SAN DIEGO -- Thousands of National Guard members returning home from deployment are having a hard time finding a job after serving their country.

According to experts, the unemployment rate for young war veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan surpassed 21 percent in 2009 -- a jump from 2010.

Experts say part of the problem is jobs are eliminated while National Guard members are serving and some companies don’t want to hire someone who could deploy again.

On Wednesday, the Employer Support Guard Reserve is holding a first-of-its-kind summit at the National City Armory to help San Diego-based guardsmen find jobs.

"The economy is bad right now and we just want to help make the transition easier," said Sam Giovinazzi of Employer Support Guard Reserve.

The summit will include specialized advice for service members as well as resume writing, interview training and online job hunts.

The event will last until Wednesday 8 p.m.