Veteran Reflection: Thank YOU For My Service

Veterans bring a unique set of skills, including leadership, discipline, and adaptability, honed through their service. As we commemorate #VeteransDay this week, it serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by these individuals, making it not only a moral duty but also a smart business decision to tap into their valuable talents.

This month we have the honor to hear from our very own Veteran and Vice President of Military and Veteran affairs, Chuck McGregor !

As I have the opportunity to put some thoughts together, I wanted to talk about the phrase, “Thank you for your service”, or for brevity, TYFYS.

I am a veteran and honored to have served in both peacetime and in combat in the Global War on Terror (GWOT). As an avid military history buff, I am deeply aware of how well current service members in the GWOT generation are treated compared to that of Vietnam Veterans. So, I am always very appreciative when someone gives me a TYFYS. Often though, when time and the situation allow, I’ll stop and say “No, thank YOU for my service.” ?I do this because serving our country among such a committed, effective fighting force has been the honor of my life. I was trained. I was equipped. I was supported. I was trusted. I had EVERYTHING I needed to succeed in my small part and contribution to the mission. Thanks to YOU. Not to mention, my Charlotte colleagues here at Parsons were always looking after my family when I was deployed.

With all that, here are several good rules to keep in mind for TYFYS:

1. When to say TYFYS: When you have the time to do it meaningfully – whatever that means to you. Bonus points if they are with their family and you can thank them too for their sacrifices.
2. When not to say TYFYS: 1) When you are rushed; 2) Out of a feeling of obligation; ?and 3) Not on Memorial Day, which is a day dedicated to reverence for those who gave their lives in service.
3. How to say TYFYS: Look them in the eye and shake their hand.

‘TYFYS’ is a deeply appreciated sentiment. We all have unique opportunities to go beyond just the surface and transform that gratitude into practical, impactful solutions for veterans:

• Little things. Send them a simple thank-you card or personal message. Nothing over the top: just to the point AND not necessarily sent on Veterans Day.
• Be an ally. When talking about careers, facilitate introductions and even extend a targeted part of your network to them, as appropriate. If you have a colleague or employee who is activated in the Reserves or National Guard, be sure to help their reintegration back go smoothly.
• Engage, learn, and know. Join forums to familiarize yourself with important issues and challenges facing veterans and how we can resolve them. Our community is robust and active in our discussion threads.
• Donate. Veterans support and services are always needed.? Donate your time by volunteering.? Donate resources and/or financial support to non-profit organizations focused on the needs of veterans.
• Push for a veteran-ready company culture. Here at Parsons, we have incredible executive air support. By that, I mean we’ve had support to put some best-in-class programs and benefits in place such as:? Reserve/National Guard activation salary bridge and transition time off upon return from active duty;? Four weeks of Annual Training support for the Reserve/National Guard that allows our vets to succeed more as citizen soldiers;? We have a BattleBuddy veteran mentoring program that has speed mentoring/networking events and also uses our corporate mentoring platform;? We have a disability benefit that helps veterans navigate the VA on disability rating challenges;? TRICARE Supplemental Insurance for retired veterans in place to help with Co-pays;? A dedicated MILVET team focused on hiring veterans and military spouses – engaging at bases around the world; and? A vibrant MILVET Employee Business Resource Group (EBRG) that has regular get-togethers to talk about how to improve our programs (and this includes disabled vet and women vet workgroups)!

For all the ups and downs, time from family, and interruptions to my personal and professional life – it was all worth it to me. Looking back at the times when I was forward-deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan I readily recall the gratitude and satisfaction I had serving. Feeling that it was surreal, I would often say to myself “Am I really here, doing this, right now?” And I couldn’t have done it without your support. And I couldn’t have done it without Parsons.

So, Thank You for My Service.