Many young American soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan often find unemployment as yet another challenge awaiting them at home.

At least 1 in 5 US troops are unable to find a job, according to data released last Friday by the US Department of Labor.

Last year's unemployment figure for veterans aged 18 to 24 climbed to 21.1 percent, compared to 16.6 percent joblessness for the same age group on the national level, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Other than the recession, veterans groups attribute the high jobless rate to a lack of education, job experience and job training prior to entering the service. Also, many soldiers return home with physical and mental health problems that make it difficult to find work.

"When a person is deployed, it takes them out of their natural environment and they're not out there able to compete with the general public for jobs," said Joseph Sharpe, director of the economic division of the American Legion. "And when they return, they're not on an even playing field."

The unemployment numbers for young US veterans in 2008 were drastically lower — a little more than 14 percent.

Since the occupation of Afghanistan and Iraq in 2001, the US military has resorted to aggressive campaigns to recruit new soldiers, offering them various incentives, benefits and advantages during and after their service.

However, many of the troops return home encountering other difficulties and challenges such as mental disorders, joblessness, broken families and drug and alcohol abuse.