Military veterans, who possess a unique skill set, are able to swiftly adapt to the new workforce challenges and uncertainties that the pandemic has created. Whether it is rolling out new safety and security protocols or managing a team of security professionals, military veterans working in the physical sector have a heightened awareness of the vital role played by security services in this ever-evolving security landscape.
This Veterans Day in the U.S., we salute the heroes among our ranks for their incredible service. We also take pride in recognizing the military all around the world who made the ultimate sacrifice to serve their country on Remembrance Day.
As the CEO of a global company that is actively recruiting veterans, it alarms me to see that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported earlier this year that the “unemployment rate for veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time since September 2001 — a group referred to as Gulf War-era II veterans — rose to 7.3 percent in 2020. The jobless rate for all veterans increased to 6.5 percent in 2020. These increases reflect the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on the labor market.”
The physical security sector offers vast opportunities for advancement, especially for the military. Advancing in the physical security sector demands many of the same qualities military veterans are known for, including battle-tested real-world experience, trainability, adaptability, dependability and ability to deliver quality work in pressure-cooker situations.
At Allied Universal, we believe that veterans, service members and reservists are unsung heroes who serve, secure and care for the people and communities in every corner of our world. We firmly believe that veterans make ideal employees, especially within the physical security sector.
Veterans generally enter the workforce with identifiable skills that can transfer to the physical security world and are often skilled in technical trends pertinent to business and industry. And what they don't know, they are eager to learn — making them receptive and ready hires in physical security environments that value ongoing learning and training.
If a company's recruiting strategy doesn't include military veterans and reservists, they are missing out on an opportunity to work with some of our country's most outstanding men and women. It is important for companies to partner with veterans' organizations and work with them proactively to ensure that that the ability to recruit from this extremely qualified talent pool is maximized.
Steve Jones achieved the American Dream through perseverance, hard work, and adaptability. He is the Global Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Allied Universal. Steve Jones presides over Allied Universal companies and their respective divisions. Under his leadership, Allied Universal has grown from $12 million in revenue to more than $18 billion with more than 800,000 employees and has acquired over 75 companies. For more information, please visit www.aus.com.
