More than 8 million veterans bring skills to civilian workforce

Veterans Day coverage highlights how military service continues to shape veterans’ lives and contributions after active duty. More than 8 million veterans work in the U.S. civilian workforce, with Army veterans applying skills such as leadership, adaptability and problem-solving in careers ranging from law to consulting; one featured veteran used GI Bill and employment benefits to earn law degrees. In Brattleboro, veterans from different branches and eras shared personal service stories at a community town hall. Retired Army Lt. Col. Charley Watkins, a Vietnam War helicopter pilot, also discussed his military career and his later work supporting returning soldiers, wounded veterans and their families.