Become a Veteran-Informed Organization
What does an organization need to ensure its effectiveness in realizing positive outcomes for the modern veteran community?
Can any organization that wants to help veterans and their families succeed in this honorable mission truly make a difference?
What community-specific insights are necessary to ensure that programs and services are relevant to the evolving needs of the veteran population?
At Becker Digital, we’ve been leading interactive training workshops on the unique experiences of the U.S.' dynamic, multi-generational military and veteran community. Over the years, we've worked with a variety of teams and organizations—including healthcare providers, higher education institutions, government agencies, law enforcement, mental health professionals, and nonprofits—through our one-of-a-kind immersive, veteran-led training engagements. These workshops are designed to increase cultural competency specific to the military and veteran community and equip organizations with the knowledge to better serve veterans and their families.
Veteran Community Workshops
Through our courses, participants gain insight into the unique demands and stresses of military service, the challenges faced by military families and veteran caregivers, and the impact of these challenges across different eras of service. We walk teams through the multiple generations represented in the veteran community, highlighting how different service experiences, such as those of Vietnam veterans, Gulf War veterans, and veterans of recent conflicts like Iraq and Afghanistan, create unique journeys. We also explore how the military-civilian divide exacerbates barriers related to military transition, particularly in accessing quality healthcare, post-military employment, and community-based resources. Our goal is to ensure that participants fully understand how these challenges affect not only service members but also military spouses, children, and extended families.
Here’s some of the feedback we’ve received from participants after completing these workshops:
“I never knew that! This was eye-opening and helped me see the veteran experience in a whole new light.”
“I never understood the depth of the challenges veterans face. Thank you so much for this perspective.”
“Everyone who works with veterans, no matter the field, should go through this course! It opened my eyes to issues I wasn’t aware of.”
“This workshop should be a mandatory training for anyone in healthcare. It’s crucial to understanding how we can better support veterans.”
The Modern Veteran Community
Our military-connected team has delivered these trainings all across the country, to a variety of audiences, including local government, federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, and communities. These engagements always spark insightful conversation among participants, facilitators, and instructors, as they share their experiences in and with the contemporary military and veteran community. A few key themes that continue to come up include:
Military service is a family affair.
Military service doesn’t just impact the service member; it affects the entire family. The stress of deployment, relocation, and service-connected injuries and illnesses is shared by spouses and children. Additionally, the persistent challenge of high un- and underemployment of military spouses presents financial difficulties for modern military families. The majority of U.S. service members come from military families.
Veterans are not all the same.
Each era of service brings unique challenges. For example, veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) often deal with high rates of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), while veterans of Desert Storm may face long-term health effects from exposure to toxins. Recognizing these differences is key to tailoring services that meet veterans where they are. Programs and resources designed for veterans must be reflective of the service era-specific experiences and subsequent needs.
Quality healthcare access remains a significant challenge.
Contrary to popular belief, military and veterans’ healthcare is not free or universally accessible. There are often extensive wait times and gaps in care, particularly for those seeking mental health services or specialized treatments related to military service. Many service members, military families, and disabled veterans face significant barriers when navigating this healthcare system. Unlike civilian medical care, you can’t simply “switch” doctors or clinics. Difficulties accessing quality medical care can create a multitude of challenges.
Veterans and military families want to engage in their local community.
Military service often requires frequent relocations, which means veterans and their families may lack the strong local connections that civilians may take for granted. Organizations that are not traditionally military-focused have an incredible opportunity to help veterans and their families integrate into their new communities through local events, social gatherings, or employment opportunities. Please consider welcoming your patriotic neighbors!
The civilian-military divide impacts everything.
Many veterans face the challenge of reintegrating into civilian life after years of military service. The divide between military and civilian cultures can make it difficult for veterans to access resources, secure employment, and feel a sense of belonging. Understanding this divide is crucial to removing unnecessary barriers that impede the military community’s ability to connect, engage, and thrive post-service.
The military-connected workforce is an asset to your organization.
With their experience in leadership, resilience, and teamwork, the military-connected workforce brings a wealth of skills to the workplace. This includes veterans, military spouses and caregivers, and National Guard/Reservists. Organizations that create inclusive, military-friendly environments can tap into this highly valuable resource, fostering innovation and leadership within their teams.
Ready to become a Veteran-Informed Organization?
Organizations that serve, employ, or interact with veterans must go beyond surface-level awareness. To truly support the modern military-connected population, leaders need to be informed by the lived experiences of service members and their families. That means understanding the culture, the language, the pain points, and—just as importantly—the strengths.
At Becker Digital, we help organizations move from “veteran-friendly” to veteran-informed. Whether you’re a healthcare provider, educator, employer, or community leader, our training will equip your team with the insight, empathy, and tools to make a lasting impact.
Next Steps
For public sector organizations seeking support, Becker Digital is a trusted vendor 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!