(November 11, 2022) While Freeport employees who have served in the U.S. military no doubt have helped make this country safer, the technical skills, leadership acumen and problem-solving abilities they learned from those experiences also make the company better every day.
“The values that I learned in the military have stuck with me for life,” Sean Pillsbury, Senior Supervisor, Global Supply Chain-Bagdad, who served in the Navy for six years, said in the video. “It’s mostly in the areas of discipline and motivation, work ethic, leadership and grit, which all add value for performing my role here at Freeport.”
On Veterans Day, the U.S. honors those who have served and sacrificed on behalf of our country. This includes nearly 1,000 Freeport employees who work in company locations around the U.S. and have served our nation domestically and abroad, putting their lives at risk on behalf of those back home.
To help honor that service, the company’s communications team has produced a video in which some of the company’s military veterans share their personal stories and reflect on what Veterans Day means to them. The video is being shared inside the company as well as through Freeport’s social media channels.
Military service supports career growth
While a common thread of those in the company who pursued military service was an interest in bettering themselves and protecting those at home, they also found they returned to civilian life more prepared to tackle the challenges of their career.
“I was a radio operator for a reconnaissance unit, and we looked out for each other all the time,” said Aric Cervantes, Infrastructure Technician II-Safford, who served in the Marines for eight years. “Also, the radio skills I learned in the military have translated into the real world. I was able to use those skills to get into this job.”
Steve Sandoval, Senior Security Supervisor-Morenci, who spent six years with the Marines, said the reliance on others that comes from serving in the military has translated well to Freeport, where employees must work together to navigate challenging and changing work environments.
“A couple things that have carried over with me are integrity and having a strong work ethic,” Sandoval said. “I also believe that having the ability to contribute to a team environment during pressure situations has helped me in my career in law enforcement and with Freeport. It’s been very satisfying to work at a company where I am able to buy in and align myself with the values and vision the company has.”