Going Pro
The military teaches discipline, hones decision-making skills, and ingrains integrity in all aspects of life. It’s not uncommon to have a 20-year-old managing a group of 10 or more soldiers; in the military, responsibility comes early, and failure is not an option.
The key to the success of servicemen and women is their ability to take pride in every task, regardless of its size. They see the larger scope of what their mission is accomplishing; they realize that they’re serving a much bigger cause than themselves. This cultivates discipline and decision-making skills; in addition, veterans get an education in professionalism. Thus, veteran entrepreneurs will run their businesses behind the scenes in the same manner as if their customers were standing there watching; this is the attitude the military demands, and it’s embedded in the mind of anyone with military experience. No shortcuts, no doing things halfway.
On the other hand, those with no military experience can take longer to learn this “walk-the-walk” mentality, which usually comes with time and maturity. Servicemen and women are forced to mature quickly and take on responsibility as they’re learning, so their levels of maturity and professionalism are often higher than their non-military peers. Military vets who are interests in entrepreneurial pursuits should approach their ventures with a level of self-confidence that few others are capable of.
Calling the Shots
While veterans are accustomed to an atmosphere where others give orders, this is actually advantageous for them when they begin their entrepreneurial endeavors. Because they come from an environment where much is expected of them, they have the perspective to realize that high standards are necessary for the entire system to succeed. Most of all, they learn to trust their superiors in making decisions for the group as a whole. When put in positions as decision-makers themselves, they take the role all the more seriously, knowing that accountability runs both ways.
In addition, vets are great team builders. You can’t spend months upon months on a mission with other soldiers without learning to not only work with each other, but to trust one another. Service members work to find common ground and develop faith among a team; this makes startup colleagues even more likely to treat them as collaborators and co-innovators.
Fighting for a Cause
A veteran’s military tenure exposes him or her to a wealth of experiences and perspectives that the average citizen does not have. Some vets witness service animals contributing and sacrificing during the war, and they return with a deep-rooted love for animals. Others have developed an interest in music through their travels, after witnessing its ability to unite even the most diverse groups of people. No matter what a vet’s passion is, it runs deeply and meaningfully, developed over years of unique experiences in the field.
This passion, coupled with a commitment to success, makes veterans great entrepreneurs. Mission-experienced veterans approach even the riskiest of tasks with the attitude that they will be successful; failure is not a consideration. The only way to ensure success is to properly prepare, which translates to doing research and providing due diligence prior to launching in the business world. This commitment to preparedness, their deep passion for their causes, and their rejection of failure makes vets a “triple threat” in the business world – and people their teammates can trust.
Military men and women understand the importance of a leadership role from both sides, and they’re committed to “walking the walk” – both behind the scenes and when their clients are involved. Their “company first” attitude and passion for meaningful causes make them great entrepreneurial candidates, and their unique experiences give them a more well-rounded perspective and elevated level of professionalism than many of their peers. Vets needn’t be scared of starting their own business – they have everything they need to succeed.
Lt. Marlon Terrell is the co-founder of RepayVets.com, the leading funding platform for Military veterans’ ideas and startups.