Proposed 'Hiring Heroes Act' would help veterans get jobs

CLEVELAND - With staggering unemployment figures for veterans between the ages of 20 to 24 at 27 percent, a proposed bill may help them get back to work.

Tom Kermes left the marine corp. in 2008 after two tours of duty. The small arms repair specialist thought he'd find a job and start life.

"I wanted to work for a police station working in the armory fixing weapons, fixing things because I like working with my hands," said Kermes.

Kermes said he was barely getting called back.

"I was basically in management. Now it's to the point where I can't even get entry level positions because I don't have the work experience," he said.

Laura Bliesner has been a military spouse for eight years. Her husband is a combat medic who is back from war and fighting another battle -- trying to get hired.

"People say thank you for your service, thanks for what you do for us. But people don't follow that up with helping veterans transition to civilian life, finding jobs," said Bliesner.

Bliesner works in the veterans student success program at Cleveland State University.

Kermes is also getting his degree at C.S.U.

Both were on hand to hear Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) outline the "Hiring Heroes Act."

"This bill represents critical steps at putting our veterans back to work at a time when our economic recovery is happening but not nearly quickly enough for our veterans," said Brown.

Brown said one in four young veterans can't find a job to support their families or ease into civilian life.

The bill would place veterans into broad training programs and help them to secure a job before they leave the service. The military would also help match the skills they learned at war with the jobs they could use them in back home.

"I think it's going to be a great help to people like my husband and the people I see that even with degrees are having a tough time finding work," said Bliesner.

The Hiring Heroes Act of 2011 is a supported by Veteran's of Foreign Wars, the American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans.