Veteran Unemployment
December 28th, 2010 | Published in Military News | 2 Comments
By Lynn Goya
I just watched White Christmas last night. I’d forgotten that the plot was about a World War II military hero facing bankruptcy. Veterans know that those well-touted military skills perfected while in service often don’t translate to civilian jobs. As a November NY Times article notes, unemployment rates are higher for recent veterans than for the general population. With the general unemployment rate the third highest since WWII, veterans are finding it extremely difficult to land on their feet.
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America summarizes a recent committee hearing on unemployment among vets to the House Veterans Affairs committee where veteran Tim Embree testified that,
“civilian employers who do not understand the value of [veterans’] skills and military experience. As a result, unemployment rates for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are staggering. Additionally, the National Guardsmen and Reservists who leave behind their civilian lives to serve alongside active-duty troops, are inadequately protected against job discrimination. The experience of previous generations of veterans who faced similar situations suggest that today’s veterans may continue to struggle for years to come.”
The government and some private employers are trying to help. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provided funds for a two-year tax credit for employers who hired unemployed Iraq or Afghanistan vets. Hiring a disabled veteran gives the company a credit worth up to $4,800. The Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) helped over 850,000 vets through grants to state and local agencies. In addition, in November 2009, the Obama administration issued and executive order that enhanced employment opportunities within the federal government.
Still, that isn’t enough. Veterans who are unemployed can seek employment help through various – perhaps too many – veteran-specific agencies geared specifically to help veterans make the transition into the civilian job force. IAVA advocates the Veterans Administration coordinate and vet job creation organizations so that veterans can turn to a single jobs-for-veterans portal. If you are a vet looking for work the VA is the best place to start.
Here are some others: Warrior Gateway.org; Vet Jobs; Military Hire.com; and Veterans Green Jobs.
If you liked that post, then try these...
Top Military News Headlines | September 2, 2010 by freedom on September 2nd, 2010
Netanyahu and Abbas to begin direct Mideast peace talks Thursday, working to end a six decade long conflict.
Stressors of Multiple Deployments by Angela Caban on March 22nd, 2011
Written by Angela Caban,
Multiple deployments are causing stress on service members, spouses, families and relationships.
Never Forget by JoshuaMPatton on September 10th, 2011
Written by, Joshua Patton
Like most of the country, I experienced the attacks on September 11, 2001 on television.
Veterans Affected by State Legislation by Lynn Goya on March 3rd, 2011
Written bu Lynn Goya,
While I’ve been trying to keep you abreast of critical national legislation, what happens at the state level is equally important.
Top Military News Headlines | November 4, 2010 by freedom on November 4th, 2010
A Navy Officer filed a law suit Wednesday asking for an honorable discharge as a conscientious objector after being turned down twice by the Navy.
Comments
Powered by Facebook Comments
January 25th, 2011 at 6:23 pm (#)
This article is obviously written by someone without a clue. Business management practices and philosophies taught in our academic institutions come from the military. Problem is american business does not use them. In reality a professional soldier is far more advanced than their civilian counterpart. How many businesses use or can afford optical LAN? Why do jumps in medical technology come from military treatment facilities and not the community hospital. Keep sitting behind your PC and watching South Park while those you have already done it go hungry and cold for you.
February 10th, 2011 at 2:37 pm (#)
Dear Art,
Please reread the article. That veterans are unemployed at a higher rate than civilians is well established. Your comments reflect why businesses should hire veterans and take advantage of the skills that they provide.
“Veterans know that those well-touted military skills perfected while in service often don’t translate to civilian jobs.” I see how this could be interpreted they way you read it. It should read, “Veterans know that those well-touted military skills perfected while in service often don’t translate to receiving a civilian job offer.” I apologize for the poor wording.