With today’s sluggish economy, returning vets are facing some tough times finding jobs, keeping their homes, etc.
Unemployment for young vets jumps to 15 percent – ArmyTimes – 4 Feb 11
“…For Iraq and Afghanistan-era veterans, the unemployment rate for January was 15.2 percent. This is a sharp increase from 9.4 percent in November and 11.7 percent in December, a clear trend of a worsening job market for younger veterans, many of them combat veterans…”
20,000 servicemembers, vets lost homes in 2010 – ArmyTimes – 3 Feb 11
“More than 20,000 veterans, active-duty troops and reservists who took out special government-backed mortgages lost their homes last year — the highest number since 2003.
“The rate of foreclosure filings in 2010 among 163 zip codes located near military bases rose 32 percent over 2008, according to RealtyTrac, a foreclosure research firm. This compares with a 2010 increase in foreclosures filings nationally of 23 percent over 2008…”
Military veterans more likely to be homeless – ArmyTimes – 9 Feb 11
“Military veterans are much more likely to be homeless than other Americans, according to the government’s first in-depth study of homelessness among former servicemembers.
“About 16 percent of homeless adults in a one-night survey in January 2009 were veterans, though vets make up only 10 percent of the adult population.
“More than 75,000 veterans were living on the streets or in a temporary shelter that night. In that year, 136,334 veterans spent at least one night in a homeless shelter — a count that did not include homeless veterans living on the streets.
“The urgency of the problem is growing as more people return from service in Iraq and Afghanistan. The study found 11,300 younger veterans, 18 to 30, were in shelters at some point during 2009. Virtually all served in Iraq or Afghanistan, said Mark Johnston, deputy assistant secretary for special needs at the Department of Housing and Urban Development…”
Senator Murray’s Statement on VA-HUD Assessment of Veteran Homelessness – 10 Feb 11
Part 1: Weight of War: Gear that protects troops also injures them – Seattle Times Special Report – 12 Feb 11
Part 2: Military struggles to lighten soldiers’ load – Seattle Times Special Report – 13 Feb 11
Army: War affected soldier killed by Utah police – Seattle Times – 12 Feb 11
“The unemployment rate last year for young Iraq and Afghanistan veterans hit 21.1 percent, the Labor Department said Friday, reflecting a tough obstacle combat veterans face as they make the transition home from war.
“The number was well above the 16.6 percent jobless rate for non-veterans of the same ages, 18 to 24…”
Mullen Urges Communities to Assist Returning Troops – DoD – 8 Mar 11
“WASHINGTON, March 8, 2011 – As the men and women who serve in today’s military leave active duty, communities around the country should tap their potential as employees for the benefit of the nation, the top U.S. military officer said yesterday…”
Report: More younger veterans land federal jobs – ArmyTimes – 11 Mar 11
100,000 Jobs for Vets – AOL – 14 Mar 11
“Eleven major U.S. firms have joined together in a pledge to hire 100,000 veterans and military personnel after they’ve finished serving the country over the next several years. Huge corporations such as JPMorgan Chase, AT&T, Verizon and Cisco are among those participating…”
New veteran group: Veterans of Modern Warfare
Newsletter comment: As the wars are starting to wind down – at least in the minds of many civilians and the MSM – the same “Rambo syndrome” is setting in for our younger vets that many Vietnam vets experienced after coming home; that some employers are reluctant to hire military veterans for fear of you “going postal” for lack of a better term.
Because of that false perception, many military veterans would not include their military service during Vietnam on their resumes. And I submit, such attitudes by employers and the media only added to a false sense of shame and only made PTSD even worse!
They can pass all the laws they want, but nothing can force an employer to hire a veteran. Sadly history is repeating itself! – Roger “Bear” Young
May jobs report shows market worsening for vets – ArmyTimes – 3 Jun 11
The unemployment situation reminds me of the time period many of us were being discharged after Nam when the economy was in a recession.
While many across the nation give lip service to those serving our country, actions speak louder than words. These vets need jobs and given the opportunity they will prove that they are great employees!