Veteran Contributions to America: Bridging the Military-Civilian Divide

In the 1950s, the military wasn’t just part of American life, it was its backbone. Nearly 10% of Americans served in uniform. Communities revolved around military bases, veterans were pillars of industry, and families carried the weight of service together. Everyone knew someone who served. Today? Less than 0.6% of Americans wear the uniform, and for most, the military is a distant concept. This isn’t just a veteran issue… It’s a crisis for all of us. The fading connection between civilians and the military is eroding our economy, weakening our workforce, and unraveling the fabric of our nation.

The Problem: The Decline of Service Is a National Emergency

The numbers don’t lie, and neither do the consequences:

1. Economic Collapse of a Legacy: In the 1950s, veterans didn’t just return home…they built America. They founded businesses, employed millions, built crucial infrastructure like the interstate highway system, and drove the middle class. Today, veteran-owned businesses contribute over $1 trillion to the economy, yet the pool of veterans is shrinking. Veterans are 45% more likely to start businesses than civilians, but each failed transition is a lost economic powerhouse.
2. Leadership Vacuum: Veterans are trained to lead under pressure, solve complex problems, and inspire teams. In the 1980s, we had iconic founders and leaders like Fred Smith at FedEx and Phil Knight from Nike, and over 30% of Fortune 500 CEOs were veterans. Today? Less than 2%. Without veterans, we’re losing military-experienced leaders who know how to get things done.
3. Communities Fracturing: Once, military families were woven into every community. Today, most Americans don’t even know a single service member. This disconnection erodes shared values like resilience, discipline, and teamwork which are the qualities that hold communities together.
4. National Security Risks: Veterans bring critical skills in cybersecurity, logistics, and engineering. With cybersecurity jobs projected to grow 35% in the next decade, a declining veteran workforce leaves us vulnerable to threats we’re unprepared to face. Let’s not even talk about what a weak military force says to our enemies.

Why Veterans Are the Key to Our Future

This isn’t about charity or goodwill. It’s about survival. Veterans are the solution to some of today’s most pressing challenges:

• Closing Workforce Gaps: By 2030, the global workforce will face a shortage of 85 million skilled workers. Veterans, trained in leadership and technical expertise, can help close this gap if we act now.
• Driving Innovation: Veteran-owned businesses employ over 5 million Americans. Their adaptability and problem-solving drive economic growth and resilience.
• Rebuilding Culture: Veterans exemplify the values we need most: discipline, service, and unity. Without their influence, our nation loses its identity, comradery. and strength.

How We Got Here: The System Is Broken

This crisis didn’t happen by accident. Here’s what’s driving it:

1. Eligibility Barriers: Only 23% of young Americans qualify for military service due to obesity, education gaps, and criminal records. These preventable issues are shrinking the recruitment pool.
2. Competing Opportunities: Civilian options like college and trade schools often appear more appealing, less risky, and more accessible than military service due to a lack of understanding.
3. Stereotypes and Misconceptions: Many see the military as combat-only, ignoring the career-building opportunities in technology, healthcare, and leadership.
4. Employer Blind Spots: Civilian employers struggle to see how military experience translates into the workforce, leaving veterans underutilized and undervalued. A recent study shows that 76% of HR/TA teams cannot translate military skills, language, or value. We can all do better!

Veterans Are the Answer… If We Step Up

Veterans aren’t a problem to be solved… they’re a national asset. Here’s why they’re indispensable:

• Technical Expertise: Veterans bring unmatched skills in fields like cybersecurity, engineering, communications, supply chain, and logistics. Their ability to operate in high-pressure environments makes them irreplaceable in today’s workforce.
• Adaptability: Military training produces leaders who thrive in chaos and solve problems with limited resources. These traits are gold in any industry.
• Proven Potential: Around 200,000 service members transition to civilian life every year. With the right support, they can fill critical skill gaps, drive innovation, and stabilize industries.

The Path Forward: What We All Have To Do

Fixing this isn’t optional… it’s essential. Here’s how we bridge the divide:

Employers

• Stop treating veteran hiring like a checkbox. Learn how to recognize and leverage the relevant skills veterans bring to your company.
• Don’t ignore military spouses. Their resilience and adaptability make them invaluable assets.
• Partner with organizations that understand veteran transitions. You don’t have to navigate this alone.

Communities

• Reignite the value of service for younger generations. Show them the pride and opportunities military life offers. Not just the sacrifices.
• Support programs that connect veterans and families with jobs, mentorship, and mental health resources.

Veterans

• Own your transition. Learn to translate your military experience into civilian terms and advocate for your worth.
• Be a bridge. Share your story and help civilians see the value veterans bring to every space they enter.

Policymakers

• Tackle eligibility barriers by investing in health and education initiatives for future recruits.
• Modernize the GI Bill, VR&E, SkillBridge, and transition assistance programs to meet today’s workforce needs.
• Fund public awareness campaigns that highlight the value of military service and veterans’ contributions.

This Is the Moment to Act

In the 1950s, service wasn’t just a job, it was a way of life that defined our nation’s character. Today, that connection is unraveling, and we’re weaker for it. Supporting veterans isn’t a favor, it’s an investment in leaders, innovators, and protectors who make America stronger.

If you’re an employer, policymaker, community leader, or someone who simply cares about this country, this is your fight too. The solution isn’t complicated, but it requires commitment. Let’s roll up our sleeves and rebuild the bridge.

For veterans. For the economy. For all of us.

Thanks for reading!

–Rob Arndt

Founder & CEO @BufferSprings