Now that the unemployment rate has been declining the past few years, there's high hope for those attaining a job after serving in the military. But how do you figure out what job is suitable for your particular skills and experience? If you're a veteran trying to figure out what career path to follow, you've come to the right place. CareerCast.com recently compiled data revealing what companies and industries are seeking veterans as top candidates for certain positions.
Veterans should consider the following five professions while transitioning from life in the military to the workforce.
1. Physical therapist
Physical therapists assist people who are recovering from injuries and going through treatment, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This job is ideal for veterans who have previous experience helping people overseas, Forbes stated. If you have a degree or training in this profession, it can be applied to life after the military. The same goes for those who practiced nursing while serving abroad.
2. Financial advisor
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics stated that a financial advisor gives advice on all things related to finances including house mortgages and retirement plans. Forbes noted that veterans can be highly successful in this position especially when it comes to giving advice to others in the veteran community.
3. Translator / Interpreter
Having the ability to speak another language is a highly valuable asset in today's job market. Because veterans are stationed all over the world, they have to learn how to communicate with people in other countries. Many companies are seeking people with this skill and this may be a veteran's strong suit, according to Forbes.
4. Human resources manager
Many veterans thrive as human resources managers because of the leadership skills they possess, which is strongly expected within this position. To be a human resources manager, you are responsible for taking charge and managing a company, the source stated. Responsibilities include interviewing and hiring new employees. CareerCast.com said a veteran holding this position may be able to recruit other veterans.
5. Information security analyst
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said there's a need for protection against cyber attacks, which have become prevalent recently. An information security analyst has the responsibility to provide security for organizations. Because these attacks are on the rise, free training is being offered to veterans interested in pursuing a career in this technological field, Forbes stated.
On March 16, community members attended a groundbreaking ceremony for a new veterans museum in Costa Mesa, California, reported the Daily Pilot. An army barracks from World War II will serve as the main structure for the museum. Builders say it will be done by Nov. 11, 2016.
Preserving a piece of history
The Department of Defense, in 1941, constructed the Santa Ana Army Air Base on a swath of land that encompasses modern-day Costa Mesa, reported The Orange County Register. The site was a key training facility for more than 100,000 pilots during World War II, many of whom went on to serve in the Pacific Theater. Pilots who trained at the base spent most of their time in classrooms studying Morse code and solving the complex mathematics that go into operating combat aircraft.
"One of the most popular postcards at the [base] was a picture of a guy carrying a full pack saying, 'You have to walk a hell of a long way before you learn how to fly,'" Norman French, an Army veteran and former B-17 pilot, told the Daily Pilot.
After the war, SAAAB fell into disrepair and many of its 800 building were bulldozed to make way for the Orange County Fairgrounds.
In 2012, the OC Fair & Event Center Board of Directors expressed interest in expanding the Pacific Amphitheatre, an 8,200-seat performance space that sits on the fairgrounds. As a result, the Memorial Gardens Building, an old barrack once part of the SAAAB campus, was targeted for demolition. However, after protests from community members and local veterans, fair officials chose to move the structure, instead. And, in September 2013, the 4,800-square-foot building was relocated to a new plot nearby.
"I still can't believe it. It's surreal," Bob Palazzola, former president of the Costa Mesa Historical Society and a key advocate for the building's survival, said in an interview with the Daily Pilot. "It's nice to see talk become action in something like this, really. I thought we were really against the odds."
Remembering the past with something new
The museum, called Heroes Hall, will encompass around 12,000 square feet and include an outdoor pavilion and garden. On opening day, the museum will feature two exhibits: one on "The Things They Carried," a Vietnam War novel by author Tim O'Brien and another that will cover the history of SAAAB.
"Here we are," Palazzola told the Daily Pilot. "We're right at the threshold of something really great."
On March 17, 25 veterans from San Diego, California took to the waves at San Onofre Beach near Camp Pendleton for the first day of a weekend-long surfing clinic, reported The San Diego Union-Tribune. The Semper Fi Fund, a California-based nonprofit, is sponsoring the event, which runs through March 21. Instructors from the surf therapy organization Waves of Impact are leading the sessions.
The ex-servicemembers participating in the camp, called Surf Team Semper Fi, deal with a variety of deployment-related injuries.
Marine veteran Ryan Voltin, one of the participants, piloted an attack helicopter during the Iraq War and, in 2007, lost his left leg and sustained serious burns during a crash, reported Patch. When he returned home, a case officer from The Semper Fi Fund led him through recovery. Voltin has been devoted to the organization ever since.
Prior to the camp's kickoff, the Marine waited in anticipation, aching to get out on the water and take on a new challenge.
"If I leave here with a renewed desire to create these kinds of experiences for myself and my family then this camp will have accomplished its mission as far as I'm concerned," he told Patch. "And the mere anticipation of this event has motivated my wife and I to plan a beach camping trip with our kids this summer so, mission accomplished."
Like a lot of veterans dealing with injuries in life after service, Voltin embraces physical activity and often competes in events as a member of Team Semper Fi, the nonprofit's in-house athletics squad.
Throughout the year, the Semper Fi Fund hosts dozens of sporting events, all of which are designed to heal mental and physical war wounds. Surf Team Semper Fi is no different.
Group surf therapy is a widely used technique for individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome and other injuries, reported Outside Magazine. And, the team atmosphere is especially important for veterans who discharge out of combat teams into solitary civilian life. Plus, the challenge of learning a new skill excites many ex-servicemembers.
"Work was good, family was good, but I'm a Marine: I needed a challenge," Voltin said. "For me this surf camp offers a unique combination of three things: outdoor activity, physical and psychological challenge and, most importantly, quality time with our wounded warrior community."
Tattoos have long been part of military culture, and a group in North Carolina has begun using ink as a way for veterans to heal from the unseen wounds of combat. Operation Tattooing Freedom is a nonprofit organization that believes "right tattoo coupled with a willingness to share experiences can help create new emotional connections in the brain," according to its website.
"I realized that getting the tattoo, and having the conversation with another veteran while I'm getting it, was extremely therapeutic for me, and I realized that if it worked for me, it could work for others," Lewis Hunt, Operation Tattooing Freedom founder and navy veteran, told KRQE News 13.
The organization pairs tattoo artists who are comfortable and willing to talk with veterans and listen to their stories while giving them the tattoo of their choice at no cost. Hunt and his foundation hope that by allowing veterans to connect with someone and express themselves artistically, they will find outlets for combat-related illnesses, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and others.
Though Operation Tattooing Freedom is only operating in North Carolina currently, it hopes to expand to a nationwide charity soon.
Of the fifty states, Florida may be one of the most proactive in welcoming veterans to its region. In fact, the state has even launched a massive marketing campaign to attract former servicemembers, according to the Orlando Sentinel. Florida is already home to 1.58 million veterans, but state officials want to encourage even more to become residents.
"We want to show them Florida's great economy, the high quality of life here and our great schools," Bobby Carbonell, Veterans Florida executive director, told the news source. "There are a lot of benefits for veterans in our state, but many people don't know about them."
Carbonell and his agency, Veterans Florida, are using $4.3 million in state funding to reach veterans through various channels and encourage them to relocate to Florida. Their efforts began in January 2016 and have been steady since.
The agency told the Orlando Sentinel the state is home to the largest VA Medical Center in the country, some of the nation's best beaches and a patriotic spirit, all of which make Florida a great place for veterans seeking a new place to call home.
Deployment is a significant part of military service. Though it can be emotionally challenging, military families can make this time a little less stressful by getting their financials in order before the servicemember ships out. Take a look at AFBA's pre-deployment checklist below:
Prepare and safeguard records
Before your servicemember leaves, gather all the important family financial documents, such as insurance records, bank account information, personal identification documents and other important paperwork. It is a smart idea to make a copy of these documents and place them in a safety deposit box or fire resistant home safe. Knowing that this vital paperwork is secure can bring peace of mind to your deployed servicemember.
Set your accounts up for growth
If you plan to try to save a little money while your spouse is deployed, look into savings deposit programs. These high interest accounts will help you grow your savings quickly and with little effort. If you or your loved one is about to be deployed, consider investing a chunk of your nest egg into the Department of Defense's savings deposit program. Once the servicemember in the family is overseas, you can take your predetermined amount of money, place it into one of these accounts, and watch as it grows at 10 percent interest. This will allow you and your spouse to have a sizeable savings to tap into when he or she returns home.
Expect the unexpected
Though unfortunate, the reality is that some servicemembers do not return home from deployment. You and your spouse should prepare your finances for these circumstances. Make an appointment to talk with financial advisor to ensure that all of your end-of-life insurance is finalized and in good standing. You should also consult with a legal professional to draft a will that clearly outlines inheritance and Power of Attorney.
Ask questions
You may feel overwhelmed with all the things you have to do to prepare your finances for a deployment. Know that this is completely normal. Use your military resources, professional advisors, and trusted family and friends who have experienced deployment before you as sounding boards for your plans. These individuals may have the answers to the questions plaguing you.
Deployment is something every servicemember can expect to experience at some point during his or her service. Being financially prepared for the event, can take a significant deal of stress and worry off the loved one's left behind.
Service dogs have repeatedly proven themselves to be very effective in helping veterans with a variety of disabilities, but access to them hasn't always been easy. To that end, the U.S. House of Representatives is now moving to address the issue with a new bill.
The Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) Act would create a five-year pilot program, according from a report from political news site The Hill. With $10 million in funding, the VA would pair veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and service dogs to help them cope. The bill would allocate a maximum of $27,000 per dog, meaning thousands of veterans could be helped over the five-year pilot.
"The PAWS Act is a simple bill that could have a dramatic – and potentially life-saving – effect on the lives of many," said Rep. Ron DeSantis, a Florida Republican, according to the site. "As we face an epidemic of veteran suicides, we must make sure that all of our returning servicemembers are honored and taken care of, no matter the wounds they bear."
This kind of help should provide many veterans with the assistance they need, especially if the program is so successful that it gets broadened after the pilot ends.
In recent months, the quality of veterans benefits as it relates to health care has come into question, but as is often the case in these situations, lawmakers are moving quickly to remediate these issues. Already, a bill is being hustled through the U.S. Senate to address the problem.
Specifically, Senate bill 2633 would create a new single entity for dealing with a number of health care initiatives that previously existed under the VA, according to a report from the Military Times. Additionally, the new Veterans Choice program will use third-party administration to help streamline the way in which it schedules appointments and bills veterans, hopefully easing some of the issues that have plagued the VA for some time. A similar bill was sponsored by Sen. Richard Burr, a North Carolina Republican, and would further reform payment systems so veterans have an easier time dealing with the cost of care.
"We must get it right for our veterans," Burr told the newspaper. "In North Carolina, we have seen hospitals stop taking veterans under the Choice program because VA has consistently failed to pay veterans."
However, Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee chairman Johnny Isakson said that this bill will likely be folded into a broader omnibus bill that the Senate hopes to pass before Memorial Day, the report said. Specifically, it would also join legislation to help get more assistance to people who were wounded in combat prior to 9/11, which many current aspects of VA health care does not.
The more that can be done to help veterans get all the care they need, not only for physical scars but mental ones as well, the better off veterans will be going forward thanks to a growing number of choices for quality treatment.
Lawmakers in New York have introduced legislation that would add the state to the list of U.S. territories that celebrate K-9 Veterans Day, a national holiday to honor military and law enforcement service dogs, reported The Associated Press. Republican Sen. Kathy Marchione and Democratic Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara sponsored the bill.
"Today, police dogs, bomb-sniffing dogs and search-and-rescue dogs are hard at work: loyal, brave, dependable," Marchione told The AP. "K-9 Veterans Day is about recognizing our heroes for all that they do."
Eleven other states recognize K-9 Veterans Day, which takes place March 13, reported WRGB. The U.S. Army established its K-9 corps program on the same day in 1942.
The military has used working dogs in the field for decades. Even before 1942, canines saw action in combat zones around the world. During World War I, a Boston terrier named Stubby garnered national attention for helping Allied forces on the Western Front, reported Slate. Stubby detected mustard gas and barked warnings to entrenched doughboys. He also helped round up cornered enemy soldiers and comforted the wounded. Stubby was discharged from the Army in 1919 with the rank of private first class.
In the years since, thousands of dogs have followed in Stubby's footsteps. Now, highly trained bomb-sniffing canines search the Hemland Province in Afghanistan for improvised explosive devices. Other animals help Marines and soldiers in Iraq clear bombed-out, bullet-riddled buildings. Working dogs are now an essential part of America's fighting force.
"He's like my quiet partner," Jose Armenta, a Marine veteran and former working dog handler, said of his canine Zenit, in an interview with National Geographic. "He bridges three worlds: the person I was before Afghanistan, the one I was there, and the one I became after."
A charity by the name of M.A.S.H. Pantry puts food in the bellies of hungry homeless and low-income veterans and their families.
Amber Hudson – a Navy veteran – started the M.A.S.H. (Military and Service Heroes) Pantry in an effort to put an end to hunger among the veteran community. Though she is currently tackling Ohio's Franklin County, Hudson hopes to spread awareness of this issue and one day make a change nationwide.
"Everything we have in this country we owe to our military veterans. They shouldn't return home and go hungry, but there just aren't any food pantries around, and our country does not provide the resources our veterans need," Hudson said to This Week Community News.
The nonprofit, located in Columbus, serves veterans and families in the area. Those who are in need of food as well as clothes and toiletries have the chance to collect these items every Saturday morning at the pantry, according to the source. Potluck dinners are also held on some weekends during the month.
Hudson is extremely dedicated to the cause. She sold her car and prized possessions to get the pantry off the ground.
"The feeling you get when you know you're making a difference in someone's life, that's a treasure that's invaluable," Hudson told This Week Community News.
Thanks to Hudson and other volunteers who help make a difference in the lives of veterans and their families, the M.A.S.H. Pantry has grown. In fact, it had to move offices because it became too big for its original location, the source stated. Hudson will continue to work hard and plans to grow even more. She wants to make a difference and reduce the number of veterans and their families who have to go to bed hungry every night, not only in the state of Ohio but all over the country.