Beyond the Uniform: What Veterans Can Teach Us About Work

A uniform may come off, but the values behind it don’t disappear. 

The discipline, courage, teamwork, and sense of responsibility developed through military service often stay with people long after their time in uniform. And those lessons continue to shape how they lead, work, support others, and face challenges every day. 

For many veterans, service doesn’t end when they leave the military. It simply takes a different form. 

In this special Veterans Day edition of the Melissa’s Muddy Boots Podcast, Melissa Wood brings together five Etech employees who have served in the United States military. Al Hopper, James Vaughan, Cam Brown, Brian Spivey, and Gonzalo Costilla II share their experiences and reflect on how military service has influenced the way they approach their work today. 

Through personal stories, honest conversations, and a few lighthearted moments, they discuss what it means to lead from the front, take ownership, trust your team, and keep going when things get difficult. 

It’s also a heartfelt opportunity to recognize the veterans who continue to serve in different ways, bringing the lessons they’ve learned into their workplaces, families, and communities. 

About the Episode 

What happens to the lessons learned in the military when the uniform comes off? 

For these five veterans, many of those lessons have become part of who they are and how they work. 

Al Hopper shares how military service shaped his approach to servant leadership, accountability, and leading alongside his team. James reflects on the sense of duty that helped him navigate demanding responsibilities and the power of bringing people together around a shared mission. Cam talks about problem-solving, communication, and the importance of guiding others. Brian shares the discipline and determination reinforced by his military experience, while Gonzalo discusses ownership, teamwork, and the importance of staying accountable. 

Together, they draw connections between military service and the workplace, showing how the values developed in one environment can make a lasting difference in another. 

You’ll learn about: 

How military service shapes leadership: Why leading from the front, taking responsibility, and looking after your team matter in any workplace. 

Building stronger teams through trust: How teamwork, communication, and shared responsibility help people work toward a common goal. 

Taking ownership and accountability: Why admitting mistakes, learning from them, and moving forward are essential qualities of strong employees and leaders. 

Staying adaptable when challenges arise: How veterans approach unexpected situations, solve problems with limited resources, and keep the mission moving. 

Developing people through mentorship: Why great leaders prepare others to grow, take on responsibility, and eventually go further than they did. 

Finding strength in setbacks: How discipline, perseverance, and a willingness to keep learning help people move forward, even when things don’t go as planned. 

At the heart of this conversation is a reminder that service takes many forms. The experiences veterans carry with them continue to influence the people they work with and the teams they help build. 

Questions This Episode Answers 

• How does military service shape the way veterans approach their work? 
• What leadership lessons can businesses learn from military veterans? 
• Why is servant leadership important in the workplace? 
• How do discipline and accountability influence workplace performance? 
• What role does teamwork and trust play in achieving a shared mission? 
• How can employees adapt when unexpected challenges arise? 
• Why should leaders encourage mentorship and prepare others to take their place? 
• How can veterans use their military experience to build successful civilian careers? 
• What can new employees and experienced professionals learn from military leadership? 
• How can leaders create teams where people feel supported, valued, and encouraged to grow? 

Key Takeaways from the Episode

Lead From the Front, Not From the Sidelines

Al shares how his Army experience shaped his approach to servant leadership. Rather than leading from behind a desk, he believes in being present with his team, understanding what they are going through, and setting an example through his own actions. 

His approach is a reminder that leadership isn’t just about giving directions. It’s about showing up, taking responsibility, and being willing to do the work alongside the people you lead.

A Sense of Duty Helps You Push Through Challenges

James shares a powerful example of managing a team of 48 agents while handling demanding reporting responsibilities. The experience required long hours, determination, and a commitment to getting the job done. 

His story reflects a lesson he carried from military service: when a responsibility is yours, you find a way to see it through.

Adaptability Means Finding a Way Forward

Cam remembers a Thanksgiving in the military when the dining facility’s oven stopped working. With soldiers depending on the team for their meals, they had to find another kitchen and work around the problem to make sure everything was ready on time. 

He sees the same kind of adaptability in his work at Etech, where trainers and employees often need to respond to unexpected situations and find solutions quickly. 

Sometimes, getting the job done means working with what you have and figuring out what comes next.

Discipline Is About Showing Up and Following Through

Brian reflects on how military service reinforced the values his father had taught him throughout his life: discipline, consistency, and finishing what you start. 

His message is simple. When you take on a responsibility, give it your best effort, regardless of the challenges along the way.

Accountability Starts With Owning Your Mistakes

Gonzalo talks about the Marine Corps values of honor, courage, and commitment, particularly the importance of taking ownership when something goes wrong. 

He believes that admitting a mistake is part of becoming better. Rather than making excuses, acknowledge what happened, learn from it, and move forward. 

“If it is to be, it begins with me.”

Great Leaders Prepare Others to Grow

One of Al’s most important lessons is that leaders should want the people around them to become capable of doing their jobs. 

In the military, preparing the next person to take responsibility is part of building a stronger team. The same applies in the workplace. Sharing knowledge, mentoring others, and creating opportunities for people to grow allow both individuals and organizations to move forward.

Never Stop Learning, No Matter Your Position

Gonzalo encourages employees and leaders to remain humble and teachable. Experience and job titles don’t mean you have nothing left to learn. 

Sometimes, the person who teaches you something valuable is the newest person on your team.

Setbacks Don’t Have to Define Your Journey

Cam shares a message for anyone facing disappointment or waiting for an opportunity: one closed door doesn’t mean the journey is over. 

She encourages people to learn from challenges, prepare for what comes next, and keep believing in their ability to grow. 

Quotes from the Episode 

“First in, last out, and you take care of the troops.” — Al Hopper 

“Life’s not fair. So rub some dirt on it, move out and draw fire.”— Brian Spivey 

“If you have a job, you get the job done, regardless of what the problems are.” — Brian Spivey 

“Always be humble and be teachable.” — Gonzalo Costilla II 

“Set a high standard for yourself and get to work.” — James Vaughan 

“Never give up on yourself. Just because one door closes doesn’t mean the next one won’t open.” — Camille Brown 

These lessons reflect a shared belief across the conversation: strong teams are built by people who take responsibility, look out for one another, and keep working toward something bigger than themselves. 

Meet the Veterans 

Al Hopper – Project Manager, Integrated Solutions Team, Etech  

James Vaughan – Team Lead, San Antonio Center, Etech  

Camille Brown – Training Team, Dallas Center, Etech  

Brian Spivey – Call Center Operator, Etech  

Gonzalo Costilla II – Team Leader, Lufkin Center, Etech  

Host: Melissa Wood – Dean of Leadership Development, Etech Global Services 

Watch the Full Episode 

Some lessons stay with us for a lifetime. Sometimes, the people who have lived through them have the most to teach us. 

In this special Veterans Day conversation, Melissa Wood sits down with five Etech veterans to hear their stories, recognize their service, and learn how military values continue to shape the workplace. 

From leading with humility to standing by your team, taking ownership, and finding a way forward when things get difficult, their experiences offer meaningful lessons for anyone who works with or leads others. 

And this Veterans Day, there’s one more thing worth remembering: when you sit beside a veteran, don’t stop at saying thank you. Take a moment to ask about their experiences, what they’ve learned, and what those lessons mean to them. 

Watch the full episode of Melissa’s Muddy Boots Podcast: Beyond the Uniform: What Veterans Can Teach Us About Work. 

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