Army Urging Colleges To Tell Students About Defense Jobs

ABERDEEN, Md. (AP) -- The Army is urging colleges and universities in the Mid-Atlantic region to tell students about internship opportunities at Aberdeen Proving Ground.

Gen. Dennis Via, commander of the Army Materiel Command, is hosting the daylong event Friday at the installation near Baltimore.

He's invited administrators and advisers from more than 300 educational institutions to learn about internships that could lead to jobs with federal agencies.

The Army Materiel Command is the lead agency responsible for equipping and sustaining America's military forces. It made a commitment in February to provide 1,000 internship or outreach opportunities annually for the next five years.

The Army says it needs workers because 13 percent of its workforce is eligible for retirement. Officials say they expect that number to more than double in five years.