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Nov-08-2007 10:50printcomments

Study Finds Combat Vets More Likely to be Unemployed and Earn Less

Higher rates of disability could be a contributing factor.

American soldiers fighting in Vietnam
American soldiers fighting in Vietnam
Photo courtesy: vva528.org

(VANCOUVER, Wash.) - Combat veterans from the military draft period --- those who fought in America's wars from World War II to Vietnam --- are less likely to be employed or to have been employed. If employed, they tended to earn less than either noncombat veterans or nonveterans of the same age.

Those are some of the preliminary findings of a study conducted by Alair MacLean, assistant professor of sociology at Washington State University Vancouver, and funded by the National Institute on Aging.

"Experiencing combat has that long-term effect, 10 to 30 years after their service was completed," MacLean said. Comparisons were made among veterans and their peers on a year-by-year basis from 1968-1994.

"Part of the reason these combat veterans have (or had) lower earnings and higher unemployment rates is that they have higher rates of disability, but more study is needed," she said.

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MacLean is also trying to answer the question: Who ended up in combat?

"During the time of the military draft, from World War II until 1974, service was more egalitarian than it is today. Those who served did not tend to come from nonwhite or poor families. "However, having a college degree was protective, because those with a degree were less likely to go into combat," she said.
Source: WSU Vancouver




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DD877 November 10, 2007 3:36 am (Pacific time)

Unidentified, I guess that would mean democrats and Republicans and Independents? Not to mention those who don't vote? It appears to me that the Congresses and Governments of All persuasions Have used The Soldiers Sailors and Marines And Put them in the Back of the bus when done with them. That is my perception since Aug 8 1964 When I enlisted.


Vic November 9, 2007 4:14 pm (Pacific time)

Typically liberal?? Do we have a liberal president ? Have we had a liberal congress?? Also , when I was in HS ..(early 70s) it seemed the kids who signed up for the military were NOT the best and brightest. They were usually the ones who couldnt get a job, and had a real hard time in the "real world". They were not leaders or innovators, but those who were happy being told what to do and when to do it...followers. Perhaps that is part of the reason for these statistics. People who cannot think for themselves rarely do that well in the business world. Before everyone jumps on me for bashing the veterans, let me say that I am only relating what I witnessed. That being said, those who put so much on the line should be taken care of properly.


Neal Feldman November 9, 2007 2:11 pm (Pacific time)

It goes beyond liberal/conservative. It is the fact that the country as a whole does not give the vets the respect and honor they are due nor the treatments they require. They will get a $200,000 artificial limb to help heal the body but they get nothing to help heal more subtle and less obvious ailments (physical or mental) since they do not make for the nice photo ops. Once used and abused this country just discards the very vets who allow this country to continue to exist. It is shameful and disgusting and I wish some politicians would have the spine to actually do something about it in a meaningful and effective way. Ah well...


unidentified November 9, 2007 4:22 am (Pacific time)

I guess that means that we do not care very much about our soldiers who served. Typical liberal, anti American, anti Military, anti everything that Country stands for. Shame on everyone who does not support our veterans.

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