Did you know that the State of New Hampshire can recognize your organization as a “veteran-friendly” employer?
More than 80 NH organizations actively support veteran employees via membership in the New Hampshire Veteran Friendly-Business Network. It’s simple, it’s free and it’s a great way for employers to honor, fortify, empower and impact New Hampshire service members, veterans and military families (SMVF) while recruiting and retaining talented employees.
The NH Veteran-Friendly Business Network was launched in 2020, under the direction of Adjutant General David J. Mikolaities and the NH Department of Military Affairs and Veteran Services (DMAVS), NH Employment Security, NH State Veterans Council, Next Step Bionics & Prosthetics, Dead River Company, and an advisory panel including: Hypertherm Inc., Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), National Guard Employment Support Program, NH Hospital Association, Northeast Passage, University of New Hampshire, Southern New Hampshire University, Partnership for Public Health, Service Credit Union, ForgeVFR HealthCare LLC, and the Veterans Employment and Training Service of the U.S. Department of Labor.
The Network serves to identify, educate and support not just businesses but all types of employers and organizations, including colleges and nonprofits that demonstrate policies and practices that positively have an impact on the lives of NH services members, veterans and their families.
Approximately 200,000 individuals transition out of military service and return to life as a civilian, seeking civilian employment every year. As of 2024, there are over 85,000 veterans residing in NH and over 38,000 are between the ages of 18-65 years old with over 90% of those actively participating in the labor force. Employers are encouraged to hire transitioning service members, veterans and their spouses who bring leadership, a strong work ethic, teamwork, tenacity, dedication and a determination to succeed, along with many other valuable skills to an employer.
Veterans bring a high-level experience and valuable technical and non-technical skills that are in high demand from employers, such as leadership, versatility, dependability and attention to detail.
Most military occupations are not combat related and have direct equivalents in the civilian workforce; only approximately 14% of the U.S. military’s occupations are combat specialties, meaning many veterans leave their military service with skills that are immediately and directly transferable to civilian employment when afforded the opportunity.
Those from combat specialties, while perhaps not direct equivalents to civilian positions, have the potential for numerous, positive qualities gained from their experience, training and an inherent trend toward mission-focused determination, adaptability and resilience along with a number of other positive intangibles.
Veteran-friendly employer eligibility
Membership is open to nearly all types of employer organizations, and no employer is too small. Some certified Veteran Friendly Businesses include BAE Systems in Nashua, SIG SAUER in Newington, Next Step Bionics and Prosthetics in Manchester and Advantage Truck Group in Seabrook.
Basic requirements include: The organization must be based, or have locations, in New Hampshire The organization must be registered and in good standing with the NH Secretary of State The organization must not have any USERRA (Uniformed Service Employment & Reemployment Rights Act) violations within the past 24 months Beyond the basic requirements, the application asks organizations to self-identify their current policies, procedures and culture that support SMVF hiring and retention from a comprehensive list provided by NH DMAVS. If you believe your organization may already be eligible, it’s as easy as filling out the application.
Why join NHVFB
By joining the NHVFB, your organization gets much more than a certificate and a decal. With recognition comes exclusive benefits to help your organization better recruit and retain veteran employees.
Upon approval, you’ll be granted access to a wealth of training for your organization’s leadership, access to subject matter experts on various state and federal programs, peer-to-peer learning, monthly e-newsletters and exclusive social media groups with NHVFB peers. Your organization will gain insight into what other businesses are doing and have the chance to attend inperson social events and virtual advisory panels.
Your organization will be featured on the DMAVS website, recognized on DMAVS social media channels, and honored at the annual NH Veteran-Friendly Business Network Symposium held each fall.
How to Join
If you’re an employer interested in joining the N.H. Veteran-Friendly Business Network, visit the NH DMAVS website and navigate to the Veteran-Friendly Businesses page. There, you will find all the necessary resources regarding the program, the full list of requirements and benefits, the application and quarterly deadlines.
The Department of Military Affairs and Veteran Services is here to guide you every step of the way. Let us support you supporting veterans and military personnel. Any questions can be directed to Erica Webb, military skills and test waiver program specialist II, at 603-227-1569 or by email VeteranFriendlyBusiness@dmavs.nh.gov.
Brenton K. Fraser is the director of the Division of Community-Based Military Programs at the NH Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services. Fraser previously served 25-plus years in the U.S. Army and 6-plus years as a Department of the Army civilian.
