I am thrilled to present a new AutoSuccess and Babcox Media program we’ve developed to honor the United States military veterans who grace the ranks of the automotive industry. 

In this month’s special section, you’ll meet 13 veterans from various industry positions and you’ll learn how their military experience influenced their careers. They also provide advice to new veterans returning to civilian life and the workplace, which can be a major adjustment — but you don’t need to be a veteran to benefit from their insightful  advice. 

I’d like to give a shout out to our friends at Rapid Recon for sponsoring this special section, which is our companies’ way of saying thank you for your service.

Speaking of veterans, I was recently granted the opportunity to meet with a retired U.S. Marine Corps veteran — and while he doesn’t specifically work in the automotive industry, I found the conversation and his insight worth sharing with our readers, listeners and viewers. (You can listen to the interview through our podcasts HERE or watch it on our video channel HERE.) 

Colonel Robert Rice and I discussed the importance of hiring veterans and the incredible experience they bring to organizations. He noted that vets and their families make a significant sacrifice every day. They are often deployed and live in the most austere conditions, so they understand how to overcome obstacles. 

“They get resilience, and they get teamwork,” Rice said. “They get mission accomplishment. They come with a skill set that’s instilled in them from the very first day of boot camp.” 

He went on to say, “They know how to get the job done. So, when you hire a vet, you’re getting somebody that comes with that skill set, who can get the job done.”

He noted that veterans come to work with a large amount of integrity and commitment and an unmatched work ethic. “We believe they’re all going to become great citizens and contributors to society and whatever organization they’re going to be in.”

While you may be reading this after Veteran’s Day on Nov. 11, there are many ways we can honor and assist veterans throughout the year. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Department of Labor websites have many resources for employees and employers. Visit va.gov and dol.gov/agencies/vets. 

Also check out the important work of U.S. VETS, the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans and The Mission Continues. Please include any other vet organizations you wish to highlight in the comments below this post. 

Thank you again to all veterans and your families for your service. It is because of you, the brave men and women in uniform, that we can enjoy our way of life and our freedoms.