Gilbert Gomez | Purple Teammate

Meet Gilbert Gomez , support engineer at HealthEquity and United States Marine Corps veteran. We sat down with Gilbert to learn about his 8 years of military service and how the lessons he learned during that time have shaped his life and work ethic.

What motivated you to join the military?

The reasons that influenced my decision to join the military were rooted in my desire to have a solid plan after high school. I believed that the military would instill discipline in me and provide the necessary support and resources to become a self-sufficient adult. Additionally, I saw it as a means to alleviate the financial burden that comes with attending college. I served five years of active service and three years as an inactive reserve in the United States Marine Corps.

Can you share a memorable experience from the military??

One of the most impactful experiences of my life was when I volunteered to be deployed overseas to assist a fellow Marine in a time of crisis. I was transported to Japan and then helicoptered out to a naval vessel in the middle of the ocean. It was a nerve-wracking and surreal experience, almost like something out of a movie. Taking that risk ended up being the defining moment of my military career.

How did your military experience shape your values and work ethic??

The Marine Corps instilled in me the values of goal setting, commitment, and integrity. As a result, I prioritize completing tasks and approaching work with honesty and diligence. I avoid taking shortcuts and always strive to produce high-quality results.

As a former avionics electronics technician in the military, I developed valuable teamwork skills and gained experience that has proven useful in my current technical role at HealthEquity. Our team operates on a similar collaborative model, but also requires individual expertise that enables us to effectively provide solutions.?

Can you share a lesson or principle from your military experience that has helped you professionally??

A valuable lesson that has greatly influenced my professional success is the concept of Semper Gumbi. While not an official motto of the Marine Corps, it embodies the contrast to the well-known Semper Fi, meaning always faithful. Semper Gumbi reminds us that not everything will go according to plan, and we must remain flexible, patient, and resilient in order to overcome obstacles and ultimately succeed.

This mindset has been instrumental in helping me navigate through various challenges and unexpected situations in my career. By embracing Semper Gumbi, I have learned to approach every obstacle with a positive and open-minded attitude, rather than becoming rigid or frustrated by deviations from the expected path. This flexibility has enabled me to adapt quickly and find creative solutions to problems, resulting in successful outcomes.

Furthermore, Semper Gumbi has taught me the value of patience. In the fast-paced and often high-stress professional world, it can be easy to become overwhelmed and make hasty decisions. However, the military has instilled in me the importance of remaining calm and collected, even in the face of unforeseen challenges.

How has your military experience helped you adapt to change and overcome challenges in the workplace??

In the military, one's life can be summarized by what's inside a "seabag" - a military version of a suitcase. This mirrors the need for constant mobility and readiness, as situations may require us to pick up and go at a moment's notice. The workplace is constantly evolving, presenting new challenges that we must be prepared to face. Often, there is little time to react, and we must keep moving forward.

Thank you, Gilbert, for sharing your story with us.