Celebrating Service: Diversity of Experience
My military service has led to a diverse array of experiences that have impacted how I approach my career, personal life and relationships. It’s important we take the time to appreciate how diversity of experience and backgrounds are also a huge part of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), especially at Jabil.
Right after high school, I started my service journey by attending the United States Military Academy at West Point where I received a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering in 2002. From 2002 to 2009, I served in the United States Army. I was commissioned as an Adjutant General Officer as part of the XVIII Airborne Corps in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. One of the most challenging yet rewarding parts of these seven years was my deployment to Iraq. I was there for 15 months as part of the Multi-National Corps Iraq, serving as a member of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
While overseas, I had many diverse experiences and engaged with different cultures and traditions. My service taught me many skills that are directly transferrable to civilian corporations. Jabil is a fast-paced environment, similar to the Army, and requires close collaboration with people from many backgrounds and with diverse beliefs. As a project manager, I’m constantly using skills I developed in the military, including attention to detail, ensuring all project members understand the objective, working under tight timelines and making sure all team members feel valued and appreciated for their contributions. The Army helped grow me into an efficient, dedicated and agile leader.
Since joining Jabil, I am extremely proud to see Jabil’s involvement with organizations that empower veterans in our community (such as the VA Center for Development and Civic Engagement). To contribute to our culture of giving back, I would encourage employees to consider volunteering with a veterans’ organization as a way to thank them for their service.
November is National Veterans and Military Families Month with November 11 recognized as Veterans Day, honoring and celebrating those who served in the United States Armed Forces, National Guard or are currently Active Reservists. With approximately 19 million veterans in the United States (VA, 2021), veterans are an integral part of the workforce and our businesses. Jabil is honored to support service members and veterans as they transition to the civilian workforce, offering more than just a job, but a long-term career that values their integrity, loyalty and strong work ethic. Click here to learn more.
