The Veterans Curation Program at the National VA History Center

In June 2004, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) archaeologist Dr. Michael “Sonny” Trimble led a team investigating nine separate mass graves in Iraq thought to contain victims of Saddam Hussein’s regime. Working closely with forensic experts and military personnel, Dr. Trimble’s crew recovered scientific evidence used to convict Hussein of crimes against humanity. Following the extreme recovery mission and conclusion of the trial, the experience inspired a program that has benefited hundreds of U.S. Veterans across the country.

Impacted by his experience of working with military personnel in Iraq from 2004 to 2007, Dr. Trimble and USACE created the Veterans Curation Program (VCP).  The initiative had two goals: preparing Veterans for careers in the civilian sector and assisting USACE with rehabilitation of archaeological collections under their stewardship. In 2009, an initial VCP lab location in Augusta, Georgia, hired its first group of Veterans. Over the next 17 years, the VCP expanded to four additional USACE-funded lab sites around the country, and over 900 Veterans have been trained in the care of irreplaceable cultural resources.

In September 2025, the VA History Office (VAHO) recognized the opportunity to both fulfil the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’s needs for archaeological artifact and records curation and directly serve Veterans as a VCP lab location at the National VA History Center (NVAHC) in Dayton, Ohio. The VAHO VCP lab, funded by VA and managed through a USACE contractor, was established in the NVAHC Artifact and Archival Collection Facility on the Dayton VA campus in January 2026. The sponsorship by VAHO is also an internal collaboration with the VA Historic Preservation Office which maintains responsibility for historic buildings in the VA inventory and cultural heritage materials uncovered at VA locations. The NVAHC is the first VCP lab site on a VA campus.

At the VAHO VCP lab, what starts as a dusty bag of artifacts in an old box becomes an opportunity for Veterans to connect with their own archaeological heritage. Through hands-on experience, VCP technicians get to learn more about VA’s unique history and the role they play in managing that history for future generations. Responsible management of this heritage is essential for its preservation and contributes to the ongoing mission of VA through opportunities for archaeologists, archivists, and curators to work together with communities of Veterans and caregivers alike.

Beyond learning to rehabilitate collections, VAHO VCP technicians are also given paid time to update their resumes and utilize professional growth and development resources to further their career goals. Real world experience and opportunities for career development allow VCP technicians to prepare for positions in a variety of careers and industries.

The first cohort of technicians at the VAHO VCP consisted of six Veterans from various branches of the military.

• Jason P. retired from the Air Force as an aircraft maintenance officer in late 2025. Transitioning into the civilian job market was proving challenging, and he was attending every job fair he could, searching for the right opportunity. He learned about the VCP at a virtual job fair and, having an interest in history, decided to apply. Jason started work at the VAHO VCP in January 2026 and by May, had been hired for full-time work as a Security Information Specialist with a local company.
• Sam B. learned about the VCP through word of mouth. A culinary specialist in the Army from 2013 to 2023, Sam went on to use her educational benefits to graduate with a degree in Fine Arts. Since joining the VCP, she has assisted in the design of museum-quality graphics, while continuing to focus on building out her freelance artist career.
• Jessica D. was a supply craftsman in the Air Force and was dissatisfied with her place of employment due to the lack of upward mobility. She heard about the VCP from a coworker and decided to apply. Since joining the VCP, she has been able to update her resume and brush up on her computer skills, making herself more marketable in various fields.
• Evan B. connected with the VCP through the Ohio Department of Jobs, Veteran Outreach Program. Evan was a multichannel transmission systems operator-maintainer in the Army and has since gone on to work on his Master of Business Administration. His interest in the VCP stemmed from the desire to have structure in his days and support during his transition toward his long-term career goals.
• DeAngelo Y., previously an aircraft armament systems specialist for the Air Force, transitioned into the civilian world of welding but found that the physical requirements were taking a toll. Seeking work that would be less physically demanding, but still financially supportive and flexible enough for him to attend school, he applied for the VCP. Since being at the VCP, he has been able to work directly with software programs that will help bolster his resume when he graduates in 2027 with his degree in Data Science.
• Shannon D., an Air Force Security Forces Veteran, joined the VCP to grow her experience in archival and history work. She researched and compiled biographies on Medal of Honor recipients for a community memorial project and learned about the VCP from the Director of Veteran and Military Services at Wright State University. She has used her time at the VCP to fine tune her technical writing and research skills before graduating with a Master of Public Administration in 2027.

The VAHO VCP runs two five-month sessions per year, from May to September and November to March, with each cohort consisting of about five Veterans. All training is provided on the job, and no previous experience in archeology or history is required.

To be eligible for the VCP:

• Must be a discharged U.S. military Veteran or actively drilling reservist in good standing (DD214 or similar documentation required).
• Veterans from all eras are welcome to apply. Preference will be given to Veterans that separated post 9/11, but Veterans from previous eras will be considered if open positions remain.
• Must be willing to submit to a background check for full consideration.
• Cannot be a former graduate of the VCP. Participants are allowed to complete one five-month session.

The VAHO VCP is planning to screen additional Technician applicants for the Dayton NVAHC site this fall and again in 2027.

For more information or to apply for the program, check out the VCP website: DAYTON, OH – Veterans Curation Program