Evaluating the Labor Market Performance of Veterans Using a Matched Comparison Group Design

Abstract

This Discussion Paper is issued within the framework of IZA's research area Evaluation of Labor Market Policies and Projects. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and not those of the institute. Research disseminated by IZA may include views on policy, but the institute itself takes no institutional policy positions.The Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA) in Bonn is a local and virtual international research center and a place of communication between science, politics and business. IZA is an independent, nonprofit limited liability company (Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung) supported by the Deutsche Post AG. The center is associated with the University of Bonn and offers a stimulating research environment through its research networks, research support, and visitors and doctoral programs. IZA engages in (i) original and internationally competitive research in all fields of labor economics, (ii) development of policy concepts, and (iii) dissemination of research results and concepts to the interested public. The current research program deals with (1) mobility and flexibility of labor, (2) internationalization of labor markets, (3) welfare state and labor market, (4) labor markets in transition countries, (5) the future of labor, (6) evaluation of labor market policies and projects and (7)

Combat Exposure, Cigarette Consumption, and Substance Use

“…For instance, Thomsen et al () found that deployed marines and sailors are more likely to use illegal drugs than their nondeployed counterparts; Smith et al () and Hoerster et al () found some evidence that deployment is associated with higher rates of smoking; and Jacobson et al () and Hooper et al () predicted that deployment is associated with an increased risk of alcohol abuse. However, Reservists and National Guardsmen differ from active‐duty deployed soldiers on a variety of characteristics that are also related to risky behaviors (Hirsch and Mehay ), and active duty soldiers with periods of extended nondeployment may be nondeployable due to health conditions (Department of the Army, AR 614–30, 2010). Therefore, given that (1) selection into the Reserves/National Guard may differ from selection into active duty service and (2) nondeployments may occur due to health‐related reasons, the conclusions from these studies should be cautiously interpreted.…”

An Empirical Examination of the Occupational Attainment of American Veterans of World War I

“…The identification criteria outlined above attempts to derive samples of veterans and nonveterans that are as homogeneous as possible, with the exception of military service during the WWI. Although it is preferable to have additional sample selection metrics to match comparable veterans and nonveterans (such as the approaches in Angrist, ; Hirsch and Mehay, ), we are constrained by the relatively limited information on veteran experience and personal attributes available in the census data.…”

“…Although the specific focus and period of service varies across studies, several common conclusions have emerged. In general, with the exception of Vietnam War veterans, military service typically leads to postservice labor market success, generally in the form of the so‐called veterans’ earnings premium (Hirsch and Mehay, ). Researchers have offered a variety of explanations for this success.…”

Wage Gaps Large and Small

“…Berger (Berger and Hirsch 1983) and twenty years later with Steve Mehay (Hirsch and Mehay 2003), is the effect of military service on subsequent civilian earnings. The work with Mark focused on Vietnamera veterans, although we examined earlier cohorts of veterans as well.…”