As November arrives, we find ourselves in a month of reflection and gratitude for the brave people who have served our country. Whether you celebrate Veterans Day, Marine Corps Day or National Veterans and Military Families Month, now is a wonderful time to show appreciation for veterans and active military personnel. It is because of their sacrifice, dedication, and unwavering commitment to protecting our freedoms that they deserve our deepest gratitude.
At CloudWyze, we deeply respect those who have answered the call to serve. North Carolina proudly houses eight military bases, with three of them located within 50 miles of our headquarters in Wilmington, NC. This proximity allows us to foster a strong connection with our local Veteran and Military community, enabling us to better understand their needs and provide steadfast support.
Below, we’re highlighting the ways we value and support our Veteran and Military community throughout the Tar Heel State.
Employing North Carolina Veterans and Military Personnel
In line with our commitment to supporting veterans, we are thrilled to announce that CloudWyze has been awarded the prestigious 2023 HIRE Vets Medallion Award. This federal recognition celebrates excellence in recruiting, employing, and retaining our nation’s veterans.
Achieving the Platinum Medallion Award is a testament to our unwavering dedication to patriotism and our recognition of the immense value that veterans bring to the workforce. We are humbled and grateful for the opportunity to work alongside these exceptional individuals who embody the same values we as a company hold dear.
CloudWyze Veteran Spotlight
CloudWyze proudly employs nine amazing Veterans, each with their own unique stories and experiences. We’d like to highlight three amazing Veterans, their experiences in the military, and their transition into the civilian workforce.
US Army Veteran Warren Lanigan
Q: If you enlisted, what are some of the reasons you joined the military? How did you choose your branch of service?
A: I joined the Army because I knew it would provide structure and discipline for me. I attended a military school during college, and I enjoyed being a part of the Corps of Cadets. Joining the military seemed like a natural transition for me. Plus, I had some great mentors and even family members who shared their experiences about serving in the armed forces. Their input helped guide me to make a well-informed decision, one I’ll never regret.
Q: What did you learn about yourself during service?
A: I learned that leadership is a privilege. Not every person is meant to lead, but when you earn the opportunity, you should appreciate it. You don’t lead activities, tasks, systems, weapons maintenance – you lead people. The people are the ones that accomplish the missions. If you support them, they will push hard and excel even in the hardest times. When leading people, you have to remember you are human, too. Leaders need to be able to relate to others, and at times, own up to their own mistakes.
Q: Was there anything or anyone that helped you during the transition from military to civilian life?
A: I networked with fellow veterans that had left the military to help me plan my transition. Additionally, I networked with veteran job placement firms. Since I wanted to stay in Wilmington, most of the recruiters could help with job placement. Wilmington was not seen as an ideal market. I had better luck leveraging the relationships that I made in the Wilmington market to find career opportunities. Throughout it all, my wife was my biggest supporter. She pushed me to go to grad school and to not become frustrated with employment prospects. I’m grateful for her support and understanding.
Q: What are some things you miss about being in the service? What are some things you are glad to have left behind?
A: I miss leading Soldiers in a forward-deployed environment. It was in that environment that I truly did my job, but I got to see Soldiers perform exceptional feats. There are certainly risks but I was proud to lead Soldiers that took an oath and did something most people will never do. I don’t miss the constant relocations and missing time with family and friends. The active-duty Army was a way of life, not just a job. You were on 24/7/365 no matter what. I enjoy that I’m able to come home each day to be with my wife and kids.
Q: Is there anything you wished civilians understood about military service?
A: We all have our own experiences. Being in the military doesn’t make you better or worse off than your civilian counterparts. I think no matter what your background is, you stand to gain a lot of knowledge from learning from individuals with diversified backgrounds.
Q: What phrase or word will never be the same now that you served?
A: Nothing really stands out to me on this. It seems that the military lexicon has become ingrained in our language. Phrases and words can get creative, but I think that’s what makes the brand unique.
US Air Force Veteran Gene English
Q: If you enlisted, what are some of the reasons you joined the military? How did you choose your branch of service?
A: I initially joined simply to pay for college since my family at the time could not afford to put me through school. I attempted to work my way through college working part-time here in Wilmington, but it became apparent I wouldn’t be able to do both. My mom suggested the military as a way to pay for school and with a family history of service, it made sense. I knew little about the military, but I did know that I wanted to become a pilot, so the Air Force made perfect sense for me.
Q: What are three things you learned about yourself during service?
A: First, you are often put in situations where it is sink or swim with little to no guidance. You put your head down and put in the work, but the military gives you the confidence to believe you will always be successful and you are. It reinforces in you that you have more strength and determination than you realized, a belief that serves you well in all areas.
Another thing I learned is that I truly value team success. One of the greatest things about the military is the diverse collection of people with varied backgrounds, all working together for a common goal. We are far more successful and can achieve more working together, rather than in silos or alone.
Prior to my time in the military I was unaware that I enjoyed helping others as much as I do. As you progress through the ranks and move up, you are put in more and more leadership roles. I’ve led teams as small as six and as large as three hundred where I served as the Senior Enlisted Leader or even the First Sergeant. In every team, as leader, I’ve had the ability to use my position to help others.
Q: Was there anything or anyone that helped you during the transition from military to civilian life?
A: We sometimes think of transitioning out of the military as the immediate separation and then subsequent move to your new area while you will reside. However, it is incredibly important to view the transition as a 2–3-year process, especially if you spent significant time in the military before getting out. I was lucky enough to have a large group of friends who have been through that same transition, and we often discussed the challenges we faced. Whether that was the challenge of finding employment because a lot of our skills don’t directly translate, or because we’ve found it difficult to connect with civilians because they think and communicate differently than those we served with.
Q: What are some things you miss about being in the service? What are some things you are glad to have left behind?
A: Without a doubt I miss my friends. It is truly hard to explain to those who have never served, but it is a fellowship built on the trust that they have your back, and you have theirs. Be it around the office or in the field, we all work to help each other and support one another. You never want to let your team down. I am thankful I never have to deploy again. Spending six to twelve months every year to year and a half wears on you and your family. I watched as deployments ripped families apart over the years. The pressure we place on military families left behind while we deploy is unsustainable at times.
Q: Is there anything you wished civilians understood about military service?
A: How difficult it truly is. We often think of military service as exciting, and it is. I was lucky enough to travel the world and see far more than I would have had I not joined; however it is not without its challenges. One of my good friends just recently found out that he is being sent to a new base. His daughter is a Senior in High School and had already chosen her college because their family would be nearby. Now they are moving almost three thousand miles away on the other side of the world and she’s starting over as a Senior in an all-new school.
Q: What phrase or word will never be the same now that you served?
A: “Pull Chocks”
US Marines Veteran Josh Easley
Q: If you enlisted, what are some of the reasons you joined the military? How did you choose your branch of service?
A: I loved sports but did NOT want to go to college right away. Many in my family were in the military and a few were Marines. It felt like my duty. I chose the Marines because it seemed like a bigger challenge at the time and my father was a Marine.
Q: What are three things you learned about yourself during service?
A: The first thing I learned about myself was about my early adulthood. The Marines that came before me were incredible leaders and real “men.”I realized not long after Basic Training that I had a lot to learn as a man. As a Marine, I made a few great friends that I call “brothers,” and I learned that the greatest relationships can be created even during the worst of hardships. The Marine Corps was demanding, challenging, and rewarding, all at the same time. I truly discovered who I was after my third combat deployment.
Q: Was there anything or anyone that helped you during the transition from military to civilian life?
A: One program mentioned above is the Transition Readiness Seminar. It was incredibly informative and challenged me to prepare for a much different workspace environment. I also had and still have a few great friends that were with me along the way.
Q: What are some things you miss about being in the service? What are some things you are glad to have left behind?
A: The brotherhood and camaraderie. I also miss the rush and excitement of it all.
Q: Is there anything you wished civilians understood about military service?
A: No. Anything that I feel would help others understand can only be understood by those that have served worked in a similar capacity.
Q: What phrase or word will never be the same now that you served?
A: There are too many, but “duty” and “love” are the first to come to mind. “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” – John 15:13
Save on CloudWyze Internet for National Veteran and Military Families Month
We understand the importance of staying connected, especially for those who have served our country. In celebration of National Veteran and Military Families Month in November, we are extending our heartfelt appreciation to those in our service areas by offering a special promotion to any active military personnel and veterans in service to our nation.
Between Nov. 1st and Nov. 30th, any new customer that signs up for CloudWyze Internet will receive $100 off their internet service (over the course of a year) with a copy of an active military ID or DD214 form.
We hope this discount makes it easier for veterans and active military personnel to stay connected with their loved ones, pursue their educational goals, access online mental health services, and take advantage of the numerous opportunities that the digital world offers through high-quality internet.
Our commitment to veterans and military personnel goes beyond simply providing internet services. CloudWyze is an advocate for creating a brighter and more connected future for the residents of North Carolina. Through initiatives like the National Veteran and Military Families Month Promotion and our achievements in Veteran employment, we are committed to empowering our veterans to thrive in the digital age.