Col. J. Chris Whitmire, an Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer and member of the North Carolina House of Representatives, far right, is pictured with fellow North Carolina Lawmakers and Gov. Pat McCrory for the signing of the Brass to Class act, which streamlines the process veterans must follow to transition into public classrooms as teachers by ensuring they are granted credit for their relevant experience, formal certifications and training, leadership roles and formal education. Whitmire was a primary sponsor of the bill. (Courtesy photo)