The economy added a whopping 517,000 jobs in January, blowing way past Wall Street predictions of job growth of less than half that total and bringing the unemployment rate for the nation's more than 18 million veterans down to a remarkable 2.8% from 3.2% in December.
However, the overall positive numbers in the monthly employment situation report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics released Friday were slightly offset by a jump in the jobless rate for post-9/11 veterans from 3.0% in December to 3.8% in January.
The 3.8% rate for the post-9/11 Iraq and Afghanistan-era veterans topped the national unemployment rate for all Americans in January of 3.4%, down slightly from 3.5% in December and the lowest monthly mark since 1969.
Read Next: Sources: Fort Sill Commander Suspended from Duty for Allegedly Breaking Hunting Rules on Base
It was the first time since January 2022 that the jobless rate for post-9/11 veterans exceeded the national average, but veterans groups said the main takeaway from the BLS report was a plus for veterans going forward despite fears of a recession in the second half of this year.
“It really is positive and definitely shows the link between the economic situation and the market for employment,” said Kevin Rasch, regional director in Florida for the Warriors to Work program of the Wounded Warrior Project.
He said the jump in the jobless rate for post-9/11 veterans could be partially attributed to the…
