OPINION PAGE, LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 12/4/08

Disabled veterans are dedicated, professional workers: Hire them

Disabled veterans are dedicated, professional workers: Hire them In the Nov. 23 Federal Feedback column titled "Agencies hiring more veterans," Michael Kole talks about how the number of veterans being hired by the federal government continues to grow.

There is no doubt that Virginia serves as a major hub for our armed forces. Thousands of military members live in and transition through this state every year, and thousands of our veterans are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan looking for civil-service or private-sector jobs.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Iraq and Afghanistan veterans under the age of 24 have an unemployment rate three times the national average. Also, depending on which Department of Defense statistics you read, between 35,000 and 53,000 wounded veterans have returned home from our current conflicts.

Mr. Kole's article also explains the necessity of hiring these qualified and experienced veterans. He is also correct in saying that more needs to be done to help these brave soldiers obtain employment, especially in this rough economic time.

Transitioning from the military to the civilian work force is a challenge, and even more so for our disabled veterans.

Tackling this challenge head-on, CACI International created our “Deploying Talent - Creating Careers” recruiting program, which specifically focuses on hiring veterans with disabilities who are looking for quality civilian jobs where they can build productive and rewarding careers.

These disabled heroes bring incredible talent, expertise, and dedication to the civilian work force.

Companies that hire them find a pool of unmatched professionals steeped in the ethos of duty and mission honed by their military service.

Larry Clifton
Arlington

The writer is senior vice president of recruiting and work-force planning for CACI International