Unemployed Veterans

Someone passed a website on to me, Call of Duty Endowment (CODE), and I really found it interesting. I do love to make lists of facts so here are the two sites that inspired me to dig up facts. http://www.callofdutyendowment.org/newsroom/blog-post/ and http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jJDkVq0_ZSbDE06klAajk9.... They were so interesting. So here are my facts I compiled:

*Specifically, 12.6 percent of recent vets are unemployed, compared to 10.4 percent figure of non-vets. In comparison, the national average of unemployed persons was at 9.7 percent [although this number is slightly lower due to seasonal adjustments].

*The unemployment rate last year for young Iraq and Afghanistan veterans hit 21.1 percent.

*The number was well above the 16.6 percent jobless rate for non-veterans of the same ages, 18 to 24.

*As of last year, 1.9 million veterans had deployed for the wars since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks'/

*Some have struggled with mental health problems, addictions, and homelessness as they return home

*For veterans of all ages from the recent wars, the unemployment rate in 2009 was 10.2 percent

*Some joined the military right out of high school.

*Service members in pay grades E-1 through E-3 are usually either in some kind of training status or on their initial assignment. The training includes the basic training phase where recruits are immersed in military culture and values and are taught the core skills required by their service component.

*Federal Minimum Wage- $7.25 2010- That is $15,080.00 a year

*Pay for E2 Service member with 2 or less years - $7.44/hour That is $15,480.00 a year
*Pay for E3 Service member with 2 or less years - $7.83/hour That is $16,282.80 a year
*Pay for E4 Service member with 2 or less years - $8.67/hour That is $18,032.40 a year
(Please remember while these numbers do not seem that different, while in service you receive MANY benefits. Some benefits are: Retirement, Thrift Savings Plan (Uniformed Services Plan), TRICARE (Dental, Special Dependent Needs, Continued Health Care Benefit Program, Long Term Care – Group Insurance Program), Military Family Housing, Housing Privatization, Unaccompanied Housing Quarters, Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), and Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA), Annual leave, Convalescent Leave, Educational Leave of Absence, Graduation Leave, Public Holidays, Sick-in Quarters, and Discount Shopping.)

Here are two more sites I got info from, I really love the C.O.D.E. site!!! They raise awareness, raise money, keep current news, blogs, and help employers find veteran employees. I feel that they have offered a step towards the solution.

http://www.dol.gov/
http://militarypay.defense.gov/benefits/militaryben.pdf