Military veterans and spouses bring skills that every company needs—resilience, leadership, teamwork, and the ability to perform under pressure. Yet too often, they need help translating their service into business terms. The good news? Veterans often become some of the most loyal and high-performing employees on a team or within an organization.

In a conversation with leaders from Salesforce, Uptima, and Merivis, moderated by Adam Menzies, Uptima CEO, we dug into what makes veteran hiring so impactful – and what organizations can do to get it right.

Panelists Share How Their Organizations Support Veterans in Action

• AJ Sawhney, CCO – At Uptima, veterans and military spouses quickly emerged as top performers. That discovery shaped a bold strategy: set a company-wide goal of 50% military representation in their workforce.
• Todd Machtmes, EVP &  General Counsel – Salesforce continues to lead with intentional programs like Salesforce Military and DoD Skillbridge, helping veterans walk into their first civilian roles job-ready.
• Kate Stoker, Executive Director – Through Merivis, veterans and spouses gain structured cohort training, mentoring, and a community that supports them beyond certification into long-term career success.

The impact is clear: when companies create intentional pathways, they’re not just filling jobs—they are unlocking the strengths of people who know how to execute under pressure, manage through complexity, stay focused on mission success and add potential future leaders to their organization.

What to Consider When Hiring Veterans

If your company is looking to build or strengthen its military hiring strategy, here are a few key lessons from the discussion:

• Listen first. Veterans often undersell their own skills—take the time to hear their story and help connect the dots to business needs.
• Value transferable skills. Project management, leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork are often second nature to veterans.
• Offer structure and community. Many veterans thrive when companies provide clear expectations, mentorship, and safe spaces to connect with others who’ve walked the same path.
• Include military spouses. They are adaptable, resourceful, and often overlooked—but bring incredible strengths, especially in flexible or remote roles.
• Be intentional. Setting company-wide hiring goals, like Uptima’s 50% benchmark, signals commitment and creates accountability.
• Support transition programs. Whether through financial sponsorships, veteran internship programs, employee volunteer coaching, or partnerships with nonprofits like Merivis, these programs are essential bridges from service to civilian careers.

Why It Matters

Veterans bring loyalty, resilience, and a mission-driven mindset that strengthens any organization. By investing in veteran hiring, companies not only change the trajectory of a veteran’s career—they also build stronger, more resilient teams of their own.

Watch the full conversation here to hear directly from the veterans and leaders making this work possible.