US soldiers' return to civilian life full of pitfalls

[leftchick]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20051113/ts_alt_afp/usiraqafghanistanjobsveterans_051113185459


The US Bureau of Labor Statistics says that for the first three quarters of 2005, nearly 15 percent of veterans aged 20-24 are jobless -- three times the national average.

According to the website VeteransToday, published by veterans for veterans, the high unemployment rate is "partly because most service members seriously injured in Iraq and Afghanistan are in the early stages of their military careers and possess limited transferable job skills or very little civilian work experience".

The government is also worried about the number of veterans without a permanent address.

"The tragedy of homelessness among veterans persists, even when the economy is robust and unemployment is low," the California Department of Veterans Affairs said.

"Homeless veterans require remedial education, job-search and counseling assistance, medical services and transitional housing in order to re-enter the labor market," the agency said in a statement.

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. anybody surprsied? I am not

[leetrisck]

2. "The Government is worried" - somehow I doubt

that very seriously. This is terrible and has always been this way. When will we ever learn? Prayers for all.

[VegasWolf]

3. "The economy is robust" ???? Deluded retard. nt

[Victimerican]

7. but the economy IS robust!

Why, I just bought a third yacht, and a new house in Greece. I say, chap, perhaps you're just not one of us upper crust society folk? Why don't you just get rich?

-eyeroll-

[SoCalDem]

4. Hellllooooo.. The REASON that a lot of these people

went INTO the Military/Guard/Reserves was because they had mediocre or NO jobs. They needed the benefits for their families because the "private sector" was not providing them...and why would anyone be surprised if things were the same (or worse) when they returned?

First of all, if a person had a $7-10 hr job when they left..with no benefits, and the employer "held it for them", they will be back where they were a few years ago..just a lot more psychologically/physically damaged, and having lost a couple of years and maybe a young family..

During their absence, things went on without them, kids grew, spouses grew (maybe apart)..You can NEVER just step back into your former life as if nothing had happened.

What if there are injuries? Well that's a whole other can of worms. What DOES a former construction worker DO when he returns with one arm and a seriously mangled leg or two? What if he had a family to support, a mortgage? How will a new employer handle his need for time off for rehab or the psychological problems that may arise from time to time?

The only soldiers who had a safety net were the returning WWII anbd Korean vets, and those were thanks to FDR. The repubes back then probably tried everything in their power to stop the GI Bill..
NBo doubt they were shamed into supporting it, but when democrats "shame" republicans into legislation, it usually ends up bettering society as a whole.

[bunkerbuster1]

5. Is there anything that we can do to help?

Is there any progressive organization working to provide networking opportunities and job training placement for returning Iraq vets?

[Meldread]

6. Sad and pathetic.

I'm at a loss for words.

[WindRavenX]

8. nothing says patriotism like treating your vets like shit

Kudos W, you truley are an inhumane ass goblin :grr:

[leftchick]

9. and to hear him spewing on Veteran's Day

about how well our returning veterans are treated was appalling.


:puke:

[Name removed]

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