Social media has become a useful tool for many job seekers, and that is true for veterans looking for employment opportunities as well. However, although websites like Facebook and LinkedIn offer benefits for veterans, they may have to go about using them a bit differently than the civilian population, according to Military.com.
Troops bring different skills to the table, and that often makes them such appealing employees, but sometimes it can be hard for them to showcase their unique talents. Experts suggest guest blogging as one of the best ways to appeal to future employers. Not only will blogging about one's area of expertise help get his or her name out there, but it is also an excellent way to develop connections and stay updated on recent field-specific news.
Most people see Facebook only as a way to connect with friends and family, but if it's given the right attention it can also be a useful professional tool for vets looking for jobs. Specifically, using one's page to post field-specific links and participate in discussions can increase job visibility.
In a similar vein, Twitter is often an unheralded job seeking tool, largely because it provides users with the chance to follow companies they're interested in working for, along with accounts that list open positions.
Humvees have been a staple of the Army for decades, but officials recently began their latest program to modernize the fleet. The initiative aims to make improvements ranging from crew protection to vehicle survivability, according to Military Times.
The push for a more modern fleet comes after a nearly two-year effort. Officials called for improvements of 60,000 Humvees back in 2011, but there were questions over whether there was enough funding for both the modernization and the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle competition. However, the military received $48 million in the 2013 budget for the initiative.
"We wanted to make sure that we could at least get good test results on all of the survivability improvements that industry had developed in anticipation of the original Modernized Expanded Capacity Vehicle-Survivability program," Col. David Basset said recently, according to the news source. "So we set aside a portion of the fiscal year '12 funding to evaluate, model and test those survivability solutions so at least we understand what is out there."
Improving survivability of military vehicles is not the only improvement program officials are hoping to implement in the coming years. Most notably, the Navy is focusing on using biofuels – a three-year $510 million set of goals, according to The New York Times.
A soldier who was declared clinically dead after an improvised explosive device (IED) cost him both his legs in Afghanistan is getting ready to celebrate the one year anniversary of his survival. Lieutenant Nick Vogt will mark the occasion on November 12, and the anniversary will highlight the impressive advances made by the military medical community over the last several years, according to Military Times.
Vogt's journey began in November 2011 when an IED severely wounded both his legs. His serious injuries required more than 500 units of blood, the most for any casualty survivor in United States history. On his way to receive treatment, Vogt's heart stopped beating five times.
While he struggled to regain consciousness, eventually Vogt stabilized enough to be moved to Walter Reed Medical Center, where he still faced a long road to recovery that included infections and kidney failure. However, a year later he continues physical therapy to work his way toward his goal of going to medical school.
"People will tell me, ‘Oh, you did such a good job!’ But I’m like, ‘I was just the meat.’ I owe a lot to everyone – they are the ones who are inspiring," he told Military Times. "I have every reason to become a doctor, so I can give back."
Vogt's encounter with an IED is not uncommon for troops who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. In fact, IEDs were responsible for about 63 percent of deaths in Iraq.
One of the most famous aircraft carriers in Navy history officially retired on Sunday after more than 50 years of service. The USS Enterprise, the Navy's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier docked at Naval Station Norfolk, marking the last time it will hit the open water under its own power, according to Military.com.
The Enterprise has played a role in some of the most important periods in American military history, and even as it neared the end of its active duty, it was still an important part of operations in the Middle East. In fact, aircraft from the Enterprise flew more than 2,000 missions during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
"This has not been a victory lap for Enterprise, by any means," Rear Adm. Ted Carter, commander of the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group, told the website. "This has been a full combat operation. It’s been a business as usual kind of deployment."
Ever since its beginning, the Enterprise has been one of the most active vessels. In 1962, the Enterprise was dispatched as a response to the Cuban Missile Crisis. Nearly 40 years later, it was returning from the Persian Gulf in September 2001 when it was ordered to return to Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks.
The jobs report for October came out on Friday, and while the nationwide rate increased by 0.1 percent, the numbers for veterans were bit more favorable. For veterans of all ages, the unemployment rate dropped to 6.3 percent, considerably below the 7.9 percent nationwide average, according to Army Times.
Though there was some good news, the statistics were less favorable for those who have separated from service since September 11, 2001. In fact, they saw a slight increase from 9.7 percent to 10 percent. Experts say that while there are many programs targeted toward the most recent vets, they need help finding the appropriate ones. Though the rate for post-9/11 vets varies considerably from month to month, analysts are encouraged by a year-long trend of improvement.
"When you look month to month, it can be very volatile," Steve Gonzalez, assistant director of the national economic commission of the American Legion, told the publication. "I look at the trend."
By many accounts, this month's report was a bit better than originally anticipated. Industry analysts expected about 125,000 jobs to be added, but according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the figure came to about 171,000.
Those who have loved ones in the Armed Forces face many challenges on a day to day basis, and in an effort to honor their sacrifice, President Barack Obama recently declared November Military Family Month. Obama signed the proclamation on November 1 and hopes it will bring attention to the work being done to assist family members of troops, reports Military Times.
In highlighting the struggles of military families, the president also applauded the efforts of first lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, who have been actively supporting the military community through the Joining Forces initiative. So far, the program has helped in the hiring of 125,000 veterans and military spouses. During his announcement, Obama also made a point to emphasize the strength of families who have loved ones serving in the military.
"In our military families, we see the best our country has to offer," he wrote. "They demonstrate the virtues that have made America great for more than two centuries and the values that will preserve our greatness for centuries to come. With loved ones serving far from home, military spouses take on the work of two."
Selecting November is certainly a good idea. Veterans Day is recognized every year on November 11, and the Armed Services YMCA has been observing November as military family appreciation month for years, according to the publication.
As the Atlantic coast continues to recover from Hurricane Sandy, the National Guard is playing an increasingly large role in the cleanup process. Approximately 10,000 Guardsman from 13 states have been activated, many of whom headed to New York to lend a much-needed hand, according to Stars and Stripes.
More than 2,200 Guardsmen have headed to New York where they are using Humvees to help clear the debris and rescue residents who have been stranded by the floodwaters. Additionally, the military has supplied 10 Blackhawk helicopters to assist with aerial surveillance and lend support to first responders. Army engineers are looking at how to remove water from flooded tunnels and subways.
The National Guard effort was equally strong in New Jersey, where more than 2,000 troops have been activated. In hard-hit towns like Hoboken, Guardsmen were going through the flood streets block by block to assist residents.
"We're pretty much going to go through town like a centipede," Joel Mestre, the city's deputy office of emergency management coordinator, told the Los Angeles Times.
As of Thursday morning, Sandy had claimed the lives of at least 75 people in the United States, and the financial toll could climb as high as $50 billion.
With hundreds of billions of dollars in defense budget cuts expected over the next 10 years, officials have been looking for places to slash expenses. A new report from The Center for American Progress offers some recommendations, but it may not go over too well with military personnel. The think tank suggests capping pay raises, eliminating health benefits for vets on employer-based plans and lowering retirement pay, according to Military Times.
The proposed changes were outlined in the October 31 report, Rebalancing Our National Security, and though certainly drastic, they could have a significant impact on Pentagon spending. In fact, capping pay raises could cut about $16.5 billion in the next five years.
Rethinking military pay raises has been a focus of the Pentagon as well. Officials have proposed just a 0.5 percent bump in 2015, 1 percent raise in 2016 and 1.5 in 2017. The small increases will offset recent raises that have been much higher than the general workforce.
"Congress should demonstrate political courage and allow the Department of Defense to execute this long-term plan," the report states, according to the publication.
Whether any of the recommended changes get implemented remains to be seen, as the amount that needs to be cut from the budget may change. However, if Congress fails to reach a deal by the end of the year, there would be across-the-board reductions, known as sequestration, which could cut an additional $500 billion over the next 10 years.
Many members of the military make a point to go to college after separating from service, but a new report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) suggests that a growing number of soldiers are struggling with student loan debt, according to The Associated Press.
The report, which was written by the CFPB's Office of Servicemember Affairs, found that financial institutions often provide troops with either misleading or incomplete information about the ins and outs of their loan program. As a result, borrowers may take on more debt than was originally necessary, sometimes totaling tens of thousands.
While the report offers little by way of specifics, largely because it was based on complaints filed by servicemembers, its message that there needs to be more clarity when it comes to student loans and education benefits is clear.
"Student loans are one important part of the total debt burden – from mortgages to credit cards to other debt – on those who are serving in the military today," Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said recently, according to the AP.
In light of the picture painted by the latest report from the CFPB, the military is going to take some steps to help reduce the growing issue of student loan debt. Most importantly, Holly Petraeus, the director of the CFPB's Office of Servicemember Affairs, said the military is stressing education and training to help soldiers avoid the pitfalls of student loan debt.
There are also a number of benefits available to servicemembers that might help lower their debt burden, according to the AP. For instance, they may be eligible for reductions on monthly payments depending on their income and the size of their family. They may also be eligible for a reduction on interest rates if they're still in active duty.
One of the best ways for soldiers to avoid student loans is to take advantage of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which offers some impressive educational benefits. For instance, the bill pays for full tuition and fees if a soldier chooses to go to a public in-state institution. And for troops attending more expensive schools, the GI Bill can help cover the cost through the Yellow Ribbon Program.
Military service dogs have played a vital role in the Armed Forces for decades, but for many years their sacrifice had gone unrecognized. However, that is no longer the case and the first-ever monument dedicated to the country's bravest canines will be unveiled in California in two months, according to The Associated Press.
The U.S. Working Dog Teams National Monument in Los Angeles is dedicated to every dog that has served since World War II, and while there are similar structures in several places across the country, this is the first one to be dedicated on a national level.
The effort has been more than a decade in the making and marks the culmination of a bill passed by Congress in 2007 and signed into law a year later. The initiative was led by veteran John Burnam, who designed the monument, which stands more than nine feet tall.
"I wanted to give something back to these animals that have done so much and asked for so little, except for food and water and the love of their handlers," Burnam, a Purple Heart recipient, told the AP.
Military dogs have been especially helpful in Iraq and Afghanistan. In fact, when Navy SEALs raided the compound where Osama bin Laden was killed, their canine companions were right there, according to ABC News.