For many veterans, making the transition back into the workforce from the military can be difficult.
The jobless rate for veterans rose last month to its highest level in years. After two combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, army vet Dave Marr, had trouble finding a job in the civilian world. "I was in limbo when I came back. A lot of vets suffer from PTSD, I was one of those vets," he says.
Marr's life changed when he enrolled in a job training program called " Different Shade of Green." The federally funded program is offered by Cornell University's Cooperative Extension School. The ten week course offers vets training in emerging green technologies like solar and wind power.
Since the program started almost a year ago, more than 90 veterans have gone through the course. Dave Marr did so well, Cornell offered him a job as a veteran's coordinator. Having been out of work himself, Marr knows exactly what unemployed vets are going through. "I'm able to help out other vets and give them hope and inspiration to get back out in job market and let them know that 'hey if I can do it, you can do it," he says.
For more information: visit Extend Onondaga and CNY Works .
