Accession Number:

ADA616063

Title:

2015 Veteran Economic Opportunity Report

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS WASHINGTON DC

Personal Author(s):

Report Date:

2015-01-01

Pagination or Media Count:

100.0

Abstract:

The Department of Veterans Affairs VA has a mission to help Veterans maximize their economic competitiveness, which we define as the ability to compete and remain relevant in a changing economy. Economic competitiveness isn t just about employment it encompasses overall employment, earnings, independent living, housing, and educational attainment. Our goal is to help Veterans succeed in every aspect of their lives. VA was asked to evaluate economic competitiveness of Veterans versus non-Veterans to inform policy, guide improvement strategies, and effectively communicate national priorities. This initial report focuses on baseline data and information that clarifies the landscape of current economic outcomes of Veterans and Transitioning Servicemembers. To understand the success of ongoing initiatives and identify possible barriers to Veterans economic competitiveness, this report focuses on Veterans of the 911 era in comparison with Veterans of all other eras as well as the non-Veteran population. It is important to note the Veteran population is more male dominated than the non-Veteran population. In order to make useful comparisons between them, in many cases the analysis in this report weighted the non-Veteran population demographics to be more similar to the Veteran population. In this analysis, the term adjusted will refer to matching non-Veteran demographic distributions to Veteran demographic distributions by age, gender, race, and education level. When it comes to employment and income, Veterans as a whole are faring well employment and earnings are generally comparable to the non-Veteran population, or even better among some groups. Veterans are taking advantage of their GI Bill education benefits to pursue higher education and certification programs. Each year, more Veterans participate in VA s loan guaranty program, which helps them purchase homes for their families. Still, there is room for improvement.

Descriptors:

• *ECONOMICS
• *EMPLOYMENT
• *UNEMPLOYMENT
• *VETERANS(MILITARY PERSONNEL)
• BASE LINES
• BENEFITS
• COMPARISON
• DEMOGRAPHY
• DISTRIBUTION
• EDUCATION
• HOUSING(DWELLINGS)
• MALES
• MISSIONS
• POPULATION
• SKILLS
• STRATEGY

Subject Categories:

• Economics and Cost Analysis
• Personnel Management and Labor Relations

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE