The purpose of the survey was to gather data to determine both the rate of veteran employee attrition and the reasons why veterans leave their initial post-military jobs.
Over 1,400 veterans responded to the survey, which was conducted online between December 2013 and February 2014. Major findings include:
- Over 14 percent of the respondents indicated that they were presently working in their first civilian job. Of those who left their first job, nearly half of the respondents left in their first year and two-thirds left within two years.
- Veterans identified the biggest obstacle to attaining employment was finding opportunities that match past military training and experience.
- Nine out of ten respondents identified the opportunity to use their skills and abilities as the most important aspect of civilian employment. Several aspects of career development, benefits, work environment, and employee relationship with management were also identified as important retention considerations.
- Regardless of the number of jobs held, there was an association between job alignment and job tenure with the respondent’s preferred career field.
