COVER STORY | VETERANSVETERANS:AN UNTAPPED SECTOROF THE WORKFORCEby Mike Neeley &Melissa DeBilzan“What our servicemen and women want, more than anything else,is the assurance of satisfactory employment upon their return to civil life.”—Franklin D. Roosevelt6 | PRECISION MANUFACTURING <strong>January</strong> | <strong>February</strong> 2009
For many companies, hiring veteransis more than goodwill.It’s good business.Itypically spend Tuesdayafternoon at the Tri-CityAmerican Legion where my RotaryClub meets. The Rotary Club is agreat way to get a handle on what’sgoing on in local business andcommunity. The group includes abanker, broker, CPA, high schoolprincipal, city administrator, policeofficers, and people from a dozenother professions.On this particular Tuesday thespeaker was a lieutenant colonel fromthe <strong>Minnesota</strong> NationalGuard, speaking on thechallenges our brave veteranshave returning to civilian lifeafter a tour of active duty.As he explained the variousways we have welcomed ourreturning warriors, somegood and some bad, onecomment stuck in my mind.Thirty percent are returningjobless. I wonder how manymore are underemployed?Later that day as I sortedthe mail, I found the weeklynewspaper from the smallfarming community I callhome. A short article buriedin the back pages caught my eye. Itwas a public notice from the WalterT. Enneberg American Legion Poststating that, although politicallyincorrect, the local Boy Scout Troopwould be permitted to have theirweekly meetings in their building asthey had for over 50 years. It seemsthis group of American heroes feelsthat privately funded organizationslike the Boy Scouts have the right toset their own leadership requirementsand believe in a Supreme Being.Sounds like the Legion supports thefreedoms they fought for.I was one of those Boy Scouts50 years ago—a bunch of buddiesVETERANS RETURNING HOMEwearing the uniform proudly, salutingthe flag and punching a hole in thetile ceiling when the tip of the flagpole was held a bit too high. Soundslike a Norman Rockwell painting.At a very young age, I was awareof the contributions returningveterans made to my town. Everyyear I watched them march in theMemorial Day parade. One year inparticular, I remember first seeinga group of World War II veterans innavy blue uniforms and white rifles,Mike Neeley, owner of Technology Reps is congratulated byMarine Corp veteran John Schmahmann.I then recognized individuals as theyproudly marched by. The barber,postmaster, pool hall operator,Gamble Store guy, two linemen (onefrom the local power company andone from the rural electric company),grain company owners and the cardealer who flew planes off an aircraftcarrier. One in this group stoodout above all the rest in his khakitrousers, leggings and campaignhat. He was Duff Mueller a WorldWar I veteran who worked at thelocal hardware store. After puttingtheir lives on the line, this group ofAmerican heroes returned to helpbuild a community.I wonder how many of ourcompanies have benefited fromreturning veterans. One of<strong>Minnesota</strong>’s largest contractmanufacturers is led by its founder’sson who returned from cockingcannons in Korea to join and laterown the company. Technology Repswas founded by a “leatherneck”who served in Korea and remindspeople that “you’re always a Marine”as he proudly displays the UnitedStates Marine Corps (USMC)emblem on the front plateof his car. A <strong>Minnesota</strong><strong>Precision</strong> <strong>Manufacturing</strong><strong>Association</strong> (MPMA)Board member’s Marineson returned from servingin Iraq to a managementposition at Dynamic Group.Another Board member andformer U.S. Army officer, BKyle, helps manufacturerslocate in St. Paul and givescountless hours to promoteour industry. ElizabethAbraham, president of TopTool Company, tells me 30percent of their workforce areveterans who get an extra dayoff each year, Veterans Day.The MPMA continually is involvedin workforce development. Returningveterans are a resource we shouldn’tignore. They are mature beyondtheir years and have training benefitsavailable. They know how to get thejob done and deserve a break. Join mein giving these brave men and womena hand up—not out. The remainder ofthis article will help you learn how.I welcome your input into thisissue. MPMA companies can makea difference and I invite you tocontact me at Technology Reps atmikeneeley@comcast.net or(651) 636-6966.<strong>January</strong> | <strong>February</strong> 2009 PRECISION MANUFACTURING | 7
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