Unemployment Among Post-9/11 Veterans and Military Spouses After the Economic Downturn

Abstract : Since the onset of the economic downturn, policymakers and the public have expressed renewed concern over veterans who have served honorably since 9/11 in some cases experiencing multiple overseas deployments but have found it difficult to obtain civilian employment after completing their military service. In recent years, legislators and executive branch departments have proposed a variety of programs aimed at improving the jobs outlook for recent veterans. These efforts have been motivated in part by a perception in some quarters that veterans face substantial obstacles to finding civilian employment after they leave military service. Policymakers have also expressed concern regarding high unemployment among spouses of currently serving military personnel, with a rate reported to be as high as 26 percent in some quarters.