On the Radio
Veterans Battle Unemployment
In Florida, the unemployment rate among veterans, especially among the National Guard and Reservists, hovers close to 20 percent. This week on Florida Matters, we look at the hurdles veterans face when looking for work as well as initiatives aimed at encouraging employers to hire veterans.
Resources for Veterans looking for work:
Joining Forces - - includes a national resource directory of employers looking to hire veterans, a military spouse board among other links.
Veteran Employment - a collaborative website between veterans and Monster.com.
G.I. Jobs - a guide to "post-military" success with tips on resumes, interviewing and dressing for success.
Florida National Guard Career Connections - information on job fairs, job banks and job searches of Florida government positions.
Florida One-Stop Career Centers - links and addresses to centers statewide.
Veterans Gold Card - employment opportunities for post 9/11 era veterans.
Resources for Employers looking to hire veterans:
Florida Employer Resources - tips on recruiting qualified candidates.
Program Schedule
Radio - Tuesday at 6:30 PM | Sunday at 7:30 AM on WUSF 89.7
Friday at 7:00 PM on WSMR 89.1
Radio Guests
Chad Elliott, former Army Captain and USF graduate student.
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For more information
Military.com Tools to help Veterans find jobs:
Military-to-Civilian Resume Writing
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Veterans Unemployment
I listened intently this morning to your interview with the veteran that is having a hard time finding a job. Like myself you probably angered a lot of veterans with your choice of interviewee. This is hardly one to be concerned about, she is a retired LTC; do you have any idea what LTC's make. It is a lot of money and her retirement check is most likely around $4,000 per month. If she wants to continue to work she could stay in the military. With benefits that would keep her at or near 6 figures. Then to add insult to injury we find that her husband is retired after 28 years. At the lowest possible rank for that many years of service his check is over $3000 per month and he is recently hired at the VA for probably no less than $30K per year. This is a 6 figure a year family. What about the veteran that has served his or her 4 to 6 year commtment, and recieves nothing, that is having a hard time finding work. That is the veteran that is in the 20 percent. These double and triple dippers should be ashamed to go on national radio and complain about the job market for veterans, unless they are trying to help the vet, that needs it the most.
Veterans Unemployment
Your point about the veterans who served fewer than 20 years is well made. If you know of any of those veterans who are interested in talking with a reporter, please have them contact me.
The veteran on our panel is among those who did a shorter commitment and left with no pension and there were others represented in the first story on the show.
My aim was to have the final story demonstrate that even with the advantages of education and rank finding a job is not easy and the veterans can face some unique barriers but also have some advantages.
However, your impression that the LTC was complaining is inaccurate. She was nothing but gracious to let the public inside her job search and forthright about her approach. In fact, she empathizes with others who don't have her advantages. If you came away with any other impression, then it was the fault of the reporter, me, for not being clearer in my story.
Thank you for taking time to comment.
Bobbie O'Brien