POSTED: Tuesday, March 20, 2012 - 6:43pm
UPDATED: Thursday, January 17, 2013 - 10:14am
EL PASO — Our military veterans are having a hard time landing jobs. A labor department report said finding work is especially tough for those who've served overseas during the last decade.
"It is difficult to find a job here, especially in El Paso. You don't find it very veteran friendly. It's been a struggle," said veteran David Nevarez.
And it's not just veterans in the borderland, veterans across the country are having problems finding work.
"You can send out all your applications, but it's finding a job that's difficult," said veteran Gilbert Moreno.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics said the jobless rate for all veterans was 8.3 percent last year.
The unemployment rate for veterans who have served on active duty since September 2001 is a lot higher, standing at 12.1 percent.
Gilbert Moreno served in Iraq for two years and he said he's having trouble find a job that pays more than minimum wage.
"I started eight months prior to my getting out and I thought that's early enough to start looking and i haven't found anything."
Fort Bliss officials said that should not be the case.
"I'm not sure why they've said that because soldiers are probably the most marketable people in the world for employment," said Randy Stovall with the Army Career and Alumni Program.
The Army Career and Alumni Program on Fort Bliss helps soldiers and veterans find jobs.
"We provide them with assistance in resume writing, job search skills, interview skills, how to dress skills, how to negotiate salaries and anything that's related to them going in the civilian community to find employment."
Officials said there are plenty of jobs out there.
Spc. Jason Kramer is getting out of the army in a year and he's already on the hunt.
"After six years, I've decided to leave the military. It's a rough economy, so you want to get an early start to be prepared," Kramer said.