JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Many of our military veterans give years of service protecting our country.
But sometimes when their service is over, they struggle to find good jobs out of the military.
The President's National Hire Veterans Committee is working to change that, and Thursday, they brought new oppurtunities hundreds of First Coast veterans.
Naval Airman Daniel Ortiz has spent 19 years in the military, and he's been all over the world, and taking on all kinds of challenges.
"In the early 90's I was an air crewman on board and later on when I went back to the Gulf, I was on an aircraft carrier, so I never actually spent time in the field, thank God," said Ortiz.
Just as he navigated the world, he now navigates the Jacksonville Veterans Arena for a job.
A far stretch from where the military brought him - Sicily, Bosnia, other Eastern European coutries, and in the mix, the Gulf wars came calling, twice.
Now he's navigating his way through a whole new challenge - the workforce.
"They want to grab you and bring you in, because they know they can count on you," said Ortiz.
He's talking about all the companies at the Arena vying for his acceptance.
"Once again, I'm used to going all up and down the east coast and being everywhere, so I'm ready for a new challenge and I'm willing to take the challenge," said Ortiz.
But what catches his attention more than anything, this time, isn't the challenge.
"The pay alone catches my eye," said Ortiz.
And Ortiz has a feeling getting what he wants won't be too big a challenge.
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