Why Can't Some Veterans Get Jobs? - VA News (2024)

8 Comments

1. RitaMay 25, 2012 at 02:42

   I have worked in a few Government agencies but I was horrified to witness a civilian manager talk about how useless veterans were and admit that he did not want to hire vets. Not only did he communicate this aloud but he said it where other veterans in addition to me could hear him. He even complained to high level employees. I learned that some not all Government jobs find ways to discriminate against Vets.

2. StephenMay 21, 2012 at 22:17

   It did not help when the Director of Homeland Security made the comment about returning veterans are worse than terrorists (or whatever her wording was).

   After that I would not hire a veteran (except I know better).

   See Also

   Homelessness

3. Robert LindgrenMay 18, 2012 at 20:27

   What a piece of crap this program is. They throw scraps like they are trying to help long term unemployed veterans. The fact of the matter is this bill is being run by a bunch of pencil pushers that have no intention of anyone even using the benefits. And they have veterans fighting each other as if this bill is a real benefit. You do not believe me?
   Consider these contradictions in the bill. I have less than one year in schooling left to obtain a BS to either teach or Nursing. I could use those benefits to finish school yet VRAP will not pay out and I do not qualify. Yet if I go take acting or singing classes the VRAP pays out. I have been given advanced standing at a Paramedic school but they told me to enter I must get my EMT and that way I can skip their 1 year EMT program (1 year) which is worthless to get a job. But if I get my EMT certification I am allowed into [their] one year certified Paramedic program which would be easy to find employment with this certification as a paramedic. But DOL says if I use the program to do a 3 week online certification to get into the paramedic program they will not pay any more and will not allow me to use the other 11 months I have left to get the Paramedic certification. What a bunch of jokers these DOL pencil pushers are. And what a piece of crap legislation Obama put his name on. You know I have called in about 35 times, each time on hold and each time a counselor gives me different answers. I always thought they were incompetent, didn’t get the correct information. I now understand why they did not get the correct information out. The program is so bad there is actually no intention of helping veterans. It is a political program that picks and chooses who they are going to help just like the Equal Opportunity Program that is only equal opportunity for those that are in the right groups. Did you get that? It is being managed by the same EEOC pencil pushers that discriminate on skin color. If someone wants to be an actor, a singer or dancer the program pays out but if you have only a few courses to become a certified RN or Teacher of middle school the program doesn’t pay out because that is a four year degree, that is a Bachelor degree. So what if your a certified teacher or certified RN, these do not count. But a certified two year RN but not a 4 year RN will qualify. What planet do these goofballs come from? Do they have any kind of reality when they write this legislation? I assure you their intention is not to help veterans but to pat themselves on their own backs on this one. The idea to to have the…

4. Patrick WarrenMay 17, 2012 at 20:41

   Employers want to see more than a sense of entitlement due to service of one’s country. It’s a capitalist for-profit system and one thing the military does not do is make money. The military’s prime purpose is to be ready to destroy, not create. Once a veteran realizes that he/she will have to create and produce things of real value in the world besides just following orders and looking good in a uniform, then they’re set. But a big thing today is that people should be entrepreneurial anyway, because if all of us stand around and look for jobs, who’s creating the jobs?

5. AlMay 9, 2012 at 12:59

   CNAS is definitely on the right track but what remains to be seen is how much influence their proposed initiatives would have on employers. Part of the problem with veterans finding work and reintegrating back into civilian life is the media. It doesn’t really help the cause for many vets particularly returning war vets when there is such an overemphasis with these stories about PTSD and suicides creating misconceptions about the effects of military service. Rightfully so this should be a concern for communities across the nation but unfortunately there is a programmed perception amongst employers and it certainly weighs heavily on their decision to hire veterans. That perception alone can easily overshadow the unique skills and abilities veterans bring to the table making it a harder sell during the interview process.

   In addition to wellness, the focus should be on educating employers rather than just giving them tax breaks to address the veteran unemployment epidemic. Many of these employers are long-time federal contractors where they’re already benefiting financially from doing business with the government. If the Department of Labor properly enforced requirements under VEVRAA regulations and provided more oversight ensuring those contractors are actually recruiting veterans for jobs then we would see better results. The VA should also have more flexibility for veterans wanting to utilize their education benefits for specific on-the-job training goals. There is so much more that DOD, VA and Labor Dept. can do in collaboration with state and local governments to help veterans. When does it get better? It’s the same story for vets, generation after generation and we still haven’t learned from past misfortunes. The point is we need for all this talk to translate into action NOW.

   • Nichole OlsonMay 13, 2012 at 14:45

     I wrote an article featured on Vantage Point that was published earlier this year about my own experiences. From replies from that article as well as from those whe read it on my facebook page, I can tell you that it’s not getting easier. I agree that the nation needs to take a look at the entire puzzle, as you put it, and not just piece by piece.

6. don johnsonMay 8, 2012 at 16:40

   As a veteran of the Vietnam War and a retired military person (since 1991) I found it very hard to find gainful employment after my retirement. A lot of the jobs offered to me were commissioned jobs (part of your pay based on a sales commission). I did not accept any of those jobs because the pay was not enough to substain my basic living standard (which is not high). I had attended college on my off time in the service, but did not have a chance to complete a degree program and later after retirement I did complete my degree program. So, now I have a degree, retired military, should be no problem? Well, think again, even though I had a 4 year degree and lots of working experience I found it hard to find a job with pay that was compatibile to my the jobs/salary of my peers. Why? Well, other factors such as age, military orientation, location, economy and of course, stereo type attitudes may had an impact on my ability to get a good job. In addition, my attitude of myself also played an important part in my adjustment and job search.
   I had to relook at myself as a person and rethink my approach to the adjustment from military to civilian life. I found that reading self help books can give you some insight; networking helped also. In addition, I sort spiritual guidance to helped me mentally when the “chips were down” and meeting with positive people help keep me on the right track. I did not play the blame game (the military did this to me etc.). I felt the military prepared me for survival in a combat situation, and helped me in my life as a person in a positive way.
   At this present time, some years later, I am working a full time job, have a degree and obtained a graduate certificate. I have a positive attitude and continue to seek improvement in my life, and career. As a veteran, I encourage other veterans returning to the mainstream of life, be positive, seek improvement, keep trying, and hold your head of up high… veterans are an asset to society.

   • Michael CollinsMay 15, 2012 at 10:08

     I have a bachelor of business administration with a concentration in accountancy, applied to 1,400 plus positions. I am still unemployed. The VA stated to me no one in the right mind would hire me, I am a 100% disabled veteran and this statement was true. I am a third class citizen behind tea party members, behind “christian coalitian” who want people like me to drop dead. I wish my death would come sooner but it will not, so I am attempting to be a part of society and give back. I volunteer since no one will hire me. I want to work, but I am unable to find work, I am Michael Collins I live in Escondido CA, and I am willing to relocate toward a new career. I am upside down on my mortgage which I am still paying on, but the bank (CITI Mortgage) refuses to renegotiate at 7%. Unemployed now for 2.5 years. [email protected]