Eric Milligan, Ohio CAT, Financial Services Representative
On Veterans Day, I Build America Ohio is honoring the men and women who served our nation, first through active duty and then through a career in construction. These individuals show up daily with pride, respect, and honor in the work they do, and we are proud to have them as part of Ohio’s construction workforce. Join us in thanking them for their service to our nation!
Name: Eric Milligan
Position: Financial Services Representative, Ohio CAT
How many years have you been working in the construction industry?
I’ve been in the Construction Industry for a little over four years.
Please share a general overview of your time in the military.
I joined the Navy fresh out of high school and went to Great Lakes in Illinois for bootcamp from October – January so it was cold. I got stationed on the USS Mount Whitney LLC 20 out of Norfolk and went on to become a BM3 and the COMMSECFLT honor Boatswains Mate. I left the Navy and joined the Coast Guard. I was stationed on:
- USCGC Gallatin out of Charleston SC
- A small boat surf station Newburyport in Newburyport MA
- MSST NY/NJ 91106 out of Staten Island NY
- Shoreside Support Detachment Owensboro in Owensboro KY
- USCGC Monroe out of Kodiak AK.
After your time in the service, how did you get involved in construction?
After the service, I went to college and got multiple degrees. My MBA from Baldwin Wallace kept me in the Cleveland area where I was hired at Ohio CAT as a Financial Services Representative.
What do you take from your time in the military to your work in construction?
My time in the military gave me a plethora of experience with multiple personalities and environments. Many people don’t think about the construction aspect of the military very often, but truth is, I am OSHA certified on different equipment and trained in rigging and working cranes and various other kinds of construction equipment. Also, my personal understanding of people helps me communicate with a wide variety of customers and be compassionate to their situations and needs.
How can construction benefit from including more veterans? How can veterans benefit from construction?
Construction can benefit in so many ways from veterans. Just their experiences and their knowledge even if not in equipment but in situational awareness and the critical thinking that comes with the dedication to training and commitment to service. Veterans can benefit from construction in giving it a chance because a lot of the mindset is the same when it comes to training and preparation as well as the focus and mental grit it sometimes requires to accomplish tasks.
