In 2023, 96% of the world’s population had mobile internet available. The telecommunications industry is at the heart of providing that access, and that translates to outstanding career opportunities for Veterans. 

We asked three Veterans working in telecom to tell us about their civilian careers, their transition from the military and what advice they have for you.

Please summarize your military job.

As a combat engineer we would conduct manual demining operations in live minefields as well as deliberate and methodical route clearance operations in search of roadside bombs, also known as improvised explosive devices.

How did you find this job?

A family friend reached out that Windstream* was hiring and thought I would be a good fit for the job.

Any humorous moments during your transition?

I would sometimes get on a call with my team members at Windstream and start talking using military jargon that would get puzzling looks. I would then have to rephrase it so everyone could understand.

Please summarize your current job.

I manage a team of highly professional project managers. They are working to implement customer solutions and ensure that all the internal and external customers are on the same page to activate the customers’ phone and data solution in a timely manner.

How does your military training and experience help you in your civilian career?

While deployed to Afghanistan, I had to make life-changing decisions in a split second. In my current role, when an escalation from a customer gets to my level, I must quickly ensure the proper steps are being taken to address the customer’s concerns.

What do you wish you knew when you transitioned from the military that you know now?

I would have taken the transition programs seriously to help streamline integration from deployments. However, I was not in the correct mindset at the time.

What about you would surprise most people?

Prior to Windstream, I had zero knowledge of the telecommunications industry. I dove right in to learn as much as I could before getting hired full time and later promoted into management.

Please summarize your military job:

My primary responsibilities included setting up and maintaining various communication and signal systems, ensuring secure transmissions, and troubleshooting a variety of complex communication and signal-related issues.

What was your biggest fear as you prepared to transition from the military?

The fear of not finding a job that could support my family while also providing a sense of security, comfort and fulfillment in my work.

Why did you choose this career field?

I chose this field because it closely aligned with my experience in the Army. While not everything translated perfectly, many of the core aspects did, providing me with a sense of familiarity and security.

Please summarize your current job.

My responsibilities include managing customer accounts and relations, ensuring the proper implementation of the company’s solutions, advising customers on strategic initiatives to enhance performance, troubleshooting intricate technical issues, and assisting in the deployment of company products.

How would you characterize the pay and benefits?

The pay and benefits at my current company are competitive and, in my opinion, quite good.

What days and hours do you typically work?

I work Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

If you could do it over again, what do you wish you knew when you transitioned from the military that you know now?

I wish I had learned how to better translate my military experience so that recruiters in the civilian world could fully understand its value. I also wish I had applied for more positions I initially thought I wasn’t qualified for, as my military service carries significant weight with employers. 

What mistakes would you urge transitioning service members to avoid?

I strongly encourage service members to create and regularly update their LinkedIn profiles. Building professional connections early in your career can be invaluable when transitioning to the civilian sector.

Please summarize your military job.

My two main jobs centered around logistics management as well as instruction. At the core of both was leadership, which has been instrumental in my career progression.

What was your biggest challenge when you separated from the Marine Corps?

Lack of structure! In the military everything is almost scheduled for you. When that gets taken away, it is most certainly a big adjustment.

Why did you choose this career field?

It wasn’t so much choosing the career field, it was choosing the company. I had heard nothing but amazing things about being employed by Verizon. I was told I would have the opportunity to take on more responsibility while also leading others. 

What was your career path to Verizon?

I started out as an account manager at OPS Security Group then went to Chubb Insurance as an account services manager. At this point, my wife and I were expecting our first child so we started our own security firm, Semper Secure, which focuses on hiring Veterans and retired law enforcement officers. From there, I moved on to being an area manager at Amazon in a new fulfillment center in southern New Jersey. 

Please summarize your current job.

Currently, I am on staff support for the Verizon Mid-Atlantic North Regional Vice President.

What do you love about your job?

I love how there is no day the same as another. Each day presents new goals and new challenges. Since I started my new role at Verizon, I have yet to have a boring day!

What’s the biggest challenge?

The constant pressure I put on myself to perform.

What do you wish you knew when you transitioned from the military that you know now?

I wish I took more courses as soon as I got out. The longer I waited to get out of the military to take courses, the busier I became.

*paid client

Read this full article and more in the June 2025 Issue of G.I. Jobs magazine.