The values and experiences of veterans play a vital role in helping us achieve our mission to protect and enhance life. A proud supporter of the military and veteran community, Emergent is a place where veterans can use their unique skillset to make a real impact.
Over 100 Emergent employees self-identify as veterans, with many more having deep roots in the military community as military spouses and family members. BRAVE, our veteran-focused employee resource group, is at the heart of our military community at Emergent. BRAVE focuses on connecting veteran team members, fostering allyship, and advocating for action that helps remove barriers for veterans.
We spoke to BRAVE members Ernest Williams (US Air Force), Scott Schillereff (US Army), and Richard Slack (British Army), three of the many remarkable veterans at Emergent. They shared their perspective on the value those with military backgrounds bring to their teams, and advice for veterans looking to launch a new career.
Harnessing your unique skillset
Every day, those with military backgrounds apply their knowledge, skills, and leadership abilities in a wide variety of careers.
“Veterans are trained in diverse and challenging backgrounds. We have transferable skills and experience that will enhance departments, sites, and the corporation, we’re mission driven, and we will conquer that hill together,” said Ernest Williams, senior manager, Inspection and Packaging, and US Air Force veteran.
Ernest coaches and mentors fellow veterans that are hired into his department – demonstrating how the skills they gained in the military can be used to coach others and accomplish key tasks in their roles. Problem-solving, situational awareness, and communication skills are three of the superpowers veterans bring to the workforce, which Ernest says can help them resolve complex issues and excel in high-pressure environments.
Developing relationships and building bridges
Many of these same skills that make veterans great problem solvers are also valuable for building relationships and leading teams in the workplace.
“When I became a new Infantry platoon leader, I knew I did not have all the answers. To succeed, I relied on building strong relationships with my platoon sergeant and squad leaders who supported me in mission planning and execution,” said Scott Schillereff, director, Finance, Business Services, and Process Improvement, and U.S. Army veteran. “Similarly, at Emergent, I have built strong relationships with my team members and consult them frequently when planning major initiatives. By working collaboratively, our team gains consensus on the plan and everyone has a stake in its success.”
Another leadership quality Scott credits to the military is the idea of selfless service, one of the core values of military service. At Emergent, our veteran community embodies selfless service every day by using their influence to encourage team members to volunteer for veteran causes in our communities.
This year, led by BRAVE and EmergentGIVES, Emergent employees have supported Travis Manion Foundation’s The Honor Project and 9/11 Heroes Run, initiatives designed to honor the sacrifices of our nation’s heroes. The month, our team sponsored and volunteered at The Baltimore Station’s 8th Annual Stars, Stripes, and Chow fundraiser, which supports their veteran-focused residential and outpatient treatment programs.
Finding your next mission
Selfless service and a connection to a greater purpose or mission are things that often bring veterans together and remain engrained in them as they pursue other ventures.
“As I was thinking about transitioning from the military, I knew I wanted a career in an industry that addressed some of the key challenges we collectively face,” said Richard Slack, director, International Defense Strategy, and British Army veteran. Like Richard, once finished with military service, many veterans search to find another meaningful mission – prioritizing work that has a clear purpose.
When asked what advice they had for veterans or active-duty military who are considering transitioning into a new career path, Ernest, Scott, and Richard all shared that those with military experience should not discount roles that do not directly align with their job in the military.
“Your training and experiences have provided you with a leadership skillset that can be applied across multiple industries. Take the time to speak to those who are already in the industry and learn more about what roles exist that best fit your interests and career aspirations,” said Scott.
At Emergent, we’ve seen firsthand the value veterans bring to our workplace, and the impact they have on helping us achieve our mission. We’re committed to uplifting veterans through our hiring practices and the work we do every day.
Thank you to the military veterans across our communities, and the veterans at Emergent who continue to raise the bar and help us protect and enhance lives through the work that they do.