Posted on Apr 18, 2016
SFC Chad Sowash
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SGT Jeremiah B.
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I think it's just an extension of the same issues faced in the civilian sector post-financial crisis. "Veteran" is just a flag they can use to figure out where you fit in their age brackets. Vietnam vets face the same age discrimination everyone else is getting. They're old and no one wants to hire old people when they have a huge population of desperate young people..

GWOT Vets? Yeah, they're behind in just about every measurable way that HR departments seem to care about these days.
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CPL(P) Civilian Driver
CPL(P) (Join to see)
>1 y
I would love to be able to take out a dummy grenade, pull the pin, set it on the table and watch their faces. Then tell them that the amusement from seeing their faces, smells notwithstanding, was almost worth the wasted effort, money, and time to come into the office. I would thank them for their condescending and criminal waste of my time then inform them that I will be taking that bottle of water that I turned down earlier, and leave.

One can daydream
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Sgt Field Radio Operator
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Edited >1 y ago
In 1972, I interviewed for a job, and had to talk to three different managers. One of the managers asked me in detail about Vietnam. I remained calm, and answered his questions. I had the impression that this manager did not like veterans. There were 100 people interviewing for two positions, and I did get one of the positions. Active duty personnel and veterans have to compete with civilians. In order to do this, they should obtain as much education and training as they can in order to be competitive.

As far as the article, and others that say you should not list that you are a veteran, on your resume. I disagree with this approach. Your resume should be compete and accurate, including your military service.
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Capt Brandon Charters
Capt Brandon Charters
>1 y
Sgt (Join to see) You competed for jobs in an environment where military service was a seen as such a negative experience. Mostly due to political reasons. I have so much respect for your generation of veterans and I applaud the decision to leave military service on your resume.
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Sgt Field Radio Operator
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Capt Brandon Charters - Thank you sir.
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CPL(P) Civilian Driver
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Sgt, I got 0 jobs when white collars knew about my service. As an experiment I applied for different jobs. The ones with the most offers came from hiding my service and education. The day laborer job offers came from hiding my education only but allowing them to know about the service. The day laborer jobs were not interested in knowing both. Private sector jobs that aren't waste management, roofing, masonry, landscaping, locksmiths, range safety, gate/security guard, maintenance mechanic, or possibly police officers are hard to come by. Letting HR know about service in a job interview for an intermediate blue to white collar position is employment suicide. That little gasp of air they take as they try to decide how to do what they will do next almost looks like they just suck started an M16.

I have had to go out as a 1099 private contractor and do service work because nobody is willing to hire a person that serves with an affordable pay range. I have always remained calm and personable in interviews as well, but I believe you had a lucky strike with your employment experience. More examples could be cited pulling from the experiences of others since they got out or joined the guard but I'll curtail them for now.
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1stSgt Sergeant Major/First Sergeant
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I would need to see data that shows it. The article is a opinion piece and the remarks are even more opinion. Just my thoughts.
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SFC Chad Sowash
SFC Chad Sowash
>1 y
It's BLS data - which is getting better - although still not as favorable for veterans.
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1stSgt Sergeant Major/First Sergeant
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SFC Chad Sowash , Personally I haven't seen it, but all that means is that personally I haven't seen it.
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