Recruiting America's Military Elite to Lead Your Organization

America's military presence in Iraq and Afghanistan'salign the skills these military leaders already possess,
unconventional conflicts has resulted in an unintendedthough how these processes are addressed is
consequence - elite military professionals that aredrastically different. A methodology with roots in the
experienced in independent and adaptive thinking andworld of military fighter aviation, such as Flawless
leadership. In a recent article, Time magazine chartedExecution, has been proven time and time again. This
how this war has created a new generation of eliteprocess has enabled some of the best teams in the
military leaders, the same men and women whoworld to thrive in the business of combat and has
return ready to apply this knowledge to businessproven itself just as valuable in the world of business.
situations. These former or still transitioning military2. Human Capital: This March, General David Petraeus
leaders come home from Iraq or Afghanistan with atold Fortune magazine, "Tell me anywhere in the
distinct brand of knowledge and skills, betterbusiness world where a 22 or 23-year-old is
prepared to transition from the military to theresponsible for 35 or 40 other individuals in missions
corporate world. Unlike many of their businessthat involve life or death." Imagine that kind of
contemporaries, America's military elite have alreadyexperience in the leadership arena at that level of
headed up a team comprised of their fellow soldiers,operational capacity coming to your organization!
responsible for making sure everyone succeedsDeveloping human capital, and understanding its
together as a team and the mission is successful.impact on business, not only accelerates team and
These battle tested leadership qualities, unavailable incompany performance, but teamwork, collaboration,
academic or civilian learning environments, areand communication also organically evolve as a
engrained into America's military elite from day one.by-product of the organizational effectiveness. These
Major organizations across the U.S. have focused onare just a few of the value proposition components
recruiting former military leaders for years, wellthat fostering human capital present to companies
aware of their unique abilities to lead a company toinvested in recruiting former military men and women.
success. These recruiting programs are uniquely3. Existing Business Knowledge: Many of these former
targeted at former or transitioning military leaders,or transitioning military candidates have pre-existing
who are placed into these companies based onbusiness knowledge, having acquired their MBA during
specific individual competencies as well as the hiringor immediately after their service and then applying
company's desire to integrate forward thinkingthis knowledge to their latest role. The right type of
leaders into their organization. Sourcing candidates has'combat to business' transition program teaches
proven to be a popular approach to placing thesecandidates that leadership roles at organizations are
skilled leaders into organizations after their militaryno different from their past military leadership roles.
duties have been fulfilled.The same proactive leadership skills are still a
Companies recruiting former military men and womenprerequisite, and these are the skills their civilian
have an ally when it comes to finding capablecounterparts often cannot match. Upon arrival, these
transitioning military personnel - a small number ofcandidates immediately begin to positively impact
military-to-business transition training programs existyour business, accelerating performance and affecting
to help make the transition smoother. What can thechange within individuals, teams and the overall
right type of recruiting program do besides sourceorganization itself.
jobs for transitioning military personnel? Whether youRecruiting Former Military Fuses Value with Success
are a former military man or woman or anThis draw to recruiting America's military elite, which
organization looking at recruiting transitioning militaryincludes a number of Senior Military Officers, such as
leaders, these programs provide significant value.colonels, admirals and generals, is a growing trend
Transitioning Military Candidates Acquire the Toolsthat global corporations are taking an especially keen
Required to Take Businesses to the Next Levelinterest in. Pepsi and GE, for instance, have defined
1. Translating and Re-Defining Skills: The benefit oftheir own processes for recruiting former military
transition programs is that they provide transitioningleaders and created programs that are dedicated to
military candidates with a methodology or system byfinding the best former or transitioning military
which to translate military vernacular to businesscandidates to work in leadership roles. These men
vernacular and any other business acumen that mayand women are regarded as stars waiting to happen,
be lacking, allowing the candidate to seamlesslydue to their independent, adaptive philosophies. For
transition into their new roles at major organizations.businesses requiring 'out-of-the-box' thinkers who
This blending of military skills with business skills andhave gained invaluable experience leading teams
acumen not only makes these proven leadersunder intense pressure in the most hostile operational
well-rounded in bringing value to your company, but itenvironments, recruiting transitioning military leaders is
helps maintain a results-driven business environment.a sure step on the path to business success.
These transition programs focus on processes to