Our veterans need more opportunities
Our veterans need more than just a parade. President Obama’s announcement that our troops will be pulled from Iraq and will be home for the holidays gives cause for those families to celebrate, but it also opens up the question, where will these new civilians find a job? The unemployment rate for post 9/11 veterans was 12.1 percent in October (nationally) and even higher for young female veterans. And with our current sluggish economy, these numbers don’t look like they will be changing any time soon.
President Obama is pushing for tax credits for firms that hire veterans, as well as a program to provide extra help for those veterans seeking employment. Locally, Microsoft has launched the Elevate America veterans initiative to help veterans and their spouses acquire skills and resources to be successful in the workplace. Microsoft is pulling together a group of public, private and non-profit organizations to contribute expertise, cash and in-kind resources to build new skill sets. San Diego will receive 1,000 vouchers per year for two years for no-cost training and certifications that could lead to work in high-tech areas. The County of San Diego also offers a non-paid internship program designed to afford veterans with on-the-job training and work experience to help them effectively compete for jobs within county government.
The Veterans Green Corp program helps veterans gain work experience to help in the transition to civilian employment and is the partnership between the Forest Service and the California Conservation Corps (CCC). Crew members range in age from 19 to 26 and represent every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. Training includes wildland firefighting and timber cutting skills. They are currently clearing and piling brush on lands adjacent to the Cleveland National Forest and the San Diego Country Estates. “The Veterans Green Corps program is a win-win for everyone” said Will Metz, Forest Supervisor of the Cleveland National Forest, and we agree. Providing job opportunities for our veterans needs to be a top priority, and we hope more programs will be implemented.
Jeff Mitchell
Publisher