Life after war: Resources to help veterans get back on their feet
Editor's note: Overseas, they fight for freedom. In America, they fight for jobs. “Voters In America: Vets Wanted?” is the first part of In America's documentary series on American voters. J.R. Martinez narrates the documentary re-airing May 19th at 8 p.m. ET Saturday on CNN.
The transition back home after serving in the military can be a challenge for veterans and their families. Here is a list of resources:
Department of Veterans Affairs:
The VetSuccess program assists all veterans find work by providing military skills translators, job skills preparation and other assistance.
This service provides six months of career guidance and job search assistance for all post 9/11 veterans.
This program helps all National Guard and Reserve component members find jobs with military-friendly companies.
Hiring Our Heroes helps all veterans and their spouses find employment through hiring fairs and other programs.
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America:
This organization represents all veterans of the 21st century Afghanistan and Iraqi conflicts though advocacy, awareness and assistance, including job fairs and GI Bill information.
My Next Move helps translate military skills into civilian skills and also provides resume writing help for all veterans.
Transition Assistance Program (TAP):
This program provides transition assistance to all veterans returning to civilian life with help for needs such as disability claims, job searches and counseling.
Veterans Job Bank:
This is a search engine that links all veterans to companies looking to hiring veterans.
VetJobs.Com:
This online service allows all veterans to search for jobs that are posted by companies looking to hire veterans, as well as posting their resume.
This law was designed to provide seamless transitions for service members, expand education and training opportunities for veterans and provide tax credits for employers who hire veterans.
Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program:
This program helps National Guard and Reserve soldiers adjust to post-deployment life by helping with health care, education/training opportunities, financial, legal benefits and more.
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I hate to say this, but this program should not be given the priority nor praise that people think it should. Many who are in the military (not officers) were told by the Court system that they had to enlist or face jail time. It's the dirty little secret most have never heard of, but is very true. Our jails are crowded and petty offenders are often told these are their options. Let companies hire who they want.
This is why girls get raped in other countries. This is why many people there hvae no Freaking Idea what they are doing. Go near a base in another country and crime will be high.
This is why there are pictures of military doing stupid crap.
Crap in Crap out. I say about 10% of all services and all jobs in the serevice have them.
That's laughable. I've never heard of an enlisted member having gone to jail before they joined. As a matter of fact, my cousin couldn't get into the army because he has been in jail for one day. So don't go and allude to /many/ enlisted members being former criminals.
To back up your claim, that is very true. I think Jupman and Solo are confused with what the military use to allow in the Vietnam days when recruiting levels were very low because military service was very unpopular. The military wants people who they can mold into effective and competent individuals not those who are outcasts of society.
I only ever heard one guy claim this while I was in. He was one of those guys that lied about everything though. Claimed he had a half million dollar Mitsubishi Eclipse too. And the recruiting requirements have gotten pretty stringent for some of the branches in the last few years, namely Air Force and Navy, at least so far as behavioural problems go.
I'm a disabled vet. And I got hired by the federal Govt. Great. Let me tell you bout a guy I know. He is a retired O-5. Good. He deserves the pay n benifits. Looked it up, about $2600 a month. Nice retirement. His last month in active he got bit by a mosquito in S.C. He got viral enceph. Really jacked up his brain. Can barly speak. Often spaces out. Then, he got a lawyer and a doctor and they wrote up a fine claim to the VA. He got 100% disability so there is another $3600 per month from Uncle Sam. That is fine, he prob. diserved it. Then, because he is a "disabled veteran" he gets a preference in the hiring. So his buddy gave him a job in the federal system managng about 6 people in a "critical" area. He came in at A GS-11/12 posit. plus at about $4900 a month. This guy is getting well over $10k a month and he can barely function, is out sick all the time..I am not so sure that hiring a vet is the way to go all the time. I am glad I got hired, and I think he deserves the retire/disability. But then to triple dip and block others who are more capable....does not seem right.
I have just watched a story on the 877th National Guard.
And I wouldn't hire that one guy Thomas, cause he is in the National Guard and he looks fat and out of shape.
I have just watched a story on the 877th National Guard. The employers do not want to hire vets! Reason being is, the vets do not put up with B.S! Myself being a Gulf War Vet. in the state of Oregon. The employers would rather hire Mexicans. Reason is , they will do what they are told no questions asked no matter how outlandish it may be! I have been trying to find job for almost a year now, upon coming to my home state in 2007 I have been laid off from work! I have asked my last employer as to why is it that the federal government has in it's book of rules to cover black's and latiino's , but why not the vet's. He told me that he had no answer and that he does not know. And yet here am, wanting to work , but can't. Not want because of want or lack of knowledge. I will not put op with crap! Respectfully Submitted Sgt. Given.... USMC..... 1987-1996.... PROUDLY.... SEMPER FI
This was a waste of time. The National Guards have actually better chance than the Retired Active Duty Senior NCO's. Why weren't the real heroes mentioned? Why weren't the real vets mentioned? This show just beat around the bush not even nearing the subject that matters. No one is looking for pity, we just want to be able to serve our families as we have our country.
Amen to that! So many just want to serve their family as they did their country, as you stated. Many do, because well-trained NCO's will always find a way, even if it means working more than one job. No one is a harder worker, or more committed. They certainly deserve a fair shot.
I would like to give a BIG THANK YOU to all the Veterans and Military who have given me my freedoms by givnig of themselves. Without your Courage and American Spirit I would not have the ability to comment here or anywhere. Also Thank you to their families who have gone without them while they are away protecting my family. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, May GOD keep you in the palm of his hand.
I am an employer. A start up. Have a wholesale busineess with 3 lines.Respect Military personnals all over world because they are very discipilined
I need almost 100 Sales Representatives, part, time, on commission basis in all 50 states to make Callls.
Recently I advertised on Vet Pipline.
About 100 viewed but nobody applied
I wonder : Do they really want support?
S.Katyal: No offense, but many of us vets have college degrees, professional experience, and advanced management and leadership skills. Reading your employment position needs, it sounds like you want 100 telemarketers; people with just high school degrees or GED's can do 'Sales Representative' work, us military guys have much more to offer. That's the problem with many veteran employment sites and publications, they mostly offer employment for jobs with minimal education and skills, and are almost always low-paying. Despite the popular public image (crafted by Hollywood and the MSM) of the U.S military, we are probably the most educated military organization in the world, and we want the jobs that match that professionalism, not the crumbs that nobody wants.
Your reply is spot on. Most programs and job offers for Vets don't consider that military training and experience in assessment, problem-solving, improvising, overcoming, and leadership is far beyond digging a foxhole with an entrenching tool.
To go along with that, I think civilian employers have a hard time understanding someone's military career and experience. I have struggled to explain my experiences in words someone who has never served can understand. We are expected to make decisions that can be life or death or can seriously affect our country's image to the world. Having our experience under estimated is nothing but an insult.
It is the "part-time, commission-base" that is a turn-off for anyone with a family to support. That means no guarantee of py to pay the mortgage or bills. Conside a salary plus commission for serious candidates to apply, and at least some full-timers. Are you trying to get away with not supplying insurance? Sure sounds like it.