Service Sales Rep/Driver at Cintas
Former Marine IT specialist trades computer networks for sales route with Cintas.
by Warren Duffie

An IT guy in the Marine Corps, Steven Craig spoke the language of hard drives, circuits and software. Now, as a civilian worker, Craig communicates in the more intricate tongue of human relations.

“Even though I was a computer and IT person in the military, I learned a lot about dealing with people,” Craig said. “You’re taught how to lead and communicate well. I think such skills will serve you well in any type of civilian field.”

On the Job
Craig, 27, puts these abilities to the test daily as a service sales representative and driver for Cintas Corporation. Based at a company plant in Albany, Ga., Craig transports items such as uniforms, cleaning products and paper products to a variety of businesses. The former sergeant visits about 120 clients a week, serving the cities of Sylvester, Ashburn, and Clifton – all within an hour’s drive of Albany.

“My customers are a nice mix of small and large businesses,” Craig said. “I also have some high schools, as well as Shaw Trucking and J.B. Hunt.”

The Company
As one of G.I. Jobs’ Top 50 Military Friendly Employers®, Cintas is known as the service professionals – and much more. It also provides first aid and safety products, fire protection services, document management services, restroom supplies, entrance mats, cleaning supplies and promotional products for its roughly 700,000 customers. Headquartered in Cincinnati, the $3.9 billion company operates 400 facilities in the U.S. and Canada with more than 31,000 employees.

Many 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 company washers, dryers, steam tunnels and boilers – similar to those found on ships.

In Uniform
By the time Craig enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2003, he had dropped out of college and was working in a warehouse. Content but unsatisfied, he wanted to see the world. Remembering the stories of his father and grandfather – both former Marines – he decided to carry on the family legacy.

After boot camp at Parris Island and training as a data network administrator at Twentynine Palms, Calif., Craig served in Okinawa, Thailand, the Philippines, North Carolina and Iraq.

“I was in Ramadi,” said Craig, “a staff NCO helping to lead a transition team overseeing the transition of power to the Iraqi government. It was a fascinating experience.”

The Transition
But Craig was married, had a child, and didn’t want to deploy again. So when he returned to North Carolina, Craig decided to leave the military. He took several transition classes, read G.I. Jobs and spent hours searching for jobs. Craig attended a job fair at Camp Lejeune and met a Cintas representative, who placed him in contact with Sally Hart. After several interviews, Cintas hired Craig in March.

“I liked the fact I would be doing something different than my military job,” Craig said. “I like to challenge myself and develop new skills.
“The pay and benefits are also excellent,” he continued. “But I have to let people know about the costs of civilian life. I make more money now, but I have to pay part of the premium for health, dental and eye care. There’s a sticker shock when you leave the military.”

Craig’s Advice
Leave the military for the right reasons. “Don’t just get out because you don’t like a duty station. Make sure you really want to make the change.”

Prepare. “Start looking into civilian employment at least six months before you get out.”

Be confident. “Employers are looking for the skills and qualities the military taught you. The civilian world really wants military veterans.”