By As I have said before, I think one of the biggest problems with unemployed veterans is that they go back to their hometowns instead of moving to areas where GI’s can more easily find work:
Many recent military veterans are struggling to find jobs in a tough economy, but some parts of the country may be better job-hunting grounds for former soldiers seeking civilian careers, according to a new study.
Oklahoma City is the best place for military retirees to find work, according to a ranking of 379 metro areas by Military.com and USAA, a financial service provider to military personnel.
Norfolk, Va., is ranked second, followed by Richmond, Va.; Austin and San Antonio; Madison, Wis.; Philadelphia; Raleigh, N.C.; Omaha; and Manchester, N.H.
The study is based on criteria such as the prevalence of jobs that draw on military skills, veteran-owned businesses and federal government jobs, the extent to which military pensions are taxed by state governments and the area’s unemployment rate. The firm that did the study, Sperling’s Best Places, did not quantify job openings specifically for veterans or veterans hired in those areas.
Many highly ranked cities boast a relative abundance of military bases, defense contractors and engineering firms. [Stars & Stripes]
She hasn’t seen...
8:40 pm on November 14th, 2011 1
Taranto’s “Best of the Web Today” on the Wall Street Journal site hit on another interesting problem. Most vets have virtually no experience searching for employment in the sophisticated and nuanced way expected for most all civilian opportunities. Here is the link and you can find the discussion at about the half-way point:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204323904577038022746715982.html?mod=WSJ_Opinion_MIDDLETopOpinion
2:07 am on November 15th, 2011 2
Once someone has tasted the sweet, but quickly drying up, milk from Uncle Sam’s teet through military or government service (contractors too!!) it’s hard to work a regular job again no matter where you live.
Full disclosure, I’m currently on the teet.
7:32 am on November 15th, 2011 3
I would think former military would gladly move if it meant getting a job – because moving around is part of life in the military.
A large, nationally well-known employer in my hometown moved out ten years ago. Everyone was guaranteed employment if they were willing to relocate or commute. I was astounded at the number of people – some who had been with the company as much as 15 to 20 years – who wouldn’t commute even 30 miles (the nearest location). They gave up future pensions, full medical coverage, etc.
9:56 am on November 15th, 2011 4
#3: Interesting observation. I’ve seen it myself and just don’t understand it.