Unemployment Rate Higher For Veterans

Maria Biddlestone has been a proud Army veteran since 2008.

“I served four years and did three tours in Iraq,” she said.

However, even a lady as tough as Biddlestone gets teary-eyed talking about the tough job market. “It’s been very tough. There’s nothing out there,” she said.

Numbers released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate last month, the unemployment rate was at 12.1 percent for veterans compared to 9 percent for for the U.S. overall. The jobless rate for veterans aged 18 to 24 was at 30.4 percent for the same time period.

“Give us a chance to show you what we have. Not only do we have combat experience, but we have leadership skills,” said Biddlestone. The wife and mother is now working toward a criminal justice degree in hopes of becoming a lawyer and making her post-Army dreams come true.

“Don’t give up, keep going and as long as you know you (served) for the United States, that’s all that matters,” Biddlestone said.