MADISON, Wis. -- State officials are using new federal grant money to hire veterans and give men and women of the National Guard's 32nd Infantry Brigade job support and training when they return from serving overseas.

But when the more than 3,200 Wisconsin National Guard members return, many will encounter a very different battle at home: a tough job market.

"They may need assistance in understanding the laws of going back to their former employer," said retired veteran Miranda Cross-Schindler. "Some of them may need help getting registered for V.A. health care. They may need help finding if they have benefits eligible to go back to schooling."

A $553,000 federal grant will be used for both returning veterans and veterans already in the state.

The state Department of Workforce Development's (DWD) Office of Veterans Services will hold Transitional Assistance Program (TAP) workshops for National Guard and reserve units. Those workshops will offer instruction on writing, resumes and preparing for job interviews. They will also provide information on employment and training services available to veterans and their spouses.

"A lot of these individuals have been in combat," said Gary Meyer, with the DWD's Veterans Services division. "They've been away from home for a while. They may not understand fully the labor market back in this area, so some have been gone and their jobs have been lost.”

"They serve our country. They're over there protecting us and they deserve to have the treatment and services provided when they come home," said Cross-Schindler, who has been out of the U.S. Army Reserves since 2001, but her dedication to fellow veterans continues.

"It just comes back to protecting your brother and sisters in arms and helping them, providing them with the steps to succeed in civilian life," she said.

Cross-Schindler said she already helps veterans for the DWD thanks to funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. She said she hopes to possibly land one of 45 jobs funded by the U.S. Department of Labor grant given to Wisconsin. They hope to have the 45 positions filled by the time members of 32nd Infantry Brigade return to Wisconsin in February.

The DWD is taking job applications now. Veterans seeking employment and training services should first register on the DWD Web site. They can find information about services on the Office of Veterans Services page.

Guard and Reserve units that would like to have a TAP workshop conducted at their location for their service members and their spouses should contact the Office of Veterans Services at 608-267-7277 for more information.