Transitioning from military service to a civilian career isn't always easy, but with the proper guidance, tools, and industry support, many veterans thrive in jobs that align with their dedication and work ethic.
With that in mind, a lot of former men and women in uniform find that a career in construction offers a natural fit.
To discuss how veterans' skills—like leadership, discipline, and teamwork—translate into meaningful contributions to construction teams, I sat down with two former service members—Sarah Velez, ESE Vendor Manager & Global Co-Lead of Autodesk’s Veterans Employee Resource Group, and Anthony Williams, the OSM Project Coordinator for Dynamic Systems Inc. Ron McGuire, Sr. Program Administrator for the International Training Institute, also joined us to discuss the opportunities and programs helping veterans transition successfully into construction careers.
We discuss:
Each veteran's path back to civilian life varies, but one universal truth is everyone faces a period of adjustment.
Sarah, who was a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons officer, says that education played a key role in her journey.
"I went to night school in the military, and they have a partnership with universities where you can get a master's degree. So, I was set up with an education path," she explains.
When she left the US Army, Sarah started applying for jobs and landed a role at ASML, a company that did fab construction through Intel.
Meanwhile, Anthony found his way into construction through a hands-on training program.
"When I was getting out, I did the Warriors to Welders program and spent 40 hours a week welding every day. I was able to bring that home to Houston and joined a local union where they took a year off my apprenticeship and put me to work right away."
He continues, "And now, after four years of being the apprentice on the job, I got an opportunity to become a detailer. I came to work every day, learned the programs, and spent the time doing it. It’s all about learning as you go.”
How military skills translate and add value to civilian roles
Despite facing a significant shift in environment and expectations, military veterans possess several skills and characteristics that translate effectively into civilian roles.
Briefing and project management
Sarah credits her military experience for shaping her project management approach and draws parallels between military and civilian projects. In the military, for example, operations have a beginning stage, a planning phase, training, and then deployment. Many construction projects have a similar structure.
Beyond project planning and management, Sarah also highlights the importance of briefing skills: "I had to brief the four-star general of SOCOM in Afghanistan. Those briefing skills translate to me talking to my boss or the VP of Product and telling her exactly what she needs to know.”
Teaching and communication skills
For Anthony, teaching was deeply ingrained in his military role.
"Teaching was probably the main focus of my job back in the military. I was teaching all the Marines and helping them build confidence in their gear. When we get back here, I found that those skills translate into understanding how to talk to people in the way they need to be communicated with."
"Being able to adapt to individuals and getting information across in a specific way is a valuable skill," he remarks.
The ability to handle high-stress situations
Another thing that veterans have going for them? They know how to keep everything together even in high-pressure environments.
Sarah recalls being a bit surprised to land her first job because, on paper, it seemed that she didn't meet all the requirements for the role.
She got the job anyway, and when she asked her manager, he explained that his hiring decision wasn't just about ticking boxes on a resume.
"My manager said, 'Veterans have their stuff together. I know what I'm getting when I hire a veteran—and that's somebody who shows up. There's a lot of stress in the field, and I just know that a veteran could handle that."
It just goes to show that the confidence and composure veterans develop in high-stakes situations are exactly what many employers are looking for.
Teamwork and collaboration
Teamwork is a cornerstone of military life. As Sarah puts it, "You don't do anything alone in the military. You don't get a truck down the road; you don't get a company out the door. You don't do anything by yourself, and I think that's where you get that sense of comradery from."
Anthony agrees and adds that teamwork in the military is about adaptability and resilience. "Marines like me can work with anyone. Most things just roll off our shoulders. As long as there's mutual respect, we push past any challenges and get back to work."
Programs that set up veterans for success
There are several programs that help veterans transition into civilian careers by building on their existing skills and providing hands-on training.
One of them, says Ron, is the SMART Heroes program, which provides free sheet metal training to US military personnel who plan to enter civilian life.
"The SMART Heroes program has two locations, one in DuPont, Washington, and another in Colorado Springs. Basically, before they leave the military, they can apply to come into this program and go to both of those training centers."
Ron says, "They get a taste of the trade, and upon discharge if they still want to continue with the sheet metal trade, they benefit from having completed a year of apprenticeship."
Another example of a program that supports veterans in their transition to civilian careers is SkillBridge, a Department of Defense initiative that allows service members to gain civilian work experience through training, apprenticeships, or internships during their final 180 days of service.
Such programs offer veterans a structured pathway to explore new trades while leveraging the soft skills they bring from their military experience.
According to Ron, these programs aren't just about learning a new trade—they're about tapping into what veterans already excel at - structure, reliability, and showing up every day.
In addition to taking advantage of the programs above, military veterans can create a smoother transition by getting support from a mentor.
"Having a mentor is really important," says Sarah. "When you get out, you're so used to the structure of the military. Finding another veteran mentor with a similar circumstance can help guide you through the change."
She continues, "You don't have to know what you want to do the second you get out of the military. It's ok to skip a year here if you can but finding a mentor to help you navigate the civilian world and speak your lingo is vital."
Anthony agrees and says that mentorship doesn't always have to be formal to make an impact.
"Finding somebody to even just have a conversation with and joke about old times can make a big difference. It's nice to have somebody there that you can relate to."
If you're an employer wondering how you can support transitioning military members, one of the best things you can do is educate yourself about their unique challenges.
"Educating yourself around veterans and their struggles with transitioning is important. Strive to learn about veterans and the branches of the military to get a baseline understanding," says Sarah.
Anthony adds that employers should focus on potential rather than just on-paper skills.
"Give them a chance. They may not have the technical skills that you require, but every one of them can adapt. A lot of what veterans learned in the military are the soft skills to adapt and overcome every situation that they come across."
Digital Builder is hosted by me, Eric Thomas. Remember, new episodes of Digital Builder go live every week.
