Putting veterans to work

As the country's economy struggles through the weakest recovery since the Great Depression, with a national real unemployment rate of 14.9 percent, remember this: Over the next five years, more than 1 million veterans are expected to leave the U.S. military and re-join the American workforce.

Most of these men and women answered the call to serve their country after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, but entered service before the Great Recession. Many thousands of them have survived serious injuries.

The overall unemployment rate for veterans was 6.9 percent in July, a three-year low that's far better than the national rate of 8.3 percent (which doesn't take into account the millions of discouraged Americans who've stopped actively looking work). But the unemployment rate for post-9/11 veterans was 8.9 percent for July.

The struggles these veterans face have been well-documented. Difficulty transitioning into a normal life after enduring extreme daily stress on the battlefield. Discrimination based on disability. Problems with Veterans Affairs benefit claims. Mental health challenges and greater a likelihood of slipping into homelessness. Fortunately, there has been no shortage of awareness among both businesses and politicians.

Major corporations, from JP Morgan Chase to AT&T, have launched hiring campaigns for veterans. Employers are eligible for tax credits if they hire unemployed or disabled veterans. America's Heroes at Work provides businesses with resources to translate military skills into specific jobs.

Locally, the Review-Journal, in cooperation with Southern Nevada Workforce Connections, has sponsored job-seeker workshops to teach veterans application skills, how to seek federal employment and how to qualify for veterans' job preferences.

The nonprofit Wounded Warrior Project has a unique and important mission: helping severely injured veterans adjust to civilian life. So far, it has assisted more than 17,000 men and women through peer support, adaptive sports, counseling and job training.

This week's Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Business Power Luncheon will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project and focus on how hiring veterans can benefit companies. The luncheon's keynote speaker is retired Sgt. 1st Class Norbie Lara, who was wounded while on combat patrol in Iraq and was helped by the project. Register at LVChamber.com to attend Wednesday's 11:30 lunch at the Four Seasons.

A normal economic recovery would lift all Americans. The country needs better overall economic policy, from tax reform and tax certainty to reduced regulation. But this wave of veterans clearly needs an extra push.