Have You Ever Served In The Military?
One question can make a big difference…
Help Veterans With Their Careers By:
- Identifying a warrior's transferable skills.
- Connecting veterans to military-friendly employers.
- Helping a returning service member access veteran job training programs.
Why Ask The Question:
Most employers know: if you hire a veteran you will likely encounter someone with a strong work ethic and a lot of transferable skills. Those who provide employment and vocational services need to identify and engage job-seeking veteran clients and help them to highlight their strengths in ways that will appeal to civilian employers. The first step is knowing who your veteran clients are.
Ask The Question
At the point of intake, ask, "Have you or a family member ever served in the military?"
When the answer is "YES," you may consider thanking them for their service. You may also then be able to find out more about his/her military experience in order to provide the best possible services and referrals. Asking further questions will also help you to:
- Build rapport and demonstrate interest and cultural competency
- Link to any needed military and veteran resources and referrals, including both VA and non-VA programs
- Assist in translating and matching military service experience to civilian language and jobs
- Identify any needs for social, cognitive, emotional, or physical accommodations
- Explore any barriers to reintegration into the workforce
- Address perceived barriers to seeking support and services
Read a vignette about how providers in Employment & Vocational Services can make a big difference!
Following are some questions that could be asked in the context of gathering information for more effective referrals and services. Pay attention to non-verbal cues, and show respect, curiosity, and empathy. Also be aware that responsiveness and effective follow-up are critical to building trust and rapport.
Portable Document Format (.pdf). Visit nh.gov for a list of free .pdf readers for a variety of operating systems.
- Build rapport with the parent and child and demonstrate interest and cultural competency
- Identify family supports and resources as well as needs for support not yet met
- Identify any deployment-related stressors on the child and family as well as any related behavioral, emotional, social, and academic implications for the child
- Explore deployment and reintegration challenges
- Identify any deployment-related stressors on the child and family as well as any related behavioral, emotional, social, and academic implications for the child
- Explore deployment and reintegration challenges
- Link to any needed military and veteran resources and benefits, including both VA and non-VA programs
- Identify family supports and resources as well as needs for support not yet met
- Link to any needed military and veteran resources and benefits, including both VA and non-VA programs
- Identify family supports and resources as well as needs for support not yet met
- Address perceived barriers to the child or parent(s) in seeking support
Provider Resources
Select your profession to see how:
