Eight Reasons Why You Should be Recruiting Military Veterans

With continuing labor issues in the PHCP and PVF industry, it’s prudent to use a wide variety of recruitment strategies to meet workforce challenges.
 

As discussed during a recent ASA Project Talent Webinar, recruiting military veterans into the industry is a wise approach.  It’s a strategy many distributors, manufacturers and independent reps are successfully employing. 
 

There are several reasons why veterans are a perfect fit for PHCP and PVF companies and the benefits they can provide.
 

1. Transferable Skills

• Veterans often have logistics, supply chain, mechanical, and technical training that translate directly to warehouse operations, delivery, sales, and customer support in the supply industry.
• Experience with tools, equipment, and maintenance makes them comfortable in a trade-focused environment.

2. Discipline and Work Ethic

• Military culture emphasizes reliability, punctuality, and accountability.  These traits are highly valued in the industry where accurate orders, timely deliveries, and safety are critical.

3. Leadership and Teamwork

• Veterans are trained to both lead and work as part of a unit. In supply operations, this helps teams stay organized, efficient, and responsive to customer needs.

4. Problem-Solving Under Pressure

• The military prepares individuals to troubleshoot in high-stress situations. This ability is invaluable in the PHCP and PVF industry, where deadlines and emergencies are common.

5. Safety Awareness

• Military training instills strict adherence to safety procedures, which aligns with handling heavy equipment, forklifts, and deliveries.

6. Strong Communication Skills

• Veterans are trained to give and follow clear instructions, making them effective in sales, customer service, and operational roles.

7. Loyalty and Long-Term Commitment

• Many veterans seek stable civilian careers after service. The PHCP and PVF industry offers steady demand, long-term opportunity, and growth potential.

8. Community and Values Fit

• Plumbing and PVF supply businesses often value integrity, service, and hard work.  These are values that strongly resonate with veterans.

Considering these reasons, it’s easy to see how veterans bring a mix of technical know-how, leadership, reliability, and adaptability that makes them an asset in a variety of roles in the industry.

Recently, ASA held a webinar on this topic as part of its Project Talent initiative.  The ASA Project Talent webinar covered several resources available to help ASA members recruit these potential employees in their local markets.

Access the webinar in the ASA Recruiter Toolbox for more information.