. >> reporter: tom tarantino led two platoons in combat, and commanded a company of 400 people. he says he was highly skilled when he left the military, and was shocked when prospective employers asked if he could handle managing a team of 30. >> it took all my self control to just stay straight faced, because it just shows people don't understand. >> reporter: tarantino found a job with the iraq and afghanistian veterans of america, but many vets haven't been as lucky. the unemployment rate for iraq and afghanistan vets is 12.4%, and for vets ages 20 to 24, about 21% are out of work. >> we know that they're ready, they're fit, they're able to provide the sort of work these companies and agencies need. >> reporter: mark walker is with the american legion, which provides job fairs and training for veterans. he says many employers have a hard time seeing how military skills fit into the workforce. >> so how does that guy who's in the infantry fit into management, fit into i.t., fit into a specific skill set? >> reporter: walker also says soldiers may not have the same professional