American soldiers fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq face a multitude of dangers: Improvised Explosive Devices, Insurgents, Taliban; things that would make most Americans wet themselves. What's worse, the dangers don't abate when the brave return from battle. When they get home they have to face unemployment. It may sound like a joke, but the transition from combat to civilian life is not always an easy one. An unemployment rate hanging near 10% doesn't make it any easier.

There are, of course, benefits to the military that go beyond serving your country. Service often entails technical training, creating skills that can be transferred effectively to the private sector. Indeed, many former soldiers find a good fit in law enforcement and the new GI Bill makes it easier than ever to get a college-level education. In addition, non-quantifiable like leadership, honor, duty, and loyalty are learned and encouraged. In many ways, former service members are ideal for the private workforce.

In many ways, the transition from military to civilian echoes that of many other jobs. You need to think about health insurance, retraining, and getting a handle on your personal finances. It's in dealing with the consequences unique to military service that finding a job becomes both vital and difficult. Approximately 30% of combat veterans suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Depression. Finding treatment for these ailments is vital, as post-combat suicides are higher than they've been in over twenty-five years. This statistic should disturb any American, and make it more important than ever to get our soldiers fortunate enough to return home adjusted to their new lives as quickly as possible. Every branch of the military has its own specialized transition offices (which makes sense, because each branch faces unique dangers and learns unique skills).

Army: Army Career and Alumni Program (ACAP)

Marine Corps: Personal Services Center (formerly Family Service Center)

Navy: Fleet and Family Service Center (FFSC)

Air Force: Family Support Center (FSC)

Coast Guard: Work-Life Staff

It's important to take the transition seriously, as it can be a stressful time. Do not hesitate to take advantage of the services offered by your transition office; you've earned them, and they are there to make your re-integration into civilian life as easy and painless as possible.

A large part of that transition is finding a new job, and there are several ways in which a recently discharged veteran might start his or her brand new career search. It might help to start at the same place everyone else starts: the Internet. Not only do traditional career boards like Career Builder and Hot Jobs allow you to search by military experience, but www.military.com/careers has the largest Military Job Boards in the world (granted, that's according to them, but it's certainly not a bad place to start). If you wish to continue in a field that your service has prepared you for, be sure to list your military background prominently on your resume.

Additionally, the Jobs for Veterans Act, according to the Federal Department of Labor website, provide specific guidance as far as training and federal/state jobs are concerned. Your local workforce center will be able to provide you with eligibility and benefits information.

But you may decide that you want to take off in a new direction. Perhaps the reason you joined the military in the first place was to pay for college. You will have several advantages that those who do not serve in the military won't have. For example, a large portion of your tuition will be payed for by the federal government (this has been expanded under the new GI Bill). In addition, it's possible that you will have a chunk of money waiting for you upon leaving the service (the $10,000 they said they'd give you for college when you joined up). It's your responsibility to investigate these pathways, but know that there are a lot of programs you can take advantage of. Again, your local workforce center is a good place to start, and www.military.com even has a list of military friendly colleges in the U.S. If you decide to follow this route, the military will provide vital work history (that will usually help you get hired).

Please also utilize the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) in your area. The military obviously knows that transition can be tough, and has put a good deal of effort into finding ways to smooth the road from soldier to civilian. Take advantage of the work they've done and the programs they've developed.

It's important that veterans of all ages, genders, and ethnicities use the programs developed for them. They deserve better than to be cast aside and forgotten, and I would hope that Vietnam taught America a valuable lesson on how NOT to treat its returning soldiers. Indeed, soldiers returning from Vietnam often found it difficult to find work not because of economic conditions, but because the war itself was so unpopular. Things are quite a bit different now, but forcing our returning veterans to tackle job hunting after they've tackled combat seems a bit unfair and a bit merciless. I think everyone can agree that our soldiers deserve better than that.

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