Military Friendly Employer, we understand that recovery can be a long road for affected individuals. We also believe employment can play a vital role.

Writing about the effect of work on veterans with PTSD, the Social Security Administration states, “work can have a positive effect on [the veteran’s] mental health because it offers [them]:

• Structure and routine
• A sense of purpose and accomplishment
• The opportunity to build relationships and community
• Financial self-sufficiency and security
• Increased confidence.”

Veterans Working with Savage

In providing veterans support, Savage has been uniquely positioned to make a positive impact. Data from the U.S. Department of Labor shows that in the broad sweep of occupations, veterans gravitate towards a few specific verticals. These include transportation and material moving, as well as installation, maintenance, and repair.

These jobs fall squarely among Savage’s services, which helps make our partnership with our veteran Team Members so fruitful.

As a Military Friendly Employer, Savage invests in veterans because of its positive return for individuals, communities, and our Customers. In our experience, everyone wins.

If you are a military veteran who is looking for employment, check out our career openings for veterans.