Guard Your Business
Story by Mr. Seth G. Stuck Public Affairs Office Georgia Department of Defense
T
he Georgia National Guard has launched its “Guard Your Business” initiative in an effort to connect unemployed and underemployed Guardsmen with civilian employers and opportunities. A recent study found that fully 70% of business leaders said veterans had leadership skills, purpose, direction and motivation that made them attractive job-seekers. About half those executives said they were impressed with veterans’ character — prominently displaying trustworthiness, dependability, integrity and maturity. Roughly five percent of Georgia’s Guardsmen are unemployed, down from 15 percent just a few months ago. But with the veteran unemployment rate still disturbingly high, and our youngest veterans (18 to 24 years old) at an unemployment rate almost double that of civilians in the same age group, it falls to us to ensure our Guardsmen can find gainful employment. Our Guardsmen receive a tremendous amount of training across all disciplines as they face new, uncertain, and hostile
25 | The Georgia Guardsman
situations on a regular basis. Adaptability is not only key to their success, it iis also key to their survival. Our modern military is not only high-tech, it is also an innovator in various technological fields. Many service members have highly specialized training in technology that can be leveraged in the private sector. Some veterans may even be eligible to receive “Veterans Preference,” adding either 5 or 10 points to their passing score on a pre-employment evaluation. For would-be employers, there are also tax credits out there specifically designed to incentivize hiring veterans. The Returning Heroes Tax Credit provides a credit of up to $5,600 per veteran hired. The Wounded Warriors Tax Credit is specifically for veterans with disabilities stemming from their military service and offers a credit of up to $9,600 per veteran hired. Georgia Guardsmen have unique leadership qualities, experience, skills, and talents that represent a unique opportunity to employers. The initial response to our Adjutant General’s call for businesses to assist our Guardsmen facing unemployment has been outstanding. The companies attending our job fairs and the associations providing training to our Guardsmen show that Georgia believes in our CitizenSoldiers and Citizen-Airmen. But we can do more.