SAN DIEGO — Veterans and their families are getting help transitioning to civilian life. The City of San Diego is working to boost employment opportunities for veterans and their spouses.
"This idea of surrendering your identity right out of the gate, that's very important," said Ron Stark, president of San Diego Veterans Coalition.
He says it's vital to build a community that supports service members as they leave the military.
"Get a good job for that spouse that can be a good stabilizing force while the veteran is going through school on their GI bill and getting their career in line. If you hire the spouse, you get to keep the veteran too. I see it over and over again," Stark said.
Mayor Todd Gloria signed an executive order last week to help active duty service members shift to civilian life. This includes connecting them with civilian employers in their last six months of service and getting them hands on experience.
"About 80 percent of those getting out of the military don't want to do what they did in the military. Some do but many want to do something different," he said.
He says it's also important to help veterans figure out what career path they want to follow next.
"Nothing cures homelessness like a good job. Nothing cures hunger like a good job, low self esteem like a good job," he said.
San Diego was ranked the second best job market in the nation for veterans by nonprofit Hire Heroes USA. Washington D.C. was ranked number 1.
"Veterans and their families really want to be connected to their community and to really connect to veterans and their families who are coming here," Stark said.
You can learn more about the city's new initiative here.