Employment and Unemployment Among Vietnam Era Veterans: An Analysis of the 1979 National Survey of Veterans

摘要

This report analyzes the data of the 1979 National Survey of Veterans and compares unemployment statistics for Vietnam-theater veterans with other veterans of the Vietnam era (VNE). Aggregate data show similar statistics for both Vietnam veterans and other veterans of comparable age, and the two groups are similarly distributed in demographic background characteristics and in labor market behavior. The differences which did appear, such as a higher percentage of unemployed college-educated Vietnam veterans, a lower percentage earning high salaries, and an urban-rural unemployment differential were not dramatic. The report recommends more detailed study of specific subgroups of Vietnam theater veterans, such as those with prolonged heavy combat experience and minority groups. A bibliography and a questionnaire are included.