NEWPORT, Vt. -
Kids wear helmets when riding their bikes to protect their brain, fast forward a few years, they're still wearing helmets... but this time, in war. They can be equally life-saving.
One company in Newport, Vermont makes the helmets and is doubling its workforce by the end of the year.
Helmets made at a facility in Newport, Vermont by local Vermonters save lives overseas daily.
When former State Senator Michael Metcalf's son was serving in Iraq eight years ago, he was shot in the head and could have died, "a little blood, big headache, some stitches, this helmet saved his life," Metcalf said.
The company, "Revision Military" signed a $21.6 million contract with the Army, and is making 90-thousand more of those life saving combat helmets for the U.S. Military.
"You and I are not the ones who are putting our lives on the line, they are... I think we owe it to give them the best possible equipment," U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy said.
And Revision is adding 40 more employees to complete the task.
"You're also creating jobs in an area that needs jobs," Sen. Leahy added.
The helmets are lightweight and worn by most U.S. soldiers and even some from other countries.
"Helmets are going to be required by the military and police around the world indefinitely," Revision Military CEO, Jonathan Blanshay said.
Revision Military says it's hiring immediately. People fit for the job will receive training, but even so, Blanshay says there's not enough people for the work they need done.
"Technically capable, engineering driven positions here I think are under serviced," Blanshay said. "These are good paying jobs and require skilled workers," Sen. Leahy said.
So the story gets to continue for one... of many soldiers who came close to not coming home, all thanks to a helmet.
"Partially delaminated the kevlar, cut him in the temple, but he survived," Metcalf added about his son.
Metcalf had his son send a picture of the serial number that was on the inside of the helmet that took the bullet, and personally thanked those exact workers who made the specific helmet, that saved his son's life.
