October Veteran Unemployment Statistics

Last week the VA released the latest veteran unemployment statistics.

"As with the first Friday of every month, the BLS employment statistics were released today.  Attached is our ‘cheat sheet’ for your use and information.  The national unemployment rate went down from 5.9% to 5.8% while the Veteran unemployment numbers went from 4.7% to 4.5%. Thanks to all of you who are working directly or indirectly, to ensure our Veterans have meaningful employment."

Each month I go directly to the Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics website and pull the raw numbers, which I then put into an Excel spreadsheet.  To me the picture isn't quite as positive as the above quote from the VA which shows veteran unemployment significantly lower than the national rate.

Here's the problem.  Veterans from Gulf War Era I (meaning Desert Storm) have a 2.8% unemployment rate, down from 3.2% last month.  Veterans from Gulf War Era II (post 9/11) have a 7.2% unemployment rate, up from 6.2% last month but down from 10% a year ago.  

The Gulf War Era I veteran rate drives the entire veteran unemployment rate down significantly - and overshadows the high unemployment rate of those carrying the greatest burden now - the post 9/11 veteran.

How's this for a VA unemployment status report:  The unemployment rate for non-veterans dropped to 5.4% this month, and the overall veteran rate dropped to 4.5%.  However the post 9/11 veteran unemployment rate is rising again, now to 7.2%.

And oh by the way, the unemployment rate for post 9/11 female veterans is over 11%.

The graphs below help show the true picture.  

In the month of October:

• the unemployment rate for all veterans is 20% lower than a civilian
• the unemployment rate for a Desert Storm vet is 93% lower than a civilian
• the unemployment rate for a post 9/11 vet is 25% higher than a civilian

New Job!

After many months of waiting and attempting to be patient I landed a job within the Federal Government. It took a ton of patience and many resume updating iterations but I finally landed a job. I interviewed back in June with the Social Security Administration for a GS position within Customer Relations. Since the VA had it as a direct hire position the Social Security Administration was able to create a position for me. Thankfully, it worked. Although I had to wait a few months for everything to come back and check out okay, it was worth it. I started on September 8th and am glad it has worked out.

During my first week I have had the chance to get to talk to many of my co-workers. All of whom have family or friends that have served. It has been a blessing to break the ranks of the Federal Government since my ultimate goal was to do just that. So what I'm saying is this, if you set goals and work towards them diligently you will succeed. My path since leaving the military has not been easy. The VA has had some success in helping me but it has not been smooth. During my time working with the Vocational Rehabilitation program, I have been discouraged by many people and have had many "moments." The program ultimately lived up to what it is designed to do but I had to call my Congressperson a few times to make sure they were not losing track of the mission. I found that I had to advocate for myself in order for them to do their jobs. It worked and hopefully they can utilize the lessons learned from my case and make adjustments for the many other veterans out there seeking employment.

If you want to be successful you have to follow through with what your goals are. You have to create goals in order to meet them. I have had the opportunity to make my goals become a reality and am thankful for it. My knowledge of becoming employed is something I possess to pass on to other veterans. If you need some help, let me know. Although the VA has its many flaws, find the correct people that will do their job and confide in them. Share your goals, and if the person is not on board, fire them. Or call your Congressperson. They seem to pick up the pace after they get a call from the main boss. I will be visible a lot less on social media due to this job but I will continue the mission to help my Warfighter Family. If you need anything or know of anyone that needs some life orientation, contact me. GallantFew has given me the tools I need to succeed. I suggest anyone that has a need for success to reach out. This is not a good bye but a see ya later.

RLTW!

JD

We're very proud of Jay and his accomplishments, and of his work to help Veterans.  He's an example of success through hard work.  Work as hard post-service as you did to become successful in the military and you'll do well.  RLTW  km