War vets spike in unemployment rate

KILLEEN, Texas (KXAN) - Tight job markets can be tough on anyone looking for a job, but for some veterans, it has become increasingly hard to find work.

JB Strange spent 10 years in the Army which included a tour of duty in Iraq, but years of computer training and military experience hasn't helped him find a full-time job in months, despite frequent stops at the Texas Workforce office to look for new postings.

"A lot of companies, they have a transition office where you get the job," said Strange. "But you have to go through an employment agency."

Edward Watkins is also spending more time at the job search desk. He spent 20 years in the military, retired and then returned to Afghanistan as a contractor. As he fills out job applications with the help of the Veteran's
Commission, he's hoping to land a job in logistics, his field of expertise.

"I have an associate's [degree], and a bachelor's [degree], and a master's degree in logistics management," said Watkins, who hopes that will get him an edge in finding a job.

Gene Hall of the Texas Veterans Commission says Watkins and Strange represent just two of the many qualified veterans looking to land a job after military life, but he says wars have cycles and the job market is only getting tighter.

"We have a higher number of veterans being discharged," said Hall, "so you're going to see a slight increase in the unemployment rate because there's more people available."

Hall added that more soldiers are choosing shorter careers in the military, therefore younger veterans are now looking for work as well.

"Our folks look to match their skills exactly with people that we know who are looking for work," said Hall. "The two together is what puts the veteran in the right position to find a job."