Governor McCrory Wants More Veterans to Call North Carolina Home | Eastern North Carolina Now

News Release:

    Raleigh, N.C.     Governor Pat McCrory continues his aggressive push to make North Carolina a permanent home and destination for more of America's veterans.

    "Veterans come to the community with leadership skills and some of the best training in the world," Governor McCrory said. "Having veterans choose North Carolina as their home will make our state stronger and give us a competitive edge when competing for jobs in the global marketplace."

    North Carolina has nearly 800,000 veterans and is in the midst of a surge of newly minted veterans. Approximately 60,000 service personnel are expected to muster out of the military in North Carolina during 2014 through 2016. Many of these individuals are in their prime working age. Eighty percent of the projected separations through 2018 will be people who are 30 years old or younger. It's estimated that 95 percent will be 40 or younger.

    "We have a unique opportunity to strengthen our workforce by incentivizing veterans to start their civilian life building North Carolina's economy," Governor McCrory said. "Attracting and keeping veterans in our state is an urgent priority of my administration."

    Since taking office, Governor McCrory has launched many veteran-focused initiatives including:

   •  The equivalent of in-state tuition for veterans at our state's community colleges and universities.

   •  Allowing veterans and military spouses to have selected training and past experience converted into college credit and/or professional licenses such as Commercial Driver's Licenses, Information Technology specialists and mechanics.

   •  Giving credit for years of military experience when determining placement on the salary schedule for veterans serving as principals, assistant principals and teachers.

   •  The establishment of North Carolina's first Veterans Treatment Court

   •  The creation of a Veteran Driver's License, making it easier for veterans to identify themselves for benefits.

    Governor McCrory also established the Governor's Working Group on Veterans, Service Members and Their Families under the leadership of Major General Cornell Wilson (U.S. Marine Corps, Ret.). General Wilson also serves as the governor's advisor on military affairs. Part of the working group's mission is to focus on job creation, skills development and veterans benefits.

    Military veterans also hold senior leadership positions in the governor's administration. In addition to Wilson, Brigadier General Tony Tata (U.S. Army, Ret.) serves as the Secretary of the Department of Transportation and former U.S. Marine Lieutenant Ilario Pantano is the governor's Assistant Secretary for Veterans Affairs.


    Contact: Crystal Feldman
       govpress@nc.gov