Virginia is a leading Department of Defense (DOD) State number one in the nation in total personnel and second only to California in DOD military personnel.

In 2007, Virginia received the second highest amount of U.S. Department of Defense Prime Contracts ($33.5 billion) behind California.

Military products currently produced in the region include: air frame structural components, bearings, aircraft engine parts, electrical cable/power products, lubricating oils, batteries, industrial gases, precision instruments, environmental products and consumable items. These products are produced by area defense and security companies such as:

• Spec Ops
• Rolls-Royce North America
• Brink’s
• DuPont
• Honeywell
• RBR Tactical Armor Inc.
• Northrop Grumman
• Jewett Industries

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) located in central Virginia offers a Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Program (B.A. & M.A.), becoming the first major U.S. research university to offer this discipline. The program was developed with assistance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.

Why Central Virginia and the Gateway Region?
- 100 miles to the Pentagon (I-95) and 100 miles to Norfolk (I-64)
- Outside of the blast zone for both strategic targets
- Support, resources, and business climate that supports the global defense market
- Entrée to political and lobbying interests with the State Capital just up the road, offering you access and proximity to the military, defense, and homeland security decision makers

The following table demonstrates the types of skilled personnel exiting from military installations in the Gateway Region, personnel potentially available to staff your next business location:

SOC Code	Description
53-7072	Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers
43-5081	Stock Clerks and Order Fillers
35-2012	Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
49-9093	Fabric Menders, Except Garment
39-9099	Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other
13-1081	Logisticians
11-3071	Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers
27-4013	Radio Operators
49-3023	Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
43-4161	Human Resources Assistants
29-2041	Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics
49-9041	Industrial Machinery Mechanics
51-8031	Water and Liquid Waste Treatment Operators
49-2094	Electrical and Electronics Repairers
13-1071	Employment, Recruitment, and Placement Specialists
11-9111	Medical and Health Services Managers
49-3031	Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
49-1011	First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Mechanics
53-3032	Truck Drivers, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer
43-2099	Communications Equipment Operators, All Other
43-5011	Cargo and Freight Agents
43-5071	Shipping, Receiving, and Traffic Clerks
43-9011	Computer Operators
13-1079	Human Resources and Training Specialists
11-3021	Computer and Information Systems Managers
11-3049	Human Resources Managers, All Other
23-2011	Paralegals and Legal Assistants
29-9011	Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
31-9092	Medical Assistants
43-1011	First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Office
17-2051	Civil Engineers
17-3022	Civil Engineering Technicians
47-2021	Brickmasons and Blockmasons
47-4099	Construction and Related Workers, All Other
53-5031	Ship Engineers
53-1031	First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Transportation
53-2022	Airfield Operations Specialists
49-9042	Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
49-9069	Precision Instrument and Equipment Repairers
51-4041	Machinists
51-4121	Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
47-5031	Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts
49-2022	Telecoms Equipment Installers and Repairers
49-2091	Avionics Technicians
49-3042	Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
49-3011	Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
47-2031	Carpenters
47-2073	Operating Engineers and Other Construction Operators
17-3024	Electro-Mechanical Technicians
17-3031	Surveying and Mapping Technicians
19-4041	Geological and Petroleum Technicians
19-4099	Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other
17-1021	Cartographers and Photogrammetrists
11-9021	Construction Managers
11-9121	Natural Sciences Managers
13-1061	Emergency Management Specialists
27-1014	Multi-Media Artists and Animators
27-3031	Public Relations Specialists

Source: JobsEQ

Fort Lee, situated in the heart of central Virgnia, is a United States Army post and headquarters of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Command (CASCOM), U.S. Army Quartermaster Center and School (QMCS), the Army Logistics University (ALU), the U.S. Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA), and the U.S. Ordnance Center and Schools (OC&S).

As a result of the Base Realignment And Closure (BRAC) program a massive expansion is currently underway which will result in Fort Lee doubling in size both in terms of population and square feet of training space. Once the BRAC process is complete at Fort Lee, the installation will become the logistical nerve center for the Army worldwide; every item ordered throughout the Army will be coordinated through Fort Lee.

This expansion and logistical expertise reinforces the assets of the region while exiting military and trailing spouses will further enhance an already exceptional workforce.

In conjunction with Fort Lee, the Defense Supply Center Richmond (DSCR) is crucial to the US DoD supply chain:

• 2,000 employees on 600 acres
• 15 minutes away from Fort Lee
• 1.2 million repair parts and operating supply items for 1,300 major weapons systems

Working closely with The Crater Procurement Assistance Center, VGR can assist your company by increasing opportunities in the Federal, State, and Local Government marketplace, this includes assisting Prime Contractors in locating small businesses to act as subcontractors for government contracts. The Gateway Region is a prime location for defense contracting and we can assist with that process.

Are you exiting military personnel looking for work?
Are you an employer looking to hire disciplined, experienced, military-trained personnel?

The Employer Partnership of the Armed Forces can help.
The EP provides a direct link to employers seeking service members for employment.