Veterans Often Choose Entrepreneurship

Last week an interesting study was released that looked at factors affecting entrepreneurship among veterans. In the private sector workforce, the study found that veterans are at least 45% more likely than those with no active-duty military experience to be self-employed.

The study also tested the hypothesis that military service imparts some unique training or acculturation that makes veterans more likely to be entrepreneurs but found no evidence for such a correlation.

“Entrepreneurship is a choice made by many of our men and women in uniform when they move into civilian life,” said Chief Counsel for Advocacy Winslow Sargeant. “Knowing more about the factors behind veterans’ self-employment offers opportunities to lay the groundwork for successful ventures.”

Regardless of their reasons, we wish those who have chosen to serve their nation the best, when they trade the uniform for a stint as an entrepreneur. ◆