Amidst this talent shortage and even with organizations competing for the right hire, a significant talent pipeline remains underutilized, veteran technologists.

With proven leadership, adaptability, clearance advantages, and federal incentives that offset costs, veterans bring both immediate value and a long-term strategic investment.

The growing tech talent crisis

Current market conditions have intensified the competition for qualified technologists across the technology sectors. The US cybersecurity workforce alone is expected to reach 700,000 unfilled positions by the end of 2025, and 67% of IT employers state the talent gap as a legitimate barrier to implementing strategic initiatives. 

Extended vacancy periods reduce productivity and increase operational costs. Traditional recruitment channels often deliver candidates with theoretical knowledge but limited real-world experience, leaving organizations vulnerable in high-pressure environments where downtime or incidents have costly consequences.

Veterans change this equation.

Veteran Technologists: mission-critical skills for modern IT

Military service training emphasizes adaptability, technical competency, and composure in high-stakes environments. These qualities transfer directly into IT and cybersecurity roles where uptime, security, and fast response are critical.

Effortless leaders under pressure

Veterans bring a calm, steady presence to complex situations, shaped by years of experience operating in high-pressure environments. That composure is exactly what employers need in tech roles where system uptime, security incidents, and rapid response make the difference between disruption and continuity.

U.S. Marine Corps fighter pilot Captain Marshall Fordon noted, “I have learned to compartmentalize stressors and focus on the task to accomplish the mission.” This translates to these veterans being particularly suited to blue team roles in organizations — roles such as security operations, incident response, and forensics — maintaining composure under pressure.

Technical competencies that transfer

Military skills emphasize practical training over theoretical knowledge, and the advanced training in cybersecurity, communications, and data analysis can be quickly applied to civilian and corporate IT requirements. 

For organizations that require security clearances, veterans offer an additional advantage. Because many already hold or are eligible for clearances, employers avoid the costly three- to twelve-month lag time that typically delays cleared hires. That means veteran technologists can step into sensitive roles and contribute value faster.

Higher performance and higher retention

Turnover remains one of the most expensive challenges in technology hiring, with recruitment, onboarding, and lost productivity all adding to the bottom line. Employers consistently report that veterans equal or exceed their civilian peers on retention, building teams that stay longer and perform better.

While any workforce transition requires thoughtful onboarding, the long-term payoff is clear. Veterans who are integrated effectively build deep technical expertise and deliver consistency that reduces recurring recruitment costs. The result is stronger institutional knowledge, higher productivity, and a workforce built to last.

Federal incentives to lower your hiring investment

Hiring veteran technologists benefits your organization in more ways than one. Government programs and incentives offer subsidies, tax credits, and reimbursement, along with offsetting upfront costs of hiring and ongoing support for successful integration.

This helps reduce financial and operational risks, creating positive ROI for organizations and employers.

Federal tax credits and reimbursement programs

Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) helps with veteran salaries, allowing employers to subsidize apprentice-level wages. It also provides assistive technology to lower onboarding costs, specialized tools, equipment, and/or workplace modifications, eliminating additional expenses for the organization.

The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) provides tax credits ranging from $2,400 to $9,600 for every eligible veteran hired — an immediate financial benefit that helps offset recruitment and initial training costs. 

The Special Employer Incentive Program, on the other hand, offers up to 50% reimbursement of veteran salaries for up to six months when hiring veterans facing extraordinary obstacles to employment.

Security clearance value

As already mentioned, veterans who already have or are eligible for security clearances help organizations avoid the costly 3- to 12-month period that typically delays project start times and limits hiring options for confidential projects.

Per Scholas vets in tech: your vetted strategic pipeline

Per Scholas helps employers access this veteran talent pool with confidence. As a DoD SkillBridge-approved provider, our Vets in Tech program delivers hands-on, tuition-free training and certifications in cybersecurity, cloud computing, and IT infrastructure. We also provide professional development and alumni support to help employers integrate veteran technologists and strengthen long-term retention.

With more than 30 years of workforce development expertise and a network of 1,000+ employer partners, Per Scholas is uniquely positioned to connect companies to veteran technologists who are job-ready on day one and prepared to grow with your team.

Taking action: build your veteran tech talent today

At Per Scholas, we believe hiring shouldn’t be about just filling roles but about hiring people who will grow with your company.

Book a 30-minute working session with Per Scholas Tech Talent Solutions to explore how our Vets in Tech program can help you address specific hiring challenges and future-proof your workforce.