There is an “America Supports You” program that helps active duty, Guard, and Reserve veterans transition to jobs in the construction industry. Defense officials say the “Helmets to Hardhats” program has “matched about 40,000” veterans with apprenticeships in construction unions around the country. However, the program still has some 150,000 registered job seekers looking for their particular area of interest and more signing up each year.
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.