Below I have posted two significant stories as it applies to today’s veterans and their job prospects. The US congress has recognized a big problem on their hand, and that is this country has a ton of unemployed veterans. The second story below puts it at about 30% unemployment in the US. That is a huge problem for those who want to get re-elected, and if your veterans are not employed, then when those vets start putting the word out about how worthless their congressional leader is, then a voting public tends to listen. In other words, the veteran vote is a very important vote to have and win over.
It is also just common decency and respectful to recognize the sacrifice and contribution that our veterans have made in the war, by implementing measures that will make their transition into civilian life that much easier. So I applaud the Senate for approving these benefits for veterans.
But what I wanted to talk about is combat veterans and security contracting. This industry loves combat veterans. It is one of the few industries out there that not only appreciate the combat experience and skills of veterans, but pays them pretty well for applying those skills and experience as security contractors in the war zones and throughout the world.
Back when I was in the Marines, there wasn’t a vibrant security contracting industry like we see today. It was a very exclusive industry back then, and companies only hired SF types or depended upon word of mouth and referrals in order to fill the very few security jobs available. And believe me, back then I looked high and low for any kind of contracting job that a grunt/infantryman like myself could work in, and they just weren’t there.
Now if I had available to me back then, the industry choices and jobs we have now, then I probably would have gone that route and been gainfully employed as a security contractor. Which brings me to my next point.
Security contracting is a great place for those with a combat arms background, and the war zone experience to back it up. This industry is only growing in my opinion, and it has been a steady source of employment for the last 10 years. But for an individual to be successful as a security contractor, they have to play the game and become a student of the industry.
Today’s combat veterans across the world will be needed to fill all sorts of security jobs throughout the world. From piracy, to energy security, to war zone duty, and executive protection– the work is out there. It is up to the veteran to put in the research and due diligence for finding that work, and applying.
Or better yet, to figure out what kind of work they want to get into, and pursue that. Maybe you do not want to carry a gun anymore? There are plenty of combat veterans who are working as contract plumbers/HVAC/electrical/etc. in the war zones or other countries. The veteran just has to be willing to put the effort in to get those jobs. But believe me, the companies in this industry need you and want you.
It is also cool that as a security contractor blogger, I can help others get into this industry. It can be intimidating to apply for this stuff and enter this world. No one teaches ‘contracting 101’ in schools or community colleges, and career counselors are pretty clueless about what this industry is all about.
With that said, there are still excellent sources out there for learning about this industry. On the blog over on the right hand side, I have a list of forums. These are the forums I tell folks to go to, anytime they ask about getting into this industry. I tell them to search the forums, read the stickies, and get a handle on what this industry is all about. I also tell them to read this blog and use the search feature, or read the other blogs out there that discuss the industry. Get informed and knowledge is power!
After all of that research, then the next step is to get your resume written and ready for the industry. I suggest folks pay for a good resume service to produce the product. That’s unless they have really good writing skills and are comfortable with making such a thing.
Then finally, get networked and sign up on all of the pertinent job boards out there. I always suggest Secure Aspects Job Board, but there are others out there as well. Get on Facebook and other networks with like minded contractors, and get yourself in the mix. Linkedin is a great place to look for work as well. Definitely bookmark all of the career pages of all of the companies out there, and check those once or twice a day too. Just keep looking, keep applying, be persistent, and you will eventually get a job in an industry that needs you. –Matt
Senate approves jobs benefits for veterans
November 10, 2011
A united Senate emphatically approved legislation Thursday intended to help unemployed veterans and companies doing business with the government, endorsing a measure that includes the first small slice of President Barack Obama’s jobs plan that is likely to become law.
The 95-0 vote will let senators head home for Friday’s Veterans Day events and take credit for helping some of the 240,000 jobless veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
The bill would give tax credits of up to $9,600 to companies hiring disabled vets who have been jobless at least six months, and improve job training and counseling for veterans. Obama included the tax breaks in his $447 billion jobs plan, which has otherwise gone nowhere so far in Congress.
“Our veterans are one issue we should never be divided on,” said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., chief author of the veterans’ provisions.
The bill also repeals a law requiring federal, state and local governments to withhold 3 percent of their payments to contractors. That statute, which has yet to take effect, was designed to thwart tax cheats, but lawmakers now say it makes it harder for those companies to hire more workers.
The House could pass the legislation next week.
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