Combat may seem pretty far removed from the telecom industry, but the two fields do have similarities that may be helping hundreds of warriors transition from the military to civilian life.
Just ask some of the veterans participating in the Warriors4Wireless, a program which aims to train and employ about 5,000 veterans.
Although it's a program offered nationwide, Texas A&M Engineering Extension is helping arrange classes for veterans in Texas.
One class was doing some training Friday in Carrolton, dangling in teams on rigs made to look like cell phone tower equipment. And that was not even the tough part of class. Soon, they'll transition to another site outside, where they will work several hundred feet up. Once they're trained, the program helps place them in jobs across the industry.
For Bradley Thomas, the transition from military life to this new career has been relatively easy. Thomas served for eight years in the Marines, including one combat tour in Afghanistan. Soon, he'll be a tower technician.
Thomas said some of the aspects of training are familiar to him.
"That is one easy part about transitioning into this career is that safety is paramount," said Thomas. "Obviously military safety is absolutely paramount as well."
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Danny Wade, with Teltech Communications, said the people at his company wanted to get involved with the program because of their respect for veterans.
"We feel that they've done so much for our country," said Wade.
He adds that in this field the veterans' transition may be a little easier because they're working in teams, outside and not stuck behind a desk.
But companies get something valuable, too.
"It provides a great fit for us bringing disciplined, well-trained resources into this environment," said Wade.
Veterans also know how to handle the risks at this work and can manage them well.
As for Thomas, after he completes this quick course, he'll be ready for his new office a few hundred feet up.
"It makes it easy to find jobs where not only you utilize your skills from the military as well as safety, again team-oriented and hopefully move up the ladder to more senior positions," he said.
