The following is a CNN story:
Young veterans struggle to find jobs
"The nation's vets leave one war to fight another one at home," Iraq war veteran Josh Hopper wrote to me in an e-mail. The war at home he was referring to was not the battle to rehabilitate his body from a severe wound, or the fight to restore his mind from psychological trauma, but his war to find work.
Hopper and many other young veterans like him are risking their lives overseas, but once they leave the military, they are discovering that employers back home don't always value their skills. In 2005, the unemployment rate for veterans age 20-to-24 was almost double the rate for non-veterans in the same age group, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. We wanted to know why.
One former Marine told me some employers saw the years he spent serving his country as "taking a few years off."
The Department of Veterans Affairs suspects some employers can't see how military experience can translate to the working world.
A veteran's issues expert even claims that some employers are scared to hire veterans.
In our report tonight, we'll look into what the military is doing to help veterans gets jobs and why some veterans say that for many employers -- "Support Our Troops" -- doesn't seem to include hiring veterans so they can support themselves.
Posted By Chuck Hadad, CNN Producer: 4:45 PM ET
2006-11-13 10:21:12 · 8 answers · asked by zeca do trombone 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
I'm a vet and I haven't had any trouble finding work.
2006-11-13 10:24:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
There are a lot of answers to such a broad question like that.
From what I've seen, they don't always pick the best of brightest to do stories on in the media. I recently saw an MTV documentary called 'I'm a civilian again', or something like that and the people they had obviously weren't of the highest calibre to begin with. My guess as to why is it may be because of the liberal media.
Anyways, not all employers want veterans. Especially where I live, the military in general isn't looked upon favorably at all. Being in the military would help in a state like Texas though.
It doesn't look that great on a resume either. Say you spend 5 years in the military and you are 23 years old now. As a high school graduate without a college degree, assuming you have no special skills, what do you have to offer? Not a lot without going to college.
I know while I was in the Army, I didn't have any time to go to college. I'm a 25 year old sophomore now and I feel a little out of place.
2006-11-13 13:13:26 · answer #2 · answered by justind_000 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As a Vietnam Veteran I am surprised that anyone finds that surprising! Supporting vets stopped after WWII in large part!
Even the government doesn't support them! They cut widow's benefits, tried to cut combat pay, and Bush cut about 600 Billion out of the Veteran Affairs in 2006 after 4 years of flat-lining!
In reality people don't support the troops! They never have! The only ones are in the government area! And then people complain when they get an extra 10 points!
Sometimes I believe employers see only the downside: they may have PTSD or some other issue!
Moreover, in the services who have combat troops on the ground, and many others, there is no job for a Grunt, or a 111 Bravo (Infantryman) as there isn't a comparable job and no one wants someone who has been out of high school for 6 years and has no other qualifications! They certainly, for the most part, are not willing to train them!
Even non-state colleges give them little priority. if any!
If they are lucky enough to find a job, the pay is so low they can't afford rent!
Many think vets get all kinds of free education, and since there is an all volunteer army, many figure they don't owe them anything!
Face it, you only need go to a Memorial day parade to see how supported vets are! Most use it as a weekend to BBQ and drink!
I think Americans support vets all the way to Walmart to get a yellow magnet "Support Our Troops" sign that is made in China and put it on their car!
Most Americans won't even say hello to a vet!
If you yhink it is bad now, try after Vietnam!
2006-11-13 10:56:04 · answer #3 · answered by cantcu 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I believe a big part of the job problem is that the jobs left. Auto plants are closing, jobs are going to Bangladesh and who knows where. When I came home in 65 it was a different time. I just hung out and drank and partyed with my buddies and lived in my moms basement for a couple of months until I thought it was time to get on with my life. In 65 guys were getting drafted and there was plenty of work thanks to defense plants and the cold war. I got a job in three days of looking at a plant that was building the air conditioners for Minute Man Missile silos. They were some huge mamoos. The job opportunity's just aren't there today. Even something like aircraft mech. is not a guarantee anymore.
2006-11-14 02:02:13 · answer #4 · answered by c321arty 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To be brief and and on point, employers want "whole" vets, those who do not need care or will require time off.
We have a history of "use 'em and lose 'em" when it comes to employing vets from any war.
Americans are embarrassed to see any person who is not "whole". Most are pissed that they get better parking at shopping malls during the holidays.
They are "hero's" if they die in the dessert, but a hindrance when they want to come home and want to be a part of society with missing limbs, a need for wheelchairs, and dreaming of the horrendous ability of having the power of life or death rest in your own hands.
Shame on me, and all of us, for not wanting to see what "staying the course" has cost.
2006-11-13 10:52:32 · answer #5 · answered by navymom 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the above posts... More over, the SCRA (Soldiers Civil Relief Act - formerly SSCRA) is a bit of a joke. I had a card company through my business that refused to lower my rate or honor any of the SCRA rights... I come home and ask Wells Fargo Card Services why they wont honor it and they refer to ten other phone numbers... Finally I am told if I don't like it - take them to court...wtf? Nice way to support the troops.
Most of the Veteran services are useless... promises broken.
2006-11-13 11:14:35 · answer #6 · answered by longwalk 1 · 6⤊ 0⤋
My husband is now working with a gulf war vet, amazing guy doing a great job. He has PTSD, It does little to effect his work.
Why aren't employers hiring? Why does he have to travel 2 hours to find a VA, Why does haliburton give active soldiers dirty water and poor equipment... Apathy.
2006-11-13 11:43:36 · answer #7 · answered by Sara 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well, I am a vet too. I had to take a low paying job to get my feet wet again for a year. But, i have since moved up in the world of Engineering and life is good
2006-11-13 10:39:55 · answer #8 · answered by devilduck74 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋