July 25, 2018

National Hire a Veteran Day!

Besides the obvious sacrifices they have made for our country, the primary reason to hire veterans is they come with a critical skill set—discipline.

Links Thinks Companies Should Hire Veterans Because ...

Veterans understand teamwork, chain of command, and doing it right the first time. When asked to jump, veterans jump, they don’t ask how high or how come. Military members that have left the service to join the civilian world take their knowledge and commitment to achieve, and bring this higher level of expectation to the company. Having military members (veterans) as a part of one’s business will usually increase team building and productivity.

Veterans are some of the most resilient employees, someone can hire. Veterans often have gone through some interesting hardships, which creates character and endurance. It’s also important to hire veterans because it’s too easy for them to be left behind in the rest of the world, and their teamwork and loyalty is unparalleled.

BRIAN BURKE

What branch?

United States Navy

What years were you on active duty?

1959-1963

JIM BURKE

What branch?

I was in the United States Marine Corps

What years were you on active duty?

1987-1993

What are the major takeaways from your experience?

For me, the major take away was discipline, integrity, loyalty and honor.

Major accomplishments:

  • Marine Security Guard, top ½ of 1 percent of the Marine Corps.
  • Achieved rank of E-5 in 3 years
  • Received numerous letters of recommendation and appreciation
  • Worked in US Embassy’s Panama City, Panama and Bogota Columbia

JOSH RITCHIE

Josh's pictures were taken while stationed in Hawaii. He hung out with the crew that was in the Movie Pearl Harbor, which was filmed in Hawaii the same time I was stationed there.

What branch?

United States Army

What years were you on active duty?

1997 to 2006, Served in Operation Iraqi Freedom IV (four)

What are the major takeaways from your experience?

Becoming a leader, Team building, and working as a cohesive team

Major Accomplishments:

Rank of SGT E-5, Served in Operation Iraqi Freedom IV, Air Assault Qualified, (2) Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal

Additional comments:

Enjoyed learning how to drive and work on the various different diesel vehicles, along with learning and shooting the various different weapons systems.

ANDY HAGGARD

What branch?

United States Navy

What years were you on active duty?

2008 to 2012

What are the major takeaways from your experience?

Work hard, play hard.

Major Accomplishments:

I earned two Navy Achievement Medals, one for fixing a vital communications array and the other for keeping a vital communications net up during combat operations.

JEREMY GOGGIN

What branch?

United States Marine Corps

What years were you on active duty?

Active from 1998-2002 and served in the Kosovo War in 1999