A legacy that lives on from uniform to civilian careers: Recognizing Veterans’ contributions
November 17, 2025 - Defence Stories
Estimated read time – 2:00
Each November, the Defence Team honours the service of current and former Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members. One of the most visible initiatives is the National Veterans’ Week Speakers Program, which allows CAF members to share their experiences with communities, highlight the diverse work they do, and pay tribute to Veterans past and present.
Thank you for your service: Then and now
Veterans continue to play a vital role within the Defence Team, bringing valuable experience, leadership, and resilience to their civilian positions. Many transition from military service to civilian roles at the Department of National Defence (DND), contributing to operational effectiveness, continuity, and a strong defence community. As of October 2024, Veterans account for 23% of the Defence Team civilian workforce, serving in a wide range of roles from policy and logistics to training and administration. Their unique perspectives and deep understanding of defence culture enrich our organization and help bridge the gap between military and civilian operations.
Bringing experience full circle: A Veteran’s perspective
Many Veterans, including Jean-Luc Plante, eventually returned to DND because of its mission-driven culture and sense of shared purpose.
“Other veterans find rewarding careers in different departments, gaining valuable knowledge and perspectives that strengthen the entire public service. Whatever the pathway, the experience and ethos gained through military service remain lifelong assets,” states Jean-Luc, speaking from his experience having served 11 years in the CAF in various roles before releasing in 2017, joining the federal public service, and returning to DND in 2023.
Martin St-Hilaire, a fellow Veteran and DND employee in ADM(HR-Civ), oversaw the production of the valuable data referenced in this article that helps highlight and support the ongoing contributions of Veterans at DND. His work underscores what many already know: Veterans bring tremendous value to the Defence Team, both in and out of uniform.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who have served — and continue to serve — in defence of Canada. Your legacy of service inspires us all.
Note: Data on Veterans working at DND was compiled by comparing the federal public service population at DND with the list of CAF members that served in the regular force or reserve force (who were released within the last 25 years), as well as reservists at the end of October 2024 (when the data was extracted). The data was produced to support DND’s efforts in the National Veterans Employment Strategy and has not been published.