ROCHESTER, N.Y. — For some military veterans, the struggle is real. The difficulty in transitioning from their military careers to the civilian job market. One recently unemployed vet is taking part in a free program offered in Rochester.

In a competitive job market, Everett Brownsell is looking for focus. He found it at Rochester’s Veterans Outreach Center.

“I’m open to do anything,” said Brownsell, an Air Force veteran. “The days of going in someplace, filling out an application or handing a resume to somebody a human being in hopes that you might get an interview and get hired — those days have passed.”

Most recently, Brownsell worked in real estate. In February he lost his job, part of what he describes as a major layoff at his former employer.

“There’s a little bit of urgency there,” he said of his job search.

The help he’s getting comes from VOC’s Off-Base Transition Training, a pilot program offered with the assistance of the U.S. Department of Labor.

“There's a lot of jobs in the military that translates really nicely to civilian employment,” said Laura Heltz, executive director of the Veterans Outreach Center. “But there's also a lot of jobs that don't.“

VOC is one of just two places in the state to offer the course. Outside Rochester, New York’s only other Off-Base Transition Training program is located in Amityville, on Long Island. Most military branches offer job transition services on-post. But if a veteran doesn’t live near one, they can lose out.

“It can be a tough transition,” said Heltz. “And they can sometimes find themselves feeling like they lack a sense of purpose. They lack that close-knit relationship that they had with other service members.“

“The whole job search itself is a little frustrating,” said Brownsell.

Veterans who participate learn to embrace technology in their job search, and how to use their biggest selling point: the fact that they served. 

“They're bringing a resume, and one of the first things I'll say is, where is your military for your military experience on this?” said Nena Siverd, VOC’s employment program manager. “I sell vets. And they’ll forget about that.”

Brownsell feels good about his training. He’s confident it will pay off with a paycheck.

“I’m just looking to give myself an advantage,” he said. “Because certainly right now, I think everybody needs an advantage.“