Oregon Public Broadcasting

In the face of extremely high unemployment numbers for returning Oregon veterans,  Senator Ron Wyden pressed his case for better federal support at a round table Tuesday. Rob Manning reports on what Wyden calls “the soft landing.”

One of Oregon’s returning military units suffered a 65 percent unemployment rate among its younger members, according to one veterans’ spokesman.

Military and other officials at a round table said existing veteran support programs are complicated and not always offered at the right time.

Senator Ron Wyden says that with Oregon’s high level of participation, elected officials should improve the way soldiers return to civilian life.

Ron Wyden: “What the government needs to do in return, is getting it right in terms of the transition - I call it the period from holding a rifle to holding a child, and getting back into the work force.”

Wyden's "soft landing" program would pay Guard members for 90, rather than 30 days, when they return from active duty - though not all of that would be at full pay.

The Oregon legislature is also considering bills aimed at employing soldiers and helping their families.