Why Vets Are Vital for the Tech Industry

Many programs that encourage companies to hire veterans emphasize the debt we owe these men and women for their service. But last week at Google’s New York headquarters Got Your Six, a nonprofit seeking to bridge the military-civilian divide, sponsored a presentation that suggested hiring veterans is not a feel-good philanthropic gesture, but a vital strategic move for tech businesses. The speakers pointed out the inventions and initiatives veterans have made for the companies they work for. For example, Google’s head of user operations is a veteran in charge of the company’s green energy efforts, and a former Marine leads Google’s Project Loon, whose aim is to bring Internet access to far-flung places through the use of balloons. Microsoft, AT&T, and other tech companies have stepped up their efforts to hire veterans in order to tap into their unique knowledge and experience.