Lessons learned in the U.S. Navy have been a valuable asset in her current career.
As we prepare to honor those who sacrificed their lives in service to our country on Memorial Day (see sidebar), let’s also continue to celebrate those in our industry who have served in the military. This month, we highlight U.S. Navy veteran Julie Anderson, an accounts payable specialist at Visual Edge IT.
Anderson’s journey is deeply rooted in a military background. Raised in a family with strong military ties, she was born at Andrews Air Force Base in the United States, where her father, a 30-year U.S. Air Force veteran, was stationed at the Pentagon. He instilled in Anderson a sense of duty and honor. Her grandfather also proudly served in the armed forces, including at the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. Growing up as a military child, affectionately known as “brats,” Anderson’s early years were marked by a nomadic lifestyle, living in various locations, including Maryland in the U.S., as well as the Netherlands, Belgium, and back to the Netherlands.
Julie Anderson’s Military Journey
Frequent visits by military recruiters to Anderson’s high school sparked her own curiosity about military service. One Navy recruiter, in particular, spoke of electronics—an area that piqued Anderson’s interest. Despite her father’s Air Force affiliation, the Navy’s opportunities captured her attention, particularly in electronics and education. Anderson saw military training as a pathway to building a successful civilian career, a decision influenced by her experiences attending four different schools before completing her Navy training. “The Navy gave me a sense of teamwork and installed a sense of excellence,” she said. “I am sure the same thing is true for the other services. I was given more than I was able to give back.”
Anderson’s military journey began at boot camp in Orlando, Florida, and six months of intensive training as an aviation electrician’s mate at “A” School in Memphis, Tennessee. Stationed in Mountain View, California, Anderson specialized in aircraft intermediate maintenance detachment (AIMD), focusing on repairing aircraft equipment, including automatic flight control systems and miniature electronics. Her expertise encompassed soldering, circuit card repair, instrument maintenance, and battery repair. Anderson has done much of her service in the United States. She also had two six-month deployments at the U.S. Navy air base in Misawa, Japan.
Julie Anderson’s Post-Military Journey
In 2020, Anderson’s post-military journey led her to Visual Edge IT through networking, a testament to the importance of connections in career advancement. “That is what you must do to get a job for which you are well suited,” emphasized Anderson about the value of networking and leveraging connections. “If you are struggling and cannot get a job, join a veterans networking group,” she suggested. “There are veterans networking groups all over the country. I found one in Houston. I would also suggest using social media. It can be a great tool.”
Starting as a contract employee, she quickly transitioned to a permanent accounts payable position in Houston, Texas. Her military background, shaped by discipline, adaptability, and a commitment to excellence, continues to influence her work. She brings the same unwavering dedication to her corporate role.
Reflecting on her Navy experience, Anderson highlighted the values of teamwork and excellence instilled by the military, qualities she believes all veterans bring to any industry. These values are particularly vital in her role at Visual Edge IT, where collaboration and excellence are required.
Beyond her professional life, Anderson is a mother of two daughters and a proud advocate for veterans’ employment. Her advice to struggling veterans emphasizes the value of networking groups and leveraging social media for job opportunities. Recognizing veterans’ challenges in transitioning to civilian careers, Anderson started a women’s group for fellow veterans to provide support and opportunities for success.
Anderson’s story epitomizes selflessness and dedication, exemplifying the spirit of service that continues to guide her in supporting her fellow veterans and in her career at Visual Edge IT.
The Meaning of Memorial Day
In recognizing one of our veterans employed in our industry, we wish to acknowledge the sacrifice of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. In doing our research, we came upon a chart provided by our local Channel 13 PBS station in a documentary focusing on the casualties of war. The chart below identifies the military engagements where Americans gave their lives.
780 May24 VetWayChart (1)
The total is 1,196,554. We should all take a moment on Memorial Day and, if you are so inclined, pray for them that they are in total rest and peace. They deserve no less.
While we honor the fallen, remember those on active duty today. Our military makes up less than 1% of our total population. The U.S. military’s strength of 2.86 million is slightly greater than the population of Chicago, Illinois, the country’s third-largest city. Of those military members, as of February 21, 2024, the Department of Defense listed 1.29 million people as active-duty troops and 767,238 as National Guard/reserves. It is interesting to note that the number currently on active duty closely mirrors the total number of deaths the United States military has endured.
