Comcast NBCUniversal Supports Veterans and Military Spouses on National Hire a Veteran Day
We owe it to our nation’s heroes and their families to ensure they have a fair chance in the civilian workforce. While there have been some improvements in how employers attract and hire military-connected talent, we cannot be complacent.
On National Hire a Veteran Day, we need to address the obstacles veterans and military spouses face in their civilian careers. It’s not enough to express our gratitude for their service and sacrifices. We need to turn our appreciation into action and continue to work together to close the gap between military and civilian life. Every year, about 200,000 service members make the transition from military to civilian life, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. These veterans bring a unique mix of technical skills and relevant experience to the civilian workforce.
They are outstanding leaders, strategic thinkers, and problem solvers. They are also team-oriented, dedicated, and disciplined. Yet, many of them have difficulty finding suitable employment after they retire from the military. The employment situation is even harder for military spouses, a group that is often overlooked in this discussion. For more than 10 years, they have faced an unemployment rate of 20% or higher, a figure largely due to frequent relocations. Moreover, the Blue Star Families’ annual Military Family Lifestyle Survey found that financial pressures and spousal unemployment or underemployment were the biggest issues affecting military families in 2022.
A common misunderstanding among employers is that military service does not apply to the civilian workplace. However, only a small percentage of veterans—around 20%—served in combat-related roles. The rest worked in career fields that also exist in the civilian sector, such as logistics, engineering, cybersecurity, communications, and more. At Comcast NBCUniversal, we highly value the diverse backgrounds and skillsets of our military-connected colleagues. They serve in various roles across the enterprise, from project management to marketing, and their work ethic and adaptability are essential qualities in our fast-paced, dynamic industry. That’s why we have implemented military culture training programs for our recruiters and hiring managers, including the SHRM Foundation’s Veterans at Work Certificate Program and PsychArmor’s School for Employers.
Through these programs, we enhance our team’s understanding of military service and ability to identify transferable skills. We also offer fellowships for transitioning service members and paid internships for student veterans and military spouses who are looking for their next career. Since 2015, we have welcomed more than 20,000 veterans and military spouses into our Comcast NBCUniversal family. For us, though, it’s about more than just hiring numbers. It’s about creating an inclusive and supportive environment where military-connected employees can grow and thrive.
We have a responsibility to our nation’s heroes and their families to make sure they have a fair opportunity in the civilian workforce. While there have been some advances in how employers seek and hire military-connected talent, we cannot be satisfied. On National Hire a Veteran Day, we need to tackle the challenges veterans and military spouses encounter in their civilian careers. It’s not enough to show our gratitude for their service and sacrifices. We need to transform our appreciation into action and continue to work together to bridge the gap between military and civilian life. Every year, around 200,000 service members make the transition from military to civilian life, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.
These veterans bring a unique blend of technical skills and relevant experience to the civilian workforce. They are excellent leaders, strategic thinkers, and problem solvers. They are also team-oriented, dedicated, and disciplined. Yet, many of them have trouble finding appropriate employment after they leave the military. The employment situation is even tougher for military spouses, a group that is often ignored in this conversation. For more than 10 years, they have faced an unemployment rate of 20% or higher, a figure largely due to frequent relocations. Moreover, the Blue Star Families’ annual Military Family Lifestyle Survey found that financial pressures and spousal unemployment or underemployment were the biggest issues affecting military families in 2022.
A common mistake among employers is that military service does not relate to the civilian workplace. However, only a small portion of veterans—about 20%—served in combat-related roles. The rest worked in career fields that also exist in the civilian sector, such as logistics, engineering, cybersecurity, communications, and more.
At Comcast NBCUniversal, we greatly value the diverse backgrounds and skillsets of our military-connected colleagues. They serve in various roles across the enterprise, from project management to marketing, and their work ethic and adaptability are crucial qualities in our fast-paced, dynamic industry. That’s why we have implemented military culture training programs for our recruiters and hiring managers, including the SHRM Foundation’s Veterans at Work Certificate Program and PsychArmor’s School for Employers.
Through these programs, we improve our team’s understanding of military service and ability to identify transferable skills. We also offer fellowships for transitioning service members and paid internships for student veterans and military spouses who are searching for their next career. Since 2015, we have welcomed more than 20,000 veterans and military spouses into our Comcast NBCUniversal family.
For us, though, it’s about more than just hiring numbers. It’s about building an inclusive and supportive environment where military-connected employees can grow and thrive. 20K+ Veterans and military spouses welcomed into the Comcast NBCUniversal family We’re committed to supporting our teammates and their families at every stage of their military journey and through every transition. We’re aware of the challenges many face because of military service, and we’re proud to offer a comprehensive list of employee benefits and programs to meet their unique needs.
This includes our Military Concierge, Guard and Reserve Leave, Differential Pay, and Military Spouse Transfer Assistance. Our Veterans Network (VetNet) Employee Resource Group is another great example of how our connection to the military company has influenced our company culture and focus. With over 8,500 members, this group serves as a vital support system for our military-connected teammates, providing opportunities for mentorship, networking, and professional development. VetNet members also participate in several veteran-related service projects each year, including Wreaths Across America, Boxes to Boots, and our Flag Replacement Program.
8.5K Veterans Network (VetNet) Employee Resource Group members Comcast has a long tradition of serving those who have served. Our founder, Ralph Roberts, served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and we continue to honor his legacy by donating to military community-serving organizations, creating special experiences for our military customers, and supporting veteran-owned small businesses and entrepreneurs through Comcast RISE.
More than ever, we’re focused on helping veterans and their families navigate our increasingly digital world. We recently announced plans to expand our installation of Lift Zones in community centers nationwide through Project UP, Comcast’s $1 billion commitment to advancing digital equity. These Lift Zones provide military families with free, high-capacity WiFi, along with access to digital literacy programs and workforce development resources. In addition, we’re partnering with NPower and other nonprofit organizations to provide tech training and job placement.
Ultimately, we view our enduring commitment to hiring and empowering veterans and their families as an investment—one that not only enhances our workforce but also contributes to the health of our nation’s military. All branches of the military are struggling to meet their recruitment goals, and we support those who serve by addressing the most pressing needs of military families creating pathways to meaningful employment for veterans and military spouses ,and helping members of the Guard and Reserve find balance between their military and civilian careers.
As a military spouse and the mother of a service member, I’m proud to lead the Military Engagement effort at Comcast NBCUniversal, and I extend my sincere gratitude to all companies and organizations that share our passion for supporting veterans and their families. I also encourage more businesses to strengthen and diversify their workforces with military talent. It’s time to recognize the potential of our veterans and military spouses and bring them into the fold. So, this National Hire a Veteran Day, let’s all make a commitment to value their service in our businesses as much as we value their service to our nation.
To know more about Comcast NBCUniversal’s Military Engagement initiative, click here.
On National Hire a Veteran Day, we need to address the obstacles veterans and military spouses face in their civilian careers. It’s not enough to express our gratitude for their service and sacrifices. We need to turn our appreciation into action and continue to work together to close the gap between military and civilian life. Every year, about 200,000 service members make the transition from military to civilian life, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. These veterans bring a unique mix of technical skills and relevant experience to the civilian workforce.
They are outstanding leaders, strategic thinkers, and problem solvers. They are also team-oriented, dedicated, and disciplined. Yet, many of them have difficulty finding suitable employment after they retire from the military. The employment situation is even harder for military spouses, a group that is often overlooked in this discussion. For more than 10 years, they have faced an unemployment rate of 20% or higher, a figure largely due to frequent relocations. Moreover, the Blue Star Families’ annual Military Family Lifestyle Survey found that financial pressures and spousal unemployment or underemployment were the biggest issues affecting military families in 2022.
A common misunderstanding among employers is that military service does not apply to the civilian workplace. However, only a small percentage of veterans—around 20%—served in combat-related roles. The rest worked in career fields that also exist in the civilian sector, such as logistics, engineering, cybersecurity, communications, and more. At Comcast NBCUniversal, we highly value the diverse backgrounds and skillsets of our military-connected colleagues. They serve in various roles across the enterprise, from project management to marketing, and their work ethic and adaptability are essential qualities in our fast-paced, dynamic industry. That’s why we have implemented military culture training programs for our recruiters and hiring managers, including the SHRM Foundation’s Veterans at Work Certificate Program and PsychArmor’s School for Employers.
Through these programs, we enhance our team’s understanding of military service and ability to identify transferable skills. We also offer fellowships for transitioning service members and paid internships for student veterans and military spouses who are looking for their next career. Since 2015, we have welcomed more than 20,000 veterans and military spouses into our Comcast NBCUniversal family. For us, though, it’s about more than just hiring numbers. It’s about creating an inclusive and supportive environment where military-connected employees can grow and thrive.
We have a responsibility to our nation’s heroes and their families to make sure they have a fair opportunity in the civilian workforce. While there have been some advances in how employers seek and hire military-connected talent, we cannot be satisfied. On National Hire a Veteran Day, we need to tackle the challenges veterans and military spouses encounter in their civilian careers. It’s not enough to show our gratitude for their service and sacrifices. We need to transform our appreciation into action and continue to work together to bridge the gap between military and civilian life. Every year, around 200,000 service members make the transition from military to civilian life, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.
These veterans bring a unique blend of technical skills and relevant experience to the civilian workforce. They are excellent leaders, strategic thinkers, and problem solvers. They are also team-oriented, dedicated, and disciplined. Yet, many of them have trouble finding appropriate employment after they leave the military. The employment situation is even tougher for military spouses, a group that is often ignored in this conversation. For more than 10 years, they have faced an unemployment rate of 20% or higher, a figure largely due to frequent relocations. Moreover, the Blue Star Families’ annual Military Family Lifestyle Survey found that financial pressures and spousal unemployment or underemployment were the biggest issues affecting military families in 2022.
A common mistake among employers is that military service does not relate to the civilian workplace. However, only a small portion of veterans—about 20%—served in combat-related roles. The rest worked in career fields that also exist in the civilian sector, such as logistics, engineering, cybersecurity, communications, and more.
At Comcast NBCUniversal, we greatly value the diverse backgrounds and skillsets of our military-connected colleagues. They serve in various roles across the enterprise, from project management to marketing, and their work ethic and adaptability are crucial qualities in our fast-paced, dynamic industry. That’s why we have implemented military culture training programs for our recruiters and hiring managers, including the SHRM Foundation’s Veterans at Work Certificate Program and PsychArmor’s School for Employers.
Through these programs, we improve our team’s understanding of military service and ability to identify transferable skills. We also offer fellowships for transitioning service members and paid internships for student veterans and military spouses who are searching for their next career. Since 2015, we have welcomed more than 20,000 veterans and military spouses into our Comcast NBCUniversal family.
For us, though, it’s about more than just hiring numbers. It’s about building an inclusive and supportive environment where military-connected employees can grow and thrive. 20K+ Veterans and military spouses welcomed into the Comcast NBCUniversal family We’re committed to supporting our teammates and their families at every stage of their military journey and through every transition. We’re aware of the challenges many face because of military service, and we’re proud to offer a comprehensive list of employee benefits and programs to meet their unique needs.
This includes our Military Concierge, Guard and Reserve Leave, Differential Pay, and Military Spouse Transfer Assistance. Our Veterans Network (VetNet) Employee Resource Group is another great example of how our connection to the military company has influenced our company culture and focus. With over 8,500 members, this group serves as a vital support system for our military-connected teammates, providing opportunities for mentorship, networking, and professional development. VetNet members also participate in several veteran-related service projects each year, including Wreaths Across America, Boxes to Boots, and our Flag Replacement Program.
8.5K Veterans Network (VetNet) Employee Resource Group members Comcast has a long tradition of serving those who have served. Our founder, Ralph Roberts, served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and we continue to honor his legacy by donating to military community-serving organizations, creating special experiences for our military customers, and supporting veteran-owned small businesses and entrepreneurs through Comcast RISE.
More than ever, we’re focused on helping veterans and their families navigate our increasingly digital world. We recently announced plans to expand our installation of Lift Zones in community centers nationwide through Project UP, Comcast’s $1 billion commitment to advancing digital equity. These Lift Zones provide military families with free, high-capacity WiFi, along with access to digital literacy programs and workforce development resources. In addition, we’re partnering with NPower and other nonprofit organizations to provide tech training and job placement.
Ultimately, we view our enduring commitment to hiring and empowering veterans and their families as an investment—one that not only enhances our workforce but also contributes to the health of our nation’s military. All branches of the military are struggling to meet their recruitment goals, and we support those who serve by addressing the most pressing needs of military families creating pathways to meaningful employment for veterans and military spouses ,and helping members of the Guard and Reserve find balance between their military and civilian careers.
As a military spouse and the mother of a service member, I’m proud to lead the Military Engagement effort at Comcast NBCUniversal, and I extend my sincere gratitude to all companies and organizations that share our passion for supporting veterans and their families. I also encourage more businesses to strengthen and diversify their workforces with military talent. It’s time to recognize the potential of our veterans and military spouses and bring them into the fold. So, this National Hire a Veteran Day, let’s all make a commitment to value their service in our businesses as much as we value their service to our nation.
To know more about Comcast NBCUniversal’s Military Engagement initiative, click here.
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