Blog post

New Veterans’ Unemployment Rate Remains High
Posted by Paul Rieckhoff on July 9

The Bureau of Labor Statistics just released their jobs report for the month of June, and the economic situation for new veterans looks bleak. 

Numbers you need to know:

• 11.5 percent:  Iraq and Afghanistan-era veterans’ unemployment rate in June. 
• 9.5 percent: national unemployment rate in June. 
• 12.5 percent: average unemployment rate of new veterans during the first six months of 2010.

Economic Bites from IAVA’s Research Team: 

Last month, Iraq and Afghanistan-era veterans continued to suffer the weight of heavy unemployment. Approximately 200,000 new veterans were out of work, and looking for jobs. This continues the pattern that we’ve seen for more than 2 years now. Unemployment rates for new veterans are high, and rising. In 2008, the average unemployment rate for Iraq and Afghanistan-era veterans was 7.3 percent, and last year, this number rose to 10.2 percent. Taking a look at the first six months of 2010, the numbers seem to indicate we’re in for an even worse year, with the average rate at 12.5 percent. A lot can change in six months, but if the current rate holds, it spells record unemployment for new veterans. 

That is unacceptable. Jobs continue to be our top priority, and IAVA is responding in a number of ways.

1. On Capitol Hill, Representatives Walz (MN-1) and Boozman (AR-3) and Senators Baucus and Grassley recently introduced bipartisan legislation to incentivize employers to hire veterans.  And Senator Murray and Representative Adam Smith (WA-9) have introduced a comprehensive veterans employment bill.  IAVA-supports both bills, which will bring some much-needed relief to unemployed veterans. We are working with Congress to pass these bills out of Congress before the end of the year. Click here to read IAVA's latest Issue Report Careers After Combat.

2. In the private sector, IAVA is partnering with Microsoft for an historic and innovative program to provide essential job training for America's heroes.  

3. Inside Community of Veterans, our online social network exclusively for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, job listings and unemployment resources are updated on a regular basis, connecting veterans with opportunities across the country. If you're an OIF/OEF Veteran, click here to learn more and join the community.

Finding jobs for vets may not steal as many headlines as financial reform or Supreme Court nominees. But it's an issue that impacts every sector of our country, from the economy to national security.

We'll be fighting on this issue all year long. And with your continued support, we can ensure that veterans come home to a nation that values their experience-and not to an unemployment check.

Served in Iraq or Afghanistan? Become an IAVA Member Veteran today. Or join the movement to support our nation's newest generation of veterans as a Civilian Supporter of IAVA.

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