If theres one thing Richard Martin brings to the workplace, it's experience. His seasoned career has included commanding a tank company for the U.S. Army during Operation Desert Storm, doing corporate work for technology company HP, and leading combat information operations as a decorated National Guardsman. But nothing could have fully prepared Martin for the challenges he faced following his combat tour in Iraq.

Over a four-month period in 2005, Martin sustained three separate concussions Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) once from a rocket that detonated at close range, once from an improvised explosive device (IED) he and his team were attempting to disarm, and again when a car bomb exploded inside his base. In each instance, Martin did not realize the full extent of his invisible injuries. After all, he wasn't bleeding like many of the other casualties in the blasts, so following the injuries, he simply returned to duty. However, by the third blast, Martin knew something was wrong. He was disoriented, exhausted and off-balance, and he experienced frustrating short term memory deficits. In addition, the horror of seeing at least one fellow soldier die every week was taking a toll on his mental health. He became anxious, irritable and depressed.

During his recovery at Fort Lewis in Washington, a nurse recognized Martin's TBI and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms. And as Martin learned more about his injuries, he vowed to do everything he could to recover.

"I kept thinking to myself that when I got out of Iraq, I had to go back to work," said Martin. "So I had to use all the resources at my disposal to recover as best I could so that I could ultimately take a job and provide for my family. I knew that, even though I was a decorated soldier with lots of schooling and experience, none of it would help me if I couldn't think or remember properly."

During four months of rehabilitation at the medical center and another six months of rehab at home in Boise, Idaho, the determined Martin discovered his own personal formula for recovery a methodology that was physical, emotional, spiritual and academic. Martin tried to eat and sleep right, and he exercised six days a week by lifting weights, running, swimming and practicing yoga and martial arts. He spent time with his wife and children, and he regularly visited his Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) counselor to treat his PTSD. He practiced his faith by praying and reading the scriptures. And he worked his brain by doing memory exercises.

Over the course of his rehabilitation, Martin was frequently contacted by representatives he'd met from Northrop Grumman, a large defense contractor with a history of hiring veterans. They encouraged him to take a classified job based in Utah that capitalized on his experience in electronic warfare and information operations. So following his rehabilitation, Martin took the job and moved his family to the Salt Lake City area.

Martin's supervisors at Northrop Grumman partnered closely with him to help ensure his workplace success. They provided training and personal assistance to educate him on the new world of defense contracting. In addition, they worked with him to implement specific workplace supports to help mitigate his PTSD and TBI symptoms. For example, they placed a mirror next to his computer so that no one could sneak up behind and startle him. They also provided him with sticky notes and a personal digital assistant to help his memory issues, and with headphones to drown out ambient noise when he travels by airplane. Finally, when it comes to Martins schedule, Northrop Grumman understands that he occasionally needs time to de-stress at the gym or to visit the VA for medication and outpatient counseling.

"My job has really been a win-win situation, both for me and my employer," said Martin, who believes strongly that veteran employees bring a lot to the table. "Military officers possess the ability to assess a problem, make recommendations and then execute those recommendations, all within a very stressful environment."

Martin believes that employers who are willing to hire veterans will quickly learn to see beyond a wounded warriors injury and instead reap the benefits of their proven assets and experience.