About Us
Honoring Service
Securing Careers.
Unturning Steel Inc. (UTS) is a Connecticut-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a bold mission:
To empower transitioning service members and revitalize the U.S. manufacturing workforce—one veteran, one opportunity, one community at a time.
Born From Tragedy, Built with Purpose
On December 1, 2022, our founder’s brother, Major Sean P. Leahy, USMC, died by suicide after battling the invisible wounds of war. A decorated Marine who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, Sean was in the middle of transitioning from active duty to a civilian career in manufacturing. But time ran out.
His death added another name to a devastating statistic—over 125,000 veterans lost to suicide since 2001—and highlighted the urgent need for better transition pathways. It also marked a loss to U.S. manufacturing, which faces a historic skilled labor shortage with over 500,000 jobs unfilled nationwide.
At Unturning Steel, we believe these two crises are connected, and we’re building the solution by bridging military experience with industrial opportunity.
The Meaning Behind “Unturning Steel”
At Sean’s funeral, a Navy SEAL and close friend recalled a phrase often used in explosive breaching operations:
“Turning Steel.”
The phrase stuck with us. It symbolizes the violent transformations of war, the mental toll of service, and the challenges that come after. It also echoes the evolution happening in American manufacturing—an industry under immense pressure from an aging workforce and rapid technological change.
Unturning Steel is our call to action.
It reflects a deliberate reversal of that turning—restoring the humanity, stability, and identity of veterans and industries shaped by external forces. We help them reclaim purpose, rebuild community, and re-enter the workforce with confidence.
Our Dual Mission
At UTS, we tackle two national challenges at once:
- 1. Veteran Suicide and Transition Stress We support service members during the most vulnerable phase of their journey—the transition to civilian life—by providing community, certainty, and purpose.
- 2. Manufacturing Workforce Crisis We deliver reliable, trained, and mission-ready talent to American manufacturing, reducing costly workforce gaps and supporting long-term operational excellence.
What We Do
Through the Department of Defense SkillBridge program, Unturning Steel offers active-duty service members:
- Education and training in reliability and operations best practices
- Professional certifications through academic and professional partners like SMRP
- Career opportunities with American manufacturers
- 3–6 months of real-world experience embedded at host companies
- One-on-one coaching and mentorship from expert reliability professionals
These participants fill vital roles in operations, maintenance, engineering, and leadership—at no cost to the veteran or the host company. They also complete a reliability project as part of their curriculum, contributing directly to their host’s bottom line.
Why It Works
This model doesn’t just support veterans—it strengthens U.S. industry.
- Reduces turnover risk by building alignment before a full-time hire
- Provides dependable workforce development with embedded mentorship
- Promotes MADE IN AMERICA cultural innovation
- Creates sustainable, long-term solutions—not just stopgaps
Proven Impact. National Vision.
UTS completed two successful pilot programs in 2023 and 2024.
In 2025, we will serve 11 service members across the U.S. manufacturing sector.
Our growth plan is bold:
- 2026: Expand program reach and strengthen national partnerships
- 2028: Train and place over 200 veterans annually into high-demand industrial careers
Together, we’re building a future where veterans thrive, communities grow, and American industry endures.
Join Us
Whether you’re a manufacturer looking for dependable talent, a veteran preparing for life after service, or a supporter who believes in American resilience—there’s a place for you at Unturning Steel.
We are re-humanizing transition.
We are rebuilding the workforce.
We are the change we’ve been waiting for.
