JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After the military, many veterans find work as civilians.
Three JEA workers did exactly that by going from war zones to disasters closer to home.
Immediately after the tragedy of 9/11, many Americans joined the military to defend this country. Among them was Andrew Newcomb, a Marine Corps veteran who joined at 18 years old.
“After 9/11, it was a big deal for a lot of people and you wanted to serve your country and show that you cared and do your part,” Newcomb said.
He served three tours in Iraq. He is now a wastewater mechanic for JEA.
Ricky Tullis, served eight years and six months in the Air Force as an electrician. He is now an electrical technician for JEA.
Eric Wilbanks served 15 and a half years in the Navy as a mechanist mate now he is a wastewater mechanic for JEA.
They’ve all served in the military all around the globe.
“I wanted to see the world I also wanted to have a good job that taught me a skill that I could use later on in life,” Wilbanks said.
All three of these men used their military training to now serve local communities.
Now instead of being deployed into a war zone, they are going to disaster zones, like the aftermath of Hurricane Milton.
“It’s very sobering. You see a lot of these people lost everything and for us to be able to help them get back basic necessities, you know, that they need it’s very rewarding,” Wilbanks said.
These three men work in one way or another to get your power back on and flood waters out and away from your home in brutal heat and dangerous conditions.
Though they are no longer active duty, they will always be veterans.
“[Veterans] have been through a lot and they have had to dedicate and sacrifice not only for their families but their lives and they’ve had to somewhat put their lives on hold and at a moments notice go overseas and put in harm’s way,” Tullis said.