We advocate for more veteran and military-affiliated employment in higher education, but how can an institution actually start building military-affiliated employment funnels? The human resources (HR) team and department at The Citadel have built a variety of military-affiliated employment funnels including attending TAPS events, building military community connections, building internal relationships with marketing and communications, building military alumni employment funnels, and help military spouses of Citadel employees find careers.

Here, The Citadel offers advice and tips for other campuses trying to recruit military-affiliated staff and faculty.

About The Military-Affiliated Workforce at The Citadel

Around 20% of The Citadel’s workforce are military veterans. Veterans serve in every capacity on our campus from teaching in our classrooms, providing building and grounds maintenance, serving as senior leaders, recruiting future students, and developing principled leaders in our barracks. Additionally, active duty and military spouses are supported on our campus as community members in our on-campus housing and engagement in our on-campus events. As The Military College of South Carolina, there is a culture that offers a military experience for the young men and women that attend the school. When veterans come to work at The Citadel, and they have lived the “military culture,” it adds value to the experience that these students receive. The military not only provides people with a career, but they also provide the value of true leadership that is important when developing the principled leaders of this institution. Veterans often bring discipline, teamwork, and leadership skills that directly align with The Citadel’s mission, making them an invaluable addition to the workforce.

Their presence in these areas strengthens the institution’s commitment to its military values and provides cadets and students with mentors who have personal experience in leadership and service. The Citadel actively seeks to hire both veterans and military spouses, as their adaptability, work ethic, and commitment to service make them strong candidates. This initiative also fosters a welcoming and inclusive environment for those with military backgrounds, ensuring they have a place to continue their careers while supporting an institution that values their experience.

The Citadel’s Military-Affiliated Employment Funnels

There is a strong value in connection. For The Citadel’s recruiters, they have continued to reach out to those entities that have a direct connection with the military community. The Citadel has partnered with Joint Base Charleston and attended their TAPS program, which provides service members with information, resources and career opportunities as they move into civilian life. Beyond TAPS, The Citadel has expanded its reach by connecting with partners through VA Vocational Rehabilitation and the Department of Veteran Affairs to allow a broader reach to the military community. By participating in these events, The Citadel creates direct engagement opportunities with veterans who are looking for meaningful employment that aligns with their skills and background.

For example, The Citadel has made it a priority to connect with a veteran in the Facilities and Engineering department who attends TAPS events to speak firsthand about his transition from the military into civilian employment. This personal connection helps veterans see that they are not alone in this process, and others have successfully made the transition. Being able to connect with these men and women who are moving to civilian life and giving them some comfort and advice during a challenging time means a lot to them. These partnerships ensure that the institution remains an accessible and desirable employer for military-affiliated individuals. By growing its military network and fostering these connections, The Citadel continues to strengthen its employment funnels and provide opportunities for those who have served.

Retaining Military-Affiliated Professionals

The Citadel has an advantage over other institutions in that it is a military college so most of the vision and mission of The Citadel is a familiar environment for those transitioning from the military. Due to the number of veterans on campus, there is a strong network which provides a sense of belonging and camaraderie. Veterans often seek workplaces where they can continue to serve a greater mission, and The Citadel provides that through its commitment to leadership development.

The Citadel offers paid military leave for employees with official military orders to engage in training or any other duties as ordered. Additional leave is provided when an employee receives military orders during a declared emergency or when asked to serve on active duty in a combat zone. The Citadel is very supportive and flexible with employees as they balance their military duties with their campus and personal responsibilities. The fundamental values of our institution provide a safe and reassuring return for our veterans, and we fully support their reemployment after they return home from duty.

Additionally, the ROTC department has active duty officers who interact with many of our veteran population, both employees and students, providing yet another example of strengthening the military community on campus. The Citadel hosts multiple events throughout the year to recognize and honor veterans, such as a Veteran’s Day breakfast and a military appreciation football game. These events provide an opportunity for veteran employees to connect, celebrate their service and feel valued within the institution.

What The Citadel Has Learned Over the Years

The Citadel’s advice to other institutions is to find your local veteran services, military bases, and anything that is affiliated with military personnel and start making those connections. Building relationships with these organizations is key to successfully recruiting military-affiliated employees. Additionally, getting involved in workplace development programs, such as Goodwill Industries, Department of Employment & Workforce Development, can help institutions reach veterans and military spouses who are actively seeking employment. These partnerships can help reach people where they are and ensure that job opportunities are visible to the right candidates. By prioritizing these strategies, institutions can successfully recruit and retain military-affiliated employees, fostering a workplace that values leadership, service, and resilience.

Article Topics

Job Search Advice Military Friendly Institutions Serving Military in HigherEd Working as a Veteran in HigherEd

Republish this article for free. We want to make it easier for you to share knowledge and creativity, and encourage you to reuse our articles under a Creative Commons license.