Civilians may be surprised to know that 2.7 million members of our armed forces have served our country during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Nearly half of these brave servicemembers have served multiple deployments, and about 170,000 of these warriors have served three or more tours of duty. Incredibly, more than 28,000 indomitable members of our armed forces have been deployed more than five times. As of 2019, more than 2 million soldiers, sailors, airmen and airwomen had transitioned to veteran status. Among veterans who served in the Gulf Wars, 41%, or 1.8 million, individuals reported a service-connected disability. There are more than 100,000 injured vets who have disability claims pending. The number of new disability claims submitted by veterans is expected to rise for many years, and even decades.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, the veteran unemployment rate was 3%, the lowest in 19 years. In 2022, there were about 216,000 unemployed veterans. For vets returning in good health, finding a job is often the most pressing priority. Many employers recognize the valuable intangibles most military-trained men and women possess. These qualities include leadership, expertise, stress management, discipline, and the ability to work effectively in teams to accomplish a goal. Advocates say more educational opportunities and job training programs are needed to help veterans find employment. Recruiting more Veterans for open employment positions would also help.

Proposed Legislation: Reintroduction of H.R.637 - Veterans Economic Recovery Act of 2021
Prospective Sponsor: Rep. Mike Bost (IL)