Talent Wars Podcast: How to Tap into Veteran Talent

With 200,000 service members transitioning to civilian careers annually, veterans represent one of America’s largest untapped talent pipelines. But most communities and employers are missing the mark on veteran recruitment and retention. 

Join host Patience Fairbrother as she sits down with Jason C. Anderson, Founder and CEO of PreVeteran, to explore why traditional veteran hiring approaches aren’t working –  and what economic developers and employers can do differently. 

Jason spent 24 years in the Air Force before transitioning to the private sector, where he advanced to managing director. Despite his success, the transition was far more challenging than expected – an experience that inspired him to create PreVeteran, which helps military members prepare for civilian careers through specialized training. 

The conversation reveals a fundamental disconnect: while many assumes veterans will “plug right in” to civilian roles, the military and private sector operate as drastically different environments requiring significant mindset shifts and cultural adaptation. 

Listen in to learn: 

•  Why the military-to-civilian transition is a “hidden challenge” most employers don’t recognize 

• What communities can do to engage transitioning service members earlier in the process 

• How proper training benefits veterans, employers, and local economic development 

• Success stories from veterans who navigated the transition effectively 

For economic developers looking to tap into veteran talent as a competitive advantage, this episode provides essential insights into supporting this valuable but often misunderstood workforce. 

Listen and subscribe to Talent Wars on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. To submit guest or episode topic ideas, email patience.fairbrother@aboutdci.com.