The Reality of Veteran Employment: What You Need to Know

Leaving the military isn’t just swapping a uniform for a suit, it’s a complete identity shift. And when veterans step into civilian careers, they often find themselves underutilised, undervalued, or in the wrong role entirely.
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This post highlights the key findings from the Sustainable Employment for Veterans report, based on insights from 285 veterans. We’ll break down the biggest trends, challenges, and game-changers for veteran employment. But if you want the full data, including in-depth retention stats, industry insights, and career success strategies, you’ll need the full report which is just at the bottom of this page.

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1. Why Veterans Leave the Military

It’s rarely just one thing. Veterans transition for a mix of career ambitions, financial incentives, and personal reasons.

Top Reasons for Leaving Service:

✅ Career Change (21.4%) – A new mission outside the military.
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✅ Family Needs (20.9%) – Stability over relocations and time away.
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✅ Retirement Eligibility (11.4%) – Pension secured, next chapter begins.
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✅ Health & Well-being (9.5%) – PTSD, injuries, and burnout take their toll.
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✅ Work-Life Balance (5.9%) – Seeking predictability over deployments.
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📌 What’s in the full report?
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🔎 Deeper analysis on how these motivations impact career choices.
🔎 The most common pitfalls veterans face post-service, and how to avoid them.
🔎 Employer insights on attracting and retaining veteran talent.

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2. Finding the First Civilian Job: Strategy or Shot in the Dark?

Only 20% of veterans knew exactly what they wanted to do after service. The rest? They were figuring it out as they went.

What Drives Their First Career Moves?

📍 Military Skills Match (35%) – Familiar ground makes for a smoother transition.
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📍 Interest & Passion (29.1%) – Higher satisfaction when following personal interests.
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📍 Salary & Benefits (29.5%) – Money matters, but career fit is just as important.
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📍 Work-Life Balance (24.5%) – Many prioritise predictability after years of operational demands.

Where Do They Turn for Career Advice?

40.9% had no formal guidance – leading to poor job alignment.
4.5% used military transition programs – and those who did had longer job tenures.
Mentorship & networking matter – Veterans with a mentor had higher job satisfaction and retention rates.
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📌 What’s in the full report?
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🔎 A full breakdown of which industries offer better transitions for veterans.
🔎 How mentorship impacts long-term job success, with hard data.
🔎 Practical strategies for veterans navigating their first job search.

Here’s an article on building a framework for your first year out of the military, and here’s some networking advice. If you’re in that 40%, it sounds like you need it.
 

Want the Full Picture? Download the Full Report:

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