Washington, D.C. – Congressman Charles Rangel commended today’s announcement by the Department  of Veteran Affairs that veterans will now have on-demand access and can download official data about their military training and experience, which can be used to help them find jobs and continue their careers.  Their service data can be uploaded to job search and networking sites to help identify employment opportunities.

“The men and women of our Armed Forces are highly capable and dedicated people who would benefit any organization,” said Rangel.  “Veterans across our nation continue to struggle during these harsh economic times.   I hope they will take advantage of this opportunity to further use their many skills to find employment.”

Starting December 3, 2011, veterans can use the VA’s online My HealtheVet portal (www.myhealth.va.gov) to see official information about their military service, including deployment data, in-uniform experience, and Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes which define the type of work performed and skills learned during their tour of duty.  Veterans can electronically download that information to their personal computers by using an enhanced version of the Blue Button.  This new capability is the latest addition to a growing suite of job-hunting tools announced by President Obama on November 14.

Earlier this May, Rangel introduced legislation, H.R. 2046 - The Mandatory Transition Assistance Act that seeks to ease that transition by directing the Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security to provide servicemen and women with the vital training and information needed to assimilate successfully upon discharge.  Rangel also has a Veterans Resource Guide available on his congressional website to keep veterans informed on important resources available to them.

“The VA and its programs are crucial to our nation’s obligation to our veterans,” said Rangel.  “The 18,000 veterans in my Manhattan Congressional District and millions across America deserve good education, affordable housing, quality healthcare and employment opportunities.”

More Information:

Several industry partners have signed up to create -- or have even already implemented -- third-party applications that can read military specialties or classification codes in Blue Button format, automatically translate those codes into civilian descriptions, and identify openings and other resources for veterans.

Military job information available to veterans under this program will depend on discharge or retirement date.                      

•All veterans discharged after 1980 will see military specialty or classification codes;

•Some veterans discharged between 1975-1980 will see military specialty or classification codes;

•Some Gulf War veterans may see combat pay and deployment periods;

•All Post-9/11 veterans will see combat pay and deployment periods.

Veterans enrolled in VA health care can access their military service information through My HealtheVet.  Veterans who have not yet signed up for My HealtheVet access can register for a My HealtheVet account at any VA medical center by completing a one-time identity-verification process to help assure their data privacy.