"A lot of them are in transition," said Carl Frierson, site manager for the Employment Development Department.
"It's an opportunity to meet employers and service providers to help them get on their feet."
Landing a job can be especially tough for young soldiers who may have a decorated military resume but no college diploma, said James Steiner, who served as a U.S. Navy boatswain's mate in the Vietnam War.
"A lot of these vets don't have a college degree," Steiner said. "They served the country and now they aren't able to find work because they don't have an education — so this is great."
Steiner was one of many older veterans perusing the employers' tables in search of work and the paycheck that comes with it.
"I'm an ex-truck driver but I'll do anything," he said.
Many of the younger vets gravitated toward the tables staffed by law enforcement agencies — from the Glendale and Burbank police and fire departments to the California Highway Patrol.
For some, the switch from one uniform to another offers a natural transition, Glendale Police Sgt. Scott Bickle said.
"The military obviously prepares our recent vets because the academy is very military oriented, so that prepares them for a job as a police officer," Bickle said. "They teach discipline, following rules, honesty and integrity. That makes it easy for us, because the military really matures these men and women."
Mike Martinez, who served with the U.S. Air Force, is considering law enforcement, but even life as a patrol officer will be difficult to adjust to, he said.
"I'm really glad the city and the state of California is doing this," Martinez said.
"Any bit of help we can get is great. I hear people talking about sick days off or sick leave and I'm like, 'what's that?' We don't have that in the military."
