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A newly released USC study finds many veterans, especially combat veterans, in Orange County face major challenges when adjusting to civilian life.

"The state of the American Veteran: The Orange County Veterans Study," was conducted by the USC School of Social Work Center for Innovation and Research on Veterans and Military Families. The Orange County Community Foundation helped commission the study.

In the study, 1227 veterans were surveyed. Of those 1227, 61 percent of post 9/11 veterans reported having difficulty adjusting to civilian life.

Seventy-four percent did not have a job when they left the military, and 44 percent of veterans screened positive for post-traumatic stress disorder.

"It took a long, long time for my PTSD to really just start causing a lot of problems," said Stephen Young, a 32-year-old former Marine who served in the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003.

After returning home, Young found himself among the nearly 1,400 homeless veterans in Orange County.

Young, like half of the veterans surveyed in the study, had no idea where to go for help.

One nonprofit called the Orange County Rescue Mission is helping veterans in similar situations as Young. The Mission formed a veteran outreach team that hits the streets each week to search for veterans in need.

"About a year ago we realized that the number of vets on the streets was growing dramatically, and that we couldn't rely on the federal government to solve the problems," said Jim Palmer, president of the rescue mission.

Rob Jewel head the Mission's outreach team. The 32-year-old Air Force veteran said he knows what other veterans are going through because he went through the same experience.

"I had no idea what I was in for," Jewel said. "I ended up working at a call center for $9 an hour and sleeping in my car."

Jewel said so far 200 veterans have received services and counseling. Some have been invited to live at the Mission's Village of Hope.

In several months, the nonprofit plans to offer additional housing to more than 30 veterans after it finishes renovating two buildings that were purchased from the city of Tustin.

Young credits the Mission for putting a roof over his head and his accounting degree is also being put to use at the nonprofit.

"They really helped change my life," he said.

To read the entire study, go here.

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61 percent of veterans have difficulty adjusting to life after war

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A newly released USC study finds many veterans, especially combat veterans, in Orange County face major challenges when adjusting to civilian life. "The state of the American Veteran: The Orange County Veterans Study," was conducted by the USC School of Social Work Center for Innovation and Research on Veterans and Military Families.

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What the hardest thing was coming home from service

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Marcos was deployed three times, and lost his buddies to a bomb on his last deployment, right before coming home. Because of his experiences, he was frequently on edge, irritable, and began to engage in dangerous behavior. After a motorcycle accident made him stop and think, he reached out for the help he needed at VA.

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Number of Vets that are homeless for each state

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The hardship of coming home from service

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The hardship of coming home from service

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Their family may have changed there ways they do things and routines everyday. In a study 61% of veterans have a hard time readjusting. And 60,000 were homeless in the US.

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The biggest thing was losing the brotherhood

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When Jake returned from deployment, he had changed. He noticed he had difficulty sleeping, had frequent nightmares, and was often irritable. No longer around people he felt he could trust with his life also took a toll on him. By reconnecting with other Veterans, Jake was able to find the help and support he needed.

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When veterans come home they could have seen traumatic events like a friend dies or some one you know.  They also could have PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). They could have lost a leg or arm and be depressed

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Differences between civilian life and military life

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Differences between civilian life and military life

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The military everyone looks the same and people tell you what to do. Civilian life everyone is different and you have to do things yourself.Military has a Field Service record to see what they are qualified for.

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Hear Veterans share their stories of transitioning from military service or returning from deployment and adjusting to a new life. Support from family, friends, and VA helped make the difference and set these Veterans on the path to success. See other stories at: http://MakeTheConnection.net/events/transitioning-from-service

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I chose this topic because I want to know more about what veterans go through when they come home from.