Accenture understands the challenges veterans face when transitioning to civilian life. An example of a leader who experienced that firsthand is Greg Anderson, a West Point graduate and former Army officer, who now serves as Chief Operating Officer of Accenture Human Resources. In addition to being an HR leader at one of the world’s most prominent consulting firms, he serves as the executive sponsor of Accenture’s Military Employee Resource Group (ERG). This role reflects both his personal history and professional mission.
“Transitioning from the military to a civilian career can be difficult,” Anderson said in a recent interview with U.S. Veterans Magazine. “When I transitioned out of the military, I had no idea what a civilian career path looked like. I didn’t know how to think about it. Grad school gave me a two-year buffer before entering the civilian workforce, but it wasn’t easy. Thankfully great companies like Accenture are making it easier for veterans in the transition.”
Now, with nearly 19 years at Accenture—his longest tenure with any company—Anderson is committed to making sure today’s veterans don’t face that same uncertainty alone. “Everyone asks how I went from six years in the Army to almost two decades at Accenture,” he said. “It’s straightforward: Accenture has enduring core values, great leadership, a clear purpose and a strong collaborative environment. It reminded me of all the best parts of the military.”
Accenture, recently recognized as a Top Veteran-Friendly Employer, has made veteran hiring and support an ongoing priority. “We target veterans because they bring leadership, resilience, critical thinking, teamwork and the ability to perform under pressure,” Anderson said. “We can teach people how to be consultants or technologists, but veterans bring lived experiences and unique perspectives that we can’t teach.”
He recalled one striking example—a former Marine who became the top performer on a high-volume financial services project. “He told us, ‘This is easy compared to Fallujah,’” Anderson said. “The issue wasn’t talent—it was perception. We weren’t looking to hire a sniper. We were hiring someone with exceptional focus, discipline and stress management.”
To assist with onboarding veterans, the company has implemented mentoring programs and activated its nearly 3,000-member Military ERG across major cities. “Veterans want to talk to veterans,” Anderson explained. “The ability to share and understand lived experiences is key to successful integration.”
Beyond internal initiatives, Accenture invests in veteran-related community programs, such as Children of Fallen Patriots and Wreaths Across America. “It’s about stewardship beyond the workplace,” he said. “We want our veterans to thrive at work and feel connected in their communities.”
For veterans considering private-sector careers, Anderson, pictured, offers four key pieces of advice: think about a long-term career rather than a job, network intentionally, remain a continuous learner and tell your story with pride. “Veterans often minimize their experiences because they’re humble,” he said. “But those stories—of leadership under pressure, of resilience, of collaboration and teamwork—are incredibly valuable and differentiating.”
Read more articles for the Veteran Community here.
