The Employment Histories Report is a study to better understand the employment histories and outcomes of recently separated servicemembers.

The goal of the Department of Veterans Affairs� Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Program is to enable veterans to live independently, achieve the highest quality of life possible and, given advances in medical science and technology, to secure gainful employment. In 2004, an independent task force assessed the VR&E program and concluded that approximately one-third of veterans enrolled in the program did not persist and complete the program.

The 2001 National Survey of Veterans (NSV) is the fifth in a series of comprehensivenationwide surveys designed to help the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) plan its future programsand services for veterans. The information gathered through these surveys will help VA to identify theneeds of veterans and then allocate resources in ways that will ensure these needs can be met. It also provides a snapshot profile of the veteranpopulation. Data collected through the NSV enables VA to: follow changing trends in the veteranpopulation; compare characteristics of veterans who use VA services with those of veterans who do not;study VA�s role in the delivery of all benefits that veterans receive; and update information about veteransto help the Department develop its policies.