Exelis part of group preparing veterans for civilian careers

Exelis Inc. is teaming up with human resources consultant Korn Ferry and a nonprofit organization to launch a program designed to help veterans apply their military experience to leadership roles in the private sector.

McLean-based Exelis, a defense and aerospace company, Korn Ferry and the nonprofit Points of Light have teamed up to create the Leveraging Mlitary Leadership Program.

The four-month program launched Friday, which is being offered as a free program to 35 veterans from across the U.S. The program starts in McLean with three days of instruction, group exercises and lectures.

The in-residence portion is followed by focused off site and online learning components and individual coaching. The leadership development services are based on the same research offered by Korn Ferry to boards, CEOs and senior executives of global organizations.

“Our focus is not on securing a job – it’s on helping these veterans apply their leadership skills in new and different environments so they can forge a viable career path that will enable them to thrive,” Exelis chief communications officer David Albritton said in a statement.

The participants range from junior enlisted to senior office ranks in the Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force. They were selected from more than 100 applicants. The program will meet several times a year at sites across the country.