About the Literature Review

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Literature review that seeks to document evidence on Black Veterans’ experience transitioning from military to civilian employment. The review synthesizes findings from recent research on employment outcomes, highlights factors associated with employment outcomes, describes best practices and interventions, services, and support needs, and identifies gaps in the existing body of literature that prevent the current state and needs of Black Veterans from being fully understood.

Key Takeaways

• Black Veterans, on average, earn more than Black nonveterans but less than White Veterans and White nonveterans.
• Combat arms experience and skills tend to be less desirable to civilian employers than experience and skills that are more easily recognized as transferable to the civilian sector.
• Jobs and geographical locations traditionally associated with lower wages and fewer opportunities for career growth appear to have an overall impact on Veteran earnings, and in particular Black Veteran earnings.
• Barrier reduction interventions are of high interest to transitioning service members (TSMs) and Veterans regardless of racial background, but navigating and accessing support systems is described by many as challenging.

Citation

Bartolotta, R., Candice Amory, C., Di Biase, C., Rowland, A. (2023). Manhattan Strategy Group. Black Veterans and Employment: A Literature Review. Chief Evaluation Office, U.S. Department of Labor.

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The Department of Labor’s (DOL) Chief Evaluation Office (CEO) sponsors independent evaluations and research, primarily conducted by external, third-party contractors in accordance with the Department of Labor Evaluation Policy and CEO’s research development process.