CV-TEC Earns U.S. Army Recognition for Preparing Students for Military Service

The northern New York vocational school is being honored for its growing partnership that is leading more graduates to join the armed forces.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The United States Army has presented CV-TEC, a vocational school in northern New York, with the Community Partnership Award to commemorate the school's support of the Army's recruitment efforts in the North Country. Over the last five years, about 4% of CV-TEC's graduating classes have enlisted in the military, which officials attribute to the Army's increased engagement with students through on-campus activities and training.

Why it matters

The partnership between CV-TEC and the U.S. Army highlights the important role that vocational schools can play in preparing students for careers in the military. By providing hands-on training and exposure to military life, CV-TEC is helping to cultivate the next generation of service members and equipping them with the skills and discipline needed to succeed.

The details

The Army presented CV-TEC officials with the Community Partnership Award on Tuesday to recognize the school's support of the Army's recruitment efforts. CV-TEC Principal Adam Facteau said the school is grateful for the partnership, which has led to an increase in the percentage of students who enlist in the military after graduation. Sgt. Benjamin Mihalkovic, a former CV-TEC student who is now a staff sergeant in the Army, said the school's training helped prepare him for basic training and military life.

  • Over the last five years, about 4% of CV-TEC's graduating classes have enlisted in the military.
  • The Army presented CV-TEC with the Community Partnership Award on Tuesday.

The players

CV-TEC

A vocational school in northern New York that has partnered with the U.S. Army to prepare students for military service.

Adam Facteau

The principal of CV-TEC's Plattsburgh campus.

Sgt. Benjamin Mihalkovic

A former CV-TEC student who is now a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army.

Roxanne Whitney

A junior at CV-TEC who is learning a variety of skills, including marching and public speaking, through the school's partnership with the U.S. Army.

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What they’re saying

“It feels awesome. We are so grateful for our partnership with the United States Army.”

— Adam Facteau, Principal of CV-TEC's Plattsburgh campus (mynbc5.com)

“They've really helped set me up for success going to basic training from what I learned here. Just the discipline they instilled in me, learning phenetic alphabet, military time, the rank structure.”

— Sgt. Benjamin Mihalkovic (mynbc5.com)

“It shows that we have experience and that we have professionalism. I feel like experience and professionalism definitely is a main thing for jobs around here and the area because there's not really a lot to offer other opportunities to learn those skills.”

— Roxanne Whitney, CV-TEC junior (mynbc5.com)

What’s next

CV-TEC and the U.S. Army plan to continue their partnership, with the goal of further increasing the number of CV-TEC graduates who enlist in the military.

The takeaway

The partnership between CV-TEC and the U.S. Army demonstrates the valuable role that vocational schools can play in preparing students for careers in the military. By providing hands-on training and exposure to military life, CV-TEC is helping to cultivate the next generation of service members and equipping them with the skills and discipline needed to succeed.