America's veterans have been largely welcomed in the workforce, and government regulations provided the initial impetus. There is still much work to do as many veterans struggle to find true inclusion and equal opportunity, sometimes even after landing a job.
By Royston Arch

Corporations are applauded for hiring veterans and veterans with disabilities. Integrating (or reintegrating) veterans into the workforce is an important step toward ensuring they can take care of their families and enjoy great success over the years. The U.S. government and the states have been instrumental in conveying the message to employers that the government is ready to help with the transition and reintegration of veterans.

The numerous laws, acts, and regulations provide tax incentives, workforce training, reimbursement of some employer training expenses, community networks of support services that include healthcare access, and educational materials. Regulations at the federal and state levels also work to increase the hiring of veterans with disabilities. Everything together is creating a culture of Diversity & Inclusion for veterans.

What is Reintegration?
A lot of terms describe the status and challenges of returning veterans, including reintegration or integration, readjustment, transition, and community integration. The authors of the article "Military Service Member and Veteran Reintegration: A Conceptual Analysis, Unified Definition, and Key Domains" tackled the definition of reintegration in order to promote consistency in reintegration measurements.

Reintegration is a term that emphasizes the multiple domains of a person's life. It refers to a "time period, process, or outcome" that veterans may experience after they leave military service. According to the authors, reintegration and community integration place emphases on different life roles such as being an employee, student, spouse, and/or family member. Reintegration addresses the physical, emotional and mental aspects of a person.

Reintegration principles are embedded in government regulations, laws and programs. It is seen in the effort to address the multiple dimensions of life, rather than just one dimension. Veterans may need assistance with reintegration into the workplace, the community or society in general.

The physical needs as well as psychological needs are addressed because they are often inseparable. For example, a veteran with a disability may be experiencing depression due to the physical issue but would be able to work if the depression was treated. Reintegration is a holistic concept, addressing the psychosocial well-being of veterans.

From Disability to Working
Veterans usually must overcome various challenges in order to succeed in a non-military workforce. The laws and regulations the federal and state governments have implemented are designed to provide the support system that veterans need.

For example, "The Mission Act of 2018" ensures veterans have access to community healthcare care services, enabling them to use non-VA medical services when the local VA does not provide the necessary services. This has implications for employers. For example, qualified veterans working for small businesses without group health insurance will still have full healthcare coverage.

The Department of Veterans Affairs issued its "FY 2018-2024 Strategic Plan" and introduced it with, "…VA will focus on resources on foundational services that Veterans need most, and leverage Federal partners, community providers and private partners to offer care and services where needed. … Our disability system must be reformed."

Through its laws, regulations and administration of federal services like the VA, the government has been a first line of offense for veterans trying to reintegrate into the workforce. The government has been an important driver for including veterans with disabilities, especially those disabilities that cannot be seen with the eyes. For example, at one time, the public did not understand traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post traumatic syndrome disorder (PTSD), and many businesses feared employing these veterans.

Not everything offered to veterans and employers come in the form of laws. There are regulations and programs, and the VA issues many directives that perform like government regulations. A good example is the Veterans Health Administrations' Directive 1173.18, "Driver Rehabilitation for Veterans with Disabilities Program."

Regulations Drive Integration of Veterans into Communities
Regulations and programs give veterans opportunities they may not have otherwise. They have hiring preferences when competing for certain federal jobs. There are veteran entrepreneur programs that give veteran-owned businesses a preference when bidding on government contracts. The Vets First Verification Program is run by the Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization.

The Department of Labor manages a number of programs and regulations. They include the Veterans' Employment and Training Service, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act Advisor, and the Veterans' Employment and Career Transition Advisors, to name a few.

However, states are also participating in the effort to reintegrate veterans. For example, the West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance has a number of employment programs, like the West Virginia Military Connection that is described as a one-stop shop for West Virginia veterans and active military personnel and their families. The shop provides links to employment, education and training, family resources, and healthcare.

The National Conference of State Legislatures has developed an informative and comprehensive list of state help for returning veterans. The lists reference veteran assistance programs and commissions; occupational legislation to help returning veterans reintegrate into the civilian workforce; employer grants and tax credits for hiring returning veterans; job placement services; and legislation on topics like mental health, housing, education and healthcare.

Holistic Approaches for Holistic Success
The government and employers are working closely together to help veterans succeed. No matter what term is used to describe the process, the ultimate goal is the same – assist veterans with successfully returning to society and the workplace at any level.

The fact that the laws and programs are inclusive of all aspects of life is an indication of the enormous challenge that veterans face after leaving the military. Work life, home life and social life are each important to holistic success.