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A new government contracting training program for executives with businesses owned by military veterans is scheduled to begin Thursday in Bethesda.

Some 38 veterans are slated to learn the federal contracting ropes from seasoned executives in the 18-hour certification program organized by the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation and the chamber's Government Contracting Network.

Randy Slager, CEO and founder of Catapult Technology of Bethesda, a veteran-owned information technology contractor, is expected to speak Thursday on "What It Takes to be a Successful Company in the Federal Market." Catapult won the Government Contracting Firm of the Year award from the Tech Council of Maryland this year and was listed among the nation's 5,000 fastest-growing private companies by Inc. magazine.

Revenues at 630-employee Catapult increased from $33.4 million in 2005 to $107 million last year, according to the magazine.

The program is an initiative of the chamber's GovConNet Council, and officials don't know of a similar program offered elsewhere, said Linda Ekizian, vice president of member services and events for the chamber. GovConNet began a little more than a year ago.

With sponsors such as Aronson & Co. and Pepper Hamilton picking up the costs, there is no registration fee for participants, she said.

The program is expected to offer an "incomparable experience for veteran-owned businesses that are looking to position themselves for greater success in the fast-growing marketplace of government contracting," Georgette "Gigi" Godwin, president and CEO of the chamber, said in a statement.

To be eligible for the program, a veteran-owned company must meet certain requirements, including being in business for at least two years, maintaining at least three full-time employees, having experience working on government contracts as a prime contractor or subcontractor, and having recorded less than $25 million in revenue last year. Enrollment is not limited to Montgomery County businesses.