The Values of Service: Celebrating our Veterans at S-One

We’re honored to have military veterans among our team members. They help elevate our company with a unique set of skills instilled within them through their dedication to the Armed Forces. S-One Holdings Corporation thanks all veterans for their selfless service to protect our freedom at home and abroad. In honor of Veterans Day, we would like to share inspiring stories from some of our team members who are veterans and the impact their experience in the service has made to their lives and to our company.

Through their military service and in their work relationships, the inspiration of S-One core values come to life including Selfless Service, Accountability, Respect, Embrace Change, and Openness. Read below to see how their present roles at S-One have been shaped by their individual journeys.

Tennyson Gibson, Field Service                                                                                              Tennyson was an infantry Airborne Ranger with Air Assault School Training. He was stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky in the 101^st Airborne Division from 2001-2004. “My time in the Army taught me discipline, accountability, teamwork, and how to stay calm and solve problems under pressure.” He thanks his military service for teaching him leadership skills such as taking responsibility, being prepared, and supporting the people around him. As a new S-One team member, he says he brings those values to work each day. “The mission has changed, but my commitment to doing the job right and being someone who others can depend on remains the same.”

His greatest challenge during his military service was fear: fear of heights, fear of authority, and fear of failure. “My service pushed me to face those fears and trust my training, my team, and myself. I learned that courage doesn’t mean you aren’t afraid; it means moving forward even when you are.” Tennyson feels his military training continues to guide him whenever he faces a challenge.

His best memories of being in the Army were spent on the firing range. Tennyson explained he was able to hit every target with the first shot even though he had never held a weapon before. According to the US Army, “The 101^st is recognized for its unmatched Air Assault capability and its ability to execute any combat or contingency mission anywhere in the world.”

Art Lambert                                                                                                                                      Art will never forget the day he left for the military, July 20, 1969. “It was the first day, our astronauts walked on the moon.” Coming from a family of military service including his older brother, Art served in the Army for three years spanning Officer Candidate School and infantry and artillery training. His son, Dean, was born during this time. One of Art’s hardest challenges was being away from his wife and son.

He feels grateful for the lifelong skills he developed during his service. “What you learn most is discipline.” He also learned not to be a sharpshooter. “Sharpshooters make themselves look good at the expense of others. I don’t have respect for anyone who acts that way.” In the military, he emphasized it was everyone’s responsibility to look after one another. “You cover each other’s back. You don’t make others look bad, so you look good.”

His brother who was deployed to Vietnam twice showed this skill at an early age. “He saved us all in a house fire at age 15. He's our genuine hero.” Art feels fortunate he served in stateside bases in Missouri, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. “I met comrades from everywhere in the US. We’re still good friends to this day.”

Art added he's far from a worldly person, having grown up in a small town in New Jersey. He first went to college in the Appalachian region, an area he describes as “the highest poverty in the country at the time. I had never seen anything like that. I grew up as a person who never felt want for anything.” He recognizes that not everyone right out of high school is ready to go to college. “Serving time in public service after high school is something everyone should do whether it be the Peace Corps or the military. That’s how you learn to give back and focus on others, not just yourself.”

TJ Lambert, Marketing                                                                                                                    TJ’s broadcast experience was a benefit to his service in the National Guard. His responsibilities included being a public information officer and handled radio reports during the Vietnam War and unrest in our country with war protestors and equality riots. “Cities were on fire, so the National Guard was called to back up police.”

TJ also served as a mortar guide, the solider who places mortar in tubes, so ammunition shoots out. He points out the National Guard’s responsibility not only included enforcing civil obedience but also backed up the Army and Air Force. When reflecting on the skills he learned in the service which impact his career, he mentioned discipline and supporting your team. It starts by the military shaving off your hair. “You all look the same in uniforms. All lockers must look identical inside. How your bed is made must be exact. Those are the keys to success, basics and fundamentals.”

TJ learned he could only be successful if his bunkmate was a success. He remembers a challenge clearly. “Someone in my squad threw down a cigarette butt.” As a result, the entire squad was taught a lesson they would never forget. “The squad had to put on our dress uniforms to attend a military funeral to bury the cigarette.” They learned not disposing of an item properly was never happening again. “Never in my life, have I littered.” Also embedded in his mind, is the biggest thrill of his miliary career, riding in a fighter jet to cover a news story. “It was so fast; I couldn’t believe it. Pilots were trying to purposely make me sick to my stomach with sharp turns.” He survived the challenge and wishes he could fly to the moon one day.

George Mora, Field Service

                                                                                                                   George at Boot Camp, Paris Island, South Carolina

From Okinawa, Thailand, and Camp Lejeune North Carolina, George served in the US Marine Corps from 1993-1997. As a Field Radio Operator Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 2531, he learned to “never give up your mentality.” How he responded and continues to respond to situations, challenges, and people are acquired skills he learned through his military journey. He examined the leadership skills he liked best from other service members to curate his own way to lead.

One of his greatest challenges during this time was what he refers to as being in charge with no backup. “Your decisions matter and second guessing them could affect the outcome of the results.” Some of his fondest moments include his time on the SS Saipan (LHA 2) amphibious assault ship deployed to the Mediterranean Sea in 1996 with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).

In closing he states, “Semper Fi,” the short form of Semper Fidelis, Latin for “Always Faithful.” The motto of the US Marine Corps represents the deep bonds and sacrifices shared among Marines. Adopting that mantra of long-term loyalty is life-changing.

Johnathan Redwanz, Supply Chain

                                                                                                                    Johnathan in 2005 at Al Anbar Province, Iraq’s largest province

Johnathan is a US Marine Corps veteran with his service spanning from 2004-2008 in the Global War on Terrorism and Operation Enduring Freedom in Iraq. His years in the military taught him high levels of discipline and adherence to strict standards that “go a long way in my role in Operations.” One of the difficulties he faced during his military service was his “fear of heights, not sure it’s been overcome, but it was faced a few times.” When asked of his favorite recollection as a Marine he stated, “I miss the clowns, not the circus.”

Luis Sanchez, IT

                                                                                                                    Luis at Marine Corps Air Station in Iwakuni, Japan

Luis was enlisted from 2001 to 2005 in the US Marine Corps. He worked as an MOS 4066 Computer System Specialist and served in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. Luis stated the Marine Corps shaped him into the person he is today. “My service taught me discipline, the foundation of any success I have achieved. It taught me the importance of taking initiative and making decisions. The Marines taught me brotherhood, which guides how I interact with my coworkers.”

The toughest decision he made during his service was deciding whether to participate in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Unlike many Marines, he was given the choice of whether to go to war. As recruits, Marines show they are capable of overcoming challenges that may have seemed impossible. In fact, that is when he gained his favorite everlasting special moment. “My fondest Marine Corps memory was completing the 54-hour Crucible and climbing the Reaper to earn the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor and officially become a Marine.” The US Marine Corps describes the Crucible as enduring intense physical activity, showing that one is detail-oriented, disciplined, and displaying perseverance under extremely demanding conditions.

Jack Somers, LexJet

                                                                                                                                                              Jack at Basic Training completion parade in Cork, Ireland

                                                                                                           Weapon maintenance on board the LE Niamh ship, southwest of Ireland

Infantry training exercises in Kilworth camp - Cork, Ireland

Jack served for 11 years in the Irish Navy. He worked aboard several ships. His final appointment was Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) in-Charge of the Officer Training School. He retired as a Petty Officer, a senior NCO rank. One of his deployments included Operation Sophia (EUNAVFOR MED), a European Union naval operation in the Southern Central Mediterranean, which ran from June 2015 to March 2020. “Its primary objectives included disrupting human smuggling networks and monitoring and enforcing the United Nations arms embargo off the coast of Libya,” Jack explained.

He shared how he has been impressed by the admiration and respect that Americans show their military and first responders. “I think it's something quite unique in the best possible way.” In general, he feels military service shapes how someone acts, their ethics, and how they tackle challenges. “It gives you a different perspective on problem-solving, teamwork, accountability, and working with others toward a common goal.”

The hardest part of his service was the time away from loved ones. When asked what he enjoyed most about his military service, he answers unequivocally. “I made friendships during my service that I still have to this day. I'm very proud to have served alongside some truly outstanding people.”