Some central Indiana businesses focus on hiring veterans - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Tens of thousands of American soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are having trouble finding work when they get home. The unemployment rate for these younger veterans hit 29 percent last year. That's why we are teaming up with NBC for an effort called "Hiring Our Heroes". The goal is to try to match our service men and women with companies who make it a priority to employ veterans.

Inside the former RCA factory on the Indianapolis east side, the work is dirty, low paying, and exhausting. Brandon Lane, an Iraqi war vet, calls it a blessing. "It means how I eat, how I live, how I get clothes. It is my life," he said.

Since leaving the Army three years ago, the heavy equipment mechanic had been sporadically unemployed and homeless. Then, "the opportunity was handed to me to get a job," Lane said with a smile.

About half the employees at DAO are veterans. Founder Cal Hultquist explained, "To me it seems a tragedy for guys who come back, men and women, to come back from war only to find them selves unemployed, perhaps homeless and other issues waiting for them."

DAO tears down appliances to be recycled and repairs those worth salvaging and selling. Here hiring veterans isn't charity. It is good business. "They get here on time. They know how to listen. They follow orders and they get the job done," said Hultquist.

Yet a staggering numbers of veterans can't find work. The government figures nearly one third of the nation's youngest vets, those 18 to 24 years old, are unemployed.

Too many veterans complain that too many employers refuse to see how experiences gained in battle fields and military bureaucracy can be put to work in a civilian job.

Humana is one of a number of large companies now pledging to hire veterans, one thousand of them, or their spouses. "We saw this as an opportunity for us to help and give back to veterans," said Chuck Combs, a Humana regional sales manager.

The health insurance company calls itself "veteran friendly" and promises to put their soldiering skills to work. "Working in a team, collaboration, communication. Those all come in to play in any job Humana is trying to fill," said Combs.

Humana has already filled nearly half of the one thousand jobs. Company officials say they range from entry level to senior management positions.

However, even with the promises of help, veterans' advocates there won't be enough office space and job openings for all the soldiers trying to survive as civilians.

On Thursday members of the Indiana National Guard will be in the Channel 13 studios taking calls from veterans and companies who are hiring new workers.

On April 18th, the National Guard will hold its annual "Hire a Hoosier Veteran Career Fair" at Stout Field. We expect over 130 employers to take part in the job fair.  Sign up here.