As Alex Horton noted last week, the unemployment rate among Iraq- and Afghanistan-era Veterans has now fallen below the national average. With so much concern about the economy and jobs, this is welcome news.

It’s important to remember, however, that data from one month doesn’t make a trend and monthly employment numbers can be volatile. So to really get a sense of where we stand now, we’ve pulled the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to create a chart that compares trend lines of unemployment over the past two years. As you can see below, the unemployment rates have ranged quite a bit since February 2010. But one thing is certain: Both the national unemployment rate and the rate among Iraq- and Afghanistan-era Veterans is falling.

None of this is to say that we’re close to resolving the problem of veteran unemployment or underemployment. But this is a very important point to make: According to the BLS statistics, the trend of veteran unemployment over the last two years shows falling numbers. And that’s progress.

Of course, this is no time to slow down. Administration initiatives such as Joining Forces and the Veterans Job Corps will continue to play a key role as we move forward. And combined with help from those in the Veterans community, these public and private sector partnerships will help us to ultimately expand employment opportunities for Veterans. And that’s what we intend to do.

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4 Comments

  1. Sam Martin March 15, 2012 at 01:21

    Again what about us Vietnam veterans we don’t have jobs and we are still homeless

  2. jJACK R March 14, 2012 at 11:30

    The above post is accurate. We must remember the old saying “If you want to lie to the people, give them statistics”. Everything (including the stock market) is being manipulated and/or controlled by big government, which is moving toward the goal of a new world order (globalism). To attain this goal, they must destroy the American Republic and make this country subservient to the United Nations (world government).

    Last week I lost everything. The computer I am using is a temp loaner and with all the data/software/links I had previously most are gone. As a Vietnam Era veteran at 61 years old my income is zero. If not for $200.00 food stamps I would be starving. I have applied to over 2 thousand various positions and at my age and experience level I rarely even get to interview stage. Too young to retire (even reduced ssn) and due to age and deterioration due to limited financial means it is hard to cling to hope, but hope is all there is left.

    Jobs being moved overseas, over 125,000 new legal immigrants shipped in each and every month, flooding of illegals across our southern borders, and export imbalance due to cheap products from foreign slave/poor countries the US job market is shrinking.

    As for unemployed individuals they lose their homes/apartments (base of job search operation/contact), can’t afford gasoline, even have difficulty getting funds for toilet paper/etc.. At my age and considering the factors, it seems almost impossible that I will in this lifetime ever recover all that I worked hard for. Not suicidal but somethings wish my life was over, it would end the worry and hardship.

  3. Eric March 14, 2012 at 04:03

    This is just great. Figures are only for those Employed or receiving Unemployment. What about the service members who have become homeless, jobless, or having to reside with family? Don’t believe all the figures. They lie. What about the service members that fall OFF the Grid?
    Take me for example. I have had Four Surgeries in Three years, been fired twice due to service connected injuries, have a new surgery scheduled, have applied for SSDI and turned down twice, lost my home, applied for Bankruptcy, had my car repossessed, just approved for service-connected PTSD and no one will hire me. Where the heck is my Dream Act? Seems Illegals have more benefits than US Citizens who served their country!
    Oh yes, I am 100% service connected and UnEmployable, where are those figures?

    • Sam Martin March 15, 2012 at 01:27

      I’m still trying to get my up grade for Ptsd, I’m a Vietnam veterans i had hand to hand fights.over there and i still try to find a reason for today not to kill myself. Everyday it’s getting harder

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