Given the news of the last two-and-a-half years, it seems wise to exhibit caution about the economy, even as a recovery is bestirring. We are told that it's 'halftime in America,' and that the second act has hardly begun.
That may well be the case for large sections of America's workforce. It is certainly not the case for that portion which has gone above and beyond, and given a full measure of devotion to the country they love.
I speak, of course, of America's veterans. As recently as the end of 2011, the unemployment rate for all veterans stood at 9.9 percent; and while the latest round of job statistics showed that all veteran unemployment has fallen below the national unemployment rate, the unemployment rate among the youngest veterans, ages 18-24, is upwards of 30 percent.
Thirty percent. That's not just abysmal, it's utterly catastrophic.
Many of those youngest veterans simply have never been a part of the workforce. Out of High School, they joined the military, so their resumes in the private work sector give them particular trouble finding a job. For many others, they still serve in the National Guard and Reserves, meaning many employers worry that they'll be deployed, and if they hire these young veterans, they might lose them sometime soon. Of course, if a company goes under while a vet is deployed, there is no job left to protect. Same for those veterans who only have done contract or short-term work. It's time for industry to step up and place their bets on America's heroes, and show the rest of the private sector that it's never wrong to bet on a veteran.
That is why the Vet Voice Foundation, which I chair, is proud to endorse a new initiative to employ America's veterans: America Wants You. This is a unique private sector initiative that works with corporate America to employ those men and women who have served in our Country's military. Together, industry and America's veterans can forge a bridge to an America fair for all.
CareerBuilder is building a dedicated job site on AmericaWantsYou.net and corporations including Southwestern Energy and Careerbuilder have pledged their support. But with over 800,000 veterans out of work, it is imperative that all companies step up and do everything within their power to tap into a workforce whose dedication and commitment is beyond reproach.
As a veteran of multiple tours in Iraq, people come up to me and thank me for my service. Many say it's time for a parade. That is all to the good. But, a better way to show the thanks of a grateful nation -- more than any parade or handshake or embrace -- is to make certain that all veterans have a fair shot at building an America worthy of our service.
That can only happen when veterans have an opportunity to serve America not just in uniform, but out of it.
So join me -- and let's make the promise of America Wants You a reality.
Follow Jon Soltz on Twitter: www.twitter.com/jonsoltz
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I thought this country was supposed to be about equality. Shouldn't priority be given to those who have been unemployed the longest? They're first in line.
The rules for Hostile Fire and Imminent Danger Pay have changed. Service members will now receive imminent danger pay only for days they actually spend in hazardous areas. This change went in effect on February 1, 2012.
A member of a uniformed service may be entitled to Hostile Fire and Imminent Danger pay at the rate of $225 for any month in which he/she was entitled to basic pay and in which he/she was:
Subject to hostile fire or explosion of hostile mines;
On duty in an area in which he was in imminent danger of being exposed to hostile fire or explosion of hostile mines and in which, during the period he was on duty in that area, other members of the uniformed services were subject to hostile fire or explosion of hostile mines;
Killed, injured, or wounded by hostile fire, explosion of a hostile mine, or any other hostile action; or
On duty in a foreign area in which he was subject to the threat of physical harm or imminent danger on the basis of civil insurrection, civil war, terrorism, or wartime conditions.
There are far too many people and way too much money invested in our military. There is no need for fighter jets any more. Tanks aren't much good anywhere. Nuclear weapons we have far too many of.
I've seen a few people in Colorado that have gone to the Air Force Academy - got a free education, trained as pilots (for free), done their time, left to become airline pilots, joined the reserves (as pilots) so now they get multiple pensions and mostly free medical treatment. In other countries you do it the capitalist way - you PAY for your commercial pilots license. All this while the Republicans knock "socialism" yet the military is just that - and the biggest of its kind on the planet.
We have to change to a system based on peoples' needs first. A system that protects and respects this planet. Until then, do not come crying that you need jobs until all of us have jobs.
The unemployment rate for soldiers is 1% higher that the normal population because of the issues that come with the CHOICE of being a soldier. Lack of a private industry resume or lack of ability to transfer Soldier experience to some private industry experience.
Also the over all unemployment rate for youth in general is much higher than the rate for soldier shown here. everyone needs helps whether they have killed/bled for country or not
Going to fight imperialist wars that don't defend the borders of this nation is a choice. It's as much a choice that will affect your employment prospects as backpacking around the globe for years.
The “VOW to Hire Heroes Act” will provide tax credits of up to $2,400 for employers who hire veterans who have been unemployed at least 4 weeks; up to $5,600 for hiring veterans who have been unemployed longer than 6 months; and up to $9,600 for businesses that hire veterans who have service-connected disabilities and have been unemployed longer than 6 months.