First recognized in 2017, National Hire a Veteran Day aims to raise awareness among employers that highly qualified talent exists among veterans and transitioning service members, and to encourage them to consider these candidates when filling open positions.

With Wisconsin offering more veteran benefits than any other state, it’s no surprise many companies have initiatives that directly focus on hiring transitioning service members or veterans, regardless of the day or time of year.

Here are just a few companies with veteran hiring efforts and what the people leading the initiatives had to say:

WPS Health Solutions

“We actively recruit veterans because we’re looking for people with the characteristics epitomized by our military—driven, passionate, willing to take individual responsibility.”

                                                                                                                           Timothy La Sage, military affairs manager

WPS Health Solutions currently employs 125 veterans. Learn how the company supports transitioning veterans.

Schneider

“In the military, servicemen and women are accustomed to making critical decisions in line with the core values of their branch. Schneider operates the same way, embodying its four core values—safety, integrity, respect and excellence—day in and day out.”

                                                                                                                                      Mike Norder, director of marketing

Nearly 22% of Schneider’s associates have a military background, and for more than 80 years the company hasmade an effort to hire veterans because of their strong work ethic and disciplined approach to getting the job done safely. Learn more.

Lippert Flooring and Tile

“We deeply appreciate the values and principles that compel our young men and women to volunteer to serve. In doing so, they deserve our best efforts to welcome them home, prepare them for their post-military lives and give them access to the very things they left home to defend and protect.”

                                                                                                                                                               Les Lippert, president

Learn why the Menomonee Falls-based company is so intent in hiring individuals with military backgrounds.

Oshkosh Defense

“At Oshkosh Defense, we see veterans as critical additions to our workforce. My advice to veterans is that, whatever your role was in the military, rest assured your time in service has done great things to prepare you for a civilian career. As veterans transition, we see them bring along that same discipline, learning agility, teamwork, project management, mission focus and strong leadership skills that we want in our organization.”

                                                                                                            Kerry Rocole, vice president of human resources

Learn how Oshkosh Defense supports transitioning veterans, and why it strives to employ as many former service members as possible.

Logistics Health, Inc.

“Every organization should strive to be a military-friendly employer. Only about 1% of our population serves, and when they transition from military life, we as business leaders can put their unique skills and integrity to work for us. They make extraordinary employees—I’ve seen it first-hand, time and again.” 

                                                                                                                                                                  Don Weber, founder

Hear more from founder and former marine Don Weberon why he started the company and his focus on veterans and transition services members.

If you work at a Wisconsin company with a hiring initiative for veterans and transitioning service members, or you’re a veteran with a transition story you’d like to share, please contact us.