From The Chicago Sun-Times, 3/26/06:
http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-vetjobside26.html

From the front line to the unemployment line

BY CHERYL L. REED Staff Reporter Advertisement


Mark Wirth Jr., a 21-year-old from Orland Park, figures the skills he
learned as a combat Marine are too valuable to waste waiting tables.

But back in civilian life now after serving two tours in Iraq, Wirth
isn't getting any offers for the jobs he wants, the jobs he thought
the military had trained him to do -- in law enforcement or security
consulting.

He says the only job he has been offered, through the state's job
bank, is as a truck driver.

"I know how to drive a Humvee," said Wirth, who's aiming for a job
that pays at least $13 an hour.

"But I don't know how to drive an 18-wheeler."


'It's kind of upsetting'

He's like thousands of other U.S. military veterans who, having served
in the Iraq war, expected to come home and find a job that employed
skills he learned in the military.

Instead, he faced the worst job environment for young vets since the
early 1980s.

After four years in the Marine Corps, Wirth got out Jan. 29.

He signed up for unemployment benefits on Valentine's Day.

He has been looking for a job in law enforcement or security
consulting since then.

"It's kind of upsetting," he said of hearing employers tell him
they're looking for people who've been to college, who have at least
an associate's degree.

"You'd think these police departments would value someone who has
spent four years defending the country more than someone who spent two
years sitting in a classroom. But that's not the case."

'Nobody steps up to the plate'

Wirth wanted to be a Marine ever since he was 12.

Through the Marine Corps' delayed-entry program, he signed up at 16
and was 17 when he went off to boot camp.

Wirth spent 14 months overseas with the Marines.

He thought that kind of real-life experience -- including his role
with a combined arms assault team -- would matter more when he came
home.

"I put my life on the line," Wirth said.

In earlier times, he figures, someone with four years in the Marines
"could instantaneously become a police officer when he got out. That's
not the case anymore."

He can see why police departments value a college degree.

But he figures patriotism should count for something, too.

"Everyone says 'awesome job' and pats you on the back, but nobody
steps up to the plate and offers you a job."

He's registered with the state's job bank, called Illinois Skills
Match, which gives preference to veterans.

He has met with an unemployment representative there who specializes
in helping vets.

And he has a backup plan in mind -- for a job that pays just $8.50 an
hour, with no benefits.

_____________________________________________________________

No sounds of outrage from yellow-ribbon-car-sticker-flag-pin-wearin'
"patriots"

Harry