Lockheed Martin Expands Veteran Partner Programs

Veterans and defense-sector job seekers can look to 11 partner organizations for scholarships, volunteer work, and memorial-linked service roles.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Military Jobs

Lockheed Martin Expands Veteran Partner Programs

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Lockheed Martin announced new and expanded partnerships with 11 organizations under its 25Forward initiative, a five-year, US$25 million program launched in September 2026 to mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. The partnerships span preservation, scholarships, and veteran-led disaster response across the United States.

Why it matters

The initiative is aimed at preserving September 11 history and lessons from military service, and it channels funding to memorial preservation, education, and veteran volunteer networks. For defense-sector operators and veterans seeking employment, it signals how a major contractor is directing corporate giving toward veteran and service-oriented organizations.

The five-year program carries US$25 million in total funding, with US$10 million contributed at launch toward the Pentagon Memorial Visitor Education Center. The expanded partnerships cover 11 organizations, against a Lockheed Martin workforce of approximately 114,000 employees.

The players

Lockheed Martin

A major U.S. defense and aerospace contractor with approximately 114,000 employees, whose scale and government contracting base make its corporate initiatives significant within the defense sector.

Team Rubicon

A nonprofit that mobilizes veterans and volunteers for disaster response, operating as a veteran-led service organization in the United States.

Scholarship America

A nonprofit that administers scholarship programs, including the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund named in the 25Forward partnerships.

The details

25Forward operates as a multi-partner funding structure in which Lockheed Martin extends support to organizations working in memorial preservation, scholarships, and veteran-led service. Partners named include 9/11 Day, the Air Commando Heritage Foundation, Conservation Legacy, Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial, the Pentagon Memorial Fund, Scholarship America, and Team Rubicon. The Pentagon Memorial Fund partnership supports the planned Visitor Education Center, while Scholarship America administers scholarships through the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund.

September 11: the 25th anniversary of the attacks, marked by the initiative's launch.
September 2026: Lockheed Martin launched 25Forward.
November 2, 2026: Lockheed Martin announced the 11 expanded partnerships.

Market Landscape

Defense contractors have increasingly paired commercial operations with veteran and national-memorial programs, and 25Forward follows that pattern by tying corporate funding to September 11 preservation. The program is positioned as a multi-year commitment rather than a one-time gift, extending through the five-year funding window.

Veterans and service-minded job seekers may find expanded partner networks, scholarship access, and volunteer pathways through the listed organizations. Operators in the defense supply chain should note how prime contractors direct corporate giving, as it can shape partner relationships and recruitment visibility.

The takeaway

For veterans and employers in the defense sector, the practical step is to review the named partner organizations, such as Team Rubicon and Scholarship America, to identify scholarship and volunteer pathways relevant to your situation. Track the 25Forward program's annual partner announcements over its five-year term to see how funding allocation evolves.