Celebrated every November 11, Veterans Day is a national holiday that honors veterans who served our country in war or peace. Veterans Day is also an opportunity for companies to recognize the value, experience and skills veterans bring to the workplace.
They’ve done so much for us. It’s time we returned the favor.
With their understanding of teamwork, leadership and strong work ethic — along with a broad spectrum of experiences — service members often have transferable skills that can help them succeed in today's business world.
Supporting service members
One practical strategy businesses use to support veterans is a service member resource group that provides a space for veterans to connect with others and discuss their experiences.
Securian Financial has its Servicemember Associate Resource Group (SARG). With over 220 members, SARG is comprised of both veterans and allies (associates that are either military connected or a supporter of service members).
“People who have served in the military or support those who have served share a special bond” explained Bill Siitari, a Financial Planning and Analysis Consultant who is an ally and a SARG co-lead. “SARG helps servicemembers and their allies stay connected and supported.”
SARG’s goals center around being an employer of choice, increasing community impact, fostering a unique employee culture and promoting SARG outside of Securian.
SARG also partners with other Securian associate resource groups (ARGs) like the Mental Wellness and Disability ARG to help bring awareness and resources to the many impacts associated with military service.
Battle Buddies offer special connection
There are multiple committees of SARG, including the Battle Buddies program. Simply put, a “Battle Buddy” is someone who always has your back and ensures you are never alone, someone who knows how to help a friend in need. It began with those associates still serving in the military and has extended to family members as well. The program now places equal emphasis on supporting families left behind.
Battle Buddies was a huge help to Nichole Holman, business operations analyst, while her son Connor was serving in the Middle East as an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt crew chief. For seven long months, Connor was on his mission with little communication with his mom or family.
Thankfully, Nichole had the support and care of someone who had direct experience and helped her through the hard times. She was paired with Harold Price, manager, Project Management Office, as her Battle Buddy. Harold is a retired military officer who served in the U.S. Army for 22 years, which included deployment tours to Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan and Europe.
“Being paired with Harold was amazing,” said Nichole. “It was so helpful to have someone not related to me — who would not sugar coat things — explain what Connor may have been dealing with and understand where he was coming from. Harold helped me navigate conversations with Connor that I wouldn't have been able to do on my own.”
Because her son is now home, Nichole and Harold’s official Battle Buddies program is complete, but they will be forever connected.
In addition to offering emotional support, Battle Buddies and SARG have evolved to be more proactive. Rather than simply asking families if they need anything when a family member is deployed, SARG members proactively help with daily chores and home maintenance like meal deliveries, snow removal, lawn care and more, making a tangible difference.
This approach reduces the reluctance of family members to request help. It’s about taking meaningful action through empathy, not just acknowledging needs.
Connecting inside and outside the company
One of SARG’s priorities is helping with hiring practices and recruiting service members to Securian. Members attend career fairs to help recruits and hiring managers discover what each has to offer.
Veterans often come with an established work ethic, leadership experience, the ability to adapt to change and a strong team player attitude — soft skills most hiring managers are seeking.
“Veterans are a good fit for Securian as they often possess the skills and experience that tie closely to our core values — values that guide our decision and shape our culture and identity,” said Bill. “Those values are about caring for others, being thinkers and doers, keeping our word and succeeding as a team.”
SARG is also active in the community, whether doing yard clean-ups, volunteering at local events or taking part with organizations like Tee It Up for the Troops to raise money for service members in need.
