As a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, I learned a lot of valuable skills and experiences that I never would have had the opportunity to acquire if I had pursued a different career path. In particular, my training as a 1171 Water Support Technician taught me many valuable lessons that I now use to run my own business. In this article, I will share some of my experiences and offer tips to help other veterans who are interested in starting their own business.
My time in basic training was a truly unique experience. I learned discipline, teamwork, and leadership skills, as well as how to handle high-pressure situations. These skills have been invaluable to me in my business, as they help me to stay focused and motivated, even when things get tough. I also learned how to work well with others, which has been essential in building strong business relationships with clients and partners.
After basic training, I received advanced skills training as a 1171 Water Support Technician. This job taught me how to work with water systems and equipment, and how to troubleshoot and repair them. I learned about water treatment, filtration, and purification, and how to maintain a water distribution system. These skills have been particularly useful to me in my business, as they have allowed me to understand how to build and maintain effective systems and processes, which are critical to the success of any business.
In entrepreneurship, these skills translate to the everyday tactics of running a business. For example, my training in water treatment and filtration has helped me to understand how to maintain the quality and purity of my products and services. My understanding of water distribution systems has allowed me to develop effective marketing strategies, which have helped me to reach my target market and build a strong customer base.
There are many reasons why military training is beneficial to entrepreneurs, but I have found that the following five reasons are particularly critical:
-
Discipline: Military training teaches discipline, which is essential in entrepreneurship. When starting a business, it can be easy to get bogged down by distractions and temptations. However, discipline helps to keep you focused on your goals and allows you to avoid these distractions.
-
Teamwork: In the military, you learn how to work well with others, which is critical to success in business. Building a strong team is essential for any business, and your military training will help you to understand how to work effectively with others.
-
Leadership: Military training teaches leadership skills, which are crucial to success in entrepreneurship. As a business owner, you must be able to inspire and motivate your team, and your military training will help you to do that.
-
Problem-solving: In the military, you learn how to solve problems quickly and effectively, which is essential in business. When starting a business, you will face many challenges, and your military training will help you to overcome them.
-
Adaptability: In the military, you learn how to adapt to changing circumstances, which is critical to success in entrepreneurship. Starting a business requires constant adaptation, and your military training will help you to stay flexible and adaptable.
In conclusion, my experiences as a 1171 Water Support Technician in the United States Marine Corps have been invaluable to me in my entrepreneurial journey. I encourage other veterans to consider starting their own business, as the skills and experiences you have gained in the military will serve you well. If you are interested in taking your entrepreneurial ambitions to the next level, I recommend signing up with Veterans First Watch, which provides support and resources to help veterans succeed in business. I am proud to say that I have successfully created my own business and am now thriving as an entrepreneur, thanks to the skills and experiences I gained in the military. I believe that with the right training and resources, any veteran can achieve their entrepreneurial dreams and make a real impact in their community. So why wait? Start exploring your options today, and see where your military skills can take you as an entrepreneur.
