Veterans returning from active duty fight battle of different kind: finding work

February 23, 2011|by Cliff Erwin and Lisa Rose, KY3 News | cerwin@ky3.com

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Some military veterans returning from active duty to civilian life say they face the seemingly impossible task of finding work. Recent reports show more than a million American servicemen and women who need a paycheck haven't been able to find jobs.

For local veteran, Dustin Jackson it's been a frustrating time, transitioning from a respected career in the Army to months of unemployment here at home.

"I flew unmanned aerial reconnaissance planes," said Jackson.

At 26 years old, Jackson's seen a lot. Being on the job in the Army for five years taught him a lot. His work experience that landed him in Iraq for two tours highlights a resume that you would think would easily land him a good job back home.

"In the Army, you're used to somebody telling you what to do 24/7, how to do everything and where you're going to be at what time. Coming back, you've got a lot more freedom and it's just tough," Jackson said.

Before enlisting, Jackson's job was "catching chickens. It's pretty rough, it's definitely a dirty job."

After five years of highly technical work, Jackson, like so many veterans, thinks he has a lot to offer an employer.

"Good work ethic -- we're basically hard workers and driven," he said.

Jackson has been home almost a year now and job-hunting for months, with not one offer yet. It's frustrating for so many veterans who are looking for their places back in society.

"Oh, very frustrating! It's always the last thing on my mind whenever I go to bed and the first thing whenever I wake up," said Jackson. "I've applied for jobs out of state -- I mean everywhere."

It's that kind of determination that got Jackson through a war and five years in the service. Now he's confident it will just take the right employer to help him and other veterans settle into working here at home.

"I'm not saying I deserve special treatment or anything like that. After what I've been through and everything, I feel like I've pretty much put myself out there, proved myself to do what I can do," he said.

If you know of a good job opportunity for Jackson, feel free to contact us; we'll let him know.

There are a lot of resources to help veterans looking for employment. Still, the Army Times reports, the 13.5 percent unemployment rate for female veterans and 15.5 percent unemployment rate for male veterans are both well above the national rate of 9 percent.

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