Help Skilled Veterans Get the Jobs They Deserve
- by: Care2.com
- recipient: Secretary of Labor Hilda S. Solis
For someone stepping out of the security of the military, jumping into the job search is daunting -- with good reason. The May 2011 unemployment rate for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan was 12.1 percent, as opposed to the general unemployment rate of 9.1 percent.
Despite their skills, many veterans can't find jobs that will support a family. A primary reason for this problem is it's difficult to translate veterans' skills to the civilian job market. A combat medic with 10 years of experience might not even qualify to drive an ambulance in some states. Another issue is that many civilians assume that all veterans suffer from post traumatic stress, or PTS, which is not the case.
The Department of Labor is aiming to strengthen a law to make sure returning soldiers get jobs. Tell the Department of Labor to not only update this important law, but to make sure it's enforced.
Dear Secretary Solis,
The May 2011 unemployment rate for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan was 12.1 percent, while the general unemployment rate was 9.1 percent. Despite their skills, many veterans can't find jobs in civilian society that will support a family. In fact, a combat medic with 10 years of experience might not even qualify to drive an ambulance in some states.
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A primary reason for veterans' difficulty in finding a job outside the military is that it's difficult to translate their skills to the civilian job market. Another is that many civilians assume that all veterans suffer from post traumatic stress, when this isn't always the case,
I urge to help veterans get the jobs they deserve. Update the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) to ensure returning soldiers get jobs and make sure this important law is enforced.
