The Defense sector is the second largest economic sector in North Carolina at $66 billion. Much of the military economic activity is in eastern NC. There are 5 major military installations in the 29-county NC East Alliance region. There are over 76,000 service members and civilians at the 5 military installations in the region. These military bases provide excellent career opportunities for civilians as well as exiting military service members. With over 20,000 service members transitioning every year in North Carolina, there is a skilled, veteran workforce the companies can utilize every year.
What are the 5 major miliary installations in eastern NC?
- Marine Corps Air Base Camp Lejeune
- Marine Corps Air Station New River
- Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point
- Seymour Johnson Airforce Base
- US Coast Guard Base Elizabeth City
Here are 5 examples of companies in the region that hire retired military:
Fleet Readiness Center East
Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) is a Naval Aviation maintenance and repair depot under Naval Air Systems Command. Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) employs more than 4,000 people, including civilian, military, and contract workers. It is North Carolina’s largest provider of maintenance, repair, overhaul, and technical services for military aircraft.
Aviation Logistics Center
The Aviation Logistics Center (ALC) in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, employs approximately 1,700 people. This workforce is crucial in maintaining and supporting the U.S. Coast Guard’s aviation operations, providing depot-level maintenance, logistics, and supply chain management to ensure mission readiness. Over 50% of United States Coast Guard Aviation Logistics Center Civil Service employees are veterans.
Eastern Carolina Vocational Center
ECVC is a private not-for-profit that provides job training and employment services to persons with disabilities in Pitt and its surrounding counties in Eastern North Carolina. ECVC funds its mission through the manufacturing of picture/certificate frames and battery terminal lugs, battery packaging & distribution, custom framing and chair caning, and commingled recyclables sorting services. “ECVC prides itself on hiring Veterans as we have received the DOL HIRE Vets Gold Medallion for the 5th straight year and meet the requirement for the award this year as well. As VP of Workforce Operations, it is my constant intent to employees as many Veterans as possible. Our HR Generalist is an Army Veteran so she has direct contact with jobseekers who may be Veterans.” – Darone Dancy, VP of Workforce Operations
Attollo LLC
Attollo provides unmanned aircraft (UAV) and associated technology training and consulting services. Attollo currently employs 22 veterans with a mission to “Empower the warfighter with knowledge, confidence, and precision to achieve a Day-1 Advantage on the modern battlefield”. They are a 2023 HIRE Vets Gold Medallion award winner.
VectorCSP
VectorCSP is a federal contracting small business based in North Carolina, specializing in logistics, engineering, and program management support, primarily for the U.S. military and government sectors. They are a 2023 HIRE Vets Gold Medallion award winner.
*The HIRE Vets Medallion Award is the only federal-level veterans’ employment award that recognizes a company or organization’s commitment to veteran hiring, retention, and professional development. The awards are based on percentage of veterans hired, retained, trained, and total employment. It is awarded by the Department of Labor.
Why is North Carolina the best place for a service member to transition and retire? Other than the great weather, career opportunities, and affordability, veterans who retire in North Carolina are exempt from state taxes on their pensions.