RE: http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,166187,00.html

Ok, Tell me something I didn't know.

Old news, but true.. How do you get a doctorates degree stating something that's known to almost everybody?

Hey I'm glad there's a Doctor willing to open his nouth about this topic because it is very serious. But what's anyone doing about it? My EAS was this past July, I was collecting unemployment and working on a farm for $10 an hour just to keep paying my Jeep payments and insurance. That's about all anyone thinks a grunt is good for coming out of the service, is manual labor.

Good points by the good doctor, but I get the sense that it's just talk?

What about the disabled veteran? What are his/her job opportunity?

I can imagine most who go into the military enter with circumstances similar to mine; right out of high school. Most people, including me, are qualified to do very little after HS graduation. 4 years later, after learning a skill which has very limited application (cryptolinguistics), how have I improved my attractiveness to potential employer? Maybe I am adjusted to the workplace better than most HS grads, that's about it. I've essentially spent 4 years learning an (almost) unmarketable skill. Why SHOULD an employer hire me? Like it or not, most great paying jobs require a college degree (which I eventually earned, in engineering). And like it or not, most employers need their employees to be productive almost immediately, which means that employers hire people with skills they (the employers) need.

don't limit yourself "just because" you were a grunt. grunts have additional duties and additional MOSs. during my thirteen years i was also involved with crypto, logistics, air movement, licensed to operate material handling equipment/44 pax bus/5 ton truck, radio operator. turned the crypto/radio experience into working for the phone company. turned the bus and 5 ton truck into a commercial driver's license. used the logistics and transportation experience into my federal job as GS-1104-09 (Property Disposal Specialist). yes, it took awhile because most openings are for "status candidates" (already on payroll). you can only apply for those jobs that say either US Citizens or open to Public. keep at it. www.usajobs.gov

Before you get out take as many DANTES and CLEP tests as you can. Enroll in a college where you can get up to 2 years credit for your military experience. There are far more colleges accepting and doing non-traditional courses then when I got out in '78.

Many employers would be happy if you only had one or two years versus a degree. The two years shows initiative yet you are still trainable to their specifics versus being so locked into your book learning that you have trouble going from the theory to practical application.

If you are Air Force definitely do the CCAF and get all you can. I wish I had finished mine. I was only 15 hours shy of an AA when I got out to get a BA but the AA would have helped me find work during college. Some of it did transfer and lightened my workload making having a job as well not as tough as it could have been. If you are already out you can still do the CLEP.

As an IT lad, I know plenty of people with degrees and certifications that can't do the practical work. Some employers know that and might be more interested in hearing about experience and teachability versus pieces of paper. I know if I were an employer any lad showing up with papers might get a temp job until I could see what he could do.

Another propblem is the perception of vets. I had one guy hire me only because he knew me from church. He said that he hesitated hiring vets because military people tend to be too rigid and he wanted folks that can be flxible. A bad misconception, but it would appear that not everyone "believes that your best bet is to hire a vet." One other fellow wished that I had more "civilian" experience."

You must also realize the political aspect of this age. If you are interviewing with a lad that has certain political leanings he may not hire you even if qualified because he is against the war or all war or whatever.

Clep and Dantes

My husband retired approx. 3 years ago and wow it doesn't seem like it. The time has flown. He is on his 3rd job. 1st one was a good job but he was never home and it was very dangerous work. He left that job because I was afraid it was going to kill him and walked into another one which turned out to be a huge disappointment. He was in his probationary period and got food poisoning from a bag of spinach, he ended up in the emergency room on Sunday and because he didn't call 24 hours ahead to get permission to be sick on Monday he was fired. He was out of work for 6 months and after going through a rigorous interviewing period for a new job (300+ interviewees - 1 job) he got hired on with a company that was tailor made for him. He absolutely loves it and they love his military experience. It was really rough for the 1st year and a half but now he is doing a lot better. The 2nd job was an electronics nightmare, they wanted him to fix electronics in like a sweatshop for electricians. People were leaving everyday. It was the first time in his life he had EVER been fired from a job and all because he call sick for the first time in 10 years. I have never heard of a company requiring someone to give 24hours notice if you are going to be sick. We know how hard it is but you have to keep looking, there are employers who appreciate the fact that you come to work on time and show up everyday to get the job done. This company loves his electronics background as well as his good customer service.

Junkie
The good doctor is wasting paper space, we as vets already know that, we were use, now we're being abuse, tahnks

I very well agree with what the doctor is saying. I'm a veteran also and it is very hard for me to find employment....if there is help for us veterans trying to find employment help!

An unemployed veteran

Recommend checking into DOL's HireVetsFirst Program. http://www.hirevetsfirst.gov/
1-877-US2-JOBS

Good luck

Why are so many vets unemployed?

The answer too easy and too simple for someone with a doctorates degree to see.

My job used to matter. If I F'ed-up, someone died. Nowadays, if I screw-up something at work, the boss acts like it's the end of the world. I could give a crap if he doesn't get a bonus this quarter and has to wait another 3 months to buy the $50k s.u.v. that he's had his eye on. Civillian employers and supervisors act as if it's a matter of life and death if something minor goes wrong on a job. They have never really experienced life, they have never been in a position to understand what really matters. They think a civillian job (other than police/fire/ems/surgeon/etc...) is the be-all and end-all.

I know better. So does anyone who's ever carried a loaded weapon and dealt with rules of engagement.

Some folks think that I have a problem with authority. I have no problem with any authority within the military chain of command or local/state/federal police agencies. I do, however, have a real issue with middle-managers acting as if a sales or production quota matters a d@mn.

I just can't seem to make myself care about this trivial civillian stuff. Not when I've actually had to make true life and death decisions. Decisions that either left someone alive or dead. I can't be the only vet who feels this way. I'd be willing to bet many unemployed/underemployed vets are going through the same psychological quagmire.

That's why I'm re-enlisting. I guess the USMC indoctrinated me too well for me to function as a civillian.