New Veterans Face Record Unemployment; IAVA Responds

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, April 2, 2010

THE ISSUE IN 30 SECONDS:

•  In March 2010, the unemployment rate of Iraq and Afghanistan-era veterans was 14.7 percent.
   
• Unemployment rates for new veterans have risen significantly over the last two years; in 2009, the average unemployment rate for Iraq and Afghanistan-era veterans was 10.2 percent. Unemployment rates from 2007 and 2008 were 6.1 percent and 7.3 percent respectively.
   
• The unemployment rate of Reserve and National Guardsmen, who often leave behind civilian jobs when they deploy, has more than quadrupled since 2007, and now rival that of veterans recently discharged from the military - 10.6 percent vs. 13.8 percent.

WHY IT MATTERS:

•  Iraq and Afghanistan-era veterans are facing staggering rates of unemployment in one of the most severe economic recessions in decades. The experience of previous generations of veterans suggests that today's veterans may continue to struggle economically for years to come.
   
• In 2010, IAVA has made this issue a top priority.  We are calling on Congress to help veterans secure employment by leveraging federal contracting rules, supporting veteran-entrepreneurship and providing tax credits to employers who hire new veterans. In the coming months we will work with Senator Baucus to introduce a comprehensive jobs bill for new veterans. IAVA has also joined Microsoft Corp in support of the "Elevate America's Veterans" Initiative, which will provide veterans and their spouses with the technical training and resources needed to be successful in today's workforce.

TAKE A QUOTE FROM AN EXPERT:

Paul Rieckhoff, IAVA Founder and Executive Director: "Today the media reported a national unemployment rate of 9.7 percent, but there's been little mention of the soaring unemployment rate of one of our more vulnerable communities: new veterans. This month, unemployment rates for Iraq and Afghanistan-era veterans reached an astounding 14.7 percent. It's unforgivable that new veterans are bearing the brunt of the economic downturn. This is no way to welcome a new generation of heroes home. America can and must do better."

Tom Tarantino, IAVA Legislative Associate: "For active-duty servicemembers, the situation is even worse.  Last year, unemployment rates for folks leaving active-duty military neared 14 percent.  These veterans, like me, who have spent years in the military gaining unparalleled leadership experience, are facing civilian employers that often don't understand our skill set.  I spent 10 years in the Army, 12 months in Iraq, and when I left the military, I was surprised by a civilian world that rewarded service with unemployment checks and a frustrating job search. 

Related Links

• IAVA.org
• IAVA Issue Report: Careers After Combat: Employment and Education Challenges for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans (PDF)
• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• March 2010 statistics compared to March 2009
• Military.com Study on Disconnect between Employers and Transitioning Military Personnel

Social Bookmarking

• Share on Facebook
  
• Digg This Story
  
• Save To del.icio.us
  
• Tweet

Relevant Coverage

• HVAC Hearing on Economic Opportunity - Statement of IAVA Legislative Associate Tim Embree
• New Jersey Record, New battle at home for returning GIs
• Austin American-Statesmen, More troops returning from urban warfare to battle homelessness
• IAVA Joins Microsoft on Bold Jobs Initiative
• Sen. Max Baucus Meets with Top Vets to Push Job Creation Among Returning Servicemembers

Multimedia

IAVA Legislative Associate Tim Embree Testifies Before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, February 25, 2010 (click to view)

About IAVA

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (www.IAVA.org) is the country's first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and has more than 180,000 veteran members and civilian supporters nationwide. Its mission is to improve the lives of this country's newest generation of veterans and their families.

Watch IAVA's Promo Video and learn more here.