House VA Chairman’s Update on Vet Jobs and the War

“The Editor’s Desk” sits down once again with Congressman Jeff Miller, R-FL, the chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee to talk about the state of the VA, veteran hiring, the war in Afghanistan, and the upcoming presidential election.

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[VIETNAM VETERANS]

HOW ABOUT REMEMBERING THE BLUE WATER NAVY VIETNAM VETERANS.... THEY TOO SERVED AND DESERVE THE SAME BENEFITS ALL OTHER BRANCHES RECEIVED.

[Rosalin]

HOW ABOUT FINANCIALLY HELPING SINGLE VETERANS WHO HAVE DONE WHAT WE'VE BEEN TOLD BEFORE RETIRING TO HAVE SIX MONTHS OF MONEY IN YOUR SAVING TO PAY BILLS UNTIL YOU GET A DISABILITY RATING AND NEW JOB. I HAVEN'T GOTTEN A JOB YET AND NOT QUALIFIED FOR UNEMPLOYMENT. I AM THANKFUL FOR MY RETIREMENT PENSION BUT IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO PAY ALL MY BILLS. PEOPLE LIKE US NEED HELP FINANCIALLY TOO!!!

[Bob Johnson]

I was recently told it will be 18-24 months before I will hear anything about my request to review disability rating after replacement of both knees. Should be simple since service connected disability was determined back in 1994. My request has been pending since March, 2011.

[Curt Moline]

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[Kelvin (Kelly) Smith]

I have been unemployed for well over 2 years now and was denied an extension on my unemployment benefits due to wages earned from Aug 09 to Dec 09. I am working parttime now but here to tell you as a Vietnam Era Vet there is discrimination against me not only cause of my veteran status but my age as well! Someone needs to fight for all of us!

[david henry]

i havent been unemployed for about a yr almost and iv been denide on my umemployed benfits with the office because the people i was working for said they i was fired instead quiting because of my ramdom move i had, the only thing i been getting it my drill check once a month and thats not even enought to cover everything i havent as a 24 yr old person trying to make ends work. been looking for jobs since and nobody is hireing at all. people in congress need to fix this and not just toss it to the side, as many people get jobs people are being fired as well so our unemployed rate its really going anyway at all. People in the military or servied in the military needs help but shouldnt be first because our military background we should be tied into the people of the U.S. as one since we are a free country and we work as a whole or was that the past now?

[Christopher]

Since I served in the Vietnam War and in Vietnam two years, To this day, Being a war veteran of the USA, Not one time has being a veteran helped me get a job...
All that talk about veterans being at the top of the hiring list was a Lie.
I still cannot get a job and we Vietnam Veterans are listed under "Title-7" as a protected class.
The US used us a "Test-Meat" to fight their wars and then turned their backs on us.

[Sonorra McMath]

I truly believe all veterans deserve equal and adequate access to benefits. The government breached contract with benefits on multiple occasions. No vet should be homeless or unemployed (if the desire for employment exist). I am so tired of feeling like I'm begging every time I try to get access to contracts that are supposed to be set aside for veteran entrepreneurs. Federal jobs, commonly held by nonveteran civilians, were designed for veterans, yet less than 10% of those positions are held by vets. Why are we constantly competing when laws are in place? Why are we constantly fighting terrorist organizations and institutions when laws are supposed to protect us at home from predatory practices? For those reasons, I started these petitions. Please review, sign, and pass them along. Let vets know other vets have their backs. http://signon.org/sign/president-obama-will. http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-argosy-university-seattle-to-refund-gi-bill-dollars.

[Lloyd Miller]

How can military retirees have less preference than military spouse/dependents when applying for civil servant jobs while living overseas? After more than 20 years in the military and having my spouse follow me around, I completely understand how hard it is for a spouse to acquire a job, however how can an eighteen year old dependant have a higher preference over a military retiree with years of experience and qualifications just because they have a military parent? I just don’t see how the United States can mandate that a company stateside hire a Veteran first and not play by the same rules when they hire overseas. Don’t get me wrong, I whole heartily believe in the spouse’s preference program, but only when the education and experience are the same. If the retiree has more education and years more experience shouldn’t they get the job. It seems to me the US does all it can to discourage retirees from living overseas. Yes it was my choice to marry a foreigner; however the military is one whom sent me overseas in the first place where in turn I met my spouse. Even having 40 percent service connected disability and 10 percent combat related special compensation, I still do not have any preference when trying to get an overseas job with the US Government, the same government I protected for over twenty plus years.

[Dee B]

I am a Vietnam Era vet who was volunteering at the FHCC in North Chicago, IL, unil I made the mistake of helping hospitalized veterans..and I was FIRED. I was told it does not look good for volunteers to try and help veterans with issues!!! I was told to decide if I was a volunteer or a vet..first!! I will always be a VET first.

[Joseph D Sanzo III]

Yes I agree with all Veterans,myself is a Vietnam Vet & I had a Heart transplant because of agent orange & I am still waiting Thank God for American Airlines Health insurance otherwise I be Dead now. Now what we wait til I die so my family would eventually forget about my payment? That's what the VA wants to do.

[Courtney L Jacobs]

My name is Courtney.
I posted the comment concerning the Civilian Federal Hiring System's ancient and out dated view on Veteran Hiring Practices. If any Vet wants me to explain please contact me at courtney_jacobs3423@yahoo.com
Thank you.

[Courtney L Jacobs]

Veteran's Preference and one Year Probationary periods for veterans (especially 30% or more Veterans) is out dated.

Number one Veterans preference should be absolute. Agencies should not be able to pass over qualified vets and repost jobs announcements on USA JOBS until they hire their friends and favorites co-workers.

Why is there a one year probationary period in the civilian federal hiring system for disabled veterans? Shouldn't they be rewarded with exemption from probationary periods due to their service to our country? Obviously not according to the Civilian Federal System, which boast Veteran's Preference, hires vets and then fires our countries heroes before their first year on the job is complete for frivolous reasons unrelated to work performance.
No one says anything just the way the cookie crumbles right? No wonder why Veterans stay unemployed. The Civilian Federal Hiring system is using ancient hiring practices from the 50's and 60's.

[Sherron Wildes]

I’m a Golf War Veteran and unemployed for a year now. I’m working with my local Veterans office and VR&E for jobs and nothing seems to be happening. I have two degrees and still no one wants to hire a service connected disabled vet.
I have been denied unemployment benefits and I am struggling to pay my bills. I thought as a Veteran we would deserve equal benefits. I have applied for many Federal jobs, most with the Veterans Administration. Working for the VA is the only place I feel I would belong. If I worked there I would not feel as if I had some disease. Veterans need help from our Congressman to help us through this difficult situation in our lives. I served my country, why can’t my country help me get a job, or at least give me a try at one of theirs?

[Kevin gonor]

I am a disabled vet. In 2005 I was an Executive with a Fortune 500 Company running a $5.4 billion division. I reinjured the leg that I injured in the service of my country and needed a new prosthesis. When I returned I had no job. Since that time I have struck out everywhere. I have applied to 100's of industry and government jobs and very rarely get a response. Nobody wants to hire a Vietnam Nam Vet. Age and other things are a factor! With my experience I can fix many of the problems that exist within VA healthcare and other Gov agencies if given the chance? I will work anywhere and for any amount. I just want a job! It seems the Government doesnt care about experience or morals based on the recent GSA and Secret Service scandles. If I were corrupt or connected I could probably get a job? If you want a great employee hire me.

Klgonor@gmail.com

[Chesley Fisher]

The VA's vet and disabled vet preference is a joke. on June second while i was in the Birmingham, AL VA hospital i took my own poll. of the 63 employees that I talked with only two were veterans. Three were the spouses of veterans and the other 58 had no connection whatsoever to the military service.

Why is it that we are promised these things and then after we serve, beat up our bodies and our minds we find out these were only fairy tales.

As Veterans we need to stand up against those who refuse to honor the promises made by our government and its leaders. Vote them out of office. Check your local and state representatives and if they aren't with us then vote them OUT!

The VA needs a major overhaul. We need Veterans in charge of Veterans not some pimply faced idiot who hasn't served. We were promised better care and deserve the best.

Chesley M. Fisher
SFC, USA
Retired, disabled veteran

[CDevine]

As a veteran who works as an HR Staffing Specialist for the USAF, I can tell you that military spouses and family members (although very important to the military members) get hiring PREFERENCE OVER VETS time and time again. Don't forget the milspouses didn't put on the uniform and didn't face front-line duty - we VETS did and there is one less job every time a spouse takes it.

[James L. Buie II USN Ret Disabled VET.]

I understand the hardship in filling positions with Veterans especially when currently < 1% of the total population of the USA is in service status. You would think that if our goverment cant care for this minor amount of the USA population how in the world do they think that they are going to properly care for the general public under Obama care. This is a joke if you think that you need to save for 6 months to make the transistion to civilan life when realistic time is 1 year to 18 months. Vets need to be offered jobs 2 months prior of all others if we are to be able to ensure that vets are place not in jobs, but jobs that fit their qualifications that would bring the best benifit to both sides. The Vet and the Employers.

[Disabled Veteran]

After working for the Department of Veteran's Affairs I feel I should share some knowledge with fellow Veterans; the government does not want to hire Veterans because we try to fix the problems of the agencies we work for and the leadership hates that. Don't fool yourself, Veteran's hiring preference is not used because Veterans rock the boat. The civilians who run these agencies do not want your opinions, your advice, or your problem-solving skills. Veterans who are sharp and can solve problems make these civilians cringe when they find out what the problems really are in an agency, and they definitely do not want you showing them how to solve problems. If you can solve problems, it makes them look bad.
I am sorry to have to share this reality with you all, but someone has to be honest for a change.

[JohnZuniga]

to every one I am a service officerI can tell you this much,VA will not give any one full support on any thing we finally had ti start a couiliton of vets in corpus christi, Texas becuase there no support inside every one in the US write thier coungressman and flood them with letters, this is not good for the vets,communicate with other Vets and see what happensw.JZ combat vet

[MSgt Evans Retired]

Congress Miller, the problem with Vets getting jobs is that the VA and Federal Civil Service won't hire us. I have experinced this first hand with the VA and Civil Service. If they hired Vets they would actually be expected to follow thier own guide lines. We are a hardcore group of people and we see Black and White not GRAY. That is against everything these two agencies do. I was hired by The VA and told that my 24 1/2 years experience meant nothing and that I would have to start at the bottom again. That is very humiliating!! I have seen 2 year college KIDS be hired over 20 plus years experienced vets. If you want to ensure that we get the jobs and benefits we have earned and deserve then you need to STOP listening to the VA Execs and start talking to people like me. If I sound irate I AM!!! I saw a Human Resource (HR)office staffed with 10 people to serve 800. It still took 3 months to get a SF 50 generated. When I was in the Military I worked 2 HR personnell who served 1600 and the longest it took them to get something done was a week. Don't cut our benefits, hire and use us to strip the waste in these organizations. The sad part about this is that you nor our other elected officals have the respect for us to do what really needs to be done. I challenage ALL Vets to register and vote in Nov 2012 and maybe we will be heard and not pushed to the side. One more question, why isn't congress looking at cutting to benefits to those who have never worked a day in their lives and live off the rest of us???

[Jacquelyn Raymond]

SURE SURE I applied for a job at the VA Hospital Hire Center in Murfreesboro, TN. I applied online with the "MANAGER Huber, Christina L" who told me about the job and told me I would get the job, to wait for the call. Three weeks later I get an e-mail telling me I didn't respond, so, I would have to re-apply. I called Mrs Christina L. Huber who never answered responded to my messages. I then called HR Manager Tammy W. Watson and told her what happened and forwarded the e-mail to her. Tammy called back said she would get with Christina and find out what happened. I received a call from Christina and was told she remembered me and that the job was for employees only, and to apply for other jobs. Christina was only concerned that I become a part of WAVES Unit meeting? and wanted to make sure I contact Gloria J. Wix. AMAZING SERVE YOUR COUNTRY. If your from another country, or, don't speak English, you can get a job. Oh yes Obama why don't you send the rest of the jobs over seas and then cut off my unemployment when I don't have a job. 20 years Navy Retired and 10 years with IBM before my job went overseas. I was getting unemployment, but, was cut off without any notification. I followed all the rules.

[Kent]

So typical of VA to do something this stupid! WHO in their right mind would go to ESPECIALLY COBO hall in DETROIT for ANYTHING but maybe some more gang warfare? !
I got a card for this today and I live 365 miles away. I have to wonder how much time and postage was wasted sending these to vets my age (68) and health condition. DUMB! Just F****N DUMB!