Vulcan Veterans

Serving Our Military and Vulcan

In 2018, 599 Vulcan employees self-identified as military veterans. With so many active and inactive military men and women among Vulcan ranks, our company takes great pride in employing those who serve or have served our country.

There are many skills that members of the military gain while in service, including discipline, leadership and communication, all of which translate well when coming to work at Vulcan. “Military experience always helps. It builds leadership traits,” said Plant Operator and active Marine Corp Reserve Garrett Ford. “It builds a foundation and you join others that have the same mindset and it prepares you for whatever outside job you will take.”

Left: Equipment Operator and Army Reserves veteran Travis Rains, Heavy Equipment Operator and Navy veteran Chuck Johnson, Environmental Crew Team Member and Marine Corp veteran Raul Cavazos, and Fixed Maintenance Mechanic and Marine Corp veteran Phil Cook. Right: Plant Operator and active Marine Corp Reserve Garrett Ford.

Other Vulcan employees that self-identified as veterans also claim that the military and work at Vulcan have similarities. “Every week we would have safety briefs in the military, same as we do here,” said Environmental Crew Team Member and Marine Corp veteran Raul Cavazos. “You just have to have that can-do attitude when you come out into this kind of work here just like you were in whatever branch of service you were in,” said Cavazos. “You’re in it to win it. No cutting back, or corners.” Raul’s fellow co-worker agreed. “As far as vets go you get a sense of loyalty when you’re serving your country and that carries over when you come into the civilian sector, to take pride in doing your job,” said Heavy Equipment Operator and Navy veteran Chuck Johnson.

Vulcan understands that the transition from military to civilian life can be difficult and veterans shouldn’t have to worry about not finding employment while working in or leaving the military. “I do find it difficult for most military men to find a job,” said Allen Kendrick, who works maintenance at Vulcan and currently serves in The National Guard. Kendrick credits Vulcan as a company that suits well for military men and women. “Vulcan as an organization as far as military is a very good place to work. Everybody works together. They’ve helped me. I’m very happy to be here.”

Right: Fixed Maintenance and active National Guard service member Allen Kendrick. Left:  Right: Plant Operator and Army Reserves veteran Franklin Cooper.

Employees who are active duty have to balance their work and military commitments and Vulcan will work with them to achieve that balance. Plant Operator Franklin Cooper, better known as “Super Cooper” was still active Army Reserves when he began working at Vulcan.  “Vulcan really accommodated my military schedule. Weekend drill would come, and I would have to be away on a Friday and my supervisor would adjust the schedule so I could make weekend drills even with a days’ notice,” Cooper said.

Military veterans can certainly find a home with Vulcan and we encourage all to apply. “It’s a brotherhood in the service and it’s a brotherhood here,” said Equipment Operator and Army Reserves veteran Travis Rains. “You hire a vet you won’t be disappointed.”

“Back then I always had somebody looking over my back and here its preached every day that we watch out for each other, make sure that no one gets hurt and goes home to their family every night,” said Fixed Maintenance Mechanic and Marine Corp veteran Phil Cook.