Tracking America’s Vets
Railroads train veterans for high-paying civilian jobs.
By Marty Levine

Lee E. Drones Jr. knows how critical his work can be for BNSF Railway.

“As a welder, I perform track maintenance on the rails. This includes solidifying rail ends together, as well as building critical parts of the track that affect the movement of trains. If maintenance isn’t performed correctly it can cause trains to delay, which could ultimately affect communities and employees’ families. We have an important job.

“It reminds you of the Marines,” added Drones, who retired as a gunnery sergeant in 2007. “You still make friends for life. You’re still learning. My training in the Marines helped me to overcome different changes that occur daily at BNSF, and also helps me accept responsibility for people who I work with on a daily basis. It helps build a sense of belonging and pride while working with others.”

On the Right Track
The railroad industry is certainly on the right track: the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 12-percent growth overall for rail transportation occupations in the decade ending in 2018, with the U.S. adding more than 55,000 jobs. That includes 21,600 locomotive engineers and operators, 17,000 conductors and yardmasters, 10,700 brake, signal and switch operators and 5,900 rail car repair workers.

The railroad industry has been around a long time, and transportation methods have taken commuters and commercial traffic far off this beaten path. But railroading is one traditional industry that is only growing.

Among the industry leaders is BNSF Railway, which has grown far beyond its namesake Burlington Northern Santa Fe to serve 28 Western and Midwestern states, as well as two Canadian provinces.

“BNSF recognizes the traits that one associates with service members, such as mission focus and being highly skilled, motivated and loyal,” said John Wesley, the company’s manager of military staffing. Wesley finished 21 years in the Army as a first sergeant in 2007 after serving nine combat tours, including Operations Desert Shield and Storm, and Operation Iraqi Freedom four times.

“One of the greatest traits is safety-mindedness in this fast-paced, dynamic environment,” Wesley added. “We never close. Military members tend to fit very well.

“And it’s not just another career, but something where they can continue to serve. The railroad industry plays a vital role in how economies function, not just in the U.S. but abroad, from putting goods on our shelves to moving fuel.”

Former military are well-prepared for both skilled craft positions, such as mechanics, electricians, machinists and pipe fitters, as well as entry-level and middle-level management. They fit well as train masters and mechanical foremen, Wesley said. “For management positions in operations, BNSF seeks those with solid leadership experience combined with both formal and informal education and training, he said.”

Above and Beyond
Today’s large, successful railroad companies have acquired many local lines, and the pay and benefits for jobs vary according to the line’s union contracts and locations. But pay is generally high. At BNSF, the average starting salary for track maintenance laborer, truck driver, welder and machine operator is about $19.22 an hour, or more than $39,900 per year, while an electronic signal technician makes about $68,100 per year to start and a signal apprentice starts at  about $46,300 per year.

“One of the things that makes BNSF stand above is how we go above and beyond – how we treat those who are still serving” in the National Guard and Reserve, Wesley explained. “BNSF Railway is extremely military-friendly. We have programs in place to take care of those who still serve, including their families.” That includes making differences in pay and making sure the company goes beyond the USERRA rule to reemploy in a timely manner those who have served. “So when service members come back, they don’t have to worry about pay or getting their job back,” Wesley said.

“BNSF personnel will do their best to help you out in every way possible way,” said Drones, who was first hired by the company as a trackman. “Welding was an opportunity to move up and advance, and give something back to the company. It also presented more of a challenge. Taking a step forward shows the company that you’re willing to make a difference.”

Drones is also extremely pleased with the company’s “great pay and benefits, including great medical and dental coverages that are compatible to the military. It also has one of the best retirement and 401k plans. It provides a chance for your family to improve on their living standards. They also encourage higher education for BNSF employees and their children.”

Ultimately, Drones steers his own career. “My future is in my hands in regards to advancing myself at BNSF,” he said.

CN: Making the Grade
Yowanda Russell, signals and communications officer at CN’s U.S. headquarters in Homewood, Ill., near Chicago, said working 12-hour shifts at the signals call desk reminds her of her days in the Army. She alerts track maintenance personnel about signals, crossing and track-related issues, watching for alarms and weather alerts. Her territory spans the continent. “The weather can wreak havoc on the equipment, so we’re really busy at times,” she said.

“You have to be really flexible to take things as they come,” said Russell, a former Army specialist who served as a generator mechanic in power generator repair at Fort Bliss, Texas, as well as in Korea and Saudi Arabia, from 1998 through 2002. “Things change on a dime. Sometimes you just have to make it work. It’s almost like chess. You have to learn to have your pieces and move your people and get everything where it’s supposed to go. It’s complex, but you learn a lot. The railroad has a lot of pieces that come together to make it work.”

CN covers eight Canadian provinces and 16 U.S. states. Russell found the company after attending the University of Illinois in Chicago to earn her bachelor’s degree in earth and environmental sciences and working another job. She entered CN’s management trainee program in 2008 to become an assistant train master. After working nights in a train yard, her post was eliminated, but she found her current spot at CN in August 2009.

“There is a great wealth of opportunities here,” she said. “If you do a good job, I haven’t seen anyone not rewarded for the work they’ve done.” She expects to retire from CN someday.

Good Pay Attracts Talent
Senior Human Resources Manager Todd Taylor agrees with Russell – there’s a natural progression from military to railroad careers. “There are more parallels between the military structure and the railroad,” he said, including, of course, a lot of work outdoors.

Taylor knows what he’s talking about. He finished his own 12-year Army career in 2000 as a specialist, serving as an infantryman at Fort Irwin, in the Mojave Desert of California, where he trained in desert fighting at the National Training Center.

CN, he said, is always looking for skilled signals and communications employees like Russell.

The signalmen, who service signals and other equipment in the field over a set territory, start as assistant signalmen at $35,796 per year. Journeyman signalmen make an annual salary of $41,953. In general, signalmen make more than $100,000 once they are qualified. Such work requires an electronics or mechanical background, as well as a training period.

The job of a brakeman (essentially a track laborer) requires only a high school diploma or GED. They make $41,038 their first year, reaching $45,593 after two years, and about $58,240 per year at the top of the scale.

Conductors make $52,416 per year at first, and $62,400 when they reach full conductor status.

“We have one of the highest rates of pay for the industry, which allows us to attract better talent,” Taylor said.

CSX Corporation: Express Line
“My future looks pretty bright at CSX,” said Roberto Bradford. The former Army staff sergeant, who left the service in 2006, said, “I have a lot of avenues I can take and they offer a lot of mentoring programs if you’d like to advance.”

Bradford started in October 2006 as a conductor with CSX, which covers the eastern half of the U.S. Today he is a staffing specialist, processing new employees’ paperwork, posting jobs and helping to manage physicals, background checks and other parts of the hiring process. In between he enjoyed a year training new applicants to be conductors.

“To me it’s similar to the military,” he said. “Military people are used to working different hours and going different places, so it’s an easy transition. You have a lot of rules and regulations here, and a military person is disciplined enough to follow them. And you have a lot of goals to accomplish – just like in the military.”

And, he added, “The pay is more than I was making when I was in the military.”

Safety Pays
Steve Toomey, manager of military/diversity recruiting, echoed the sentiment. “There are many reasons for veterans to feel at home at CSX,” he said. It’s a company that can use their leadership and teamwork skills, for one, as well as their integrity.

Toomey was in the Navy from 1977 until 2001, serving as a corpsman and a medical services administrative officer, then retiring as a lieutenant. Today he is pleased that CSX is an Employee Support of the Guard and Reserve Freedom Award winner, as well as second on G.I. Jobs’ Top 100 Military Friendly Employer list for 2010.

Career opportunities at CSX include many craft and management positions, such as freight conductors, signal workers, track workers and management training candidates for roadmaster and trainmaster. CSX is looking to fill posts throughout the Eastern U.S., particularly in the Selkirk/Albany, New York area, as well as in Baltimore, Richmond, Atlanta and Jacksonville, which is CSX headquarters.

The company’s track workers make $19.37 an hour for the first six months, $20.44 for the next six months, and then $21.52 at the full rate – $44,761 per year. Signal workers make $21.31 an hour to start, rising to $24.02 for the full rate – $49,961 annually. Conductors are paid $43,000 to $45,000 per year to start, while management trainees begin at $57,500.

“Veterans make sense at CSX for many reasons,” Toomey said, “but at the top of the list is safety, which is a way of life for both railroaders and the military. Their awareness and conscientiousness translate into protection of employees, property and materials.”

Semper Fi-nd a Job!
How one Marine NCO landed a great civilian job with BNSF.

Lee E. Drones Jr. began his job search before he left the Marines in 2007. He attended TAP classes at his base in Okinawa, Japan, and job fairs at Fort Hood, Texas, after he separated. Both helped to ease his transition to civilian life.

“At Fort Hood, I received information from a fellow Marine, who said I should contact BNSF and go to the company’s website,” Drones said.

Plan Ahead to Get Ahead
“Don’t wait for the last minute to start job prospecting – you’re not the only one looking for a job,” he added. “Plan ahead to get ahead. Network with as many people as possible.

“Have a strong, updated résumé. But what worked well for me was not relying on my résumé alone. I drove four and a half hours to get an interview when I found out about the job fair at Fort Hood. I showed up early. Three people were selected out of 84 for interviews. I was one of them.

Sell Yourself!
“I showed up early for the job interview. I dressed nicely, but not too flamboyantly. Dressing conservatively is essential. Great hygiene is crucial too. You must be aggressive, but not overbearing. Be professional, kind, and courteous. It helps to smile, and not be too talkative.

“Of course, you’ve got to show an interest that you seriously want to work. I spent two days there. It wouldn’t have been wise for me to just rest upon my laurels, thinking I was going to get a job because I had served in the military. You actively have to sell yourself the best way you know how. Focus on your strong assets, but don’t be too confident.

“Plan on making contact with as many human resources people from as many companies as possible. And don’t just get sold on working for one particular company. Explore your opportunities. Be willing to sacrifice and remain flexible in your job choices.”