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Statistics and Quotes

The following statistics and quotes provide an illustration of the dire situation confronting America when considering the issue of veterans’ unemployment:

There are 508,000 unemployed veterans between the ages of 18 and 64 in the U.S. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, 3/23/09)

“According to DOL, the present unemployment rate for recently discharged veterans is an alarming 20 percent, and one out of every four veterans who do find employment earn less than $25,000 per year.” (Joseph C. Sharpe, Jr. Director, National Economic Commission American Legion, Testimony Before The Committee On House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee On Economic Opportunity, 5/14/09)

“Eighteen percent of [recently separated service (RSS) members] are currently unemployed and of those employed since separation, 25.0% of RSS earn less than $21,840 a year.” (Abt Associates Inc. for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “Employment Histories Report,” 3/24/08)

“Veterans aged 20-24 had an unemployment rate of 12 percent, 50 percent higher than the national jobless rate for in that age group.” (Jay Pateakos, “Grant Money Headed To FR Vets,” The Herald News, 7/8/09)

“Returning veterans who do find jobs earn an average of $5,736 less a year than their non-veteran counterparts, according to The Veterans Administration.” (Jeremy Schwartz, “After Years In Battle, Veterans Now Must Fight For Civilian Jobs,” Austin American-Statesman, 7/11/09)

“A recent study by the U.S. Veterans Affairs Department found the percentage of veterans not in the labor force more than doubled to 23 percent between 2000 and 2005.” (Jay Pateakos, “Grant Money Headed To FR Vets,” The Herald News, 7/8/09)

The 2008 unemployment rate for veterans younger than 24 was 14.1%. “According to the Department of Labor, the unemployment rate for veterans younger than 24 was 14.1 percent in 2008, outpacing the general population’s rate of 11.6 percent for the same age group.” (Jeremy Schwartz, “After Years In Battle, Veterans Now Must Fight For Civilian Jobs,” Austin American-Statesman, 7/11/09)

“The disparity is even greater for veterans with college degrees: they earn $9,526 less a year.” (Jeremy Schwartz, “After Years In Battle, Veterans Now Must Fight For Civilian Jobs,” Austin American-Statesman, 7/11/09)

“The 2000 census reveals that RSS between 46 and 55 years old had the most significant difference in average earnings as compared to their MCG, with an $8,957 deficit.” (Abt Associates Inc. for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “Employment Histories Report,” , 3/24/08)


The Problem Statistics and Quotes	Statistics and Quotes The following statistics and quotes provide an illustration of the dire situation confronting America when considering the issue of veterans’ unemployment: There are 508,000 unemployed veterans between the ages of 18 and 64 in the U.S. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, 3/23/09) “According to DOL, the present unemployment rate for recently discharged veterans is an alarming 20 percent, and one out of every four veterans who do find employment earn less than $25,000 per year.” (Joseph C. Sharpe, Jr. Director, National Economic Commission American Legion, Testimony Before The Committee On House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee On Economic Opportunity, 5/14/09) “Eighteen percent of [recently separated service (RSS) members] are currently unemployed and of those employed since separation, 25.0% of RSS earn less than $21,840 a year.” (Abt Associates Inc. for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “Employment Histories Report,” 3/24/08) “Veterans aged 20-24 had an unemployment rate of 12 percent, 50 percent higher than the national jobless rate for in that age group.” (Jay Pateakos, “Grant Money Headed To FR Vets,” The Herald News, 7/8/09) “Returning veterans who do find jobs earn an average of $5,736 less a year than their non-veteran counterparts, according to The Veterans Administration.” (Jeremy Schwartz, “After Years In Battle, Veterans Now Must Fight For Civilian Jobs,” Austin American-Statesman, 7/11/09) “A recent study by the U.S. Veterans Affairs Department found the percentage of veterans not in the labor force more than doubled to 23 percent between 2000 and 2005.” (Jay Pateakos, “Grant Money Headed To FR Vets,” The Herald News, 7/8/09) The 2008 unemployment rate for veterans younger than 24 was 14.1%. “According to the Department of Labor, the unemployment rate for veterans younger than 24 was 14.1 percent in 2008, outpacing the general population’s rate of 11.6 percent for the same age group.” (Jeremy Schwartz, “After Years In Battle, Veterans Now Must Fight For Civilian Jobs,” Austin American-Statesman, 7/11/09) “The disparity is even greater for veterans with college degrees: they earn $9,526 less a year.” (Jeremy Schwartz, “After Years In Battle, Veterans Now Must Fight For Civilian Jobs,” Austin American-Statesman, 7/11/09) “The 2000 census reveals that RSS between 46 and 55 years old had the most significant difference in average earnings as compared to their MCG, with an $8,957 deficit.” (Abt Associates Inc. for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “Employment Histories Report,” , 3/24/08)