Fire Systems Installer at Cintas
Staff Sgt. Josh Krueger doesn’t believe in stress, only opportunities. And opportunity is what he was given with Cintas.
by Warren Duffie
Stress out in the corporate world? Josh Krueger doesn’t believe in it. For a warrior, stress is only another word for opportunity. An Iraq combat-wounded veteran, Krueger developed this philosophy during his 2005 tour in the Marine Corps.
Staff sergeant Krueger was part of a protective security guarding the commanding general of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force. While traveling through war-ravaged Fallujah – during the throes of a massive insurgency – Krueger’s convoy struck and detonated an IED (improvised explosive device). The explosion rocked his vehicle and shrapnel ripped through his body. “I should have been dead,” said Krueger, 29. “I was hit on both sides of the neck and suffered trauma. After that, what’s the worst that can happen to me at my civilian job? My company car won’t start?”
A New Appreciation for Life and Work
Blessed with a renewed zest and love for life, Krueger has taken his determination and translated it into business success. He is an advanced management candidate for the Fire Protection Services division of Cintas Corporation. The Fire Protection Services division supplies, installs, and services comprehensive fire suppression systems and products for businesses of all types and sizes.
“This program takes people with leadership experience and teaches them the business and how to be effective managers,” said Krueger. “I’ve been with the company for six months and already learned about how our fire systems work. Now I’m learning how to install them.”
Krueger works in a 100-employee shop in Milwaukee, Wis., which serves thousands of clients throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota. Krueger, a Milwaukee native, works Monday through Friday from 0800 until 1600. He spends four days of the week out in the field, installing fire-protection systems. His fifth day, Krueger teams up with his general manager to review financial reports, attend conference calls and meetings, and handle purchasing issues. “My general manager is really committed to teaching me because I’m a direct reflection of him to the client,” Krueger said. “The skills I learned as a Marine have helped me a lot, such as attention to detail, discipline, tact and using good judgement.”
On the Hunt for Military Veterans
Such traits have inspired Cintas’ strong recruiting program for veterans. As one of G.I. Jobs’ Top 50 Military-Friendly Employers®, Cintas is best known for uniform services, but they also provide services for first aid and safety products, fire protection services, document management services, restroom supplies, entrance mats, and promotional products for its roughly 700,000 customers. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, the $3.7 billion company operates 351 facilities in North America with more than 34,000 employees.
A large portion of those employees are veterans, thanks to the efforts of Sally Hart, the company’s national military recruiting director.
“It’s all about the mission and veterans understand mission. At Cintas, our mission is to exceed customer expectations,” Hart said. “When the company commander says this is the mission, everyone is on the same page. That is another part of the leadership that we like. We like the way veterans get that across to the front lines. The mission is to please our customers and this is how we are going to do it.”
In addition to supervisors and managers, Cintas seeks drivers who can visit customers to pick up or deliver uniforms. Maintenance mechanics are also in high demand. Hart indicates machinist’s mates in the Navy are particularly desirable to work on the washers, dryers, steam tunnels and boilers that are also found on ships.
A Wounded Warrior Finds Hope
Krueger joined the Marine Corps in 1997, attending basic training at Marine Corps Recruiting Depot, San Diego, Calif. He then went to Camp Pendleton for training as an anti-tank guided-missile specialist. Krueger spent four years at Camp Pendleton, Calif. before leaving active duty for the reserves.
However, soon after his separation, Krueger was called back to active duty. In 2004 he was sent to Iraq as part of a 25-Marine protective security detail guarding distinguished visitors. Krueger returned to the United States for rehabilitation in 2005 and was discharged from the Marine Corps a year later. He completed his convalescence with a group called Hope for the Warriors, which is committed to enhancing the quality of life for service members and their families who have been adversely affected by injuries in the line of duty. As part of his rehabilitation, the program offered interviewing and résumé courses. When he submitted his résumé to Cintas, it took less than two weeks for them to call him for an interview.
“One thing that appealed to me was that Cintas is very military-friendly,” he said. “Recently, my location had a cake-cutting ceremony to celebrate the birthday of the Marine Corps. You don’t hear about that kind of thing very often from companies. There are also a lot of vets throughout the company, including upper management.”