Vets for Hire

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A recent Department of Labor report stated that the unemployment rate for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans is an astonishing 11.2%; roughly 170,000 members of the Armed Services are unemployed.

Hector Torres served in the Army National Guard for 16 years in Desert Storm and Afghanistan. Since being home for over a year and a half, Hector still has not found employment. Despite receiving numerous rejection letters, Hector is not deterred. Hector remains positive and actively continues his job search while depending on his wife’s minimal salary and occasional contribution from his teenage daughter.

Tyron Bettis was an Avionics Electronics Technician in the Army and started his job search immediately after returning home from Iraq in 2006. His plan was to market his military skills to the private, civilian sector. Tyron even moved his family to Silicon Valley thinking there would be better opportunities. However, he found himself competing against people willing to accept lower salaries and has been unable to find a job that can support his wife and two children.

Charlie Phillips helped design a mobile computer data system in the Marines that changed the course of many battles in Iraq. He hasn’t had a job since he’s returned home. Charlie was even told by an employer that his military experience was a waste of time that set him back 5 years. As time passes and savings run low, Charlie must figure out how to pay for gas to drive to job interviews.

“Vets for Hire,” the third episode in the IN THEIR BOOTS series, chronicles the struggles of three veterans who thought their military service would open up doors to opportunities in the civilian sector. Upon their return, they find themselves waging a new battle against unemployment. With the assistance of people like Justin Brown of VFW and Congressman Glenn Nye, returning veterans are given a glimmer of hope by people dedicated to their successful transition home.