Veteran Experience: Valor in Service, Value in the Workplace?

By Amanda Harr

Through the rigor of military service, Veterans acquire and hone unique skills that transcend the uniform and become cornerstones of excellence in the workplace. Leadership, adaptability, integrity, and a strong work ethic aren’t just bullet points on a resume; they’re lived experiences Veterans carry with them. These qualities do not retire with the individual but find new expression and purpose at Coforma , contributing to a company culture that is not only skilled but principled, resolute, and focused on our collective mission.?

We recently had the privilege of sitting down with a few of our Veteran employees to discuss how the skills they developed during their military service translate to their roles within our company. Through those conversations, we explore the invaluable impact of Veteran experiences on our operations, culture, project teams, and the communities we serve.

In environments where decisiveness is crucial, service members learn to initiate action, adapt quickly, and resolve complex problems independently. This sense of initiative leads many Veterans to become self-starters in the civilian workforce, taking ownership, setting high standards for themselves and their teams, and following goals through to completion.?

Coforma’s founding co-owner and CEO, Eduardo F. O. , is a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps . While in the service, Eduardo saw the real impact a government that works to support its service members can make on the lives of those in uniform. After his service ended, he saw new challenges many Veterans, including himself, experienced while navigating processes to apply for the benefits they rightfully deserved. Realizing these issues weren’t being addressed as he would like, Eduardo took the initiative to start a company to help fix them.?

To date, Coforma has worked with our partners at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to modernize Veterans’ access to benefits and services, surface insights that improve healthcare solutions, increase equity with civic tools, and much more. Leveraging the self-starter mindset cultivated in service, Veterans at Coforma like Eduardo are transforming their experience into real-world solutions for their community.?

Many Veterans worked in incredibly high-stress situations or environments during their military service. During his twenty years with the 美国军队 and Pennsylvania National Guard , Coforma’s Vice President of Engineering, Dan Miller , learned the value of being able to keep your cool under pressure.?

“Leaders who operate with a steadfast, prepared, and calm mindset have a powerful impact on the people around them, especially during times of crisis,” he says. “That’s something I've always tried to carry with me.”

Dan’s experiences in the Army led him to develop a unique perspective that helps him deal with pressure and take it off his team. “My worst day at Coforma is always less stressful than a day deployed,” he shares. “Responding to delivery issues in engineering can be very stressful, but at the end of the day, the entire team is going home. Keeping that perspective helps bring a sense of calm to my team, assures them we’ll get through this, and allows them to operate at their best.”

Veterans are often known for their exceptional work ethic and agility in navigating challenges. Accounting Controller Elisa Hallberg ’s diverse financial roles in the United States Air Force and U.S. Air Force Reserve instilled these qualities—among many—and established the foundation of her professional character. “My military career truly formed me into the dedicated and hard worker that I am,” she says. “The Air Force taught me to adapt to any environment and push through challenging moments.”

Another fundamental lesson Elisa learned in service is the importance of providing mutual support. “You take care of your people and your people will take care of you,” she shares. Paired with her military mantra “no money, no mission,” Elisa’s caring yet disciplined approach helps her continually refine our accounting practices, ensuring we can support our employees and pursue our mission of creating meaningful change.

Military service forges individuals into leaders who can navigate challenges, inspire teams, and make critical decisions with confidence and integrity. Coforma CFO Gresford Barrington Gray ’s time in the Army Reserves as a drill sergeant and combat engineer left a lasting impression on him and informed his leadership philosophy.?

“One of the critical things I learned as a drill sergeant is that I have to walk the walk and talk the talk,” he shares. “My commanding officer once told me, ‘You are the standard. As you’re training these civilians and taking the responsibility of transforming them into soldiers—in everything you see and do—you are the standard.’ As a leader, I take that everywhere I go.”?

Another piece of wisdom Gresford learned in service is, “Successful people do what others don’t.” He says, “Having the grit and resilience to persevere—even when things don’t go your way—is the responsibility you learn to carry as a leader.”?

For many, serving in the military is more than a duty; it’s a lesson in unwavering teamwork and a pledge to support fellow service members, even after they’ve transitioned to Veteran status. As a Veteran of the Air Force and Air National Guard , Contracts Manager Jacqueline Wilson embodies these military-inspired values. “Two of the most important skills I learned in the military are listening and teamwork,” she shares. “If you’re talking, you’re not listening to the needs and concerns of others. Learning how to operate as a unit has been incredibly helpful in my role today because a great deal of the work we do needs to be done as a team.”?

Jacqueline's service also inspired her to become more involved with the Veteran community—a commitment she continues to honor. “I was at a VA satellite office and noticed they had a program for those transitioning or needing career assistance,” she shares. “So, once a month I volunteer to assist Veterans with drafting or revamping their resumes so they can transition smoothly into the workforce.”

Gaining a shared understanding of the mission at hand is a key aspect of military operations. A Veteran of the Army, Virginia Army National Guard , and Army Reserves with more than 16 years of total service, Joe S. cites this experience as a guiding principle that continues to resonate with his work today as a Principal UX Designer at Coforma.

“In the military, there is the concept of commander’s intent. The idea is that you should know what the intended outcome of any activity might be. If you know the intent, then it will guide your actions to achieve the shared mission,” he says. “That principle applies to projects here, or anywhere. We have to understand the mission of our partner agency and the goals of the specific project at hand.”

Joe has also used the Army’s operational frameworks for planning throughout his career. “There’s a way to standardize planning in the Army called the Operations Order. It includes the different elements—situation, mission, execution, service and support, and command and signal—that make up the process of what you are trying to achieve,” he says. “That’s a framework for tackling any major task and focusing on its execution.”?

Valor to Value: The Veteran Experience at Coforma

At Coforma, we don’t just employ Veterans; we empower and support them. The lived experiences of Cofolx who have served in the military enrich our human-centered approach to designing solutions for—and with—the communities our partners serve. Their perspectives improve our Veterans' services work with the VA and other organizations and agencies, ensuring we improve and modernize access to essential services and benefits with genuine understanding and respect.?

As a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) with former service members making up over 20% of our leadership team and two-thirds of our C-suite, our commitment to supporting Veteran employees is not a sidebar—it’s a core facet of our identity. That’s why we’ve worked to create a supportive work environment that recognizes and accommodates both active duty and Veteran-specific needs.?

Our projects, culture, and values reflect a workplace that aligns perfectly with Veterans and service members eager to extend their impact. Here, Veteran contributions are not just appreciated—they’re essential to our mission.?

Discover how your service experience can contribute to our vision of creating meaningful change by visiting our Veterans Hiring Initiative page: https://coforma.io/veterans-hiring-initiative/ .

About Amanda Harr

Amanda Harr is a curious, creative storyteller who weaves narratives that breathe life into brands. With an unwavering belief in the transformative power of language, she is committed to using well-placed words to break down communication barriers. As Coforma’s Content Writer and Editor, she crafts compelling content to amplify the company’s mission.?

About Coforma

Coforma crafts creative solutions and builds technology products that elevate human needs. They’re impactful by design. Visit coforma.io/culture/ to learn more about what makes them unique.