Veterans Job Program Far Ahead of Schedule
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Alex Wong/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) — Jobs for military veterans and their families has been one of the top priorities of the Obama administration, given the hundreds of thousands of soldiers who’ve fought in two wars during the past 12 years.
A program called “Joining Forces,” overseen by first lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of the vice president, set a goal of 100,000 jobs for vets and family members in two years.
On Tuesday, Mrs. Obama announced that “Joining Forces” had far exceeded its target by either hiring or training 290,000 people in just 16 months.
The first lady told reporters, “We are also proud to announce that American companies have committed to hire or train another 435,000 of these men and women over the next five years.”
Unemployment is rife among veterans, many of whom served multiple tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, which also put a strain on their families back home.
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