In recent years, more large companies have made hiring veterans a priority, and that has afforded many former servicemembers employment opportunities they simply would not have had before. Cable giant Comcast is one such business, and it has a very lofty goal in place to hire veterans in the next few years.

By the end of 2017, Comcast hopes to have hired some 10,000 veterans, making up as much as 15 percent of all new hires, according to a report from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Already, the company brought aboard 2,400 in 2015 alone, and that number was up nearly 40 percent from 2014. And to that end, it hired a veteran to head up the company's military and veterans affairs division, which reports directly to top executives.

Nationwide, about 495,000 veterans were unemployed at some point last year, and nearly 3 in 5 were over the age of 45, the report said. Close to 2 in 5 were between 25 and 44.

The more companies of all sizes can do to prioritize hiring veterans, the better off both those former servicemembers and the companies themselves will end up being, because veterans routinely prove to be eager, able workers with a wealth of professional skills.

One of the biggest issues many veterans face in their daily lives after service is that it's not always easy for them to get a job. This may be true for a number of reasons, but the good news is that this trend finally seems to be reversing itself. In fact, 2015 saw the biggest uptick in hiring of former servicemembers in years.

The latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the unemployment rate for veterans who served after 9/11 slid to just 5.8 percent at the end of 2015, down sharply from the 7.2 percent observed at the same time in 2014, according to a report from the Military Times. That's the lowest annual rate since veterans of those engagements started coming home, and far more in line with those of other demographic groups as well. The overall unemployment rate came in at 5.2 percent, but didn't improve as dramatically as that of post-9/11 veterans.

"Some of the improvement in the unemployment rate for veterans across the board has happened somewhat in parallel with the overall reduction in our nation's unemployment numbers over the last five to six years," Jack Norton, a spokesman spokesperson for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Hiring Our Heroes program, told the news organization. "At the same time, though, through much of our effort, businesses of all sizes have been reminded of the value of veterans as employees and have strengthened their veteran hiring programs as a result." 

With veteran hiring on the rise, opportunities likely abound for former servicemembers who are looking for a stable job situation that can help them in many aspects of their lives. The more businesses can do to continue putting an emphasis on hiring these workers, the better off both sides of the equation will be.

The Midwest Veterans Closet in North Chicago, Illinois is a key community resource for local veterans, reported the Chicago Tribune. The organization provides free clothing, food and household items to servicemembers in need. It also helps struggling veterans access federal and state services.

Mary Carmody started the Midwest Veterans Closet in 2014, reported the Daily Herald.

"This has never been my lifelong dream, but it's what I can do to give back after they've given so much to so many," she told the newspaper. "We're able to sit here peacefully and not worry of being hurt because of them."

At first, Carmody ran the organization out of a small trailer in Wadsworth, Illinois. Then, in September 2014, she moved the organization into its current location where it serves an estimated 350 veterans each month. Local partners bus servicemembers to the location once a week.

Dr. Stephen Holt, director of the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago, is one of those partners.

"Mary and her fantastic staff have been helping the veterans in our residential treatment programs get back on their feet by offering clothes, household goods and more," he told the Chicago Tribune. "I have always believed it takes a community to help serve our veterans and we are happy that Mary and the MVC are providing our veterans tremendous support."

Veterans who frequent the Midwest Veterans Closet also appreciate Carmody's commitment to serving local servicemembers.

Gary Spicer, a U.S. Army veteran, looked to the organization for help after he lost his job and attempted suicide. Through the Midwest Veterans Closet, Spicer entered a recovery program at the Lovell Health Care Center. Now, he has his own apartment in Waukegan, Illinois that is filled with furniture from Carmody's organization.

"I'm so grateful," Spicer said in an interview with the Daily Herald. "I probably would have nothing in my apartment. I'd have an empty apartment, but she kept calling me saying I've got something for you."

Unfortunately, the Midwest Veterans Closet is at risk of losing its place in the community. According to the Lake County News-Sun, the organization needs $700,000 to maintain its current location.

"We're serving 300 to 350 veterans a month," Carmody said in an interview with the newspaper. "It would be a pity to have it close."  

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, "between 2000 and 2012, more than 900,000 veterans and military service members received education benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs." Former servicemembers have an increasing presence on college campuses today, but how do they choose which school to attend? Take a look at AFBA's list of things veterans should consider when choosing a college:

Admissions requirements and degree offerings
Before spending the time to apply to a school, veterans should ensure that they meet the admission requirements. Some universities will require applicants to take admissions tests, such as the ACT or SAT, before accepting them. Additionally, veterans should make sure the college offers the degree program the former servicemembers are interested in pursuing. 

Veterans support on campus 
Going back to school is a big decision, especially for veterans – many of whom are nontraditional students. Completing a degree may seem like an impossible feat without the right support. Look for colleges that have a veterans support program on campus or offer programs to help former servicemembers transition into campus life. Talking to veterans already enrolled in certain colleges can also help others get a feel of the reception former servicemembers get on campus. 

Ability to gain credit from military service 
Some schools offer veterans the opportunity to translate their military service into credit. Ask your on-campus advisor if any of your experience qualifies as college credit. This is especially important for former servicemembers who took the CLEP during service or learned a foreign language as part of their service duties. Getting credit for things already accomplished can help veterans save money in the long run. 

Affordability 
Veterans will get some money for school from their GI Bill benefits. However, depending on the institution they choose to attend or the number of credits in which they enroll, these benefits may not cover the cost of school in its entirety. Former servicemembers should pay attention to tuition and fees each semester to avoid accumulating student aid debt. Staying within financial means will help veterans get the most from their benefits. 

Going back to school is a great way to begin life after service. For veterans, knowing how to choose the right college could be the driving element that leads them to successfully earn a degree.

Veterans in Visalia, California plan to raise awareness about servicemember suicide rates with a commemorative march, reported the Visalia Times-Delta. The event, called the 22 Veterans a Day Suicide Awareness March, takes place April 22 at 8 a.m.

Joel Rosales, a Navy veteran, organized the march to memorialize the estimated 22 veterans who die by suicide every day.

"It's something I really want to bring forward to our local veterans and community," he told the newspaper. "It's not something that we should take lightly."

Veteran suicide is a major concern for military insiders and outsiders alike. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, servicemembers deployed between 2001 and 2007 have a 41 percent higher risk of suffering from suicide than U.S. civilians. Additionally, operators at the VA's Veterans Crisis Hotline have taken over 2 million calls since 2007.

Over the last few years, the VA and other federal agencies have attempted to address the problem by building out their mental health services. As a result, veteran suicide rates have stabilized, reported the Military Times.

Earlier this year at the VA's annual Veterans Suicide Summit in Washington, D.C., officials talked over new strategies. VA Undersecretary of Health Dr. David Shulkin said his staff would first focus on enrolling veterans in VA care, as 70 percent of servicemembers who die by suicide don't receive care via VA medical facilities. In the end, Shulkin pledged to take meaningful action as soon as possible.

"We're going to come up with a plan. And we're not going to stop until we can figure out how to do more," he said.

In the meantime, Rosales and the organizers of the 22 Veterans a Day Suicide Awareness March will try to make a difference by supporting veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress syndrome and other deployment-related psychological illnesses that sometimes precipitate suicide.

"We want them to know that we are here for them," he told the Visalia Times-Delta.

On March 20, 15 new members were inducted into the Joseph A. Dugan Hall of Valor at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum in Pittsburgh, Penn., reported the Pittsburgh-Post Gazette.

The inductees included veterans who served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Many of the honorees were recognized posthumously and represented by surviving family. Several inductees, including former U.S. Army members Pfc. Richard Leo and Lt. Byron F. Smith, attended the event.

Leo was deployed to Vietnam when he was just 19 years old. During a firefight with the North Vietnamese forces in March 1967, he volunteered to transport ammunition to the front lines at great personal risk, an action that earned him a Silver Star for bravery. He also earned a Purple Heart during his stint in Vietnam.

For Lt. Byron F. Smith, the ceremony coincided with his 94th birthday. Smith was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action on April 11, 1945. His daughter nominated him for the recognition.

The late Pfc. Dominic Ranieri was nominated by his son Mike and was represented on stage by his grandson, Army Maj. Joseph Yurkovich.

"For us to be able to be here and to come for this event is very, very important," he told the Post-Gazette.

The Hall of Valor was dedicated in 1963 to honor veterans, living and deceased, for valor while in action. In the years since, the institution has recognized almost 700 local veterans for bravery and heroism.

"The Hall of Valor recipients represent the standards of conduct, courage and duty symbolic of honest and faithful service made, while serving our country," said Soldiers and Sailors President and CEO, John McCabe. "We honor and remember the bravery of ordinary men who exhibited extraordinary courage and valor for the love of their country."

Entering life after service can be confusing for former servicemembers. Among other things, there is the pressing matter of finding a civilian job. As a part of the Armed Forces, you likely built a pretty impressive resume, but it is time to prepare it for its next target: the civilian hiring manager. Take a look at the top six things hiring managers look for on a resume:

1. Relevancy 
Human resources workers are busy people. They see dozens of resumes a day. You do not want to be the person that wasted their time by applying for a job for which you were not qualified. Carefully read the job description that accompanies the posting. If you have the skills and knowledge to fill that position successfully, tailor your objectives section to demonstrate this. 

2. Quantifiable information 
While your skills and experience are impressive, hiring managers want to see the results behind your work. If you increased your unit's proficiency by 10 percent, put that on your resume. Having numbers you can backup on your resume is more likely to get you noticed and in the door for an interview. 

3. Powerful language 
Passive language is a massive turnoff for HR personnel. Scan your resume for any phrasing or adjectives that could be "punched up" or improved. Instead of saying you have leadership experience describe yourself as a "strong, proven leader." Hiring managers are more drawn to powerful language.

5. Leadership 
The military offers plenty of opportunities to gain leadership experience. If you took advantage of these, do not be afraid to boast about it on your resume. In fact, many hiring managers prefer individuals with leadership experience because it shows that they are responsible, capable and self-motivated. Make sure your leadership experiences are listed near the top of your qualifications.

6. Room to grow 
Though you want to demonstrate that you are capable of handling the job for which you are applying, you should indicate that you are willing to grow in some way. On your resume, you can do this by suggesting that you are willing to relocate, would be open to additional training or are interested in moving up in the company. This will show HR managers that you are motived.

Hopefully, you can use these suggestions to create a stronger resume. Check back to AFBA's blog for more tips for life after service.

The GI Bill was born from decades of improvement and expansion of the original Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944. The bill gave middle class servicemembers the chance at creating better lives for themselves once they entered life after service. Yet, while the GI Bill is one of the most important benefits for veterans, there are many things about it that remain a mystery. Fortunately, AFBA has outlined some key facts every former servicemember should know about the GI Bill. 

1. The GI Bill does not have to be applied to continuous schooling. 
A common misconception is that once veterans begin receiving the benefits from the GI Bill, they must continue receiving them. However, former servicemembers can start and stop using GI Bill benefits as needed, according to Military.com. This means that veterans who want to attend school but do not have the time or ability to complete a degree in consecutive years can draw from their GI Bill benefits as needed.

2. There is a time limit on GI Bill benefits. 
However, former servicemembers must be timely about activating their GI Bill benefits. Military.com reported that once a servicemember separates from Active Duty, he or she has 10 years to begin receiving benefits if he or she is under the Montgomery GI Bill and 15 years under the Post 9-11 GI Bill. This countdown restarts after every re-entry into service. 

3. The Post 9/11 GI Bill opened new doors. 
While the Montgomery GI Bill was hugely beneficial to veterans, those servicemembers who entered the Armed Forces within 90 days of the 9/11 attacks have even more opportunity under the Post 9/11 GI Bill. Not only can their benefits still be applied to higher education, they were also expanded to include vocational schools and other nontraditional education, such as "correspondence courses, flight training and apprenticeships," as reported by ClearanceJobs.com. The Post 9/11 GI Bill was also expanded to cover the cost of books and supplies up to $1,000 a year, tutoring up to $100 per month and the cost of a certification, licensing exam or work study program for up to $2,000.

4. GI Bill funds can be used for schools overseas. 
Former servicemember with goals to study abroad are in luck. The GI Bill funds can be applied to schools overseas. Qualifying veterans can receive up to $21,084 in tuition and fees. These funds will go directly to the educational institute they intend to attend. Any remaining costs must be covered by the veterans personally or with financial aid.

5. Your GI Bill funding is directly related to your time on active duty and the number of credits in which you are enrolled. 
Veterans should be aware that the amount of time they served and how many credits they are taking per semester will affect funding they receive from their GI benefits. The determining factors are slightly different between the Montgomery GI Bill and the Post 9/11 Bill. To find out how much you are personally qualified to receive, contact you military financial advisor. 

6. If you don't pay attention, you could end up with debt. 
The VA pays a certain amount to a veteran's financial aid office every semester. However, if the amount paid is more than the amount due, the veteran is responsible for paying the overage back to the VA. Former servicemembers should always check to make sure that the cost of their tuition per semester is the amount the VA is paying.

Everyone deserves the opportunity to better themselves by pursuing a higher education degree, especially veterans who have served for their country. The GI Bill provides an excellent opportunity for former servicemembers to make the most of their life after service. 

In recent years, many states have tried to make life better for veterans living there. However, Florida recently decided to try actively courting them.

Veterans Florida was created in 2014, and has state funding of $4.3 million for 2016, according to a report from the Orlando Sentinel. It is now advertising to vets in other states – including Kentucky, New York, Texas, and Washington – about the many programs and opportunities Florida provides to former servicemembers, including employment, job training, tax breaks, and perks specifically for military families.

"They come ready to work and come with skills that will help boost the economy," Bobby Carbonell, Veterans Florida executive director, told the newspaper. "They are used to working hard and are great employees. Many of them are looking for a place to start businesses, raise their families and go to school, so it's a smart move attracting them here."

Interestingly, the veteran population in the U.S. has fallen 17 percent since 2010 as those who served in wars decades ago have died. However, Florida's population is on the rise, the report said. Having programs that can better respond to the evolving needs of veterans could make Florida a key destination for younger servicemembers and veterans as time goes on. Indeed, VA medical centers throughout the state are on the rise, and so too is the number of veterans they treat on an annual basis. That alone could make a huge difference for many.

Showing veterans that they are valued citizens is extremely meaningful and beneficial to all involved. These types of efforts that improve the lives of veterans go a long way.

The care veterans receive after their service has been discussed a lot lately, and now more officials at both the state and federal levels are trying to see if they can do more to improve it.

Illinois state Sen. Sue Rezin, a Republican representing Morris, recently visited the Illinois Veterans Home in La Salle with Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs director Erica Jeffries. They assessed the quality of the facility and the care former servicemembers living there receive, according to a report from the Ottawa Daily Times. There, Rezin and Jeffries spoke with veterans and staffers to see what issues they are most concerned with these days, and if there is anything they can do to help.

"It is good that there are those who pay attention to my concerns and that we get to express our opinions on certain matters," 77-year-old Army veteran Albert Latimer, who lives at the facility, told the newspaper.

The more government officials, elected and otherwise, can do to help veterans in a number of ways based on issues that are important to them, the better off those former servicemembers will be going forward.