I've worked at the VA for almost 10 years and am a veteran myself. I would like to propose that the VA should try to hire more veterans than it has even up to this point. No one understands veterans issues like veterans themselves. Many will even say that you can't understand them unless you are a veteran yourself and patients often complain about not being understood well by VA employees whom are not veterans. These interactions with veterans extend all the way from the upper echelon to people in entry level positions, particularly those who encounter veterans either on the phone or face to face. Nevertheless, I recognize the difficulties of filling certain specialties for which applicants as a whole are in short supply as it is. As many veterans also struggle with adjustment issues and finding employment, I think we could kill three birds with one stone, (veteran unemployment, adjustment issues, and VA staff quality improvement) by creating programs for active duty particularly, but also those in the Guard and reserves, (and again, particularly if they were ever activated) that they are informed of before they join the military as an incentive as well as during TAP, (Transition Assistance Program) classes before they are discharged. In addition, combat, wounded, and disabled veterans could continue to get preference in both who is selected for such programs as well as for employment. Such programs could provide additional educational assistance on top of the GI Bill for occupations that are either or both badly needed by the VA or involve direct services to other veterans. They also ideally would guarantee employment for veterans who agreed to the terms of the program, which could require completion of educational and training requirements and may also require that veterans be willing to move if necessary. By the way, veterans are used to such requirements as they must often complete specific trainings in order to make rank and are used to having to relocate. Veterans might also be provided with relocation allowances if required to move. Veterans in such a program would also of course have to meet their own set of obligations as well; namely, completion of educational requirements, attainment of necessary diplomas and/or certificates, and a predetermined minimum period of employment in the VA, which could vary according to corresponding educational benefits and job titles. Failure to meet these obligations could invoke penalties. Veterans in such a program would likely be required to pay back educational costs if they drop out of school. There would be many benefits to such a program, some of which I've already mentioned. In addition, as many veterans have difficulty deciding what direction to go in after discharge, it would give them a clear and straightforward path, which they are often quite used to and prefer. Furthermore, veterans would likely stay on longer with the VA as many have expressed to me that they prefer to work with other veterans rather than civilians. Veterans would likely have fewer readjustment issues and less unemployment. VA services would also likely improve and there would be less turnover and both more satisfied employees as well as patients. Many procedures and processes would likely run more smoothly as veteran patients and employees would likely work better with one another. Treatment outcomes and even disability claims, particularly those seeking unemployability, would likely improve and decrease respectively, as veterans would find more fulfillment in both serving and being served by other veterans.