Serve those in uniform
The most recent Defense Department budget envisions a smaller, lighter force serving the country in the years to come. That makes sound financial sense for a federal government swimming in debt, but it illuminates the rocky road traveled by veterans as they transition to civilian life.
The skills sought by employers are oftentimes the same valued by the armed forces, such as critical thinking, reliability, technological know-how, leadership ability and a strong work ethic. Yet unemployment among our youngest veterans (those who have served after the 2001 terrorist attacks) reached 9.2 percent in July, far outpacing the 6.2 percent nationwide unemployment rate.
The situation is acute in Hampton Roads, home to some of the nation's largest and most important military facilities. This region could help develop existing businesses and be a magnet for new employers if it can successfully help these men and women seamlessly enter the civilian workplace.
Thomas Nelson Community College is seeking to do precisely that with an array of new programs and initiatives aimed at preparing those in uniform for the next stage of their lives. Though there are additional changes to be made, TNCC's outreach is an important piece of the puzzle in putting our veterans to work.
The unemployment rate among veterans of the U.S. military should be a national embarrassment but, honestly, few outside the armed forces take note of the problem.
Sure, Americans pay lip service on Memorial Day, Independence Day and, naturally, Veterans Day. But we have known for decades that those tasked with defending the nation are left to their own devices once they pack up their uniform for good.
Our track record is particularly worrisome as the nation begins a seismic shift in the size and scope of the military.
More than 2.5 million people have served in America's armed forces since 2001 and an estimated 1.6 million have transitioned to veteran status, according to VA records. These men and women have marketable skills and many have been tested in combat, but many lack the support structure, direction or assistance that links veterans and would-be employers.
Community colleges are in an ideal position to facilitate such relationships. Those institutions provide higher education programs, including vocational and technical training, to prepare students for a variety of career paths. They are a natural fit to serve veterans and those preparing to leave the military.
Thomas Nelson Community College understands this. Officials there have made a point of building an infrastructure to help our region's veterans. That investment is paying off: More than one-quarter of the school's 16,000 students have a military affiliation.
Last year, TNCC opened a Veterans Services Center on its Hampton campus as a clearinghouse for serving former military personnel. Now the school plans to bolster those efforts with a pronounced focus on active duty personnel preparing to leave the armed forces. That will address an area of growing need as Defense Department reductions begin to take hold.
TNCC added two positions at the veterans center to certify education credits and shorten the time required to receive benefits. The school will also offer classes at Fort Eustis and Langley Air Force Base, bringing education opportunities to active duty soldiers and airmen, and partner with Langley to establish a re-employment program to help with downsizing.
While the G.I. Bill helped millions of veterans into the middle class in the post-World War II era, we need new approached for a more challenging time.
At a recent visit to the Apprentice School, U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine noted that the military provides tuition assistance for active-duty personnel at two- or four-year colleges, but not at high-quality technical programs. Altering this approach is one way we could speed the transition for those leaving the armed forces and entering the workforce.
TNCC's efforts are more than an investment in members of our military. A highly skilled, well trained workforce serves the region's leading employers, like Newport News Shipbuilding, and could attract businesses looking to locate on the Peninsula.
As the Pentagon looks to reduce the nation's military population, we must find ways to make the transition a smooth one. TNCC's expanded veteran services give our men and women a chance to succeed and we should look for more opportunities that serve this important purpose.
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