• Posted: December 14, 2022
• better careers, career transition, John Burns Construction Company (JBCC), National Wreaths Across America Day, Shane Higgins, united states military

Training, discipline, and accountability are important attributes for those in the electrical industry. They’re also foundational attributes for those serving in the U.S. armed forces — making transitioning veterans prime candidates for electrical careers.

“I joined the Army when I was 21. On my way home from the unemployment office, I stopped by the Army recruiter and went home and told my parents I joined,” said Higgins. “I went into the Army infantry and was stationed with the 101st Airborne in Fort Campbell.”

Higgins served for three years before returning to the John Burns Construction Company. He served in many roles, eventually working up the ladder to his current role of vice president of operations.

The military and electrical industries place high emphasis on training

“I am where I am because of my military experience,” said Higgins. “A lot of what I learned in the military I’ve brought with me, and I’ve implemented into my job.”

One of the biggest lessons the Army taught Higgins was recognizing the importance of training. Properly training apprentices and journeymen is something that Higgins prioritizes. He recognizes that transitioning to the next level of leadership can be difficult. Not everyone knows how to handle it, and that transition is something that’s emphasized in the military.

“You work your way up to team leader to squad leader, and there was an emphasis on training in every aspect,” said Higgins. “That’s something that I brought with me. A bad leader can ruin the morale of a group of, a company, of a division. So the emphasis on training and leadership is huge.”

Reaping the benefits of discipline and accountability

According to the Department of Defense, each year, there are around 200,000 veterans who transition to the civilian sector. They bring new perspectives, leadership, discipline, and accountability to their new roles — setting them apart from many other recent high school or college graduates.

“Military veterans grow up faster. They’re put in positions as 18, 19, 20-year-olds that 35-year-olds can’t imagine,” said Higgins. “This maturity speaks volumes.”

Showing gratitude for veterans, active members, and fallen soldiers

Shane continues to support military members, veterans, fallen soldiers, and their families. One of the ways he does so is by participating in National Wreaths Across America Day. Each year for one day in December, Wreaths Across America encourages people to attend a wreath-laying ceremony at one of their 3,400 cemetery locations to remember our fallen U.S. veterans, to honor those who serve, and to teach children the value of freedom.

“I take my family with me, and we get a big group from John Burns that goes out there. It’s a very emotional day; it’s overwhelming,” said Higgins. “We go to the Abe Lincoln Memorial Cemetery in Elwood and by the end of the day, every gravestone of them has a wreath in front of it.”

This year, National Wreaths Across America Day is on Saturday, December 17. For more information on their mission and how you can get involved, visit their website.