There are many existing barriers for military service members transitioning to the civilian workforce and for military spouses, according to Elizabeth O’Brien, executive director, Hiring Our Heroes.

“One of the greatest opportunities we have is to educate hiring managers within companies to make sure they understand the value that a veteran or military spouse brings to an organization,” she says.

WorkingNation sat down with O’Brien at the NASWA Veterans Conference in Washington, D.C.

Hiring Our Heroes is a workforce program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that serves transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses.

O’Brien says, “We welcome those that want to be part of what we’re doing, but ultimately, our employers and our partners are wonderful partners in that they are always willing to spend time with an employer that might want to learn more about what it means to embed a veteran or a military spouse in an organization.”

Learn more about the Hiring Our Heroes.