About - Veterans Curation Program

The Veterans Curation Program (VCP) was created for two purposes: (1) to provide veterans a bridging experience from military service into the public sector and (2) to process at-risk archaeological collections belonging to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Training Program

Overseas contingency operations have increased the number of veterans and wounded warriors who may need additional training in order to compete in the mainstream job market. Through its investment in service members, the VCP builds on skills that veterans acquire during military service, including leadership, teamwork, and attention to detail, and assists these valuable members of society with finding permanent employment and enrolling in institutions of higher education. Working under the direct supervision of professionals in the field of archaeology, veterans receive competitive pay and technical training in a peer-to-peer veterans environment.

Archaeological Processing

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for the stewardship of a variety of archaeological collections, which must be stored in a way that ensures their long-term preservation and accessibility by the public for scientific research and education. These collections were excavated during the construction of the country’s many reservoirs and water control systems, and many require rehabilitation in order to meet federal standards. This includes cleaning, re-housing, photographing, and cataloging. Through the VCP, veterans are employed as laboratory technicians to perform this work.

For detailed information about the program, CLICK HERE.

The VCP is managed by New South Associates (NSA). Incorporated in Georgia in 1988, NSA is a Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), which provides cultural resource management services. NSA is nationally recognized for its ability to integrate studies of sites, structures, and objects of the past with planning, management, and development for the future.

AWARDS

Greater St. Louis Federal Executive Board Excellence in Government Award, Technical Team Category Presented in 2011 and 2012 to the Veterans Curation Program Team

Thlopthlocco Creek Tribal Town, Oklahoma Thlopthlocco Tribal Town Service Award Presented on February 25, 2011 and February 15, 2012 to the Veterans Curation Project

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Louis District Commander’s Team Award Presented on December 16, 2010 to the St. Louis District VCP Team

American Cultural Resources Association (ACRA) Board of Directors Award Presented on September 25, 2010 to the St. Louis District VCP Team

Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) Chairman’s Award for Federal Achievement in Historic Preservation Presented on December 4, 2009 to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District

– Department of the Army, Commander’s Award for Civilian Service (2014)

– U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Headquarters, Wounded Warrior Support Excellence and Achievement Award (2015)

– Society for American Archaeology, Award for Excellence in Curation, Collections Management, and Collections-based Research and Education (2016)