First lady to urge governors to help veterans find jobs

First lady Michelle Obama will urge governors to take executive actions and advocate for legislation in their states that would help veterans find work, The Associated Press reported Monday.

The first lady is expected to address governors Monday at their annual meeting in Washington, and urge them to find ways to grant returning military members professional credentials and licenses based on their training and experience in service. The administration says credentials for commercial driving, nursing and emergency medical services could help troops returning home from the Middle East as they re-enter civilian life.

The administration did not provide the AP a cost estimate for the program, but suggested it could be a net cost-saver because it would help keep returning veterans from taking advantage of social safety net programs like unemployment.

The first lady's "Joining Forces" initiative has focused on helping veterans as they return home. The administration has previously encouraged schools to make it easier for the children of service members and veterans to transfer records, earn places in certain courses, maintain their spots in extracurricular activities and complete state-required academic tests. Joining Forces has also targeted the wellness of military families and veterans, and encouraged states to make transferring professional credentials held by military spouses easier across state lines.

"We have to rally around for these families. We have to be that safety net for them because they're leaving to serve us. They're fighting for the rights and freedoms of all of us. And that's what's moved me about this effort," Obama told ABC News last year.

In that interview, Obama stressed that the key to veteran employment was translating military experience to the civilian world.

"They've learned how to translate ... their service training to the private sector," Obama said. "And that takes a little time to figure out, you know, if somebody's been flying a helicopter, what can they do at a railroad? If somebody's been doing logistics in Afghanistan, maybe I can figure out how that makes sense. ... Many of our military members have never had to look for a job. They don't have the right resumes."

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