Employer's great opportunity

[ironglow]

  We continually hear complaints concerning the employability of many of the younger generation, specifically those in late teens through 20s.  Complaints range from "spoiled babies" to poor work ethics..to attendance slovenly lifestyle and lacking self -discipline. 
     When we observe for instance, the OWS crowd..  Just how many of them would constitute a good hire ? 
  We hear that potential employers are looking instead, for stable, seerious and dedicated personnel.

  There is a source which some may have overlooked...
   It came to me as I saw a Nat Geo special on the Air Force pararescue troops.  These Spec Ops troops, many of whom were but "recruits" a couple years ago are a remarkable lot  fight their way in, fight their way out and perform surgery on the way back to the FOB.  There are Spec Ops troops of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines emerging from combat duty, back into civilian life every day. 
  Here is a film of the pararescue Spec Ops at work (real action starts at about the 2 min mark).
     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6j5fJ4HEVA
   
    This is an employer's treasure..they have proven their character, tenacity, dedication, stable attendance and self-discipline in spades.  They are the cream-of-the-crop..and a smart CEO will utilize this unique and valuable asset..

[Conan The Librarian]

They also carry the stigma of having been federal government employees, didn't have a plan for developing relevant vocational and academic skills right out of high school, and a number of other baggage items. The unfortunate fact is that you seldom see anyone saying that veterans make good employee candidates except VA and other veterans groups. What they say may be true, but the stigma is there. If they're in the reserve or national guard, the stigma and resistance is even greater.
 
The only class of ex military candidates I know of are retired officers who are willing to work for below par wages because they have a military pension.
 
Best bet for ex military is to go to school right away and focus on getting a marketable trade or degree. This is very important.

[ironglow]

I have to disagree with you right off!  I am speaking primarily about Spec Ops troops.. evn though it is a known facty that the average recruit bis of a higher IQ than his/her average civilian counterpart.  Then the Spec Ops troops, simply to attempt to qualify for a try at Spec Ops, must prove a much higher score.
  There is an oild wives tale, a holdover from the conscript days, that our troops are somehow deficient; nothing could be further from the truth!  Today's military is an all-volunteer force..and Spec Ops are the elites..    They are a notch above those young, primarily men, who did not avail themselves of the opportunity for true, manly adventure.
  Look at the video i linked.. can you say with a straight face that these men are somehow inferior to the same age fellow on the street?   These maen have proven they are smart, dependable, courageous, inventive, resourceful and can perform under pressure.  What intelligent boss wouldn't want those qualities in an employee?
  That old, outdated idea that the some young forced to serve because of some percieved failure, particularly since 9/11/01 is an old, worn out conjecture which needs a radical revision.  I realize few today fully appreciate patriotism and altruism, but that is what moved many of these young people. These young, spec Ops troops are like conquistadores, mountain men, Daniel Boone, Bill Hickok, El Cid's troops, minutemen and Captain Kirk combined.. 
  They wanted adventure enough and were moved by patriotism enough to step up to the plate..what college or civilian pursuit could assuage their drive for adventure and accompanying danger?  Those throughout history who posses a real spirit of elan have done just that; drunken frat parties are just that..drunken frat parties..  No relationship...
      I personally know several, and that is their nature..not a timid soul among them.  I believe the old myth of less than capable is perpetuated by those who never served or refused the opportunity for this most manly pursuit..and are envious of those who have.
   These guys have already proven they can perform under the most extreme pressure.. those who are run-of-the-mill washed out long ago.
 Very few troops make the grade and even fewer civilians could do it!

[Shu]

+1 Ironglow.  Even those poor ignorant uneducated volunteer troops are a bunch of very capable intelligent folks. They have discipline and the drive to get things done.

[Oldshooter]

I thinK it should be like for  government jobs. If they qualify they should get first refusal. Its the least that should be done for those that serve.

[Conan The Librarian]

Ironglow and Oldshooter:
 
The problem is that they are too good. They don't fit into a sea of mediocrity like most companies. They serve themselves best by going into business or something else. I've seen a lot of these guys over the years. Typical pattern is that they either dumb down and become B players or they get fed up with it and dump the corporate grind within about three years. It's sad to see how they start out with high hopes and feel secure with their new job. They have kids and settle down to what they think will be a stable life. Then they get fed up and have to move on.
 
Best bet for these guys is to get the education that will allow them to play their own tune.

[spruce]

Excellent post Ironglow.
 
I think a lot of times companies don't hire vets because management feels "threatened" by them.  For the most part vets, compared to non-vets, are more disciplined, more aggressive, more resourceful, not afraid to take risks, and a better grasp of what's REALLY important.
 
Unfortunately most of the corporate world prefers sheeple who walk around all day saying "yes boss, yes boss".

[Conan The Librarian]

Spruce:
 
You left out integrity. That creates some clashes too.
 
By the way, amateur athletes and sports fans make good corporate types. They tend to fit into team environments like corporations. Maybe they just see it as a game and play it by the rules.

[Oldshooter]

You left out integrity. That creates some clashes too.

Hard to be a "yesman"  if ya have integrity
 
I agree with ya conan, A lot of people need to "go do their own thing" problem is this regime seems to wanna discourage that sort of thing. Hard to need the gooberment if ya have integrity and self sufficency

[Conan The Librarian]

The two main stigmas that get repeated are that employers don't think vet's skills translate to civilian work force. And there is also the image of the veteran nut job with PTSD. Sounds crazy, but it's a strong stereotype.
 
Veterans don't do themselves any favors a lot of times regarding the first one. They need to prepare resumes that translate the skills into skills employers can relate to. For example, they have organizational skills, logistical skills, etc. But they will often articulate stuff like that as, say, squad leader in ANVUW or something like that. I.e., the skills are not apparent at all. Gotta translate those skills "into English".

[ironglow]

  Conan;
  I see what you mean, but I believe we were thinking on different levels.  The volunteer troops of today, especially since 9/11/01 are a very special lot;
 1) They knew upon enlistment that they would likely see combat.
 
 2) They differ from most of their civilian peers, in that they have an extra helping of  vigor, panache and a sense of adventure.
 
  This is only multiplied if they go for Spec Ops..
 
  Where we seem to be talking on different levels is while you are thinking "corporate ladder"; Iwas thinking more of  projects such as job boss opening a new oil field, punching a new road through wilderness or the toughest police work. I very much doubt a former Spec Ops trooper would be content as a desk jockey, or play the "kiss-up game.
 
  The concern for veterans being dangerous.. Let's look at recent incidents, Columbine, Aurora, West Virginia U., Sandy Hook, Appalaichin School of law or the bombing in Boston...NONE VETERANS...  So if that idea persists, it is out of ignorance.
 
  These days the military is giving classes for departing veterans..everything from job seeking to resumes, interviews, combining military experience in a constructive way.  Some corps are smart enough to hire the vet..then PAY for his/her college classes which are applicable to their work.  I know one Spec Ops vet who is doing that right now, and may be an accredited mechanical engineer in a couple years.
 
  Yes, you are right on, in that integrity may not be what drives some corporations... but most of these vets probably wouldn't want to work for such people anyway.

[Conan The Librarian]

IronGlow:
 
Good examples! I totally agree that these kinds of vets are probably the best possible choices for that type of work.
 
My brother in law fits the description and his experience was noteworthy. He was in construction, then had his own business, then decided he wanted to be a project manager restoring buildings. He worked for one of the top companies that does that, got his projects done early and under budget, but hated his management and they hated him. He wasn't a "suit" at heart. He quit that job and went into the sales side of construction. Did well, and recently retired.