The mind-numbing debt ceiling debate dominated headlines for what seems like all summer. That changed a bit today, when President Obama announced his New Veterans’ Employment Initiative at the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. This call to action couldn’t come at a more crucial time – according to the Bureau of Labor, 12.4 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan vets are unemployed, as of July. That is more than three percentage points higher than the national average. Last time we polled IAVA’s membership, they reported close to 20 percent unemployment. In states like Michigan, Indiana and Minnesota, that figure is as high as nearly 30 percent.
In real numbers, that’s only about 232,000 new veterans struggling to find work. That’s a number small enough that if our nation really focused on it, we could make a real dent. Especially when you consider a company like Walmart employs more than 2 million people alone. We all know most of the jobs (for veterans, and anyone else) have to come from the private sector. But Washington can play a critical role too.
President Obama’s New Veterans’ Employment Initiative is a big step in the right direction. The proposed Returning Heroes and Wounded Warrior tax credits would give business owners financial incentive to hire unemployed veterans. He challenged the private sector to hire or train 100,000 unemployed veterans or their spouses by 2013, something headed by Joining Forces, the White House’s national initiative program. And the transition from the military to the civilian workplace will be eased by refined and enhanced career development programs at local One-Stop Career Centers.
The New Veterans’ Employment Initiative would have a huge impact on the lives of people like Nick Colgin, an IAVA Member Veteran who the President mentioned in his speech today. While serving in Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne Division as a combat medic, Colgin saved the life of a French soldier that was shot in the head, and was ultimately awarded the Bronze Star for his actions over the course of his deployment. Yet when Colgin got back from his tour, he was unable to find a job anywhere in the medical field. He was looking to work as a first responder in Wyoming, which was the equivalent of what he did overseas, but employers said he lacked the proper credentials and certificates. This is the type of red tape the President talked about cutting through, and an example of the civilian-military divide that needs to be bridged.
These aren’t just public sector problems or private sector problems, or veteran problems or civilian problems. They are American problems that we all need to address together. And the President needs to continue to help too. He must use the bully pulpit to make that case to all Americans that hiring a veteran is more than just charity, it’s a smart business investment. Many Iraq and Afghanistan veterans already have unparalleled experience in leadership, human capital, project management and fiscal oversight. They are also early technology adopters, extremely resourceful and function well in teams. They have the skills every business needs. And of course, they’re tough. If a young Marine can command a platoon under fire in Fallujah, he can definitely run a trading floor on Wall Street. If America really wants to support the troops, hire them.
The President and Congress aren’t getting along right now, that’s no big secret. But come September, passing a veterans’ job bill and putting into action this Initiative must be something leaders from both sides of the aisle prioritize. In a time of war, our veterans deserve no less.
To help lower high rates of new veteran unemployment, IAVA recently launched the Combat to Career initiative. This yearlong program brings the public and private sectors together to implement innovative solutions for reducing new veteran unemployment by Veterans Day 2011. To learn more about the Combat to Career program, click here. Then spread the word on Facebook or Twitter.
Paul Rieckhoff is the Executive Director and Founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, and the author of Chasing Ghosts. This editorial is a follow-up to “VOW to Hire Our Heroes,” an article originally posted on July 17, 2011.
Follow Paul Rieckhoff on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PaulRieckhoff
Louis A. Ruprecht, Jr.: Images That Do Violence
Here's the job description of an IT technician for a corporation, a typical in-demand profession: http://jobview.monster.com/IT-Technician-Job-Jupiter-FL-US-101498264.aspx
Where exactly is the overlap in skill sets?
I mean, according to you, it sounds like such a great deal anyone with half an eduction should be jumping all over it?
So what is stopping you?
Or don't you know why this really is?
Now let's take it 2 steps further - tax incentives for all jobs created in the USA, and how about a tax deterrent for job cremation in the USA.
The problem is we don't need Mcjobs - we need real jobs - gainful employment; a living salary.
HEre is an idea, how about we fix the economy so that there are jobs out there....then everybody will be able to get them.
For instance take healthcare. I consider it a basic injustice and a violation of basic fundamental human rights that every American does not automatically get full access to healthcare at no extra charge. Obama addressed this injustice by expanding the group that gets such care but this does not solve the problem. The problem is that we are in this all together people and while I have healthcare thanks to my job, I still say that this is wrong because I want to know that all of my fellow americans enjoy the smae basic rights and they do not.
Yes veterans need employment. no question about it. So do a great many Americans. everyoine who wants a job should have one and that ought to matter more than tax breaks for the already excessively rich. Jobs for all should be the goal and nothing less is actually acceptable.
since 1980 our economy overall has grown; the richest 5% of Americans have seen their assets grow from a net worth of 9.5 trillion dollars to 38 trillion, a 400% increase. the net worth of the other 95% of Americans went from 12.9 trillion to 13 Trillion, while as a nation we racked up 14 trillion in debt.
Had the rich been taxed appropriately the debt would not have piled up and we would not be paying huge sums of money to essentially pay off interest on immense loans to the rich.
You are absolutely correct that the veterans deserve to be respected and welcomed back into society and given jobs and oppoortunities.
The problem is that if our nation is going to get this to work, the answer is to start treating the entire middle class better because there will be few new jobs if the middle class continues to sacrifice all of its gains to the rich, like it has been for the past 31 years. Tax cuts is an absolutely lousy incentive for creating jobs. Raising taxes on the rich to pay for needed work that creates jobs and stimulate the economy.
Its time for the rich to pay back their debt so that we can all work as a nation to get life back on track for everyone, including our veterans.
I mean overspending on defense, entitlements, wars, everything.
By the way, your micro is "Why follow the herd?"
I find that rather ironic.
Deficit reduction is more easily tackled by both increasing revenues and reducing spending. (Reducing spending on wars and defense - I don't agree at all with reducing spending on social programs that help the most vulnerable - why take from the poor and elderly? - especially when the wealthiest have a lower effective tax rate than I pay as a middle class worker).
I am ok if they go back to college and learn and come back, then it make sense.
He had the power, he let the GOP win.
He talks great. He acts like the DLC Reaganomics believing he and all his bids are.
Vote for the CPC Progressive Caucus folks in the primaries and the Dems in the general, including Obama if there is no good alternative.
I wish the CPC would leave the corrupt Dems, join the Dean Vermont Progressive party, grow it into a national party, and give us real liberal and progressive choice in 2012.
Grayson/Kucinich 2012!
Wall street is not going to hire a man because he commanded a platoon under fire. Most likely they will hire the vet because he has a 4 degree related to a wall street position
As an ex marine I worked in the steel mills and other odd jobs I finally ended up with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, I retired on 12-2009 with 30 yrs of service.
The only employer who can lead the way in hiring vets is the Government. I worked 13 of those 30 yrs in Human resources. There are ways of qualifying vets for certain entry level training positions. One of the biggest mistakes a veteran makes is applying for high journeyman GS grade positions.
I'm sorry but an enlisted man with no education or an officer with a degree is not going to get these high grade positions. Many refuse any type of entry level training positions, the I was a leader and I'm qualified for a supervisory or journeyman position is not going to get it
I have recruited veterans who did accept low grade (GS 3) positions and have successfully worked their way up to supervisor or Journeymen GS 12 or 13 positions.
The only problem Repubs are always cutting money for civil service hiring positons.
Prisoners.
'The Shawshank Redemption' and Warden Norton have become a reality. Watch Friday's 'DemocracyNow!' and hear all about it.