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 were 773,000 unemployed veterans in the United States in 2012.
(Bureau of Labor Statistics 2012 Employment Situation of Veterans Summary)

Post-9/11 veterans are more likely to be unemployed than the rest of the population: 9.9% in 2012 versus 7.9%
(Bureau of Labor Statistics 2012 Employment Situation of Veterans Summary)

Nearly 1-in-5 veterans aged 18-24 were unemployed in 2012.
(Bureau of Labor Statistics 2012 Employment Situation of Veterans Summary)

Why should I hire Sally Jones, who is a veteran, versus John Doe, who is not a veteran, but who has three years of experience in the applicable role or industry? The answer will not come from adherence to a corporate pledge — the hiring manager must be aware of the intrinsic value veterans can bring to an organization, and believe that hiring a veteran isn’t an act of charity, it’s a smart investment.
(Derek Bennett, Chief of Staff, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, 5/22/2013)

Don’t treat hiring Veterans as a charity case.  Treat it as a hiring a quality worker.  Treat it as an investment.
(Michael Bailey, Business Insider, 5/29/2012)

These American patriots, having answered the call of duty for the armed forces, bring unique strengths to the civilian workforce.
(Kevin Schmiegel, Executive Director, Hiring Our Heroes, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and John G. Finneran Jr, General Counsel, Capital One, 11/11/2012)

If You Own A Business, The Best Way To Thank A Veteran Is To Hire One.
(U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, 9/6/10)

Working Americans Will Help Our Nation’s Economic Recovery, And Veterans Are Especially Prepared To Participate In That Challenge.
(U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki, 9/6/10)