5 Habits that Help Veterans Excel in the Workplace
It’s safe to say that life in the military has its share of ups and downs. Though you may not realize it at the time, you’re building a repertoire of highly sought-after skills and habits. Highlighting, and more importantly, demonstrating these habits can set you apart when it comes to your first job as a civilian.
Although this isn’t an end-all-be-all list, these are some of the more prevalent and valuable skills among military members. Are there any additional skills or habits you picked up during your time in the military? A particular habit or skill that you look for in a prospective employee? Comment with them! You might help someone realize a particular skill or habit they can discuss in their next interview.
#1 Teamwork
In the military, teamwork is everything. Starting in boot camp and continuing throughout your military career, you’re inundated with the importance of teamwork. Aside from exposure to working with various teams, you gain the experience of working alongside diverse individuals. You learn how to interact with different personalities, different cultures, and different upbringings. The same holds true in the civilian workplace. When the time comes to work with a new set of individuals, you’ll be fully prepared.
#2 Knowing the Mission
Attend any formal mission briefing in the military and you’ll quickly realize the time and level of planning that goes into it. You’re briefed on your objectives, how they relate to the strategic mission, and the mission/status of other units in your operational area. Tactics like back-briefing ensure that junior members understand all of this.
Applied to the civilian world, this situational awareness is particularly advantageous. It bridges the knowledge gap between your daily tasks and the overall mission of the company.
#3 Attention to Detail
One of the biggest habits stressed in the military is attention to detail. It seems rudimentary in terms of folding clothes to precise dimensions, but think what would happen if an aircraft maintainer forgot to replace a critical F-16 component. Whether you’re dealing with row after row of numbers on a report or defusing an explosive, missing small details can have much larger consequences.
#4 Being on Time
“If you’re 15 minutes early, you’re on time. If you’re on time, you’re late.”
Have you heard this before? Just because a meeting starts at 8:00am sharp doesn’t mean you stroll through the door at 7:59. I don’t know about you, but showing up late for anything is high on my list of phobias. Being on time (see: early), prepared, and ready to go for all occasions demonstrates respect and responsibility.
#5 Adapting to Change
The only thing constant in the military is change. A plan can be rehearsed 20 times, but as many veterans can attest, actions rarely pan out exactly as planned. Although certainly inconvenient, this can subsequently improve your ability to think on the fly. Meeting times will change, seemingly rock-solid negotiations can falter. Your previous experience with changing conditions can help you think with clarity when the pressure is on.
Jonathan Griffith is an Air Force and Army veteran, author, and entrepreneur. His mission, Life After Service, shares experiences and lessons learned in the often difficult transition between military service and civilian life.
Follow Jonathan on Instagram @life_after_service
