Military & Veterans InTransition News

While national unemployment continues to slowly decline, veteran unemployment is finally on-par with civilian unemployment, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The overall unemployment trend for veterans is declining, despite an increase from 2012 (6.3% vs. 6.9% in 2013).  Both veteran and civilian unemployment rates are below 7%.

Men who have served in the military have a lower rate of unemployment than civilians (6.7% and 7.0% respectively), while women veterans fall behind their civilian counterparts (8.0% to 6.5% respectively). Overall female veterans tend to have a higher unemployment rate than male veterans—the most recent statistics show that disparity is over 1% (Male 6.75% vs. Female 8.0% unemployment).

Alarmingly, there is a high unemployment rate among the youngest veterans, specifically those who served in the post-9/11 period. That rate hovers at approximately 10.0%, and includes 1/3 of all veterans.

As we take a day to honor America’s veterans, we must remember that they are still struggling to find work when they get home. To show our appreciation, we must do our part in helping them transition into the civilian workforce.