Monthly Labor Review • May 2008 

Visual Essay: Gulf War-Era II Veterans

Employment characteristics of Gulf War-era II

veterans in 2006: a visual essay

James A. Walker

Following the terrorist attacks of September 

11, 2001, the U.S. Armed Forces entered 

into a new period: Gulf War era II.1 This era 

follows Gulf War era I, which extends from August 1990 to August 2001. During Gulf War era 

II, troops deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, and other 

locations. A sizable number of troops were called 

up from the Reserve and the National Guard. This 

visual essay examines the characteristics of the 1.2 

million veterans 18 to 54 years old who served in 

this new era and shows how they have been faring 

in the labor market after returning to civilian life. 

The information to be presented was obtained 

from Gulf War-era II veterans or members of 

their households in 2006. Military personnel on 

active duty at the time of the survey are excluded. 

Data are 2006 annual averages and were collected 

as part of the Current Population Survey (CPS), a 

monthly survey of about 60,000 households that 

provides national data on civilian employment and 

unemployment.2

Gulf War-era II veterans are men and women who 

served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces anywhere in the world sometime between September

2001 and the time they were surveyed in 2006. Members of the Reserve and National Guard are counted 

as veterans if they have ever been called to active duty. 

Nonveterans have never served on active duty in the 

U.S. military. Data about veterans who served in other 

periods are not included in this essay, but are available 

from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The 2006 data are the first annual average statistics available that separately identify Gulf War-era II 

veterans. Previously, all Gulf War-era veterans (who 

served since August 1990) were grouped together 

into one category. Veterans who served in both Gulf 

War era I and Gulf War era II are classified into the 

latter category.

CPS data on veterans are of keen interest to a range 

of users, including the U.S. Department of Veterans 

Affairs and the U. S. Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service, as well as 

congressional committees, veterans’ service organizations, the news media, and academic researchers. This 

essay was prepared by James A. Walker, an economist 

in the Division of Labor Force Statistics, Bureau of 

Labor Statistics. Phone: (202) 691-6378. E-mail: 

walker.james@bls.gov.
Visual Essay: Gulf War-Era II Veterans

 Monthly Labor Review • May 2008

18 to 24 years 25 to34 years 3 to 44 years 45 to 54 years 55 years

100

90

80

70

60

50

4

3

20

10

0

Percent of

population

g Gulf War-era II veterans

g Nonvetera

1. Gulf War-era II veterans are younger than nonveterans

NOTE: Gulf War-era II veterans had served anywhere on active duty since September 2001.

SOURCE: Current Population Survey (CPS), 2006 annual averages.

The Gulf War-era II veteran population is younger than the nonveteran population. In 2006, Gulf War-era II veterans under 35 years of age—those 18 to 24 years old (24.4 percent) and 25 to 34 years old (39.8 percent)—made up 

64.2 percent of the Gulf War-era II veteran population. By contrast, the under-35-year-old nonveteran population 

in 2006 was 33.2 percent of the nonveteran population.

•

Few Gulf War-era II veterans were 55 years or older (4.4 percent) in 2006. However, this age group accounted for 

26.6 percent of the total nonveteran population. As a result, the large nonveteran population aged 55 years and older 

significantly influences any comparison made between Gulf War-era II veterans and nonveterans. Therefore, the 

charts that follow compare Gulf War-era II veterans aged 18 to 54 years with nonveterans in the same age group.

•

The population referenced in this essay is the civilian noninstitutional population, which includes all persons 

residing in any of the 50 States or the District of Columbia. The definition excludes people who live in institutions (such as nursing homes, correctional facilities, juvenile detention facilities, and long-term mental health care 

facilities) and those who are currently on active duty in the Armed Forces. 

•

Percent of 

population

100

90

80

70

60

50

4

3

20

10

0

Age
Monthly Labor Review • May 2008

In 2006, 82.4 percent of Gulf War-era II veterans aged 18 to 54 years were men, compared with 47.4 percent of 

nonveterans of the same age. Since September 2001, nearly 1 million men in the 18-to-54-years age group had 

served in the Armed Forces and returned to civilian life. 

Women were a fairly small part of the Gulf War-era II veteran population, compared with the percentage of 

women in the nonveteran population, in 2006. Specifically, almost 18 percent of Gulf War-era II veterans aged 

18 to 54 years were women, compared with 52.6 percent of nonveterans. As of 2006, about 211,000 women aged 

18 to 54 years had served during Gulf War era II.

The higher proportion of men making up Gulf War-era II veterans relative to nonveterans contributes to some of 

the differences in the labor market characteristics of the two groups.

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2. Men make up most of the Gulf War-era II veteran population

NOTE: Gulf War-era II veterans had served anywhere on active duty since September 2001.

SOURCE: Current Population Survey (CPS), 2006 annual averages.

Percent of 

population

aged 18–5

years

Percent of 

population

aged 18–5

years

Men Women

100

90

80

70

60

50

4

3

20

10

0

100

90

80

70

60

50

4

3

20

10

0

g Gulf War-era II veterans

g Nonvetera
Visual Essay: Gulf War-Era II Veterans

  Monthly Labor Review • May 20

The percentage of Blacks in the Gulf War-era II veteran population (17.0 percent) was larger than the percentage of Blacks in the nonveteran population (12.5 percent) in 2006. In contrast, Whites, Asians, and Hispanics 

accounted for a lower percentage of the Gulf War-era II veteran population than their respective share of the 

nonveteran population.

Whites aged 18 to 54 years made up 76.4 percent of the Gulf War-era II veteran population, compared with 79.9 

percent of the nonveteran population in 2006. About 2 percent of Gulf War-era II veterans aged 18 to 54 years were 

Asian, while 5.1 percent of nonveterans in the same age group were Asian.

In 2006, 9.9 percent of Gulf War-era II veterans aged 18 to 54 years were of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, while 

Hispanics accounted for 16.0 percent of nonveterans. (Hispanics can be of any race.)

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Percent of 

population

aged 18–5

years

3. Blacks are overrepresented in the Gulf War-era II veteran population

NOTE: Estimates for the race groups shown (White, Black, and Asian) do not sum to 100 because data are not presented for all races. 

Hispanics may be of any race. Gulf War-era II veterans had served anywhere on active duty since September 2001.

SOURCE: Current Population Survey (CPS), 2006 annual averages.

g Gulf War-era II veterans

g Nonveterans

Percent of 

population

aged 18–5

years

100

90

80

70

60

50

4

3

20

10

0

100

90

80

70

60

50

4

3

20

10

0

White Black Asian Hispanic
Monthly Labor Review • May 2008

In 2006, 4.5 percent of Gulf War-era II veterans aged 18 to 54 years were born outside the United States or one of its 

outlying areas (such as Puerto Rico or Guam) to parents, neither of whom was a U.S citizen.

U.S. citizens, or resident aliens with valid immigration documents, may be members of the military. Foreign-born 

persons with other immigration statuses usually may not join the U.S. Armed Forces. This requirement may in 

part explain why few foreign-born veterans served during the Gulf War-era II period.

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•

4. Almost 5 percent of Gulf War-era II veterans are foreign born

Percent of 

population

aged 18–5

years

Percent of 

population

aged 18–5

years

NOTE: Gulf War-era II veterans had served anywhere on active duty since September 2001.

SOURCE: Current Population Survey (CPS), 2006 annual averages.

100

90

80

70

60

50

4

3

20

10

0

g Gulf War-era II veterans

g Nonveterans

U.S. born Foreign born

100

90

80

70

60

50

4

3

20

10

0
Visual Essay: Gulf War-Era II Veterans

  Monthly Labor Review • May 20

About 46 percent of Gulf War-era II veterans aged 18 to 54 years had completed some college or earned an associate’s 

degree by 2006, while another 19.5 percent had completed a bachelor’s degree or higher. Together, these groups made up 

nearly two-thirds of Gulf War-era II veterans aged 18 to 54 years. 

By 2006, more nonveterans (26.9 percent) than Gulf War-era II veterans (19.5 percent) had completed a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Also by 2006, fewer Gulf War-era II veterans aged 18 to 54 years had earned less than a high school diploma (2.1 

percent) than did nonveterans (13.8 percent).

In 2006, male and female Gulf War-era II veterans had similar educational attainment characteristics.

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5. Two-thirds of Gulf War-era II veterans have attended college

Percent of 

population

aged 18–5

years

Percent of 

population

aged 18–5

years

NOTE: Gulf War-era II veterans had served anywhere on active duty since September 2001.

SOURCE: Current Population Survey (CPS), 2006 annual averages.

100

90

80

70

60

50

4

3

20

10

0

g Gulf War-era II veterans

g Nonveterans

100

90

80

70

60

50

4

3

20

10

0

Less than high 

school

High school graduate Some college or

associate’s degree

Bachelor’s degree 

or higher
Monthly Labor Review • May 2008

In 2006, the proportion of female Gulf War-era II veterans who were employed (65.6 percent) was smaller than the 

proportion of female nonveterans who were employed (70.2 percent).

In 2006, there was little difference between the percentage of male Gulf War-era II veterans who were employed (84.6 

percent) and the percentage of male nonveterans who were employed (83.2 percent).

The percentage of all Gulf War-era II veterans who were employed in 2006 (81.2 percent) is influenced by the high 

proportion of Gulf War-era II veterans who are men. The percentage of nonveterans who are employed in 2006 (76.4 

percent) consists of a more even mix of men and women.

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NOTE: Gulf War-era II veterans had served anywhere on active duty since September 2001.

SOURCE:: Current Population Survey (CPS), 2006 annual averages.

6. A smaller proportion of female Gulf War-era II veterans are employed compared with female nonveterans

Percent of 

population

aged 18–5

years

Percent of 

population

aged 18–5

years

100

90

80

70

60

50

4

3

20

10

0

100

90

80

70

60

50

4

3

20

10

0

Total Men Women

g Gulf War-era II veterans

g Nonveterans
Visual Essay: Gulf War-Era II Veterans

10 Monthly Labor Review • May 2008

Gulf War-era II veterans aged 18 to 54 years had a higher unemployment rate (6.5 percent) than did nonveterans (4.7 

percent) in 2006. The unemployment rate represents the number unemployed as a percentage of the labor force (the sum 

of the number employed and the number unemployed).

Male Gulf War-era II veterans aged 18 to 54 years had a higher unemployment rate (6.4 percent) than male nonveterans 

(4.7 percent) in 2006. Likewise, female Gulf War-era II veterans aged 18 to 54 years had a higher unemployment rate 

(7.1 percent) than female nonveterans in the same age group (4.7 percent).

The unemployment rate of 18-to-54-year-old male Gulf War-era II veterans (6.4 percent) is not statistically different 

from that of female Gulf War-era II veterans in the same age group (7.1 percent).

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NOTE: Gulf War-era II veterans had served anywhere on active duty since September 2001.

SOURCE:: Current Population Survey (CPS), 2006 annual averages.

7. The unemployment rate of Gulf War-era II veterans is higher than that of nonveterans

Unemployment rate of 

population

aged 18–5

years

Unemployment rate of 

population

aged 18–5

years

8

7

6

5

2

1

0

g Gulf War-era II veterans

g Nonveterans

Total Men Women

8

7

6

5

2

1

0
Monthly Labor Review • May 2008 11

At 7.5 percent in 2006, the unemployment rate of Gulf War-era II veterans aged 25 to 34 years was higher than the 2006 

unemployment rate of nonveterans in the same age group (4.6 percent). 

The unemployment rate of Gulf War-era II veterans aged 18 to 24 years was about the same (10.6 percent) as that of 

their nonveteran peers (9.5 percent) in 2006. (The difference was not statistically significant.)

Gulf War-era II veterans aged 35 to 44 years and 45 to 54 years had unemployment rates that were not significantly 

different from those of nonveterans in the corresponding age groups (2.2 percent compared with 3.6 percent, and 2.9 

percent compared with 3.1 percent, respectively).

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NOTE: Gulf War-era II veterans had served anywhere on active duty since September 2001.

SOURCE: Current Population Survey (CPS), 2006 annual averages.

8. Gulf War-era II veterans aged 25 to 34 years have a higher unemployment rate than nonveterans

Unemployment rate of 

population

aged 18–5

years

Unemployment rate of 

population

aged 18–5

years

Age

g Gulf War-era II veterans

g Nonveterans

18 to 24 years 25 to34 years  3 to 44 years  45 t

12

10

8

6

2

0

12

10

8

6

2

0
Visual Essay: Gulf War-Era II Veterans

12 Monthly Labor Review • May 2008

Gulf War-era II veterans were twice as likely to be government workers than were nonveterans of comparable ages (18 to 

54 years). Among employed veterans, 26 percent worked in the public sector at the Federal, State, or local level in 2006, 

compared with 13 percent of nonveterans. 

Three percent of Gulf War-era II veterans aged 18 to 54 years were self-employed in 2006, compared with 6 percent of 

nonveterans in the same age group. 

Both male and female Gulf War-era II veterans had similar distributions by category of worker. However, among nonveterans, employed women were more likely than men to work for the government.

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NOTE: Gulf War-era II veterans had served anywhere on active duty since September 2001.

SOURCE: Current Population Survey (CPS), 2006 annual averages.

9. Gulf War-era II veterans are twice as likely to be government workers than are nonveterans

Percent of 

employed

aged 18–5

years

Percent of 

employed

aged 18–5

years

Gulf War-era II veterans Nonveterans

100

90

80

70

60

50

4

3

20

10

0

100

90

80

70

60

50

4

3

20

10

0

 — Self-employed and unpaid

 family workers —

 — Government workers —

 — Private wage and salary workers —
Monthly Labor Review • May 2008 1

Gulf War-era II veterans aged 18 to 54 years were more likely to be employed in protective service occupations (9.8 

percent) than were nonveterans (1.8 percent) in 2006. Protective service occupations include police and sheriff’s patrol 

officers; security guards and gaming surveillance officers; and bailiffs, correctional officers, and jailers. Most Gulf War-era 

II veterans working in protective service occupations were men. 

In 2006, men made up most of the veterans employed in each of the top 10 occupations of Gulf War-era II veterans. 

However, women made up about a quarter of the Gulf War-era II veterans working in office and administrative support occupations. In contrast, less than 1 percent of Gulf War-era II veterans employed in construction and extraction 

occupations in 2006 were women.

Notes

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1The designation “Gulf War era II” was developed in consultation with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. 

Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service.

2CPS data are available on the Internet at www.bls.gov/cps.

NOTE: Gulf War-era II veterans had served anywhere on active duty since September 2001.

SOURCE:: Current Population Survey (CPS), 2006 annual averages.

10. Gulf War-era II veterans are more likely to be employed in protective service occupations than 

 are nonveterans

Top 10 occupations of Gulf War-era II veterans Top 10 occupations of nonveterans

Percent of employed aged 18–54 years Percent of employed aged 18–54 yea

Protective service

Construction and 

extraction

Transportation and 

material moving

Office and 

administrative 

support

Installation, 

maintenance,

and repair

Sales and related

Management 

Production

Business and 

financial operations

Computer and 

mathematical

Office and 

administrative

support

Sales and related

Management

Construction and 

extraction

Production

Transportation

and 

material moving

Education, training

and library

Food preparation

and 

serving related

Healthcare

practitioner

and techincal

Business and 

financial 

operations

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 0 2 4 6 8 

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 0 2 4 6 8