My veteran journey

Entering state service in Michigan in 1998 as a geologist, I currently work out of the Warren District Office as a senior environmental quality analyst in the hazardous waste program of the Materials Management Division within the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).

Since April 2022, I have been a member of the “EGLE Vets” Employee Resource Group (ERG). As a founding member, I headed up the ERG from its inception through July 2025. Along with a cadre of 10 EGLE veterans who represented military service in each of the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marines, I was active in coordinating EGLE Vets’ collaborative multi-departmental training, awareness, and public service efforts, to include the now annually held Earth Day cemetery and grounds cleanup event at the Michigan Veteran Homes at Grand Rapids.

A visit by a U.S. Army recruiter to my high school in the spring of 1977 started my military journey. While attending Ohio State, working part-time as a security guard at a large factory in Columbus, I had a chance meeting with a fellow young security guard, also an Ohio State University student. This meeting resulted in my joining the Ohio Guard (He related that 100% tuition reimbursement was being offered at the time.) and in my changing degree programs from natural resources to geology (He advised me that there was more money to be made as a geologist.). Both pieces of advice certainly affected how my following years would roll out as a newly minted civilian transitioning to become a commissioned officer and citizen soldier of the Ohio Army National Guard.

So many of life’s events aren’t planned; they merely come about by happenstance. However, from my experiences as a former U.S. Army soldier and Ohio Army National Guard member, now a seasoned veteran, I have come to agree with fictional character Forrest Gump’s view that “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get."

Author’s Note: Just over 3,100 veterans are employed by the State of Michigan, approximately 6% of the State of Michigan total workforce. Nationwide, from 5% to 7% of the population are veterans of the United States Armed Forces, extending back to World War II. Less than 1% of the national population actively serve in the military or are serving in a part-time capacity within the National Guard or Reserve.

Fifteen State of Michigan departments have been recognized by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) as Veteran-Friendly Employers, with 12 of those departments holding the highest “Gold Level Veteran-Friendly Employer” MVAA designation.
​

Legal Disclaimer:

EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.