For many veterans, the hardest part of military service isn’t the battlefield, it’s coming home. The transition from a structured, high-stakes environment into the corporate world often leaves veterans feeling misunderstood or undervalued. But one veteran is changing that narrative. On the Voice for Valor podcast, host Michael Komorous welcomes Justin Henderson, a Marine Corps veteran and founder of Veteran Hiring Solutions. Their conversation offers more than just career advice. It offers a blueprint for purpose-driven living after the uniform comes off. Through personal stories, practical insights, and heartfelt moments, this episode explores how the veteran identity is not something to shed but something to celebrate and leverage in civilian life.

Why Veterans Belong on the Factory Floor

Justin doesn’t just see a future where veterans fit into the civilian workforce, he’s actively building it. According to him, we are in the middle of what he calls a manufacturing renaissance. With onshoring efforts gaining speed and AI saturating traditional desk roles, hands-on industries like manufacturing are proving to be AI proof and human intensive, precisely where veterans shine.

“Veterans are natural problem solvers,” Justin says. “They’re used to leading from the front, managing logistics, and fixing what’s broken. That’s manufacturing in a nutshell.” For the grunt, the truck driver, the mechanic, or the team leader, factories and production plants are more than jobs, they are launching pads for second lives.

Don’t Chase the Money, Chase the Mission

A major theme throughout the conversation is authenticity. Justin warns veterans not to copy another person’s transition blueprint just for financial gain. “You didn’t join the military for the paycheck. Why should your civilian career be any different?” he asks. Instead, he encourages veterans to pursue paths that align with their strengths, interests, and values.

His firm, Veteran Hiring Solutions, breaks away from conventional hiring practices. Rather than relying solely on resumes and generic job descriptions, they incorporate video-based job postings that give veterans a clear, humanized understanding of a role. Through these videos, veterans can watch real hiring managers explain responsibilities, challenges, and expectations in relatable, conversational terms.

Translating Military Service into Civilian Gold

One of the greatest challenges veterans face is translating their experience into civilian lingo. “You may have been a logistics specialist in the military,” Justin explains, “but you were also a project manager, a team leader, and a crisis responder. HR just doesn’t see that on paper.”

That’s where Veteran Hiring Solutions comes in, not to change the veteran, but to change how companies perceive the veteran. Instead of asking transitioning service members to water down their strengths, the firm educates hiring managers and HR professionals about military ranks, leadership types, and transferable skills. They help them move beyond the resume to see the human, the one with grit, loyalty, and a track record of operational excellence.

Why Purpose Matters in the First Six Months

Transition isn’t just about finding a job, it’s about finding new purpose. Justin explains that the first six months post service are crucial. Without a structured plan or continued physical activity, veterans can quickly feel unmoored.

To address this, his team developed Mission Empower, a trio of AI powered bots on the Veteran Hiring Solutions website. These tools help veterans:

• Explore suitable career paths based on their MOS, rank, and personality
• Prepare for interviews using customized simulations
• Navigate transition without ever having to ask for directions, a hurdle many veterans struggle with

“You’ve got to have a plan,” Justin emphasizes. “Schedule your days, stay physically active, and chase purpose over paychecks.”

The Resume Is Dead, Long Live the Story

Throughout the episode, Justin and Michael reflect on the flaws of resume-driven hiring systems. Job descriptions haven’t evolved since the Great Depression, and most hiring processes are designed to exclude, not include. Justin sees storytelling through video, conversation, and honest self-reflection as the path forward.

“Storytelling is humanity’s oldest tool,” he says. “And it works better than any list of bullet points.”

The proof is in the success stories. Like the homeless veteran who landed a high-paying chemical plant job and transformed his life all because someone took a chance and saw beyond his beard and circumstance. Or the production manager who, after watching a hiring video, instantly clicked with the plant leader and got hired on the spot.

It’s Not About What You’ve Done, It’s Who You Are

As Michael prepares for his own military retirement, he expresses the same uncertainties many veterans feel. “They tell you to be humble, to not talk about DEI or leadership. But I know I bring value,” he shares. Justin responds with simple yet powerful encouragement: “You are enough. The right company will see it.”

This is the essence of Veteran Hiring Solutions. It’s not about molding veterans into a corporate mold. It’s about helping companies break their own molds and learn to see the full picture.

Job Fairs, LinkedIn, and the Power of Showing Up

Justin’s advice to veterans is tactical. Use LinkedIn. Post a photo in uniform. Build a network. Go to job fairs, not necessarily to land a job, but to develop your pitch, find your voice, and understand your value.

“Most veterans don’t even know what jobs exist out there,” Justin explains. That’s why tools like their BMAX AI interviewer and company research assistant exist, to help veterans walk into a conversation with confidence and clarity. A thoughtful opening line like, “I saw your company produces 78 percent of America’s fire extinguishers, and I’d love to be part of your team,” goes a lot further than “Got any jobs?”

Hiring Managers, Want Talent?

For hiring managers, the conversation is just as illuminating. If you’re struggling with retention, culture, or performance, Justin challenges you to consider servant leadership, the kind veterans live by. He urges HR teams to expand their horizons, trust video-based tools, and redefine what qualifies as experience.

The result? Companies don’t just fill positions. They build pipelines of dedicated, adaptable, mission-driven professionals.

The Path Forward, It’s Human

As the episode wraps, Justin shares a vision not just for hiring, but for humanity. In a world overloaded by automation, buzzwords, and superficial screening tools, he believes the future of employment is simple. It’s human. It’s people who care. It’s leadership that matters. It’s finding the right DNA, not just the right degree.

Michael, visibly inspired, sums it up. “You don’t need to be funny anymore. You just need to show up, bring your skills, and live with purpose.”

Conclusion

The Voice for Valor podcast episode featuring Justin Henderson offers more than advice, it delivers a mission. It invites both veterans and employers to see one another more clearly. Veterans are not a checkbox on a DEI form. They are high performers, resilient thinkers, and principled leaders. And they are ready. With tools like video job descriptions, AI-driven coaching, and companies willing to think differently, the future of veteran employment is not just promising, it is already here. If you are a veteran looking for your next chapter or an employer searching for people who lead with purpose, this conversation is your call to action.

Tune in to Voice for Valor to hear more transformative stories of leadership, purpose, and the real battles that begin after service ends.