Veterans Diversity Group Launches Mission: Camouflage to Coveralls Lamar Duhon, Anthony E. Wright, David L. Perkins, J. Ryan Petty, Chris J. White,

摘要

This paper will describe the launch of a military veteran-themed diversity group at a large oil and gas service company and the value added to the company. The diversity group’s mission is to provide veterans and veteran supporters with networking and professional-development opportunities, as well as a platform for providing community service and veteran activism. The diversity group was launched with the vision of creating a professional development network for employees, attracting talented veterans to the company, and benefiting the company and local communities. In an effort to achieve this mission, the diversity group hosts two quarterly service and social events. Social events have focused on internal networking, mentoring, and professional development for group members, while the service events have focused on activities, such as supporting a military-related charity or local charity initiatives. To date, the diversity group has partnered with two 501c3 charities to help drive awareness and increase fundraising efforts, including purchasing a mortgage-free home for a veteran, hosting several community service and professional-development events, creating a national hiring campaign in partnership with the company internal Global Talent Acquisition team, and planning a trip to Washington D.C. to lobby Congress and Veterans Affairs officials to provide diversity group members the opportunity to promote veterans-in-the-workforce initiatives and energy-sector interests. This diversity group allows employees to grow their professional network and develop their career while learning more about the company. It also provides employees with a platform for veteran-themed social activism and community participation. The group allows veteran employees to experience camaraderie similar to their experience while in the military. The goal of this paper is to introduce our diversity group to the broader energy industry and to serve as a model for other companies wishing to foster employee growth, tying the company to the community.