Study: Some Jobs Put Vets at Risk

The study noted that veterans of working age tended to be older and in poorer heath than their civilian counterparts. Image: Olivier Le Queinec/Shuttestock.com

Veterans who take certain dangerous jobs could face considerable risks to their health and safety, according to a recent study by the RAND Corporation think tank.

Citing figures provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the RAND study noted that the unemployment rate improved to 2.8 percent from 8.7 percent in 2022. But while the figures are encouraging, the study noted that the numbers do not take into account the quality of these jobs.

The RAND study focused on just that – whether such jobs incorporated fair hiring practices, supported unions, had “good organizational cultures,” paid well, offered opportunities for career advancement – and that “safe and healthy working conditions” were provided.

“Veterans who have put their lives and health on the line for their country should have access to safe, health-enhancing civilian jobs after leaving military service,” the report stated. “Using national survey data, we examined differences in the types of jobs that veterans and nonveterans hold and explored implications of these differences and areas for future research.”

The study noted that veterans of working age tended to be older and in poorer heath than their civilian counterparts, and as such are more susceptible to injury and threats to health. While laborious blue-collar jobs put workers at risk for injuries, those of any ilk that require long hours could affect mental health and sleep patterns, according to RAND.

Study findings include:

• Veterans are uniquely vulnerable to poor working conditions. Military service is by definition demanding and can exact a toll on overall health. Certain civilian jobs could exacerbate pre-existing conditions.

• Veterans could have a higher likelihood of working in unhealthy jobs. Additionally, they are more likely to have pre-existing conditions.

• Veterans are more likely to be unemployed and out of the labor force.

RAND recommended that more attention be given to working conditions, resources that help transition to civilian life, and policies that address working conditions,

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