Army’s Sgt. major says U.S. should support vets

Army’s sgt. major says U.S. should support vets
By Kristin M. Hall - The Associated Press
Posted : Saturday Dec 3, 2011 15:31:18 EST
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. — The Army’s top enlisted soldier said the entire nation has a responsibility to help the tens of thousands of young combat veterans who will be entering the civilian workforce in the coming years.

Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond Chandler visited Fort Campbell, Ky., on Friday to hear concerns of soldiers and their families about the coming changes for the Army, including the challenge of reducing the Army by 50,000 soldiers over the next five years and uncertainty about the effects of budget cuts.

Chandler told reporters at the installation on the Tennessee-Kentucky state line that the Army is preparing soldiers to leave the service but noted the American public has an important role in helping those veterans.

“Even the president has said we have to do more for our veterans,” he said. “If as a nation, we have said this is important, then all of us have a part to do, even those of us that are in the Army.”

With unemployment rates higher for recent veterans than the national average, Chandler said the Army can’t find jobs for all veterans, but can help set the conditions for them to seek employment.
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