Guest Blog: How I Transitioned to a High-Tech Job After 20 Years in the Military

William Towery is a retired United States Army Chief Warrant Officer Three who received Fiber Optics Installer/Technician certifications and other certifications through the Warriors 4 Wireless pilot program. These certifications provided him with the necessary licenses for placement in a new position at Dynis Tower Solutions, where he started as Wireless Communication Tower Technician in March, 2013.

Today at the White House, the new Warriors 4 Wireless (W4W) initiative was launched. The program works to help veterans like me translate skills and knowledge gained in the military into career opportunities in the wireless telecommunication industry.

Last December, while on assignment in Fort Gordon, Georgia, I received an email invitation and phone call to interview with Warriors 4 Wireless (W4W) to be a part of their inaugural pilot-program class for training and job placement at Dynis Tower Solutions (DTS).  

For the longest time I was trying to decide what career path options I had—considering all I knew for 20 years involved flying Blackhawk helicopters for the United States Army. I was very nervous at the thought of retirement from my military career due to a head and neck injury that I suffered during a tour in Iraq. I accepted the W4W invitation and attended the interview, though I had little to no experience in telecommunications.

The W4W team provided both classroom and on-the-job training, which was a great relief because I wanted to start work immediately after retirement. I was of course ecstatic to accept their invitation to work and be given the opportunity to start a second career.

I have been working for DTS since March of this year and have been promoted twice. Within the W4W program and at DTS, there is a very high level of camaraderie and teamwork that reminds me of the close knit team I served with as a United States Army Chief Warrant Officer Three.  I have been able to take the skills learned in the military, such as working to meet team goals and meeting tough deadlines, and transfer those skills to help me succeed on this new career path.

I would like to thank Dynis Tower Solutions for the opportunity to exercise and expand my knowledge, training, and abilities in a deadline-driven, highly technical environment. Most of all, I would like to thank Warriors 4 Wireless  for supporting me and many other veterans with professional opportunities, as we transition to meet new life challenges.  I encourage other veterans and transitioning service members to consider participating in the program.

William Towery is a retired United States Army Chief Warrant Officer Three and current Wireless Communication Tower Technician