ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Karen Dahut, a U.S. Navy veteran, is chief executive officer of Google Public Sector.

I am often asked how my varied roles throughout my career — from serving as a U.S. Navy officer to leading Google Public Sector — relate to one another. For me, the answer is simple. The military isn’t just a foundation for a career. It is the ultimate proving ground for the skills vital to public and private sector technology roles. The same holds true for the military spouse community, whose members possess a unique, transferable set of competencies honed by years of dedication and resilience.

We are at an inflection point where digital transformation and the broad adoption of artificial intelligence are reshaping public and private sector priorities and creating new career opportunities. To navigate this evolving era, we need a talent pool with unique attributes: discipline, the ability to solve complex problems under pressure, and, above all, an unwavering focus and deep understanding of mission.

While the connection between the skills gained through high-stakes military service to those needed in a corporate technology role may not be obvious to some, these professional abilities are immediately applicable.

That training, discipline, and mission know-how, all forged in service, is what enables me, and countless other veterans, to lead complex technological initiatives in the private sector today.

Hardwired for advanced tech roles

In the military, skills and discipline are the difference between success and failure. These mission-critical competencies map seamlessly to today’s technology roles that are driving innovation across the public and private sectors.

Veterans possess distinct foundational skills that make them invaluable “first responders” in the digital age. First, the military instills a rigorous, operational mindset in every individual who serves. This discipline translates perfectly to technology-focused roles. For example, this discipline is essential for the structured environment of cybersecurity, where adhering to protocols is non-negotiable, and for the project management that governs complex agile development and rigorous coding efforts.

From the deckplates to the battlefield, nothing is achieved alone. This deeply ingrained commitment to teamwork is critical in modern tech environments, where cross-functional teams must collaborate on everything from AI model development to infrastructure deployment.

The ability to learn under pressure and quickly adapt to new situations are the veteran’s signature qualities. In technology, this keen ability for solving problems in critical moments translates to the ability to troubleshoot system failures, pivot strategies, and safeguard data — all non-negotiable, high-stakes scenarios. This same rapid adaptability is a hallmark of the military spouse community, who must navigate constantly shifting logistics, settle their families into new communities, and quickly re-establish a career in brand new environments every three years. This flexibility is a powerful strategic asset in a fast-paced technology sector.

Further, military service embeds a profound sense of duty to serve the greater good. Veterans aren’t just looking for a job; they are looking to continue the mission. That intrinsic alignment is a strategic asset for any employer.

Continuing the mission: Finding actionable pathways and resources

The transition from service can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to mean sacrificing purpose. There are numerous real-world, low- or no-cost programs available to help veterans and their families uncover new pathways to meaningful, high-tech civilian roles.

A successful transition is holistic, focusing on skills development, career and mentorship opportunities, and health and wellness programs:

• Training and upskilling initiatives: To bridge the technical skills gap, veterans should seek out programs that provide direct access to in-demand knowledge. We have trained over 23,000 active service members, federal government workers and contractors through programs like Google Skills and Google Cloud Days. We provide tools and training to build job-ready skills, including a Career Certificates program. One in 10 of the program’s one million graduates are service members, veterans or military spouses. Our Launchpad for Veterans and Google Skillbridge Program are additional key initiatives that directly translate military experience into competencies that align with roles focused on technologies like generative AI and cloud.

• Career and transition coaching: Finding a new direction requires mentorship and community. Initiatives like Hiring Our Heroes, formal mentorship programs, and strong Veteran Employee Resource Groups provide crucial guidance and a ready-made network to share experiences and navigate the civilian job market. Platforms like Career Dreamer are strong examples of how AI can improve job matching, ensuring that military skills are properly recognized and valued. Additionally, events like our Veterans Career Week offer hands-on coaching and professional development.

• Health and wellness support: Services like HomeTeam are crucial for helping veterans adjust to the loss of military structure and find a new civilian identity. A supportive foundation is essential for long-term career success.

A new call to action

As our own Google Public Sector board members Dr. Heather Wilson and Dave Goldfein, a retired U.S. Air Force four-star general, wrote in their new book, “Get Back Up: Lessons in Servant Leadership,” “Leaders are not actually graded by how high we fly when things are going well … we are truly graded by how high we bounce.” This ethos of resilience and learning from every challenge is exactly what the tech industry needs.

Veteran talent is not just a commendable hiring choice. It is a strategic imperative for our nation’s technological future. By providing veterans with the resources they need to translate their years of unparalleled training and service, we can collectively invest in the stability and efficiency of our nation’s digital infrastructure.

It is critical that the private and public sectors prioritize the recruitment and training of veterans and military spouses. By recognizing them as the highly capable, mission-focused talent they are, we are not only honoring their service but securing the necessary leadership to accelerate our collective digital transformation. The time to activate the veteran advantage is now.

Op Ed