From the Army to Work – Why It Is Good to Employ Former Soldiers

Leaders with experience in crisis situations, with an analytical and strategic approach to problem-solving, make quick decisions under pressure and meet deadlines, and in addition, they are very disciplined, organized, and highly loyal. Seemingly the type of individuals that every organization that values itself needs. And when military experience is added to that, the story becomes a bit different. Individuals with experience in the military-defense sector who have received education at prestigious military academies and within military systems are sought-after commodities in the labor market. Abroad.

In our country, the story is somewhat different. People with military experience who have left active military service have not been particularly desirable in the real sector until now, but that is changing. Among the first to recognize this was the Croatian military industry, which is increasingly employing former members of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia (OSRH), former generals, officers, and non-commissioned officers, and according to announcements, other companies, including those operating in industries that seemingly have no connection to the military and defense, are interested in personnel with military experience.

Especially today, when ‘military equipment’ and dry or canned meals, batteries, accumulators, beds, refrigerators, electronics, even hardware or software. Dual-use products, both civilian and military, have never been more sought after, and the best story about the benefits of such products in the field can be told by those who have that experience. They not only know the language that sells such products but also understand how these products can be used in the event of a serious conflict.

Soldiers Expanded the Niche

For the Croatian military industry, it is now quite normal to employ former soldiers. For Zagreb’s DOK-ING, a company that develops and produces robotic and autonomous systems and equipment for special purposes, primarily military, the engagement of former soldiers in the company’s work has changed the course of business. Namely, this company has positioned itself as a leader in the production of demining machines, thereby limiting itself to a very narrow market niche, and with the engagement of former officers and non-commissioned officers, they realized that demining machines could also perform other combat support tasks and disaster protection and rescue tasks, thus becoming multifunctional machines.

It was these advisors with the right military experience and an understanding of military and security doctrines, tactics, and standard operating procedures of teams and units in the army and police who saw additional potentials in DOK-ING’s machines, thus expanding to new users and new markets. Former soldiers clarified user requirements for them, wrote technical parameters and operational tactics, which in turn provided the basis for development engineers to draft technical and technological documentation.

What they say about all this at DOK-ING, as well as in other companies that employ former soldiers, and what added value such employees bring to the real sector, find out in the new printed and digital edition of the Lider weekly.