Don't forget to hire a veteran

I just read a piece titled  "Veterans Return To Bleak Job Market" by Stephen Barr who writes for the Washington Post.   Besides the flap over follow-up medical care, I am more than a little bit concerned about the job opportunities available to separating veterans desiring to re-enter the civilian job market.  The article cites a weak job market and troubles matching veterans career plans with jobs they had while in the military.

In brief, here are the high points:

Eighteen percent of the veterans recently back from tours of duty are unemployed. Say what? 18% unemployed!  Of those employed since leaving the military, 25 percent earn less than $21,840 a year, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The data come from a survey of 1,941 veterans who left the military between December 2004 and January 2006. The survey was conducted for the VA by a consultant, who sent an analysis to the department last year. The survey findings have not been released by the VA but have been obtained by groups that advocate on behalf of veterans.

According to the survey, 48.4 percent of the respondents said they took advantage of the GI Bill, which provides up to $1,000 a month for 36 months for veterans who enroll in colleges or other education programs.

In general, returning military personnel often have trouble finding jobs that match their military occupations. "Protective services," such as security and police work, and facilities and maintenance repair were the most popular occupations held by former enlisted personnel, the report says.

But many employers are not aware of the skills, especially in technology, held by former military personnel, the study says.  It recommended that the government look at new ways, including marketing campaigns, to help veterans find jobs in the private sector.

The VA has stepped up its efforts, offering employment services such as Coming Home to Work Initiative . The program provides job opportunities and work experience for personnel leaving the armed forces because of medical reasons.

But Vanessa Williamson, policy director for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, said she was concerned by the survey's finding of an 18 percent unemployment rate for military personnel discharged in the last three years.

"Any American would agree that we need to support our troops and our veterans, but what level of support are we talking about when people coming back from war have low-income jobs and are struggling to make ends meet," Williamson said. "That doesn't sound like support to me."

Vanessa is right, that doesn’t sound like support to me either.  However, the VA can’t do it on their own.  The private sector needs to weigh in here and …"Hire Vets!"  Back when TV programs were only black and white and 99% of the population drove American made cars, there used to be a big push to "Hire Vets!"  And I’m not talking about Civil Service and "Veterans Preference!"   I’m talking about when an “Honorable Discharge” meant something to an employer.  Employers back than could be reasonably assured that hiring a veteran was a wise business decision.  Why?  Because they were not only reliable, highly resourceful, physically fit, and socially adept, but you knew that they would show up to work rain or shine and give you an eight hour day.
 
No doubt about it, the VA needs to do a better job at marketing our veterans.  However, on the flip side, veterans need to be aware of and better articulate their job knowledge, skills, and abilities, commonly known as KSAs.  Employers who are veterans themselves should encourage and consider hiring Vets.  A diverse company needs to consider a veteran’s unique KSAs.  For the most part, the military veteran is extremely adaptable to new situations and can be labeled a self-starter that won’t require consistent supervision. They are diverse individuals who know how to follow as well as lead.  They come from all walks of life and from different areas of the country.  Some have endured great hardship and are saddled with lingering disabilities that some of us can’t even begin to imagine.  So don’t forget...to hire a Vet!