After 10.5 years in the Air Force Reserve, Lance Cone knows the value of structure, discipline and service. So when it came time to build his civilian career, he looked for an employer that would support his dual role—and found it in Comcast.
Cone is now an assistant store manager at a Comcast Xfinity store in Houston, Texas.
But Cone didn’t start in management. “I started as a communications technician out in the field, and I think what helped me grow in my career was learning what the customer experience looked like,” he said. “I learned that being a great leader is being a great listener.”
Cone’s military experience helped him excel quickly, thanks in part to the strong veteran network and transition support at Comcast. He credits the company’s Veteran ERG (Employee Resource Group) for helping him get connected and feel like part of a team.
“I was blessed to find a company that allowed me the space to navigate both sides of my life the military and the civilian career,” Cone said. “When I told my manager I had to leave for a deployment for six months, she simply said, ‘You’ll be missed, but we’ll be here when you get back.’ That type of support is rare.”
Like many veterans, Cone faced some uncertainty during his transition.
“My biggest fear was if I could find a place where I could use my skill set in a meaningful way. I didn’t want a job, I wanted a career. And I wanted to still feel like I was serving a mission.”
He found that mission in retail leadership.
“Retail is fast-paced, and it forces you to grow quickly,” Cone said. “You’re leading people, solving problems, serving customers—and if you’ve been in the military, you’ve already done all those things. You just have to see it that way.”
One of Cone’s biggest challenges was learning to speak the language of corporate America.
“I had to stop speaking in acronyms,” he said. “But honestly, the leadership principles are the same: communication, adaptability, accountability.”
Cone encourages other service members and veterans to stay open-minded during their job search.
“Don’t box yourself into what you think your career should look like,” he said. “You might be surprised where your skills take you.”
He’s also quick to remind fellow Reservists that balancing both worlds is possible.
“Find an employer that respects what you bring to the table—and supports your continued service,” he said. “They’re out there.”
*Company is a paid client.
Read this full article and more in the August 2025 Issue of G.I. Jobs magazine.