>> if you slash the budget unilaterally as it's been proposed you're going to have a detrimental effects to veterans. >> reporter: while in the air force he won't to war in kosovo in 1999. today at the epa he says he fights a different battle as a water quality analyst. veterans account for almost a third of the 2 million federal workers. in 2015, more than 1,200 employees at the epa for veterans. >> when military leave service and are looking to get jobs out in the civilian sector, one of the places they look to acquire a job is with the federal workforce. >> reporter: that's because the federal government prioritizes hiring veterans. while on the trail, trump repeatedly pledged his support for vets. >> we're going to take care of the vets, believe me. we must also do more to help our veterans find jobs. >> reporter: critics of the cuts say those statements don't square with the proposed budget. >> they're not going to be