#265 - Veterans Day 2026: Hiring, Serving and Leading Veterans in Healthcare

For Veterans Day 2026, Bo & Luke pull three of the show's best Veteran conversations into one episode with new narration: Luke and Bo from last Veterans Day, Steve Maddox (Marine officer, Deloitte, Envision Healthcare), and Alex Hayman (retired Army officer, CPO at Southeast Primary Care Partners).

🎖️ Why Veterans Fit Healthcare

A hospital is a self-sustaining organization, and so is the military: logistics, food service, HR, clinical and non-clinical roles under one roof. BLS counts about 17 million Veterans in the U.S. and 8.3 million in the civilian labor force. Luke's tough love: if you are not tapping that population, do not tell him how hard the labor shortage is.

Action: Google the Veteran service organizations in your area and send one email today. It is usually free.

🧭 Steve Maddox: Your Next Thing Is a Stint

Steve's transition mistake was hunting for a "career soulmate." The next thing is exposure, not forever. Bo adds AMC (attitude, motivation, commitment); Steve adds the say-do ratio. Those basics cannot be taught, and everything else can.

Key Takeaway: Your first civilian job does not need to be your last.

🪖 Alex Hayman: Build the SkillBridge Program You Wish You Had

Nobody helped Alex when he left the service, so he built the program himself. DoD SkillBridge gives Service Members up to 180 days with an approved employer while DoD keeps paying salary and benefits, and their last government-funded move can land them at your facility. Alex says his company hired 95% of participants.

Action: Google "DoD SkillBridge." Do not forget military spouses.

🤝 Keeping Them: Battle Buddies

At Deloitte, Veterans were leaving inside 15 months because nobody around them understood where they came from. A Veteran community created peer counselors by accident, and retention improved.

HR Risk: Hiring Veterans without a community around them is how you lose them in year one.

💛 Why ValorPath Exists

Content note: the final segment discusses Veteran suicide. VA's latest report puts it at 17.7 Veterans a day, and the first 12 months after service are the most vulnerable. That is why Bo and Luke founded ValorPath, a 501(c)(3), with Dallas College as a partner. If you or a Veteran you know needs help, dial 988 and press 1.

Happy Veterans Day.