Soldiers turn job hunters

Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008 | midnight

Members of the Nevada Army National Guard's 72nd Military Police Co. said hello again to their families after their third deployment since 2001.

They have been gone 11 months — two months of training followed by nine months in Iraq.

These soldiers have earned time with their families, but soon they must resume their civilian lives. Now that they are home, they are no longer receiving full-time military paychecks.

Some of these soldiers left jobs that were not career-oriented, no doubt thinking they would have no trouble finding a new job upon their return. Since they left, Nevada's unemployment rate has risen from 5.4 percent to 7.1 percent, and the hunt may not be easy.

Times may be tough, but Southern Nevada employers need to make room for these men and women who willingly have given so much to their country.