Over the last couple decades, statistics show, military veterans have had an easier time finding employment than civilians.
Just don't say that to the 535 vets who on Thursday patrolled Arco Arena's concourse, looking for work in a sputtering economy.
"I've never really had this hard a time finding a job," said a slightly dejected Kenyatta Vanterpool, who left the Marine Corps in 1995. "It's just real tough."
The job fair was organized to help veterans. The event, filling a few hundred feet of the arena's concourse, attracted more than two dozen employers and a range of present and former military personnel.
Some were active duty, looking for what's next in their lives. Others had long since left the services but, for various reasons, were struggling for the next paycheck.
In 2007, overall unemployment for veterans 20 years old and above was 3.8 percent, compared to 4.1 percent among non-veterans. But that obscures a harsher reality for those who have recently left the military: 11.2 percent were unemployed in 2007.
On Thursday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced $12.4 million in job grants for transitioning veterans. With matching local grants, a total of $18.4 million will be available.
That follows programs like the federal Labor Department's HireVetsFirst and the efforts of RecruitMilitary, which ran Thursday's event.
"Those vets returning from the war in Iraq and Afghanistan are at a serious risk of being homeless," said Steve Berg, vice president for the National Alliance to End Homelessness. "They are coming back to an economy that is very bad."
Companies and agencies at Arco on Thursday included a mix of public and private employers, including the California Highway Patrol, Northrop Grumman, the U.S. Border Patrol, Kaplan University, the state Franchise Tax Board and the host Sacramento Kings' organization.
Sgt. Mike Hughes, of the San Francisco Police Department, said he was surprised by Thursday's turnout.
"It looks like a lot of people are looking for work," Hughes said.
Among them was Don Crisp.
A month ago the Coast Guard veteran was laid off from a sales job. Since then, he said, his family has been "cutting every corner we can" to get by on his wife's salary and his pension.
"The company met with hard times and I was one of the newer guys, so they had to let me go," Crisp said, waiting outside the arena, dressed in a smart, navy blue business suit.
Tim Ortiz and Derek Nelson, who are both stationed at Travis Air Force Base, came clad in their camouflage uniforms.
Nelson expressed apprehension about the future.
"With the economy the way it is, it's safer to stay in (the service). Guaranteed paycheck," Nelson said.
Ortiz said he was "pretty concerned" with his military exit just three months away.
For Vanterpool, the day ended without a job or even a strong lead.
"Waste of time," he said as he left the building.
He said he's hoping for a job in forestry. Meanwhile, he said, he's willing to work in customer service, even at a call center. But it must come with a salary. No commission-only work for him.
"That right there," he said, "is not going to pay the bills."
Call The Bee's Ed Fletcher, (916) 321-1269.
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