National Guard Members Struggle To Keep Civilian Careers
Because Mansour served as a full-time recruiter for two years, as well as being deployed, he qualified for the GI Bill and is finishing a degree in security management. But that has not been enough to get is foot on the career ladder.
"I've applied everywhere, and I've got a pretty good resume," he says. "I've even applied to a couple of security companies and I've seen them hire the guy next to me who didn't even know how to fill out an application. They didn't hire me. And I'm going for a bachelor's degree within that field."
When asked if he thinks his commitment to the Guard is what's making it so difficult to build a career, he says: "I didn't at first, but I'm positive it does right now."
Mansour earns a little money — about $100 a day — serving on the honor guard at military funerals. He says he enjoys the days when he can put on the uniform and serve.
"I love it," he says. "I'm very proud of being part of that team. It's a really beautiful ceremony, and we train to be perfect at it."
Mansour will soon have a degree in security management, and his deployment history qualifies him as a vet. He bought a condo — taking advantage of a VA loan — but now he has a mortgage to pay, so he still needs to find a career with an employer who is willing to let him go on frequent trainings and be ready to serve if there's a state-level crisis, or a federal deployment.
Mansour plans to stay in the Guard for 20 years, earning retirement benefits. At least that's something, he says, even if the civilian world doesn't offer him any security.