This Week: National Attention Focuses on Veteran Employment Efforts

There has been some much-needed attention to the issue of veteran unemployment this week from MSNBC News, the Call of Duty Endowment, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and government entities.

On Tuesday, Advisory Council member Lisa Rosser was featured in an MSNBC article and video interview titled “Veterans find work at ‘Hiring our Heroes’ job fairs.” In addition to consulting a Call of Duty Endowment representative, the article highlights the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Hiring our Heroes job fairs, which the Endowment announced a partnership with last Fall.

In advocating for the hiring of a veteran as a good business investment, Rosser explains that “the military person has the skill sets you need…Eighty-one percent of the jobs fit what you have in your organization, and the other skills that we bring are managerial and operational and training and leadership experience. What employer doesn’t need those types of skills in their workplace?”

In addition to these efforts, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis joined members of the Senate Veterans Jobs Caucus this week for an event to kick off their ‘I Hire Veterans,’ which is an “initiative to encourage members of the Senate and the public to show their commitment to hiring veterans by displaying a simple logo in their offices and businesses.”

It is encouraging to see some many different sectors working together to accomplish a goal which we all believe to be of the utmost importance- our veterans are smart and valuable employees who deserve support and opportunities for success in a civilian workplace.

NBC News Shows Support for Veteran Employment

NBC News has recently taken a larger role in bringing national and local media attention to the issue of high veteran unemployment rates with its Hiring our Heroes news segment. Adding to these efforts, they have partnered with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to host a few Hiring our Heroes career fairs.

Both national NBC and MSNBC reporters such as Ann Curry , Tom Brokaw, and Chuck Todd have spent time uncovering this issue in recent video spotlights and interviews. To give a local perspective, MSNBC even invited Representatives Scott Rigell and Bobby Scott, and Senator Jim Webb to discuss some known obstacles and possible solutions to veterans’ unemployment in Virginia.

In honor of the U.S. Chamber’s one year anniversary of the Hiring our Heroes career fair program, job fairs from Fort hood to Chicago will be co-hosted Wednesday, March 28^th by NBC News. NBC’s Today Show will even be broadcasting a fair live at New York’s USS Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum.

For more information, visit the Chamber’s website: http://www.uschamber.com/hiringourheroes

For those veterans and military spouses that cannot attend the fairs in Chicago, Fort Hood, or New York, NBC’s Today Show and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce will also be partnering with Monster/Military.com to host a virtual career fair. For more information and/or to register, visit their website: http://www.veteransvirtualcareerfair.com/

General Jones Joins the Call of Duty Endowment as a Co-Chair

The Call of Duty Endowment is proud to announce a new co-chair, General James L. Jones. As a former military member, United States National Security Advisor to President Obama, and having worked in the veteran affairs field for more than 40 years, General Jones will be able to provide the Endowment critical insight from his experiences and knowledge, which will help advance our veteran unemployment efforts.

Bobby Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard and founder of the Endowment, expressed his excitement for this opportunity when he explained that “two years ago I started the Endowment with a vision to help the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to guarantee our freedom and security find meaningful employment once their service concludes. While we have made significant strides in a short time, our job is far from done and we are thrilled to have such a knowledgeable and respected military leader as General Jones join us in this effort.”

General Jones will join our dedicated team of Advisory Council members, representing each branch of the military, and together we will work harder for those that truly deserve America’s support – our veterans.

To read more from General Jones and the Endowment, check out this Washington Post article:  “Unemployment rose for post-9/11 vets in 2011, BLS reports“

Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick Urges US companies to Hire Veterans on the Huffington Post

On March 21^st, Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick challenged US businesses, what he calls “America Inc.,” to tackle the issue of unemployment among veterans in a piece on The Huffington Post.

As Mr. Kotick points out, Veterans, and especially Gulf-War II vets, face enormous challenges finding civilian employment.   The Employment Situation of Veterans’ annual report, released this week by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, pegs the unemployment rate for post-9/11 veterans at 12.1% in 2011.  Young male veterans, ages 18-24, are tremendously hard-hit with and unemployment rate of 29.1%.

Veterans have the skills that America, Inc. needs – “discipline, motivation, leadership and the ability to work on a team,” according to Kotick.  And though challenges persist, the pool of returning veterans represents an enormous opportunity for business to tap this extraordinary human resource.

Click here to read the post in its entirety and more about what we can do to “replace the yellow ribbons with help wanted signs.”

America Wants You: A New Initiative Helping Veterans Find Work

John Pike is the CEO of America Wants You (AWY), a private sector initiative that is teaming up with corporate America to find job opportunities for military veterans.

Veterans can search through job listings for free on the AWY’s CareerBuilder job search.

In a Huffington Post editorial, Pike explains that “Dedication, discipline, responsibility, service above self – veterans have all these qualities and then some. Tax incentives for hiring veterans exist for corporations and this is a community responsibility. The men and women who served our country deserve this at the very least.”

Video messengers and advocates for the initiative include celebrities such as Chris O’Donnell, Joe Mantegna, and Thomas Gibson.

To learn more about the initiative, visit their website: http://americawantsyou.net

Activision Team Completes 2012 Tough Mudder

Being tough is becoming an annual tradition at Activision Blizzard.  For the second year in a row, a team of die-hard athletes and mad men (and women) participated in the Southern California Tough Mudder in Temecula, CA.

A 12 mile off-road race, the course featured obstacles with appropriately fearsome names like Walk the Plank, Berlin Wall, Artic Enema, Swamp Stomp, Funky Monkey, and Everest and is billed as “probably the toughest event on the planet.” It takes guts to complete this race.

Maybe that’s why we saw so many vets and active-duty personnel on the course.  And maybe that’s why Tough Mudder is a proud sponsor of the Wounded Warrior Project.  To date, Tough Mudders have raised more than $2.8 million to support the Wounded Warriors and provide combat stress recovery programs, adaptive sports programs, benefits counseling, and employment services that help our heroes hurt on the battlefield transition back to civilian life.

As this blogger knows first-hand, it takes a lot to complete a Tough Mudder.  Overcoming an injury to do so is truly heroic, and just to “remind everyone else what the definition of the word ‘bad-ass’ really means,” Tough Mudder sponsors a team of wounded warriors at every event.

Click here for the team’s video and here for the official event video (we prefer ours).

The Call of Duty Endowment would like to congratulate the Activision Blizzard team for their participation in and successful completion of the Southern California Tough Mudder.

Disney Announces Veteran Employment Initiative

Walt Disney Co. is yet another company taking the initiative to help our returning military members find employment.  Along with a commitment to provide at least 1,000 jobs and career opportunities to veterans over the next 3 years, Disney will also invest in nonprofits that offer training and transition support services to veterans and their spouses.

As part of a larger public awareness effort, Disney’s campaign, called ‘Heroes Work Here,’ will encourage other companies to follow their lead and embrace the military community’s knowledge, skills and talent.

President and CEO Bob Iger explains that “As a new generation of America’s military men and women transition into civilian life, we are increasing our commitment and support for these modern day heroes. It’s a measure of our respect for how much they have sacrificed on our behalf, and our sincere gratitude for their extraordinary contributions to this country.”

The Endowment and its founder Activision Blizzard is proud to see more and more companies taking up initiatives to support America’s heroes.

As Employers Realize the Value of a Veteran, Unemployment Rates Decrease

The Navy Times reported last Friday on the Bureau of Labor and Statistics’ February employment report, which stated that Iraq and Afghanistan veteran unemployment rates had decreased dramatically from 9.1% in January to 7.6%.

Amongst other factors, the Navy Times credited programs aimed at helping these veterans find jobs. Although this is likely true, a large portion of the credit must also go to veterans themselves, as many employers are beginning to realize the value that veterans truly possess.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette emphasizes this point when they explain that “veterans are attractive job candidates. Employers know they’re dealing with disciplined individuals who have proven their work ethic and commitment through their service. They’ve gone through extensive technical training and have sharpened their skills in duty.”

The drop in February’s veteran unemployment rates points towards a successful collaboration from nonprofits, veterans, employers, and government initiatives. In working with others to interpret and highlight veterans’ knowledge and skill sets, the Call of Duty Endowment is proud to be part of such a momentous and meaningful change.

10,000 Jobs for Veterans and Military Spouses Challenge

Milicruit recently announced the launch of a new initiative – the 10,000 Jobs for Veterans and Military Spouses Challenge. With partnering organizations such as Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) and DirectEmployers Association, Milicruit is able host many more of its virtual career fairs for veterans and veteran spouses.

As an interesting addition to the career fairs, “Milicruit will track the number of veterans and military spouses who are hired by the collective group of employers each month and will keep a running tally on www.10000jobs.com.”

The Call of Duty Endowment commends Milicruit for reminding the community that many deserving and capable veterans are still looking for gainful employment and every bit of help makes a difference and counts.

NJ Legislature Fights for Veterans but Businesses Must Be Willing to Help Too

With at least 120 pending bills in the legislature to help veterans, New Jersey is proving to be an exemplary state for supporting and honoring our military members.

The Press of Atlantic City reports that these bills span from not requiring veterans to pay parking meters to providing businesses who hire veterans, tax credits.

Although state legislators are making a valiant effort to improve the transition from military to civilian life, they cannot achieve the change necessary to make a real difference without the support of local businesses. Recognizing this necessity, one veteran explains that “You can pass all the bills you want to encourage companies to hire veterans. Where are the companies? Nobody is hiring.”

Both private and public entities must be willing and dedicated to offer their support. Our veterans fought for our country, and in return, we must all work together to fight for opportunities and encouragement once they return home.