WaPo - Veterans Day: How many veterans work for the federal government?

[Xipe Totec]

So how many military veterans does the federal government employ? Roughly one in four of 2.1 million federal employees is a veteran, according to statistics compiled by the Office of Personnel Management. The agency also suggests that more than 1 million federal jobs are tied to supporting the military — either at the Pentagon or other security agencies.

And one-third of the federal government’s new hires in the first half of fiscal year 2011 were veterans, according to President Obama’s Council on Veterans Employment.

The council reported in July that the federal government hired 34,788 veterans in the first half of fiscal year 2011, up from 32,825 hired during the first half of FY 2010.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/federal-eye/post/veterans-day-how-many-veterans-work-for-the-federal-government/2011/11/10/gIQAbEd29M_blog.html

And that does not count active military personnel who are also government employees.

So the next time a Republican talks about reducing the size of government, remember to ask how many military veterans will be laid off as a result.

[Xipe Totec]

1. Kick nt

[former9thward]

2. Do you believe we should not reduce our Department of War budget?

I think it should be reduced and yes plenty of people will be laid off including veterans. Is our Department of War budget meant to be a never ending, always expanding, jobs creation machine?

[Xipe Totec]

3. There's more to the federal government than just the military.

The department noted that about 6.1 million veterans live in rural and farming communities and that a quarter of its new permanent hires are veterans. The Forest Service also plans to waive fees this weekend at its recreation sites.

Close on the heels of USDA, the Department of Homeland Security sent word on Wednesday morning that it would also honor its veterans with a department-wide commemoration ceremony. DHS employs more than 50,000 veterans, according to a spokesman, and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano honored them at an event Wednesday.

Over at the Justice Department, Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. on Wednesday honored the 19,000 military veterans working for the Justice Department.

At the Labor Department, officials touted the Veterans’ Employment and Training Service, which is helping veterans transition into the civilian working world — and often assisting low-income veterans with job opportunities.

[former9thward]

5. I am very aware of that.

But either you support deep cuts to our wasteful Department of War budget or you don't. If those cuts are made hundreds of thousands will be laid off if not more. And plenty will be vets. I support those cuts and to not support them is almost madness.

[Xipe Totec]

7. For the record, I am for reducing the war department

Reducing that department will reduce the number of future veterans, and that is a good thing.

Happy now?

[former9thward]

8. I won't be happy until the cuts are made.

Have a nice day. This vet, who is currently working for a federal department, is heading off to work. No holiday for us!

[Xipe Totec]

9. I'm heading to the cemetery to put flowers on my brother's grave

20 year Marine veteran.

Glad you're still here.

[Xipe Totec]

4. I have not heard a single Republican call for a reduction in the War Department

But I have heard them call for reductions in every non military department.

[former9thward]

6. Do you support the cuts?

I have not heard a single Democrat running for President call for a reduction in the War Department.

[UTUSN]

10. Not to mention asking any civilian Repukes whether *they* are veterans (not likely).

Well, there are lots of vets at the VFWs who *are* wingnuts.

[Xipe Totec]

11. I wonder how many of them are employed by the Federal Government

And still vote to cut their own jobs.

Go figure.

[UTUSN]

12. Hip, my local radio wingnut talkshow host loves to feature retired Homeland Security

dudes who are vociferously anti-Fed/OBAMA, & I'm always thinking: Give up the pensions, benefits, everything. Also lots of healthcare administrators, home health, likewise wingnut yet raking in gigantic pay and coverage from Medicare.