From seat belts not being worn to hands caught in machinery, Sergeant First Class Jalyn Todd saw rollovers, equipment incidents and injuries caused by skipped safety steps.
“I’ve lost battle buddies in situations that reinforced how critical safety truly is,” Todd said. “It brought to the forefront of my mind that in a safety role, I can actually make a difference and play a part in preventing these incidents.”
Safety is not a checklist — it is how people get home. That belief shaped Todd’s path from military service to Boeing, where she now serves as a Safety & Occupational Health Specialist in South Carolina.
A scholarship designed to grow the safety pipeline
Boeing and the National Safety Council (NSC) are expanding the Advanced Safety Certificate Scholarship for Veterans with a $2.3 million multi-year commitment funded through 2029. Beginning in 2026, the program will grow to from 50 to 75 scholarships annually for veterans and active-duty service members pursuing careers in environmental, health and safety, or EHS.
“Veterans make our workforce stronger because they bring leadership, discipline, and a mission-first mindset — qualities that strengthen safety culture wherever they go,” said Amy May, vice president of Boeing Environment, Health and Safety.
Boeing supports veterans through $501 million in veteran-owned business subcontracting, employs more than 18,000 U.S. veterans and invests $15.6 million in veteran transition and recovery programs.
Lorraine Martin, president and CEO of NSC, said Boeing is the right partner for the scholarship because of the company’s commitment to veterans and because safety is central to its aerospace and manufacturing work.
“When Boeing invests in this program, it helps us grow the safety profession, diversify the talent pipeline and reach people who are already committed to protecting others,” Martin said.
From soldier to safety leader
Todd enlisted in the Army National Guard in 2013 after high school to help pay for college. She started as an Ammunition Specialist, where explosive safety training sparked her interest in the occupational health and safety field. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she helped manage emergency PPE distribution across Southern Nevada, then moved into a full-time safety technician role supporting 11 Army National Guard units across the state. She later served as the Brigade Safety Officer, leading 50 unit safety officers across 20 units in nine Middle Eastern countries, gaining hands-on experience that would have taken years to build in the civilian sector.
“Deployment taught me that risk management is most effective when it is proactive and integrated into both daily operations and the planning process,” Todd said. “I learned the value of identifying trends early, communicating them clearly across teams, and implementing practical controls before issues escalate. Most importantly, it reinforced that prevention comes from understanding and improving the system, not just reacting to outcomes.”
Todd first learned about NSC through a sergeant who pointed her toward its resources for ideas to use in the monthly safety newsletter Todd produced for the Nevada Army National Guard. Through the NSC, she found practical information, industry updates and connections that showed her the scope of the safety field.
Eventually, she came across the scholarship application and applied.
“Right away, I knew I had to apply,” she said. “Anything that helps me grow my experience and expand my knowledge in the safety field is right up my alley.”
The Advanced Safety Certificate program gave Todd a stronger technical foundation and a broader view of the profession. Although the scholarship did not lead directly to a job at Boeing, the timing of an open role gave Todd the opportunity to become a full-time Boeing employee while continuing her National Guard service part time.
Continuing to learn, continuing to serve
Todd is pursuing a bachelor’s degree through American Military University while continuing her work in safety at Boeing and in the Army National Guard. She plans to pursue a master’s degree with support of Boeing’s Learning Together program, focusing her studies on human factors, systems safety or occupational safety leadership as she continues to develop her technical expertise.
For Todd, it all comes down to preventing harm and protecting people.
“I’ve seen the worst things happen and I do not want that to happen to one more person,” she said. “It’s why I lead from the heart. I genuinely care about the people doing the work while still holding a high standard for safety and compliance. I am present on the floor, listening to concerns, understanding challenges, and showing up as a partner and not just someone enforcing rules.”
Learn more about the Advanced Safety Certificate Scholarship for Veterans.
By Laura Fenton
