On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, an agreement by opposing sides to cease fighting, or an armistice, was made between Germany and the Allied nations in World War I. This November 11th holiday came to be marked as Armistice Day, and the United States officially made it a federal holiday in 1938. As time marched on and our military continued historic service, November 11th soon became known as Veterans Day – a day to honor all military veterans of the United States Armed Forces.
Last year, Protiviti was proud to honor our veterans by introducing new and improved benefits for our U.S. based military employees. Through a close partnership and counsel from our Veterans Employee Network Group, we’re thrilled to work together to help make a meaningful impact for our Protiviti veterans and honor their sacrifice and service.
Lifting Up our Heroes
In line with Protiviti’s commitment to giving all of our people a voice, today we’re bringing you more stories of just a few of our Veterans. May their stories inspire you and remind you of the celebration and sacrifice we honor on Veterans Day this weekend, and for many years to come.
Amber, a Manager in our Technology Consulting space, served in the U.S. Navy as a Surface Warfare and Cryptologic Warfare Officer for 10 years. The aftermath of the September 11th events sparked her desire to serve. “Seeing our country come together after such a tragedy was truly inspiring, despite the devastation our country experienced,” she shared.
One of the most valuable lessons she learned in the military that has translated to civilian life is the value of adaptability. “Knowing how to adapt to new environments and uncertainty or navigating change were common lessons I think many of us who deployed have learned.” Although work is very different than the situations in which she learned these skills, Amber believes that “the ability to remain adaptable and flexible has proven valuable in dealing with clients, working with peers, and understanding leadership requirements.”
Through Amber’s experience, making the transition out of the military back into civilian life presented many challenges. Upon joining Protiviti, she found solace and support in the Veterans ENG. In times where she felt unsure or on uneven ground, she found a group of teammates she could turn to for mentorship. “Though I have participated and enjoyed things like the ENG fairs, I have gained the most value from this ENG through the networking and camaraderie I have found in its membership. This is what makes the Veterans ENG truly unique and invaluable.”
“I had the privilege to spend four years as an active-duty Army officer leading IT teams in the field,” shares Jason, a Director in our Technology Consulting solution. During his time in the military, Jason had the opportunity to really learn who he was as an individual. “The military reassured me of the fact that I loved a challenge, working with people, and tackling obstacles head on,” he says. Consulting allowed a path that continued doing what he loved in the military, which was a key reason Jason chose to be a leader at Protiviti.
Reflecting back on his career, he’s able to draw several parallels. “Rather than consulting senior officers on communication practices and conducting risk assessments ensuring my teams reach Iraqi cities safely, I’m helping senior business leaders implement IT best practices and risk mitigation strategies.” The skills our service members learn and bring to the table help create a unique perspective and diversity of thought that we are so proud to support.
As Jason reflects, he appreciates the support Protiviti has provided our veterans over the years as well as the dedication and sacrifice our troops have made in keeping our country safe.
Another Senior Manager on our Technology Consulting team is Sam, who spent 10 years in the Navy. As someone who enjoyed sports and being a part of a team throughout his childhood, he wanted to continue to work as part of a team towards a common goal that was bigger than himself. “I learned the value of teamwork and the importance of taking care of the people who are working with you,” Sam shares. He believes that high-functioning teamwork is often the most critical difference between failure and success.
He carries these traits and more through to his career. “One thing I learned that has translated into my career at Protiviti is critical thinking and decision making, especially in unknown situations,” Sam says. “The ability to absorb information about the situation, task, and environment and pair that with my own experience and expertise to make an informed decision on how to proceed has proven to be invaluable in helping clients find solutions to their problems.”
Through his involvement in the Veterans ENG, Sam helps to continue to honor veterans by supporting causes that aid veteran groups. He helps his local office partner with a veteran’s group in Charlotte to coordinate volunteer events with them, including recently helping with the restoration of a neglected African American cemetery that houses the remains of many veterans.
Sam reminds us this Veterans Day that “it isn’t grand gestures once a year, but the everyday acts of kindness and being there for Veterans year-round that has the biggest impact on their lives.”
Such an important reminder for all. To our veterans at Protiviti and beyond, thank you for your service, today and every day.
To learn more about our Veterans ENG, visit our Protiviti DEI page.
And you can read more stories about our honored veterans here!
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#MyProtivitiStory: We believe the best way to understand the core of who we are as an organization is through our people. These short videos are a reflection of our people’s stories and experiences.
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