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Panel of Peers: Veteran Inclusion

November 8, 2019

Panel of Peers (POP) is a student-led initiative where MBA for Executives students draw on their experiences to share insights and answer questions from their peers. Through this forum, students discuss topics such as entrepreneurship, international business, and the future of healthcare technology. In this recorded POP session, a panel of U.S. Military veterans in the MBA for Executives program shared their experiences in the military, transitioning into civilian life, and joining the community of Yale SOM.

Here are some statistics and resources that our panelists shared to help both veterans and those seeking to best support them:

Suicide facts:

  • “Veterans are 1.5 more likely to die by suicide than Americans who have never served in the military. For female veterans, the risk factor is 2.2 times more likely.”
  • The latest report shows 17 veterans take their lives every day, excluding those currently serving (active-duty, National Guard, and Reserves).
  • More than 60,000 veterans were lost to suicide between 2005 and 2017
  • Nearly 70% of veteran suicide deaths were attributed to firearms in 2017

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2019/10/09/new-veteran-suicide-numbers-raise-concerns-among-experts-hoping-for-positive-news/

Best advice for organizations who are considering / hiring veterans:

  • Several recruiting firms specialize in placing junior military officers in civilian roles 

Best advice for drilling reservists and their employers 

  • Employers may make use of a variety of human resources levers, such as flexible hours after long battle assembly weekends, differential pay during mobilizations, and extended health benefits to retain and attract those who are currently serving to their firm.  Currently serving veterans with civilian jobs, or their spouses, may nominate their employer for awards presented by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, or ESGR. The “Above and Beyond Award is presented by ESGR State Committees to recognize employers at the local level who have gone above and beyond the legal requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act,” or USERRA.
  • Also, employers must familiarize themselves with USERRA to ensure that they understand the rights of both their firm and their employed veteran. 
  • Drilling reservists must also foster trust and honesty with their employer. Reservists must notify their supervisor of all annual training requirements so that the employer may adjust priorities or hire additional resources during the servicemember’s absence. Typically, the servicemember gets a memo from their unit commander listing all training dates. 

https://www.esgr.mil/

Resources: