Veterans Day is celebrated to appreciate those who have served in the U.S. military. The federal holiday is always observed on November 11, in honor of the day an armistice went into effect between the U.S.-led Allied Nations and German forces. Though WWI wasn’t technically over until the Treaty of Versailles was signed seven months later, Nov. 11 is recognized as the end of the “war to end all wars,” according to history from the Veterans Administration.
With a workforce comprising approximately ten percent veterans, Austin-area AV integrator Felix Media Solutions (FMS) knows the value in appreciating and including those who have served their country.
“Veterans have plenty of experience working with diverse groups of individuals as a team to accomplish objectives. Additionally, veterans are taught to be small group leaders from the start,” said FMS Vice President of Operations Ben Lanclos, himself a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. This type of experience is particularly valuable to an audio-visual integrator, as members of the field team are often split into small groups to complete different projects across Austin - and even across America. The ability to pull together those with different skills and abilities is incredibly important to the completion of any commercial construction project, with AV being no exception, he said.
Additionally, the critical-thinking skills and problem-solving abilities those who formerly served bring to the table is yet another benefit to hiring veterans, with each project bringing new challenges for the company to think through and execute. Not to mention the soft-skills necessary to any job.
“Showing up and being a team player with a willingness to lead are transferable traits any veteran can bring to the table,” Lanclos said.
Asked if he has any advice for those transitioning out of the military and looking for a job in the civilian world, Lanclos recommended taking full advantage of any G.I. Bill benefits to broaden their skill base before entering the workforce.
Ben Lanclos serves as the Vice President of Operations for Felix Media Solutions. He received an Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Army after attaining the rank of Sergeant First Class as a member of the Green Berets. He lives in Austin with his wife and dog.
