What it Means to be a Military-Friendly Organization
Every May and November, organizations trot out a slew of “Support the Troops” social media posts in conjunction with Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Some organizations may aspire to signal their organizational culture is “military-friendly” or hope to gain clicks off their patriotically inspired posts. These flag-themed narratives may include a “thank you for your service” or 10% off military discount code; however, this type of digital virtue signaling typically does very little for the brave men and women who serve our country in uniform, or for their families who’s lives are always second to our nation’s call.
Many modern organizations are grossly illiterate when it comes to military culture, history, or values. As a result, they repeatedly fail to provide any actual quality-of-life enhancement to the contemporary military and veteran community. The number of people in our country who have a military family connection is rapidly dwindling, and this lack of awareness and representation across our communities directly impacts organizations. Without a deep understanding of military culture and experiences, organizations struggle to effectively address the needs of this patriotic population.
What Does “Military Friendly” Mean, Anyway?
What does it mean to be a truly “military-friendly” organization? While #MilitaryFriendly and #SupportTheTroops make for great hashtags (especially in May and November), these gestures fail to deliver substantial positive impacts on the modern military community.
As a veteran-owned small business, Becker Digital lives and breathes strengthening organizational support of our valiant military and veteran communities. Our founding mission was to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of public sector organizations that provide critical support to the millions of military and veteran families across the United States. We’re veteran-owned and operated, and proud to support a military-connected team that includes veterans and military spouses. Our firm’s insights are unparalleled when it comes to enhancing the quality of life for the modern military and veteran community because we’ve lived it.
Through the delivery of high-quality consulting, training, and program support, we have had the distinct opportunity to work alongside local, regional, and national organizations that are dedicated to the fulfillment of this mission. This experience has only reinforced the critical need for organizations to recognize the value of firsthand military experience in leadership and operations, especially as the connection to military families diminishes. For organizations aiming to provide effective and meaningful support to the military and veteran community, it is essential that they integrate team members with lived experiences to truly understand and meet the unique needs of this group.
4 Key Elements of a Military-Friendly Organization
While the working definition of “military friendly” may mean various things to various people, here are a few key elements that we include in the foundation of this critical operative:
Genuine Understanding and Respect for Military Culture
Being "military-friendly" goes beyond offering discounts or superficial acknowledgments of service. It starts with a genuine understanding and respect for military culture. This includes knowledge of military history, values, and the unique experiences of service members and their families throughout multiple eras of modern-day military service. Organizations should invest in education and training to build this military-informed awareness. This creates a foundation of respect and appreciation that can permeate the entire organizational culture, boosting military-connected personnel recruitment and retention, enhancing the delivery of military-focused support programs, and positively contributing to the overall quality of life for those who courageously signed a blank check to the American people and our shared democratic values.
At Becker Digital, our 100% military-connected team of veterans, National Guard/Reservists, military spouses, and veteran caregivers has developed and delivered interactive in-person and virtual military cultural competency training for a variety of public sector audiences, including government agencies and nonprofit organizations. Our unique training delivery provides participants with an in-depth understanding of the multi-faceted military experience, introduces the diversity of the modern military and veteran community, and outlines the unique military-specific lifestyle-related challenges that millions of service members, veterans, and their families face in 21st-century America. Our dynamic trainers guide participants through an educational journey, equipping them with actionable strategies to enhance their organization’s support for the military community.
Learn more: Veteran Community Priorities for 2025
Employment and Career Advancement Opportunities
A truly military-friendly organization actively seeks to hire transitioning service members, veterans, Reservists, military spouses, and veteran caregivers, recognizing the valuable skills and experiences this patriotic demographic brings to the table. Unfortunately, under- and unemployment rates among the military-connected community have remained higher than those of their civilian counterparts for several decades. This failure to recruit and retain military-connected talent on the part of organizations has resulted in long-standing negative impacts on the military and veteran community, including limited professional and educational opportunities, restricted access to healthcare, increases in financial insecurity, and an overall decrease in quality of life.
Organizations that are interested in supporting the military community through career opportunities should consider integrating the following programs and initiatives:
Military Community Recruitment Campaigns
Accessibility Audit for Disabled Veterans
Military-Focused Mentoring Programs
Military/Veteran Educational Scholarships
It’s important to note that the civilian-centric approaches that may already be in place within the organization’s internal workforce development programs may not resonate with the unique needs and perspectives of military talent. Therefore, organizations that are truly committed to being “military-friendly” should prioritize tailoring these programs to the unique needs of the modern military and veteran community - not just what civilians “think” military community members need, but developed off data and feedback from actual members of the military and veteran population.
Comprehensive Support Systems for Military-Connected Workforce
Support for military-connected employees and their families should be holistic and comprehensive. This includes flexible work arrangements to accommodate deployments and training schedules, robust health and wellness programs tailored to the military community, and fostering an inclusive and informed military-friendly culture. Organizations should also consider developing policies that specifically address the unique needs of their military-connected workforce.
Due to the unique demands of military service and post-military life, the challenges and needs that arise among a military-connected workforce may differ significantly from those encountered in the civilian world. For example, a military spouse employee may need to take time off unexpectedly to support their family through a rapid mobilization or an unexpected deployment. Disabled veterans may have more frequent medical appointments than civilian colleagues who have not served in uniform.
To truly support their military-connected workforce, organizations should consider:
Updated Policies: Develop and enforce policies that support military-connected employees, such as extended leave for deployments and training, and ensure these policies are well-communicated throughout the organization.
Flexible Work Arrangements: Implement flexible work options that are customizable to accommodate the unpredictable nature of military life and life after service.
Health and Wellness Programs: Offer health and wellness programs that address the specific physical and mental health needs of military personnel, veterans, and their families.
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): Provide access to EAPs that offer specialized support for military families, including counseling services, financial planning, and career development resources.
Peer Support Networks: Establish internal support groups or networks where military-connected employees can share experiences and resources, fostering a sense of community and mutual support.
At Becker Digital, we routinely hire military-connected talent from our non-military-connected competitors because we recognize and accommodate the unique needs of these All-Star professionals. By making the necessary accommodations for military life, we not only attract top talent but also create a supportive and inclusive workplace where military-connected employees can thrive. Our commitment to comprehensive support systems ensures that our team members feel valued and empowered to balance their professional responsibilities with their military life commitments. As a veteran-owned business, we know what it means to serve, and we strive to develop our company into the organization we needed when transitioning from the military.
Learn more: Continuing a Lifetime of Service as a Veteran-Owned Small Business
Active Participation in Military and Veteran Community Events
Being a military-friendly organization involves more than just expressing support; it requires active participation in and sponsorship of events that support the military and veteran communities. This includes job fairs, community service projects, and fundraising events for veteran-related causes. Organizational representation at veterans-related events, such as Veterans Day services, community veterans' breakfasts, and military commemoration ceremonies, is an excellent way to engage all members of the organization, including civilians, in supporting the military community.
For those new to the military scene and looking to understand the demographics, unique experiences, and important dates related to the patriotic population, Becker Digital offers a valuable resource: Military and Veteran Support: An Insightful Approach to Outreach White Paper. This in-depth document is free for download, and includes a discussion on Civilian vs. Military/Veteran Experiences, the dynamic backgrounds and roles within the military and veteran communities, strategies for military/veteran family outreach, best practices for military holidays and observances, and much more!
Click here to download your copy of Military and Veteran Support: An Insightful Approach to Outreach.
Are You Ready to Become a Military-Friendly Organization?
Being a military-friendly organization requires more than just words or symbolic gestures. It demands a deep and sustained commitment to genuinely understanding and supporting the military community. At Becker Digital, we are proud to lead by example, integrating key elements such as comprehensive support systems, active community participation, and tailored employment opportunities into our practices. True support for our troops means creating lasting, positive impacts on their lives and the lives of their families, every day of the year.
Fostering a culture of respect, providing real opportunities, and engaging actively with the military community are essential. These actions not only benefit those who have served but also strengthen the organization as a whole, making it more inclusive, diverse, and capable. By addressing the unique challenges faced by service members, veterans, and their families, we ensure that military-connected individuals feel valued, supported, and empowered to balance their professional responsibilities with their military commitments.
At Becker Digital, we believe in taking actionable steps to support our military community. We are dedicated to moving beyond virtual signaling and making a tangible impact. Join us in building a truly military-friendly environment that honors and supports those who have given so much to our country. Let’s commit to meaningful, sustained efforts that make a real difference in the lives of our brave service members and their families.
About Becker Digital
Becker Digital is proud to be a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) that harnesses the values of service to drive results and support communities across the nation. For public sector organizations seeking support, Becker Digital is a trusted consulting firm that provides mission-driven organizations with customized services. Contact us to discuss your organization’s mission support needs and goals!
Becker Digital is honored to continue a lifetime of service to our nation as an SBA-Certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and HUBZone Business!