Businesses look to the military for their "franchise" players.

• Author: Lolli, Anthony
• Position: Business & Finance - Veterans' investments

THE WITHDRAWAL of U.S. troops from Iraq at the end of 2011 and the subsequent withdrawal in Afghanistan has resulted in the return home of tens of thousands of veterans. A report from the White House estimates that the military may release up to 1,000,000 service members over the next few years, the threats from ISIS notwithstanding. While our soldiers' homecoming certainly is cause for celebration, it is not the end of their stories. For most, it means entering to the civilian workforce, in many cases for the first time.

The economy may have improved from where it was a few years ago, but our servicemen and women still are returning to an incredibly tight job market. Military service instills traits that employers love, such as discipline and leadership. However, they oftentimes still opt to pass over a veteran for a candidate with more civilian work experience.

Yet, there is one industry that seems to be tailor-made for veterans: franchising, which provides vets the opportunity to turn the qualities they developed in the military into job skills that give them a head start on the path to success. Moreover, franchising not only provides jobs, but the opportunity for business ownership.

To the average person, it may sound strange to refer to franchising as an industry unto itself, since franchise companies can be anything from fast food to health care to pet grooming, but all franchises, large and small, are united by common practices that make them ideal environments for veterans looking to establish successful careers in the civilian marketplace.

Franchises are built for quick expansion. That means that their business model has to be replicated easily. Every process must be documented thoroughly, which requires implementation in precisely the same way in every location. It is what ensures that a McDonald's in Boise, Idaho, provides its customers with the same experience as a McDonald's in Boston, Mass. Likewise, the military requires everyone to learn and execute standardized processes to the letter to accomplish larger goals. Veterans come out of the service understanding that mentality on a fundamental level.

Franchises require teamwork. Veterans excel at working as part of a team, knowing that, in order for the unit to succeed as a whole, everyone has to do their job to the best of their ability. They recognize that everyone has their part to play, and they are able to focus on the good of the group over individual glory. In addition...