To our employees, our partners and the members of our communities who have served in the military, thank you for your service. We are grateful for your bravery and dedication to this country. We are also grateful for your families that show their continuous and unwavering support.
What branch of military did you serve in and when did you enlist?
I served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2010-2016 as a Combat Engineer, which mainly focused on demolition.
Was there anything you especially missed about civilian life or home during your duty?
Everyone misses the normal day-to-day luxuries when you are away. For me it was mostly just normal family events and stuff. I was young and hadn’t really left home for an extended period, so it was mostly just the small-town stuff I really missed.
What skills or behaviors did you learn in the military that help you succeed in the construction industry?
Attention to detail, customs and courtesies, and determination to get the task done. There are a lot of parallels between military and construction especially between hierarchy and position rank.
How has PCL shown support of your veteran status?
Every year I receive a card on Veterans Day, which I appreciate. I also participated in the Veteran Committee when I worked out of PCL’s Orlando office.
What branch of military did you serve in and when did you enlist?
I was in the Navy. I enlisted my senior year of high school and left for boot camp on September 2, 1996.
What do you remember about the day you enlisted?
I remember the first night of Navy bootcamp in Great Lakes, Illinois. After a long, anxious day of travel we were greeted by yelling Division Commanders. After a quick call home to say we had arrived, we put everything we were wearing in a box and addressed it to our families. It was a very definitive moment in my life.
What skills or behaviors did you learn in the military that help you succeed in the construction industry?
As a Cryptology Technician, I didn’t learn skills directly related to construction, but I learned commitment to the mission, the discipline to work hard, be a dependable team member and most importantly, to persist. I was in Guam when Typhoon Paka hit, which took out power to the island for two weeks. Coming home after 12-hour shifts to a cold shower and dark barracks taught me a lot about perseverance and keeping a level head during tough times.
How has PCL shown support of your veteran status?
PCL has been supportive. Unlike many combat veterans, I haven't needed any special treatment or counsel, but I have always appreciated PCL’s recognition of veterans.
What branch of military did you serve in and when did you enlist?
I enlisted in the Army (Army National Guard) in March of 2002 following the September 11 attacks.
Was there anything you especially missed about civilian life or home during your duty?
The stresses and demands of a combat deployment clarifies a lot of things in a person’s life and really simplifies what is important to you at that time, but it takes away almost all your ability to make free decisions.
What skills or behaviors did you learn in the military that help you succeed in the construction industry?
There are way too many to list here, but a few broad categories include leadership, risk management, and creative, out-of-the-box thinking.
How has PCL shown support of your veteran status?
PCL has stood by me through numerous train-ups for potential deployments, a short notice deployment standup (that ultimately was stood down) during the Iranian missile crisis, multiple extended annual trainings, and two separate activations for civil disturbances in Minneapolis and Brooklyn Center. They’ve ensured that my family was taken care of during these times and that the demands on my projects were properly supported so I could focus on my military duties.
What branch of the military did you serve in, and when did you enlist?
I joined the United States Marine Corps in 1998.
Was there anything you especially missed about civilian life or home during your duty?
I missed my everyday life and the days we take for granted. I missed things like taking a shower or going to a grocery store, sitting down at a restaurant, the freedom to move around and go as we please and sleeping in my bed.
What skills or behaviors did you learn in the military that helped you succeed in the construction industry?
As a young man, I was not sure where life would take me. The military provides direction and allows you to grow up. Leading people at a young age allows you to mature, figure out a path in life. As for the construction industry, I would say it is the ability to lead others, think on your feet and provide solutions that matter.
How has PCL shown support of your veteran status?
PCL provided me with an opportunity after seven years of active military status. In my eyes, they took a chance on me. PCL has provided me with the skills to advance my career and has always supported me and my fellow veterans.
What branch of military did you serve in and when did you enlist?
I was in the U.S. Navy and commissioned an Ensign on December 21, 1987, through the Purdue University Naval ROTC program.
What do you remember about the day you enlisted?
The day I was commissioned, my dad rendered my first salute, since he was a retired U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sergeant. I gave him a silver dollar, which is tradition for an officer to give to the first enlisted person to render a salute.
What skills or behaviors did you learn in the military that help you succeed in the construction industry?
Work ethic, long hours, camaraderie/teamwork, leadership and taking care of your people.
How has PCL shown support of your veteran status?
I was serving in the Naval Reserve for 10 years of my PCL career and would have to perform my required two weeks of active duty away from PCL. Mike McKinney, senior vice president of our water division, is a strong supporter of the military because his dad was a U.S. Marine in World War II, who saw significant combat operations. Mike understood and appreciated the sacrifices of veterans and was always supportive whenever I needed to perform my active-duty requirements.