Comments on the Military and Business Ownership
We asked veteran owned businesses listed in VeteranOwnedBusiness.com to tell us how their time in the military helped them succeed as business owners. Below are some of their answers.
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Here is a random list of 100 military testimonials/comments. We have 1,000s of members who submitted one. Refresh the page to generate another random grouping of 100!
“Logistics management, organizational skills, operations. ”
Martin Bishop - Evac One
“Do to the military training, I have learned to communicate with different type of individual and to communicate with them their needs for my service. My main service is to help each individual to purchase the home of their dream or to help current homeowner get better rate and lower their monthly payment of their current home mortgage.”
John Sheppard - J Sheppard Loan Processing Service
“Taught me discipline, attention to detail, working with and directing a team.”
Rick Stricker - WebSlingers Web Development
“My experience as an infantry Marine taught me the value of extensive planning, yet gave me the ability to adapt well to ever-changing demands and situations. As a business owner, I'm able to provide faster solutions and service because of my military service experience.”
Klay South - Operation Care Package 24/7
“14 years of service active duty and air national guard. Organizational skills lead to a structured business, learning to manage, lead and follow for a well rounded business plan, that has pointed us in the right direction.”
Chris Barcikowski - Mid Atlantic Commercial and Residential Real Estate Solutions Inc
“We’re trained to do our jobs and react to certain situations just the way civilian employees are. But we also have leeway to use our intelligence and awareness to respond to new situations and come up with new ways of doing things. We work in teams, so as problems come up, we solve them collectively and understanding the company’s mission and looking to my employees for insights are all skills I learned while in service.”
Kelen Prutow - U.S. Integrators
“I learned discipline and responsibility.”
Donnie Cross - Just By Nature Candle & Soap Supplies
“Taught me discipline!”
Pete Brush - My Geek For Hire
“Instilled discipline, confidence, and satisfaction in a job well done.”
Sean Elkin - Searchlight Interactive, LLC
“The discipline and rigid routines have prepared me to be honest, trustworthy, and above punctual in my approach to all of my inspection activities.”
Thomas Spoor - Quality Home Inspection
“Training opportunities and instructing leadership courses.”
George Duncan - SWFL Duncan Group, LLC
“Serving in the Army has given me the ability to listen, learn, and go with my instincts. I set the example of a good citizen, businessman, family man, providing good moral standards, and high integrity. ”
Walter S Willingham - Superior Retail Services, Inc.
“I am better prepared to take leadership positions and handle adverse conditions properly.”
Kim Carevic - Kim's Trucking Co. Inc.
“Military training prepared me to follow rules and steps in order to achieve goals. It taught me teamwork and how to be a good leader. There are some of the things I was able to use in order to become a business owner. The Army core values are something I have used as a way of life both in the military and in the business world, and it has been essential to our growth.”
Fernando Martinez - Ostar Motorsports
“Discipline!”
John(Jack) Furtney - JS Gifts and More
“The military taught me work ethics. Work hard when it is time to work and shut it off when it's done. I don't have have to use my command voice very often these days, but it's there when I need it.”
Mary Smith - Virtual Imagery Photography
“The military taught me structure, discipline, work ethic and teamwork. It helped show me that hard work can pay off. That by not quitting you can reach the goals that you set.”
Steven Matthews - RisingStar Entertainment
“Military training and discipline coupled with hard work, long hours and camaraderie were influential in building fortitude, preparedness and can-do attitudes in me for life after the military. Seeing so many countries and what people live like in other parts of the world gave me an immense appreciation for what we have had here in America like no other experience could have. Being thankful for our freedoms by knowing the cost involved from our veterans and founding fathers is invaluable.”
Marty DiGiacomo - True Blue Transportation
“Get it done attitude.”
Jerry Dorman - Jerry W. Dorman Master Electrician
“Being an Infantry officer in the Army is about health, fitness and self-defense of our nation, through leadership of others. Teaching traditional Kung Fu is all about helping others develop health, fitness, self-defense, and leadership skills.”
Doyle Perry - United Martial Arts
“Motivation, Discipline, and Foresight!”
John Paff - EAR Alaska
“Marine Corps taught me discipline and integrity.”
Steven Fikes - SFX Electric
“Taught me to lead by example.”
Jeffrey Allen - Global Crossroads Capital
“On active and reserve duty I obtained the position of Sr. Drill which allowed me Leadership and Management opportunities along with discipline and respect of others. This is the best Country in the world as I have been to several other countries during my 27 years in the Military. I believe our elders and military veterans should have the opportunity to have the best value of the services offered them. I have continually maintained a high level of schooling, education and knowledge in my field.”
Samuel Pozdol - Peete's Electric Company
“Military service has prepared me to be a better business owner; by being organized, to be able to listen to my customers and meeting their needs. Not to be afraid to fail, and if I do, not to stop until I get it right!”
Charles Reynolds - OR Communications
“Discipline in decision making during adverse situations by far leads the list. Leadership was always taught and practiced everyday as it is in the business world. No one never needed to tell a group of gathered people that they were in the militia.”
John Raddatz - Tri City Tool & Die, Inc.
“Taught me patience.”
Jonathan Schneider - Schneider Financial Group, Ltd
“My time as an active duty Marine gave me the discipline and sense of accountability that has helped me become not only a better business person but a better individual. Take pride in everything you do whether it's at home or on the job.”
Chris Finck - Waddell & Reed
“Military service instilled the concepts of discipline, organization, and integrity.”
Greg Jackson - Color Glo Leather Services of Houston
“From the very beginning of my business career I found the discipline and regimentation I had learned in military service to be of great value. I was able to apply this directly, first to learning a business, and then to teaching my employees about their jobs. I also learned in the military that success generally required a team effort and that every member of that team was equally valuable. For instance, fighter pilots may hold the "glory" jobs in the Air Force, but they would not be able to function without a team of mechanics and technicians who service, maintain, sometimes control, and when necessary, rescue the aircraft and crew.”
Carl Lewis - SnowWalker, LLC
“Military service prepared me to be an effective leader in all kinds of situations. It taught me to be a better decision maker and to be fair and equitable in my dealings with others.”
James Boles - BTI
“Leadership training and concept of personal Duty and Honor.”
Mark Preson - Operations and Engineering
“Military schools and my positions as a senior non-commissioned officer has help in daily operation of my business.”
Donald Walker - A-One Cleaning Svs. Inc
“The army gave me the discipline and determination to go beyond boundaries to achieve succeed. The military gave me the opportunity to see the world and the needs of our industry that are global. The demand for quality and longevity in our products and the internal frame work of our company and most of all the pride in providing American made products.”
HE Dan Bunch - Odorite International Inc.
“I was intent on starting a business where I could help give back to the servicemen and women that showed me the meaning of Integrity and Discipline. These are the very ethics that I have brought from the Marines into my organization.”
Mark Llano - Source One Distributors, Inc.
“Taught me discipline, respect, utilization of manpower and love of our great country.”
Elmer & Debbieanne Miller - Creekstead Development Services, LLC
“Attention to detail!”
Paul Dinkins - Prep Security, LLC
“Taught discipline, honesty, character, loyalty which we implement in our business everyday. Taught how to honor your country and to be responsible for your own actions. Made us proud to be an American and that to serve in the military is an honor.”
Gilbert Sentell - Sentell Engineering, Inc.
“I am a retired Navy Commander and the Navy gave me the necessary management skills to start my own business.”
Joseph Scarola - Capital Material Handling, LLC
“The military has given me the skills to work hard and over come many obstacles that you encounter when opening and running a business.”
eric hirt - Hirt Motorsports
“The military instills in most persons a sense of responsibility and respect for structure. The chaos in our daily lives is much better dealt with, I believe, by a person with a military background as opposed to one without. This is evident by the shear number of people locked up in our prisons at enormous cost to our society. For those who chose to change their lives or to seek adventure or to follow in the footsteps of another in joining the military, my hat is off to you. All the best!”
John Berosh - Information Systems 2000
“Positive, can do attitude where failure is not an option as well as leadership qualities which helped motivate and support my employees.”
David Fisher - Military Supply Coins
“I am always on time and I do what I say.”
Sam Emmerling - Sam Emmerling Company
“Procedures and systems.”
Ron Glazer - Ron Glazer
“Management skills and the drive to success. Never give up no matter the how small or big the obstacle is in your path.”
Joseph Navarra - National Hospitality Resources
“Provided training, education, experience and ethical core values.”
Jay Marzulli - Biz Web Wiz Web Design
“While I served in the Vietnam War, I learned many skills and trades. It has helped me to develop a sense of good morals and values in my family life as well as my professional career as a Prime Contractor.”
Jerry Bechel - BB&K Construction, LLC
“Organizational Skills.”
Keith Picard - VAL-FAB, Inc.
“The Army solidified my foundation of principles, values, and training which provided me with tools to be a leader. These tools gave me the courage to finish my degree and pursue my own path as a business owner.”
Rosario Hurel - Hurel Transcription Translation Professionals
“Standing on my feet for hours, listening to the roar of the ships engines, and being meticulous are all necessary characteristics of a good sailor and a vigilant press man!”
Jeff Hooper - Hooper Printing
“Discipline & leadership.”
Brian Crist - MGQ & Associates, Inc
“To better understand and appreciate the freedom that we have in the United States Of America. The discipline that the U.S. Army instilled in me was outstanding. Teamwork was the next item that I have been able to use every day in my life.”
Ernie Ratcliffe - Nu Skin Enterprises Rep - Ernie Ratcliffe
“My military service gave me the courage and determination to start and manage Extremely Clean Pressure Washing.”
Bryan Whalen - Extremely Clean Pressure Washing
“Work ethics, and responsibility.”
Thomas Hughes - DOD Consultants, LLC
“It helped me pay attention to small details and being prompt.”
Frederick Franks - Acme Logistics, Inc
“Military service is invaluable in teaching one team work, discipline, communication, contacts, and allows one to establish life long friendships.”
David B. du Pont - HEPCO, Inc.
“Serving in our military has taught me the discipline necessary to manage the day to day operations of my business!”
Edward Humbert - Complete Heating & Cooling
“Discipline, discipline, discipline!”
Bob Wilburn - Matrix Construction Co., Inc.
“Leadership and program management at the Defense Contract College.”
David Salvadorini - Salvadorini Consulting LLC
“Once I left active duty I as able to secure a civilian position with the US Army Corps of Engineers where I worked for nearly 10 years as an IT Manager developing a broad range of skills including Web Designer, IT Manager and Strategic Planner.”
Russ Cuthrell - Spyder Byte Media, Inc.
“First and foremost, the Navy taught me electrical. I work until the job is finished. Confidence, knowledge and integrity were expected of me while serving and now those characteristics are provided for my clients.”
Steven Barrow - Sun Electrical & Renovations, LLC
“Determination, readiness, motivated, able to accomplish any task!”
Douglas Goss - The Plumber Company, LLC
“The military taught me determination.”
Vernon Williams - The Williams Company
“It has made and kept me Responsible.”
Rowland Givens - The Wright Place Foundation Inc.
“It taught me to be able to deal with different personalities and to be able to be patient in waiting for what I am looking for.”
Aaron Thomason - Thomason and Partners, LLC
“Goal setting and personal discipline and the attitude to never give up also with the goal of giving back to my God and country for blessing me.”
thomas nordstrom - Tom Nordstrom Construction
“Attention to detail. Management skills with employees.”
Ryan Powell - The Cleaning Corps
“Serving in the Navy has given me the discipline to be a better business owner. I was able to commandeer my four sons into getting involved with our family run business, therefore running a tight ship. Our Italian Ice business is run by all walks of people across the United States (some of which are veterans).”
Harry Moore - Little Jimmy's Italian Ice
“90% of the employees of TCS Consultants are former service men and women or the children of service men and women. The military has instilled a sense of duty, mission accomplishment, and self discipline that we have transferred into our profession.”
Timothy Clegg - TCS Consultants, LLC
“It has given me the direction, capabilities and confidence to own and operate a small business.”
Jeffrey Gruhlke - Pinnacle Carpet Care
“Discipline.”
Thomas Crook - Uncle Tom's Handyman Service
“Responsibility for actions, leadership, commitment to excellence, attention to detail, and being on time are all qualities that 23 years of military service taught me, enabling me to be successful after leaving the military.”
Keith Sublett - Gorilla Integrations, LLC
“The discipline is a requirement of being self employed.”
John Russell - Eagle Industrial Instrumentation, LLC
“Attention to detail, self discipline, teamwork, and a "never quit" attitude was instilled in us in the USCG. If you apply these principles to everything you do, you will prevail.”
Donald Lynch - LYNCH Janitorial & Cleaning, LLC
“Taking control, responsibilities and preparing for adversity and having control of oneself when challenged.”
Ernest Smith - Health Force Drug Test
“CAN Do attitude. Always ready to get the job done.”
peter vanwolvelaerd - VanDahl Engineering & Construction
“The years I spent in the military were filled with pride, responsibility, duty, discipline and provided me with the success I have today. It got my life going on the right track!”
Jane Watts - Batteries Watts & Things LLC
“It has made me disciplined and focused and able to multi-task.”
Doug Robinson - Maine Inspection & Engineering Company
“The military taught me to take control and follow through and give 100% to my efforts.”
Anthony Perry - Total Care Property Inspections
“Time management, responsibility, accountability, teamwork, pride, and the list goes on. I am very proud to have served and look forward to a successful career in business for myself with the help of friends, family and other veterans. Thank you.”
Lisa Madison - Rocky Coast Seminars
“Military service helped develop my focus on detail which enables my optical scanning service help businesses concentrate on what they do best.”
Susan Berehulka - Scanning Innovations, LLC
“The organizational and preparation skills I can say have given me a high drive to succeed in my business. Creating new goals and commitments. Being physically and mentally focused to complete specified tasks. Creating solutions to problems. I can say this is what the Military has done for me.”
Robert Dano - Zodiac Cleaning System LLC
“The key word in any business is integrity.”
Gerard Sunnen - Ozonics International, LLC
“Leadership by Example. Supply Chain Management Skills.”
Billy Williamson - GLOBAL-MPG LLC
“The military helped by providing me with the determination to keep striving for success in everything that I do!”
Edward McCullough Sr. - The Bait Barn
“Being a leader of Marines prepared me to take the reigns of my company and relentley give everything that I possibly can to ensure that our customer base comes first and receives nothing but the highest quality of service.”
Brett Granger - Global Garage Flooring and Design of Houston, LLC.
“Discipline, leadership, coping with things when the tides are against me.”
David Woods - Woods Patrol and Security Service
“Trust, leadership, independent, and the ability to talk and work with others to accomplish goals.”
Jeffrey Lakatos - Hartland Electric LLC
“The leadership training I received in the US Army prepared me to take on many challenges in life as well as taught me the skills I needed to venture out and start my own business.”
Leopold Lacrimosa - SonoranDesertKnives
“Organizational skills. Personal Discipline. Leadership by example. Team effort complete tasks. Delegation.”
Michael Moore - CarpetsPlus ColorTile
“Planning for multiple scenarios and learning to think independently and still be a team member are just a couple of attributes passed from active military service to being a business owner.”
Alan Ferneau - Tymely Moments - Brandon
“Military Service enabled me to have the discipline and internal drive to succeed in creating and growing my own company.”
Jamie Falconi - Stellar Apparel
“My experiences in the Air Force as a Security Specialist taught me Leadership Skills, Attention to Detail and Pride in Accomplishing Tasks to a Degree of Perfection not found amongst many.”
Larry Ebeling - Spectrum A/V Group
“My service in the military has allowed me to travel the world and expand my herpetology experiences far more than I ever expected. The Army Values are what I bring to work every day in order to complete the task at hand; Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage.”
Luis Fraser - Rattlesnake Removal USA - N California
“Strong work ethic.”
Stewart Smith - The Crabby Pig
“The military provided work place skills, discipline, responsibility, order, and foresight.”
Ricky Forrest - Don's Repair
“Attention to detail that is required in the military has driven our business. Getting to jobs on time and completing them with the quality that is required is also a skill pounded into us military members.”
Russ Stark - Surface Specialists of Arrowhead Country
“Becoming a soldier taught me to be a better business owner because I learned to face my fears from within. After I conquered, I was able to join the forces of many other strong individuals that possessed the strengths that I so longed to have.”
Silvia Torres Timoteo - Luxury Maids, Inc
“Made me a strong leader and willing to pursue my goals.”
ramzi torbey - Halo-8
“The military has provided me with the perseverance required to stay focused to any obstacle or task at hand.”
Kevin Knight - KNIGHT SOLUTIONS






