CAMP LEJEUNE -- Wounded Warrior Battalion - East hosted their first-ever symposium Friday to help injured Marines transition out of the military.
It comes at a time when post-9/11 veterans face a seven percent unemployment rate, and it's thought to be even higher for those with disabilities.
"I represent a slice of Marines that are recovering from wounds, illness and injury. And when those folks go into transition, it adds a little bit of complexity. As a result of that, I want them to know who's on the other side of that transition," said Lt. Col. Leland Suttee, commanding officer of WWBN-East.
Suttee said that's why he organized the battalion's first--but hopefully not last--symposium, where the soon-to-be veterans can connect with charitable organizations who want to help them.
He said it's hard enough to leave the military after years of service--but it's even more difficult for a Marine who's been wounded.
"They thought they were going to do a 20-year career. Now they have to reorient much quicker than others, in terms of what am I going to do with my life, how am I going to take care of my family," Suttee said.
The Semper Fi Fund is one of the organizations looking to help Marines both while they're still in the Corps and after they've transitioned out.
"I put them in contact--kind of to build a support team for them so that they know where to go for the answers that they need," said Lisa Killeen with the Semper Fi Fund.
It's an effort Marines like Sgt. Dwight Bletcher, who will be getting out of the service sometime this year, are noticing.
"One day I got to take off this uniform. And I need those connections once I get out. Whatever can help me and my family out once I transition properly, I'm looking forward to it," Bletcher said. "There are great organizations out there that are truly looking to put veterans and former Marines into the work place of today."
The Wounded Warrior Battalion on Camp Lejeune opened in 2007. Today, they're helping about 330 wounded, ill and injured Marines.