According to Military Times, the unemployment rate for post-9/11 veterans has been in a constant state of fluctuation this year. Numbers rose to 9.2 percent in February, only to dip significantly in the following months: March and April saw a steady 7 percent, while May's numbers dropped as low as 5.6 percent.
The summer, however, saw an increase in unemployment. By July, rates were back to 9.2 percent. Recently percentages fell over a point, landing current statistics at 8.1 percent, noted Military Times. Post-9/11 vets' unemployment rates remain higher than the national unemployment average, which is at around 6.2 percent, as well as the national unemployment rate encompassing all veterans, which is at 5.6 percent.
While these numbers may seem high, they have been dropping in recent history. According to Military Times, last year's numbers averaged around 9 percent. The downward trend in these statistics is expected to continue as the country looks to increase jobs and help veterans find better opportunities in life after service.
According to The Huffington Post, this gap continues to close for post-9/11 vets with the help of online resources, such as the Veteran Virtual Career Fair, an Internet-based meeting of businesses looking to hire veterans. The fair takes place on Sept. 11 and hopes to connect vets with suitable careers. The Huffington Post noted that over 50 businesses will be represented and that in the past three years the fair has been responsible for helping 81,000 veterans successfully find employment.