President Obama announced new partnerships between the military and industry groups that defense officials said could make it easier for up to 126,000 veterans to find civilian work. The military-to-civilian certification program will allow veterans to transfer skills they’ve learned in the military, such as welding or weapons maintenance, into a similar job in the civilian sector, said Obama during a June 1 visit to a Honeywell factory in Golden Valley, Minn. “If you can save a life on the battlefield, you can save a life in an ambulance. If you can oversee a convoy or millions of dollars of assets in Iraq, you can help manage a supply chain or balance its books here at home,” stated the President. He added, “If you’re working on complex machinery, you should be able to take those skills and find a manufacturing job right here—right here at home.” Defense Secretary Leon Panetta applauded the effort, saying “the President and I will remain committed to addressing the full range of challenges our troops and their families face as they leave the service.” (Obama remarks) (Panetta statement) (AFPS report by Claudette Roulo)
A major planned upgrade for the F-35 fighter’s engine is expected to reach a major milestone in August when it undergoes its critical design review, an Air Force official said July 27.