From Enlisted to Entrepreneur: A Qualitative Examination of Veteran Entrepreneurs’ Business Communication Skills

Abstract

Veterans transitioning from military service to civilian entrepreneurship often encounter challenges not simply in acquiring new communication skills, but in adapting deeply ingrained communication patterns to unfamiliar social and professional contexts. This qualitative study explores these challenges through in-depth interviews with 20 graduates of the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV) program. Findings reveal that veterans do not typically conceptualize communication as a discrete skill, but as embedded within broader orientations toward responsibility, clarity, and mission execution. While these patterns can support decisive leadership and operational effectiveness, they often require recalibration in civilian business environments that emphasize relational nuance, interpretive flexibility, and self-presentation. Drawing on social cognitive theory, the study identifies elements shaping this transition, including relational misalignment, identity reconstruction, learning system differences, and shifts in self-regulation. These dynamics influence veterans’ ability to build relationships, communicate value, and engage effectively with stakeholders. The findings suggest that entrepreneurship programs should move beyond general skill development to incorporate structured, feedback-rich environments that support behavioral adaptation, communication self-efficacy, and the translation of prior experience into entrepreneurial success.