National Industries for the Severely Handicapped recognizes PEO Soldier for creating jobs for severely disabled.

Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier received the National Industries for the Severely Handicapped (NISH) 2006 Government Award for Products at the National Training and Achievement Conference May 1, 2007, in Grapevine, Texas. They were recognized for providing hundreds of jobs to people with severe disabilities who work for non-profits that produce clothing and gear for soldiers. PEO Soldier's Clothing and Individual Equipment program acquired more than four million items from these non-profits for the Rapid Fielding Initiative and the Generation III Extreme Cold Weather Clothing System, resulting in more than $94 million in sales.

The NISH award recognizes the Department of Defense and other federal agencies that provide outstanding support to a non-profit organization employing disabled workers under the Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) program. This program coordinates with non-profits across the country to give jobs to severely disabled persons and to provide goods and services to the federal government at a fair price.

"PEO Soldier has gone the extra mile in supporting opportunities for persons with disabilities. PEO Soldier has not only educated its staff about people with severe disabilities, they 'walked the talk' and demonstrated their commitment by placing their trust in the JWOD program," said Karen Jury of Peckham Inc. who nominated PEO Soldier for the award. "This trust can be seen by using JWOD producers for the critical Rapid Fielding Initiative and designating JWOD as a mandatory source for the new Generation III program. Their efforts have resulted in adding over 200 new jobs for persons with severe disabilities at Peckham alone," she added.

"We are all extremely proud of NISH's recognition of our organization's support of JWOD," said Army Col. John J. McGuiness, the project manager of PEO Soldier's soldier equipment program. "We see ourselves as partners with JWOD. It is a mutually beneficial partnership that is key to our continued ability to provide the world's best equipment to the world's best soldiers."

"Trust is critical when our products reach every soldier, everywhere, every day," said Army Lt. Col. John Lemondes, the PEO Soldier clothing and individual equipment (CIE) product manager. "The non-profits manufacturing products under the JWOD program are an integral part of the global war on terrorism. With their support, PEO Soldier provides quality products on time, and at a fair price. We would like to thank those non-profits and the persons with disabilities whom they employ for their tireless efforts on our behalf."

For additional information on PEO Soldier visit <www.peosoldier.army.mil>.