Spokane7
62°
April 10, 2010 in City
Veterans find job prospects scarce
Employers reluctant, they tell Sen. Murray
Ron Graham has invested his life serving his country as an Army sergeant in Iraq. Yet when he returned home, he couldn’t find an employer willing to invest in him.
His story strikes a familiar chord among veterans returning from the rigors of war amid a grinding recession. Jobs are scarce, businesses choosy, soldiers are too often viewed as damaged and their military training and experience dismissed as irrelevant, Graham told U.S. Sen. Patty Murray during a forum Friday afternoon in Spokane.
“Ma’am, our company took 85 percent casualties. We’re messed up … mentally and physically,” he said of the soldiers he helped lead through the violence of Iraq’s Anbar province.
It has made fitting into the civilian world more difficult, said Graham, 36, who is in a job skills training program at Spokane Community College. “Employees don’t want us,” he said. “They ask themselves, ‘Is it worth the risk of hiring this guy?’ ”
Too often, Graham said, the answer is “Thank you for your service. Now there’s the door.”
Murray has heard similar tales and said she is troubled by this sobering statistic: The unemployment rate among young veterans returning from war is 21 percent.
“It’s crazy. We have to help,” she said.
Murray plans to introduce a bill that she said will bolster training and reintegration of military personnel into the work force. And she wants to expand the GI Bill to include assistance for vocational training rather than just four-year universities.
Her bill may also include seed money for small-business loans to veterans through the Small Business Administration.
Natoine “Rock” Lively Sr. spent 21 years on a Navy submarine. He left as a chief petty officer but said finding a management job in the private sector is daunting. At 41 years old he is selling cars while continuing to search for a job.
Fitting into the civilian world after spending years in the military has been tough for generations, he said. “You almost feel like a foreigner in your own country.”
Robert Lee, an Army staff sergeant, is collecting unemployment and remains frustrated that his diesel mechanic training in the military is not considered adequate by many employers.
His job prospects are also hurt by his disclosures that he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Indeed, such conditions make employers wary, noted Graham.
“(Companies) worry you might just one day lose it,” he said.
Jerry Mertens, director of services at Haskins Steel Co. in Spokane, said he was ashamed to hear of employers shying away from hiring veterans.
“I move their applications to top of the pile,” he said. “We recognize their service translates into the work ethic we need.”
White House honoree boasts roots in Colville 
ChefGus/ John Olsen on April 10 at 6:25 a.m.
Some 30% of the homeless men and women that we serve at Shalom Ministry and at House of Charity are Veterans. For all of the milatarists in congress ( most of whom have not served), there is a very hollow ring. Representatiave Cathy McMorris Rodgers is a prime example of this duplicity. John
misjustice on April 10 at 8:06 a.m.
ChefGus, you are so correct, unfortunately.
Many politicans only love soldiers when their uniforms are shiny and new; and when there is a photo opportunity.
To McMorris Rodgers’ credit, she did get a 100% rating from the American Veterans and the Vietnam Veterans of America for her votes in the 109th Congress supporting Veterans’ issues…
lewis8457 on April 10 at 9:20 a.m.
sad to see the men and women that keep us safe can not even get a job when they get home. one good thing since he is ex military he can get a federal job. while most people without military background can not.
what will we do when we can not afford war anymore and our troops come home to no jobs?
Sad case of affairs, when he was fighting for someone else’s freedom his fellow country men were loosing theirs, in the form of jobs and living the american dream.
ChefGus/ John Olsen on April 10 at 8:44 p.m.
I must apologize.. i stand corrected as the recent votes on Veterans and Veterans issues have certainly been on “our side”… thanks for pointing that out… best j
Another_Perspective on April 10 at 8:48 p.m.
Murray is a liar when it comes to Veterans issues.
She is a fake along with her toadie clone McMorris.
Do none of you remember Osama Bin Murray’s comments right after 911?
misjustice on April 11 at 10:10 a.m.
ChefGus, no problem…I just wanted to be fair to Congress Woman McMorris Rodgers and give her credit, where credit is due!
And as for Senator Murray;and her efforts on behalf of Veterans…
“Date: 03/25/2010
Location: Washington, DC
Press Release
Murray Applauds Announcement of New Veterans Clinic to Serve Nearly 6,000 Veterans in Lewis County, Thurston County and Surrounding Area
Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, commended the announcement by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that they will locate a new Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Chehalis, Washington. Murray has worked for years to improve access for veterans in Lewis County, Thurston County and surrounding areas.”
http://www.votesmart.org/speech_detail.php?sc_id=538070
Click link to read full article…
Senator Murray has done a lot to help Veterans, not only in our region - but by extension - ALL Veterans…