Returning Iraq War Veterans Face New Battle: Finding a Job

Veteran unemployment higher than the national average
With the end of the Iraq War comes a moment of great uncertainty. Families are reunited and made whole but some of the returning troops may not be whole themselves. There is much to be grateful for as President Obama made good on his campaign promise to end the misguided mission in Iraq initiated based on the many lies of the Bush administration. Now, eleven years, thousands of lives, billions of dollars and a recession later we expect returning veterans to find work.

Unemployment among veterans is among the highest of any group. Young veterans between the ages 18-24 returning from Iraq and Afghanistan have an unemployment rate just over 15%. Congress recently passed legislation to assist returning veterans looking for work but with so many people in the general population also unemployed, jobs are scarce.