Why is there such a large number of unemployed veterans?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 13:31:24 -0400

Why is there such a large number of unemployed veterans? Is it a lack on their behalf? Employers not taking a chance? Or the veteran's background?

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2015 1:33 PM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 13:33:30 -0400

I think it is a combination of all. But remember, nothing will be given to us. We have to sell ourselves in order to get what we want.

Response by SGT David Crutchfield made Oct 12 at 2015 1:38 PM

SGT David Crutchfield — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 13:38:15 -0400

I have problems because even though I was honorably discharged, it has personality disorder on my DD 214, now I get VA DISABILITY with unemployablity, so no luck here. But I want to work

Response by LTC John Shaw made Oct 12 at 2015 1:43 PM

LTC John Shaw — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 13:43:14 -0400

SSG Private RallyPoint Member There is a mix of many factors. Not one organization is really in control of the unemployment problem. So it is up to Veterans to pursue opportunities where they find them. Some employers really want to help, some will take the chance, some will avoid Veterans completely. Bottom line is: It is up to the Veteran to pursue the jobs.

Response by CSM Michael Lynch made Oct 12 at 2015 2:01 PM

CSM Michael Lynch — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 14:01:28 -0400

I will tell you that, this is the second company I have worked for and started up their veteran program along with the one I did for the first company. There are many companies that want to and are hiring veterans. There are also many that would like to , but have not a clue where to meet, find or l;locate veterans. Veterans that recruit or are in HR for the companies hiring do very well.

The flip side as for us veterans., we need to take a breath and reality check on our expectations, we are our worst enemies at times. We have to take a step back and realize that we are not going to jump into an upper level pay and management job form the start. Most employers can't comprehend what a SGT, or above and LT or above have one as far as leadership, teamwork, or any of our core values. It is our job to explain it to them in their terms so they comprehend\d it. It is also our responsibility to realize they are not going to pay us top dollar starting with them immediately. We need to swallow our pride a little and step down for second, we'll get the pay raises based on what we did as Officers or NCO's.

It is not their duty to hire us, it is the right thing that companies want to do and have valued veterans on their team. We are not entitled to these companies hiring us, it is our responsibility to tell them why the want to hire us. The sole responsibility is on us veterans to educate the companies. SSG Private RallyPoint Member

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Oct 12 at 2015 2:01 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 14:01:39 -0400

It is a rotten job market.

"...101.77 million working age Americans who do not have work, according to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)"

https://www.rt.com/usa/156800-americans-economy-unemployed-work/

Nearly 102 million working-age Americans jobless

Although the US unemployment rate has declined, more and more Americans are choosing to opt out of the labor market altogether and no longer even figure in the employment data.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2015 2:01 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 14:01:50 -0400

Either they choose to be or they haven't put faith in their skills & the programs available to us.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Oct 12 at 2015 2:31 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 14:31:49 -0400

I have no idea why, but my thoughts are if the President and First Lady are really concerned, break out the phone and pen, write up an EO saying until the unemployed vet unemployment is equal to the touted 5% of so, Veterans get first choice at any government job they are qualified for. Problem solved.

Response by SPC David S. made Oct 12 at 2015 2:43 PM

SPC David S. — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 14:43:56 -0400

I think one of the biggest is the expectations of service members. As a majority is the younger demographic I could see this as a problem. A service member with 4 years, junior enlisted with no one reporting to them, no college, and no transferable skill set. Last month’s federal jobs report showed a rock-bottom unemployment rate of 2.8 percent for workers who hold at least a four-year degree. Additionally part of the problem is that many “middle skills” jobs are becoming more technological and complex this causes many employers to put the "college degree required" stamp on the position. Best advance take advantage of the education benefits. For the senior positions while the SM was serving 20 years there was the civilian counterpart working their way up fine tuning their skill set to a specific industry. These jobs are highly competitive within civilians alone. If a SM is going after one of these jobs they will need to demonstrate how their skill set will help the bottom line without going through some learning curve.

Response by PV2 Scott Goodpasture made Oct 12 at 2015 3:05 PM

PV2 Scott Goodpasture — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 15:05:43 -0400

Well all the illegal aliens are working. After WWII when IKE was elected he deported them so the boys home from war could find work. So what's the boggle now? Importing votes no matter the damage its doing to our country. Democrats suck and republicans are no better by shipping factory jobs overseas to take advantage of China's child slave labor rates

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2015 3:12 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 15:12:02 -0400

Unfortunately, it is not a new problem. Veterans have had to contend with unemployment for years.

I think part of it is fear by the employers (who may never have encountered a vet before) that we may come with PTSD or may be militant in our treatment of others.

Having to deal with this myself, unemployment is very demoralizing, especially when you get that "thanks for your service, but we decided to go with someone with more experience".

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2015 4:20 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 16:20:52 -0400

It's not just us...industries are facing the combined challenges of cost and risk as best they can. The first group to suffer is always new hires.

The Services can do a lot worse than presenting "real" training to soon to transitioning members...not the "feel good" stuff that was coming out of TAPS when I went through. Being a senior NCO or officer doesn't automatically translate to a management job out here, and certifications are worth more than "experience" these days. Companies are looking for maximum bang for the buck, right out of the starting gate.

Be prepared for another round of doing what we do best...enduring and earning the respect we want.

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Oct 12 at 2015 8:02 PM

SFC Everett Oliver — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 20:02:03 -0400

Because Veterans are out there looking for decent paying jobs and they haven't dropped off the radar because they quit looking..... Remember our work force is extremely small right now because of the people who have stopped looking for work...There simply are not as many jobs as the powers that be would have us believe...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2015 8:15 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 20:15:55 -0400

After reading comments posted l came to the conclusion that vets are unemployed to remarks in the DD214, military jargon translation, some employers not willing to take risk.

To circumvent this I believe ACAP, which is revamped, should be longer. However the effort still lies with that Soldier. Meaning his/her resume is translated appropriately, cater resume to specific job, and interviewing practice a lot. I know this is far fetch, but it is a possible solution to a BIG problem.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2015 9:00 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 21:00:32 -0400

There are two issues at play. First, as you are military/veteran yourself, you perceive a high rate of unemployment for former military/veterans. The reality is, with nearly 98 million people out of work (30% of our population), the number of unemployed includes all sectors of society. We just perceive pour group to be larger. Second, there is a transition from military to civilian that can be overwhelming. As 96% of our population has never served and whose only concept of the military comes from movies and television. As a result, they haven't a clue what we are capable of. Worse, many of us haven't a clue what we have to offer our new boss. So, we set our expectations too high while our prospective employer sees us as skilled in the 'Art of War' and nothing else.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2015 9:09 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 21:09:27 -0400

It's a combination of things
1 no matter how patriotic people talk, dollars talk more for most. Businesses want to say thank you but most don't want to sacrifice anything to actually assist or help a soldier. It is simply inconvenient and expensive to keep part time soldiers from reserve or guard on payroll. So when people SM come home they are IRR for a few years. Businesses want to wait until they are totally conveniently "out" before hiring them.
2 army and marines have lots of jobs that aren't needed in civilian life. Tank driver, artillery Etc. You get the idea.
3 The business model changed. We know leaders Are made in the military but few care or want leaders. What many businesses want is to trade a specific skill "accounting, teaching, programming, engender" for a specific salary. Training programs have mostly dried up, cancelled by the x flower children "the yuppies".
4 stigma of the "troublesome vet" doesn't help either.

Response by Sgt Chad Lane made Oct 12 at 2015 9:39 PM

Sgt Chad Lane — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 21:39:50 -0400

variety of reasons. some of it is employers not wanting to gamble on someone who may have PTS or need time off for VA appointments.

I also believe some veterans feel entitled to a big salary and are unwilling to humble themselves and start at the bottom again.

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Oct 13 at 2015 2:09 AM

SGT Michael Glenn — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 02:09:27 -0400

I believe its because this modern society has reveled too long with employing illegal aliens who will work longer and cheaper than Americans, I also believe its because these employers grease the palms of the right people to have authorities look the other way. I also believe that we have a POTUS in office that...what??? No Im not using POTUS to describe his official position, its an acronym I saw that fits perfectly...POTUS: Pathetic OLD Treason Uttering Scumbag :POTUS.... now back to where I was... IN office that has more than once demonstrated his lack of responsibility to act as a POTUS (that one was his official position) and get rid of illegals, since this POTUS has been in office the rate of removing illegals has come to an almost standstill, and illegals are leading the way on births in this nation.

Response by Cpl Chris Rice made Oct 13 at 2015 11:03 AM

Cpl Chris Rice — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 11:03:05 -0400

Honestly I think it’s because they need more, if you consider that the post-9/11 veterans are the only group of veterans that experience a higher percentage of unemployment at 6.7% I would say it’s probably more to do with the fact that a lot of them are trying to go to school and are looking for flexible employment while maintaining financial responsibilities that tend to be accumulated through periods of full-time employment. Example of this would be that the individual who is on active duty may decide to purchase a vehicle through financing, so the job that they get needs to be able to cover that payment, so they’re going to go ahead and decline the job at McDonald’s making minimum wage that would not be of the cover that payment.

Veterans altogether actually do better than the rest of the population sitting at 5.3%, while the general population since it 5.5%. This is hardly a difference but the population of veterans is always done a little better than the rest of the civilian population.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Oct 14 at 2015 11:15 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 11:15:37 -0400

We spend millions annually on MANDATORY transition assistance for all separating service members. One can lead a horse to water....

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2015 11:22 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 11:22:10 -0400

Maybe because of the lack of job seeking experience. Regardless of your military experience, you have to sell yourself to that employer and make them realize that they need you on their team. Remember that these civilians mostly have no idea about military jobs, so put your experience in terms they can understand. Just know that you miss out on 100% of the jobs that you don't apply for!

Response by SGT Curtis Earl made Oct 14 at 2015 11:57 AM

SGT Curtis Earl — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 11:57:10 -0400

Veterans son't learn how to exist in real life. We think of the military as being hard and we hate it and then we get out and... guess what, no one in the civilian world gives a shit about you. No squad leader is going to text you the next formation time and the uniform of the day. No one trains you how to build a proper resume. No one tells you that while having personality in a military setting is a death sentence, personality and charisma can get you further than experience AND education in the civilian world. I guess what I'm saying is that, in my experience, the Army never teachers soldiers how to exist as regular people in the outside and that holds them back. I've been off active duty for over a decade and I still sweat when I email my boss for PTO.

Response by SGT Jose Perdelia-Torres made Oct 14 at 2015 4:14 PM

SGT Jose Perdelia-Torres — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 16:14:55 -0400

There simply are just not enough jobs when you factor a returning workforce such as returning Veterans, ETSing Veterans, etc. And the jobs they do have are minimum wage jobs, which you can't survive on if you are paying your own rent, have children, etc. Employers not taking a chance, although the one's that do get a kickback from the Government. They are afraid of Veterans because of the media stories about Military servicemen going crazy and committing acts of violence.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Oct 14 at 2015 4:17 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 16:17:04 -0400

Impossible! The economy is much stronger now under POTUS's direction. It was just on tv last night. Drink more of the koolaid SSG Private RallyPoint Member. lol?

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Oct 14 at 2015 7:37 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 19:37:21 -0400

Tell me why there are so many unemployed and under-employed Americans and you'll have answered your own question as to why there is such a large number of unemployed veterans. The reported numbers don't even come close to the truth. Statistics have been doctored to prevent America from rising up and strangling this cancerous government.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Oct 14 at 2015 9:17 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 21:17:26 -0400

Because veterans don't know how to job hunt, at first.

http://foreignpolicy.com/2015/10/05/theres-a-reason-americas-vets-cant-find-work-but-not-what-ben-bernanke-thinks/?utm_content=buffer040bd&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

There’s a reason America’s vets can’t find work but not what Ben Bernanke thinks

Almost half a century after the U.S. military adopted an All Volunteer Force of highly skilled, highly trained, high-IQ warriors, the myth of the stupid…

Response by SFC Joseph McCausland made Oct 14 at 2015 9:23 PM

SFC Joseph McCausland — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 21:23:09 -0400

I believe it is some of each point and also, most veterans really don't know how to handle themselves in the interview process; it's not because of lack of ability, it is just a case of lack of knowledge.
You have one chance at a "first impression" that's it...no do-overs.
You have one chance to make a great impression (in this case good is NOT good enough), you MUST stand out.

One of the best ways to prepare is "role-playing", there are some online services that will conduct a "mock" phone or skype interview or perhaps you may be lucky enough to have a "brick&mortar business that offers in-person services.

If you do it at home, on your own, have someone tape the session.
The person you pick as the interviewer must be "serious", no joking around.

Most people don't want to see themselves as others see them but believe me, you can't ask for a more honest or tougher critic than yourself.

What's the saying... "How do you get to Carnegie Hall... Practice, Practice..Practice!

And finally, before you can impress a "total stranger" you must first "impress yourself".

Response by MCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 14 at 2015 10:03 PM

MCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 22:03:35 -0400

I think it's a mix between Civilians and the members, themselves.

Too many higher ranking Civilians remember the "Troubled 'Nam Vet" movies and think any veteran is unhinged and about to be an active shooter.

And, in my experience, WAY too many military members walk out of the military, entirely unable to relate to civilians, unable to write a resume usable by civilians, and totally unwilling to accept any position that isn't at the TOP of the food chain so they can sit on their butts and collect a check for doing nothing. "Oh, I was a Supply E-6 - I should be regional distribution manager of a major firm," and, "Oh, I was a Major, I won't accept anything less than six figures."

Response by SSG Peter Muse made Oct 15 at 2015 12:46 AM

SSG Peter Muse — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 00:46:50 -0400

too often we have expectations that are too high. We also make the "mistake" of going back home to the same place we left because there was no future. We leave the military as mid level and senior managers and expect a management or supervisory position and don't realize we need to start over. Lower grade folks didn't acquire much more saleable skills than what they went in with. I have vets turning down jobs every single day and I am in the city with the highest number of vets in the country - can someone tell me why we, as a DOD agency fell 500 people short of our 2015 hiring target? I understand and agree that veteran unemployment is a real issue and that is why I spend so much one on one time with vets trying to help them get jobs but I and others like me are coming up short when trying to bring vets on board.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2015 8:03 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 08:03:12 -0400

I have found that the H-R Dept.s and the people running them are filled with power hungry goof balls. Dumb & un-professional workers that look to hire a person that is dumber than they are. In other words a person that can not understand if they are being pushed around or manipulated by the business management. The whole thing today is very shitty and getting worse.

Response by Cpl Paul DiCicco made Oct 15 at 2015 10:15 AM

Cpl Paul DiCicco — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 10:15:57 -0400

When I left Active Duty in 2000, I felt completely lost. Finding a job seemed almost impossible but I reached out to my family and friends to get started. Also, reach out to veterans you know to see what career they have taken on. Within 6 months of leaving active duty, my old SGT. got me a job in insurance fraud investigation. It wasn't the best but it was a start. I've never looked back.

Response by SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS made Oct 15 at 2015 10:33 AM

SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 10:33:09 -0400

SSG Private RallyPoint Member You raise an interesting question. Are there more VETs than jobs? Probably. Are VETs selling themselves short because of a translation of skills from MILSPEAK to civilian, most assuredly. Another possible assistance is the VA Vocational Rehabilitation program, which I think is underutilized. There are also services, the VA offers one under the VA for Veterans Program where professionals assist you in translation of your skills from MILSPEAK to civilian. This will not be an overnight correction, but it will be one which is worth the wait for the employer when the gain someone like SFC Mark Merino as an employee.

Response by SGT Charles Petty made Oct 15 at 2015 10:53 AM

SGT Charles Petty — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 10:53:59 -0400

I was doing an externship-to-hire position at a medical clinic here in Utah, was told after one week of shadowing (3 days of paperwork and 1/2 day of actually shadowing the person at the clinic) that I was not returning there as a person thought I "may" have PTSD...

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Oct 15 at 2015 2:48 PM

SSG Audwin Scott — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 14:48:36 -0400

I believe its the lack of skills for the most part, for example we have many MO'S in the military that don't relate to anything in the Civilian Sector. I was in transportation, now I am not ashamed of my job, but in order for me to get in a more professional and corporate business I had to educate myself and get a degree so I could qualify to meet the job requirements.

Response by SPC Christopher Perrien made Oct 15 at 2015 2:57 PM

SPC Christopher Perrien — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 14:57:06 -0400

Because there is a huge number of unemployed Americans. The gov and the msm put out that bogus unemployment rate , which is an a out right lie and is alway adjusted up months later. They say it is around 7% , however that only includes people drawing unemployment checks. The actual figure is between 40-50% , So if half of the veterans are not employed , guess what, neither are half of the citizens who want to work in this country are either.

Response by SPC Christopher Perrien made Oct 15 at 2015 3:08 PM

SPC Christopher Perrien — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 15:08:06 -0400

First thing you want to do when you get out. Is file for unemployment and also head to whatever college/school/voctech/etc. you plan on going to and file for financial aid, and at the same time file that you will not have future income , from you current employment. I.e.military. College financial aid normally looks at your last years income, but you can submit forms basing it on future income for the years. Also unemployment from ETS , can be stopped and restarted between semesters, as long as you have not maxed it out. Even many tech jobs in the military usually do not directly transfer to civilian jobs, check what civil certifications you need and go to school , using the above guide.

I know this is not exactly topic based, but it may help some soon to be vets not being unemployed, poor, or on the street .

Response by SSG Antonine Galvan made Oct 15 at 2015 3:20 PM

SSG Antonine Galvan — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 15:20:10 -0400

Some times it's not what you know to get a kid. It's who you know that can hook you up with a job.

Response by MSgt Wayne Morris made Oct 16 at 2015 2:22 PM

MSgt Wayne Morris — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 14:22:09 -0400

Having been retired for 20 years now but working for a large corporation that hires thousands of vets I have some insight. Some vets do not know now to sell themselves other than been there, done it. Secondly, not everyone can start at the top just because. Be willing to accept a lower or mid grade position, prove yourself and work your way up just like you did for Uncle Same. Know the pay scale of the company you are applying too and just because you are a vet don't demand more than someone who has been there 20 years doing the same job you are applying for. Education even it is an associates degree is a step in the right direction and shows that you are into improving yourself and finally, know something about the company and business to which you are applying. Yes being a vet is can help but don't expect an automatic welcome aboard just because.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 16 at 2015 9:29 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 21:29:05 -0400

I think a large number of veterans have PTSD. PTSD has always been present, it is a demon that we are just now addressing.