Organizations all over the country recognize the leadership capabilities and attributes that veterans can bring to their workforce: strong work ethic, mission oriented, being calm under pressure, strategic thinking, dedication, and a sense of urgency. Yet, 65% of veterans leave their civilian organizations within the first 24 months. Surveys say that pay and benefits are the problem, but the research by the consultants at Mission Next revealed a more complicated problem. Veterans leave because they struggle to integrate into cultures that don't understand and recognize their military experiences. What can HR leaders do to attract highly-qualified veterans to their organizations, and how can they build a culture where veterans want to stay and perform?

Our first book, Mission Next, was based on two years of research about why veterans leave their first jobs. It was written to help transitioning veterans by providing a toolkit for each phase of the transition. The research also revealed some insights into what civilian organizations can do to recruit, onboard, and retain veterans. The solution can be found in creating a veteran-informed culture that allows top talent in the organization to thrive.

HR's Mission Next was written to help HR leaders in civilian organizations attract and retain veterans. This book helps HR leaders understand why some former service members won't identify as a veteran, why they are such valuable hires, and the challenges they face in transitioning to the civilian workforce. It provides practical advice on writing job descriptions and announcements that are veteran-friendly, unlocking hidden skills from a veteran's resume, and maximizing interviews with former service members to truly understand the talents they could bring to your organization. If you want to create an organization where veterans want to come—and stay—welcome to HR's Mission Next.