fighting eight months in iraq, only to return home in 2008 to a new battle he never expected, the fight to find a job. >> i was putting out resume after resume. i would have some interviews and you just -- i just didn't get hired. >> reporter: frustrated and running out of money, wilkes turned to the only place he knew would hire. >> i have to go back overseas 'cause i couldn't find work. it is just -- i volunteered to go become to iraq. >> reporter: employers are required by law to hold jobs for reservists called to duty and are banned from discriminating against a job applicant because of their military service, but soldiers like wilkes fear their guard service makes employers reluctant to take them on. >> they don't want to take the time to hire someone and then have them deployed an then have to rehire someone. >> reporter: will withings is back home once again and again fakes the same transition to civilian life without work. he is not alone. the jobless rate among veterans who have served since 9/11 rose