Veterans Face Employment Challenges: Need for More Research

This article highlights the employment challenges faced by military veterans in the U.S., who represent over 15 million individuals, accounting for more than 6% of the total workforce. Daniel Peat, Ph.D., from the University of Cincinnati, noted a lack of research on the economic impact of veterans in the workforce, spurring him and his team to publish a review titled, 'Veterans and military-connected individuals in the civilian workforce: an integrative review and research agenda' in the Organization Management Journal.

The review analyzed hundreds of studies, revealing that the specific barriers military-affiliated workers encounter are understudied, with a significant need for more empirical research. Peat emphasized that employers often underutilize the skills and experiences of military-connected individuals due to poor translation from military to civilian life.

The review also pointed out that while veterans are 45% more likely to start their own business compared to nonveterans, there is limited data to support this trend. Additionally, the review indicates that military spouses experience higher unemployment rates than their civilian counterparts, highlighting another area requiring further investigation.

Peat's work, which integrates insights from co-authors Jaclyn Perrmann-Graham and Christopher Stone, underscores the importance of understanding the unique challenges faced by military-connected individuals in the workforce, including transitioning service members, reservists, and military families.

This research aims to pave the way for better organizational support and recognition of the distinct contributions and needs of this population.