The transition between active duty military life and the civilian world can be a tough one. I spent 24 years serving our country, first active duty in the military, then in the reserves. I find most employers do not understand or appreciate the investment this nation makes in the skill set of active duty military people.
The transition can be rough as so few people understand the skills that our military members possess. Though active duty military members may have ‘driven a tank or driven a ship’ or were, as is every Marine “a rifleman”, many potential employers do not understand the ‘type’ of individual that the military produces.
Every military member understands the importance of getting the job accomplished. They understand the concept of arriving on time, prepared to do a job and they understand how to work as a team. The military gives responsibility early in your career, meaning that after just a few short years the individual has already been a teacher, a leader and is accountable.
I applaud Congress for passing and President Obama for signing a portion of the President’s American Job Act. The Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 provides up to $5,600 for firms that hire unemployed veterans and a Wounded Warrior Tax Credit up to $9,600 for firms that hire veterans with service-connected disabilities.
The need is great: Over 1 million veterans are unemployed. The jobless rate for post 9/11 veterans is 13.3 percent.
What I proposed here in the 3rd Congressional District is a ‘jobs bank’. I envision this ‘jobs bank’ to be a listing of unemployed veterans in each of the eight counties in the 3rd Congressional District, maintained by our Congressman. The ‘jobs bank’ would list name, age, address, military work experience (translated into “civilian-ese”), civilian work experience, type job requested, willingness to relocate, etc. Employers could list job openings in the ‘jobs bank’ or use the Veteran’s information as a ready guide to hire those individuals listed.
I call upon Congresswoman Herrera Beutler to establish a ‘jobs bank’ and publicize the creation of a ‘jobs bank’. If she fails to serve our military, I will take action should I be elected.
This nation is rightfully very proud of our military. But while most of the nation has been going about their every day lives, a brave group of fellow citizens have been providing our protection. Let us now honor them by matching jobs to returning warriors. We will only remain the ‘Land of the Free’, so long as we are the ‘Home of the Brave’.
