Most people have encountered someone who's served in some capacity, but what fraction of the U.S. population are veterans?

Answer: 6%

Questions:

• What impact might financial benefits offered to military personnel, such as pensions and healthcare, have on people’s career decision-making?
• How might the decision of whether to own or rent a home be different for individuals or military families?
• Are you interested in a career in the military? Explain why or why not.

Here are the ready-to-go slides for this Question of the Day that you can use in your classroom.

Behind the Numbers (Pew Research):

• 7.8 million living U.S. veterans, or 43%, served in the Gulf War era.
• 5.6 million living veterans (30%) served during the Vietnam War era from 1950 to 1973.
• Around 767,000 veterans who served during the Korean conflict in the 1940s and 1950s are alive today. They make up 4% of all living veterans.
• Fewer than 120,000 World War II veterans are alive today, making up less than 1% of all living veterans.

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NGPF's Alternatives to 4-Year Colleges mini-unit will give your students a broad look at their post-graduation options.

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About the Author

Ryan Wood

Ryan is the Partnerships and Adoption Manager for Next Gen Personal Finance’s midwest region. He brings his experience as a former teacher, curriculum designer, and sales and marketing professional to state organizations and school districts in supporting the implementation of their personal financial education efforts. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and earned his teaching credential from Saint Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota. He proudly taught at two rural high schools in Wisconsin before transitioning to curriculum design at NGPF, and is now excited to be on the front lines in delivering the best possible financial education in the midwest. He and his wife have three beautiful daughters, each of which inspire him to share the impact of being sound financial stewards both at home and as lifelong learners.

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