The Veterans Affairs Department has launched a program aimed at expanding the ranks of federal acquisition professionals. It's an internship for returning veterans who want to become contracting specialists.

Already, two dozen students have signed on for three years of rigorous classroom and on-the-job training. At the end, they'll be ready to work for any agency's procurement shop.

"It's really to grow the next generation of acquisition professionals and creating a career path for our returning warriors," said Lisa Doyle, chancellor of the VA Acquisition Academy, which runs the program. "The purpose is to re-capitalize the acquisition workforce in the Department of Veterans Affairs, but other government agencies can also participate."

Doyle spoke to The Federal Drive with Tom Temin on Tuesday morning about the Academy and how it's helping returning veterans to ease into government employment.

For more information about the program, visit the Academy's website.