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Communication

Feedback

A close up of a Marine in uniform with several medals

Feedback in the Military

Feedback is integrated into all aspects of military service. Good performance is rewarded in a variety of ways, from verbal feedback, to token rewards, to the medals and ribbons that adorn Service Members’ uniforms. Likewise, if performance, behavior, or appearance does not meet rigorous military standards, negative feedback ranges from verbal reprimand, to extra duties, to demotion in rank, and can even lead to dishonorable discharge from service.

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A frustrated Veteran sitting at a desk, staring down at paperwork with his hands on his head

Feedback in the Civilian Workplace

In the civilian work world, a Veteran will likely notice the relative lack of regular reinforcement. For example, transitioning to a work environment where employees get feedback maybe once or twice a year, or only when they are performing very poorly, can be confusing and may affect motivation and performance.

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Coach the Veteran on Setting Goals

To help the Veteran with this perceived lack of feedback, he or she can be coached on defining what it means to succeed, setting goals, and developing strategies to meet those goals. This way he or she can contact his personal sense of accomplishment. You might also encourage the Veteran to seek feedback from his supervisor. Good communication can help with this process.

"You now have to be both the commander and the enlisted person" from p. 16, The Civilian Life Field Manual

Note

For more information, see Resources for Veterans in the Veterans Employment Toolkit.

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Reviewed/Updated: 04/13/2025 21:27:53