Capital One Honors Military Talent on Hire a Veteran Day

Over 2 million veterans have transitioned into the civilian workforce throughout the last decade. Finding the right civilian career is a major transition, but it’s a powerful chance to leverage the proven leadership and mission-driven talent developed from military experience. The resilience, integrity, and adaptability of America’s veterans and military families make them uniquely positioned to drive growth and innovation in their communities.

In honor of National Hire a Veteran Day, military community leaders at Capital One shared five key tips to help service members navigate the transition to the civilian workforce. The panel featured perspectives from military veterans and spouses across the organization, including:

• Drew Matheson, Senior Commercial Banking Director and U.S. Army veteran;

• Amie Honeycutt, Senior Instructional Designer, Marine Corps veteran, and military spouse;

• Erickson Gonzalez, Chief of Staff, Program Manager, and Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve; and

• Merideth Erickson, Senior Manager, Tech Asset Business Controls and military spouse.

"Veterans bring unmatched discipline, adaptability, and a results-driven mindset that directly translates to high-impact careers. While military experience doesn’t always fit perfectly on a traditional paper resume, employers like Capital One who know how to decode these unique leadership skills are able to unlock an incredible pipeline of proven performers," said Drew Matheson.

Opportunity starts with preparation. There are a lot of resources out there many veterans may not be aware of. Beyond the well-known Post-9/11 GI Bill, which can cover tuition, housing and books, transitioning service members can look into Vocational Rehab or the SkillBridge program, which allows them to do a civilian internship during their last 180 days of service. Many employers also offer internal tuition reimbursement programs. Taking the time to proactively map out these benefits ensures you aren't leaving valuable opportunities or money on the table.

Finding the right culture and community is key to a successful civilian transition. Look for employers with active veteran networks and dedicated mentorship. For example, Capital One’s Salute Business Resource Group serves as a thriving internal community of over 6,000 members, offering peer support, year-round professional development, and mentorship for veterans, reservists, and military spouses. Additionally, organizations like Hiring Our Heroes—a Capital One partner since 2011—provide career workshops, fellowships, and job fairs to ensure you are employment-ready from day one.

"Almost half of veterans leave their first civilian job within a year," Amie Honeycutt said in a recent interview. "That's usually not about the work itself, it's about not finding the right community. Look for a workplace where that support already exists."

Military roles often involve managing people, overseeing operations, solving problems and making decisions under pressure. Those responsibilities translate well across industries, but hiring managers may not recognize military titles or acronyms. Focus on the work you performed and the results you achieved.

"A lot of the best leadership training I ever got came from the military, but it doesn't always read that way on paper," Erickson Gonzalez told a national radio audience. "Learning to translate that experience into terms a hiring manager understands made a real difference for me."

Military service is a family commitment, and the transition out of uniform affects everyone. Military spouses often face unique career hurdles, including frequent relocations and employment gaps. When evaluating employers, look for companies that offer holistic benefits and flexible structures. Capital One, recognized by U.S. Veterans Magazine as a Top Military Spouse Employer, actively supports military spouses and families through dedicated spouse hiring initiatives and internal support mechanisms. Furthermore, look for organizations that genuinely support continued service; for instance, Capital One pays eligible associates 100% of their salary for up to 12 weeks of military training and active duty leave, ensuring military associates never have to choose between their service and their career.

"Transitioning isn't just an individual experience, it affects the whole family," Merideth Erickson said in a local interview. "Finding an employer that actually understands that, not just in policy but in practice, made all the difference for us."

In the military, your network is built-in; in the civilian world, you have to cultivate it. Long before your terminal leave begins, start connecting with veterans who already work at companies you admire. Reach out for brief, 15-minute informational interviews to learn about their personal transition journeys rather than simply asking for a job. With more than 70% of civilian jobs filled through networking, making organic connections early is one of the most powerful tools for getting your foot in the door.

At Capital One, supporting veterans, military spouses and military families is a longstanding commitment. Capital One's Salute Business Resource Group connects veterans, servicemembers and military spouses across the company, and we've partnered with Hiring Our Heroes since 2011 to help transitioning servicemembers prepare for civilian careers through fellowship programs, career workshops and hiring events.

If you're transitioning out of the military or are a Veteran or military spouse, we encourage you to visit https://www.capitalonecareers.com/military.