Dirk joined the military after high school as a means of maturing before starting college. At the time, while service was mandatory, he volunteered for two years because volunteers received better pay as well as an education with a technical degree.

Dirk served in the German Navy from 1983-1985 during the Cold War as a Radar & Electronic Counter Measurements Operator. He most appreciates the camaraderie and the opportunity to work with diverse groups of people in shared limited spaces. Dirk learned the importance of teamwork because in order to meet targets and arrive home safely, everyone had to work as a single unit. He also learned about leadership and how to guide others. Dirk received the Medal of Honor by the German Secretary of Defense in 1984.

When asked what he’d tell his 18-year-old self, Dirk said, “I would ask every 18-year-old to investigate ways to serve their country, whether in the military or through volunteerism. Giving back is satisfying, and it’s critical to strengthening social skills.” Dirk then added, “I learned more about myself and the importance of teamwork while in the military than I did in high school or college.”

Gordon served in the Royal Signals from 1984-1992, serving mainly in several cities in Germany. Toward the end of his military career, he managed communications for Bosnia while stationed in the United Kingdom. Gordon chose a military career because after high school he felt he was lacking direction. His military experience was rewarding due to the lifelong friendships he’s maintained and the discipline he’s honed that have led to preparing him well for career opportunities.

If Gordon could have a discussion with his 18-year-old self, he’d tell him to be more open to new opportunities and to grasp everything possible with both hands. In his words, Gordon said, “My military experience was life-changing, and it gave me a sense of belonging. I was taught that opportunities are endless if you work hard.”

Michael served in the Royal Corp of Signals as a Radio Telegraphist and he’s currently an active member of the Royal Signals Association. Not enamored by his college experience, he left at the age of 19 to join the military. He completed two tours of Bosnia in 1995 and 1997 respectively. He was then deployed to Northern Ireland until he left the service in 2000. Michael’s time in Bosnia was the most rewarding to him because he and fellow soldiers were protecting a vulnerable war-torn country.

If given the opportunity to talk to his 18-year-old self, he’d stress the importance of taking opportunities when they arise. He added that it’s also important to always have the backs of your friends, and they, in turn, will have yours. 

When asked to describe his military experience in one sentence, Michael said, “Without a doubt, my experience was a fulfilling one and if I had the opportunity to live that life again, I would not change a thing — well — maybe a little.”

Robert spent 14 years with the British Army – Royal Corps of Signals. He spent most of his career in special handling and secure communications. Robert served during the Cold War, spending time in Germany, the Netherlands, England, Norway and Italy – where he served as an Expedition Leader responsible for training. Robert was a child of a broken family, which led him to leave home at the age of 16 to attend military college for two years. He is thankful for his training, as it has prepared him to work well under pressure, often autonomously.

If given the opportunity to speak with his 18-year-old self, he’d tell himself that he’ll never laugh as much as he did while in the military. Although the work was challenging, he values the great time he served with fellow soldiers. Robert added, “The Army gave me unique opportunities and environments that simply cannot be replicated. They were the best days of my life.”

Charlie served in the British Army in The Queen’s Royal Lancers, a cavalry regiment in the armored reconnaissance role. As a veteran, he still participates in ceremonial events with fellow vets. He was based in Catterick and North Yorkshire for the majority of his military career, with an operational tour in Afghanistan in 2012. His family members have been in the Army for generations, and he knew he’d follow suit. He found his time to be rewarding due to the camaraderie, realizing during challenging situations that the bond with his fellow soldiers was special. His greatest life lesson was learning that the mind and body can push you way beyond what you believe your limits are.

If able to speak with his 18-year-old self, he’d tell himself to understand basic training. He would also tell himself to “train hard, fight easy,” meaning that your kit must be perfectly maintained and organized to better prepare you for any tough scenario. Describing his experience, Charlie said, “It was extreme in a way that normal life isn’t – the highs were amazing and the lows were awful.”

David J. Green served in the US Army and currently serves in the Army National Guard. While visiting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier ceremony in Washington, DC, David experienced a calling to serve his country. He took a leave of absence from his employer at the time and joined the US Army Reserve as a Military Police Soldier. After holding a number of positions, he decided to earn his law degree while in the Army. He’d served all over the world in the last 20 years, including Iraq, Syria, Germany, Italy and Afghanistan.

David’s most rewarding accomplishment was serving his country as the Staff Judge Advocate for all special operations in Iraq and Syria. When asked about his experience, David said, “I am honored and humbled to work for the best organization in the world: the U.S. Army and Verizon. Both have made me a better leader, teammate and person.” If he could tell his 18-year old self anything today, it would be to join the military early. He regrets having waited until he was 26.

Kelly is proud of her long career in the U.S. Navy. She joined the Navy in 1991 as a Public Affairs Officer, holding a number of positions during her military career through 2015. She then moved on to a Division Chief, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff position in the Pentagon in 2017.

Prior to her retirement from the military, Kelly was selected as a Hiring Our Heroes Fellow, which is where she met Verizon's military recruiting team. Kelly was extremely impressed with the company after learning about all of the valuable ways Verizon supports so many vital areas in the U.S. Before that day, she always thought of Verizon strictly as a commercial telecom company. She had no idea of the support Verizon provides the government, military, public and private sectors. Moreover, she also got the feeling that although it is a very large company, Verizon seemed to foster a team mentality.

In July 2019, Verizon was lucky to welcome Kelly to the V Team, working with Federal Accounts in Client Services. She’s proud of being one of the 5% of women who are in Naval Aviation. Having been deployed numerous times around the world to support wars of terror, she has flown more than 3,300 hours, most in combat. Kelly is particularly proud of the work she did while serving as the Commanding Officer of Navy Recruiting District Raleigh. She was responsible for 52 recruiting stations in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. In her three years in that role, Kelly turned a failing command into the nation’s #1.

Kelly launched multiple Science, Tech, Engineering, and Math (STEM) programs for young women in North Carolina high schools. Through all of her achievements, what Kelly is most proud of is having served her country, and having a great husband and two children – Izabella and Chase. If she could go back and talk to her 18-year-old self, she’d tell herself that it’s okay to fail. Kelly said, “I used to beat myself up and that affected my self-esteem and future performance. I now look back at my failures and realize I would not change a thing.”

Fred enlisted with U.S. Marine Corps in 1987, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2011. During his 24-year career, Fred was stationed in a number of U.S. bases, and he’d also spent a number of years in Okinawa, Japan. Fred was motivated to serve his country by the fact that he had a number of uncles who had served. Fred appreciated the discipline of a military career, and the opportunity to see the world was a lucrative benefit. His experiences provided him with professional and personal growth with each new assignment, and the strength to lead his Marines in combat.

If Fred could converse with his 18-year-old self, he’d tell himself to take every opportunity to learn and train, and create opportunities where they don’t appear to exist. Fred added, “It was a privilege to serve my country, especially during a time of war, and I would gladly do it again.”