Inspired by the thought, Skerik, 40, returned to his home in San Rafael and made a list of ideas. One of them stood out. "I decided to start a maid/janitorial service," he said. "And I decided I would hire veterans."

He named the company Eco-Vet, for its use of environmentally friendly cleaning products and those who would be wielding them. Skerik, who has struggled to find meaningful work since leaving the Army in 1992, realized he was excited about his prospects for the first time in a long while.