The unemployment rate for U.S. military veterans is nearly 2 percent higher than the national average of 9.6 percent.

THE CHAMBER of Commerce is trying to do something about that.

Susan Balla, executive director of THE CHAMBER, and the chamber's task force are hoping to help veterans find gainful employment by hosting a job placement program Nov. 4 to help veterans transition back to civilian life.

The seminar, which will be presented at THE CHAMBER's Northern Allegheny office at 5000 Brooktree Road in Wexford, will feature breakfast and lunch, speakers and mock interviews with veteran business owners.

Balla said helping veterans is one of the group's main concerns, even though there aren't any military bases in the area.

"We felt that these men and women give up so much to protect us," Balla said. "So we wanted to give something back to them."

The transition from military to civilian life isn't always the easiest to make.

Virg Palumbo, who will be teaching the course next month, served as a Marine for seven years after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1992.

"I've been helping veterans ever since I got out," Palumbo said. "Switching headsets isn't easy, things that apply in the military need to be translated to the civilian" life.

Palumbo said many returning veterans aren't sure how to relate military experiences to civilian employers.

"You tell employers that you were a regimental commander, but people won't understand what you mean," Palumbo said. "But if you tell them you had 180 people under your command, they will better understand what you did."

Palumbo also helps the VET Foundation, which hosts a five-day Outdoor Odyssey camp in Boswell, Somerset County, for wounded veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Palumbo served with Chris Hadsall, founder of the VET Foundation, in Haiti.

"I help as much as I can, I wish I could do more," Palumbo said. "Our mission is to relate to these men and women the mental, emotional, and physiological change, finding a job is more than just a resume, but doing well on their MEPs."

After doing research and talking with military leadership, Balla said THE CHAMBER will be hosting this event as a quarterly seminar.