IAVA - Combat to Career: The Fight to End Veteran Unemployment | Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America

No veteran should come home from Iraq or Afghanistan to an unemployment check.

IAVA AT STORM THE HILL 2012

Storm the Hill is IAVA’s premiere advocacy and leadership development program. We bring dozens of diverse Iraq and Afghanistan veterans from across the country to Washington to meet with lawmakers, tell their stories and urge them to pass targeted legislation. In prior years, we’ve focused on passing the New GI Bill, securing Advanced Funding for VA healthcare and improving the disability reform process. This year, like in 2011, we’re focusing on fighting veteran unemployment.   

America’s best veteran career-training program, the New GI Bill, is at risk. And we’re fighting to protect it from predatory for-profit schools so our vets get the career-ready education they’ve earned. At Storm the Hill 2012, we’re calling for Congress to protect the New GI Bill that makes career-ready education possible for thousands of new vets across the country.

  Storm the Hill is also a training resource designed to empower Member Veterans to become leaders, organizers and spokespeople for the New Greatest Generation.

IAVA SHEPHERDS VOW TO HIRE HEROES ACT INTO LAW

We did it! After ten months of advocacy and thousands of hours logged, IAVA has shepherded the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 into law - the first jobs bill to pass out of Congress this year. Today, IAVA Member Veterans Maria Canales, Eric Smith, Brian Sullivan and IAVA Founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff joined President Obama on stage at the White House as he signed The VOW to Hire Heroes Act into law. Hear the stories of the IAVA Members who showed Washington why this generation of veterans is a smart investment in America’s future. Then find out more about the benefits of VOW and how IAVA helped to pass this historic legislation. Read our statement applauding passage.

TIREAK TULLOCH, USMC

Tireak served in the Marine Corps with Alpha Company, 6th Communication Battalion as a tactical data network specialist from 2000 to 2008. In 2003, his entire battalion activated in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Tireak works as a Network Engineer for the MTA Long Island Rail Road, and is currently pursuing a degree in Computer Programming and Information Systems at Farmingdale State College.

MARIA CANALES, US ARMY

Maria deployed to Balad, Camp Anaconda in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from October 2005 to 2006. Upon her return home, Maria earned a degree in Business Management and is currently pursuing her MBA. She is working to raise awareness about the challenges she and other veterans face finding full-time employment during the economic crisis.

JOHN KAMIN, US ARMY

John served two tours in Iraq with the U.S. Army. During his first tour in 2007, he deployed to Ramadi, where he was part of a police transition team. After being called off the IRR in 2010, John served a second tour attached to the 256th infantry brigade of the Louisiana National Guard. Recently home, he is finishing a cross-disciplinary major at American University. He hopes to pursue a career in law or political journalism.

WHAT VOW DOES TO HELP VETS:

	Provides tax credits up to $9,600 for each veteran a business hires.
	Mandates the Transition Assistance Program and strengthens it with resume and career counseling.
	Translates their military certifications into similar jobs in the civilian workforce (e.g. combat medic to paramedic)
	For more details on the Vow to Hire Heroes Act, click here.

ATTEND A JOB FAIR

Are you a veteran looking for an edge in the job search? Do you need help to take that first step in networking with local companies? Click here to submit your resume and sign up for one of our future job fairs. IAVA is holding job fairs in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas and New York in the next year.
All employers through their sponsorship have shown their commitment to hire new veterans. These employers all have open positions and are looking to hire immediately. Learn more about the success of IAVA's first Smart Job Fair in San Francisco.

DONATE A RESUME WORKSHOP FOR A VETERAN:

Help IAVA provide valuable career resources to our newest generation of veterans by giving just $25 to sponsor a resume workshop for one veteran. At our upcoming Smart Job Fairs, these workshops will help veterans translate their military skills so they can pursue new opportunities to lead with confidence in the civilian workforce.