This Father’s Day we are celebrating the incredible dads on our Work for Warriors MS team. Their dedication to their families and their commitment to serving others, whether through military or civil service, reflects the heart of what we do. These fathers bring strength, compassion, and resilience to every part of their lives both at home and at work.
These dads have worn many hats as soldiers, fathers, mentors, and professionals. Their insights are shaped by discipline, adaptability, and resilience, which are traits every job seeker can learn from. We asked a few of them to share the career lessons that have guided them, the values they hope to pass on to their children, and how being a dad has shaped the way they lead and grow in their careers.
Jim Joiner
Jim’s military career taught him one crucial truth: nobody cares about your career more than you do. That mindset pushed him to take ownership of his own growth rather than waiting for someone else to open doors. Now, as a veteran and a father, he encourages others making the transition to civilian life to have a clear idea of what they want and to seek professional guidance to get there. Too often, service members just want out and tell themselves they will figure something out. Being a dad has shaped Jim’s drive even further. Inspired by his own father, who pushed him to always give his best, Jim remembers hearing, “While you’re in here resting, somebody out there is training to beat you.” That message stuck, and it’s one he’s passing on to his children, along with the lesson that nothing worth having is given, it is earned. At the same time, fatherhood has deepened Jim’s understanding of leadership. Once you have kids, it is not about you, it is all about them. That same principle guided him in uniform, where he believed any success should be credited to the troops under his leadership.
Zack Rone
For Zack Rone, the best career advice he received during his military service was to be patient while waiting for promotions and to use that time to educate himself so he would be ready when the opportunity came. To veterans who are also fathers navigating the transition to civilian work, Zack encourages them to pour their extra time into family life because their loved ones deserve it. Fatherhood has influenced his professional goals in many ways. As his children have grown, his goals have evolved, and he believes it is important not to be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and explore different career paths. From his service, Zack has worked to pass on the values of leadership, adversity, and loyalty to his kids. In return, his children have taught him the importance of taking pride in his work. He has found that when he shows pride in what he does, his children see him not just as a parent but as a mentor and a leader.
Mike Hemphill
For Mike Hemphill, the best career advice he received during his service was simple but powerful: take care of your soldiers or your employees and they will take care of you. Leadership begins with putting people first. That mindset carried over into civilian life where Mike encourages other veterans, especially fathers making the transition, to lean on their network. Most civilian jobs are not found on job boards; they come through referrals. Connect with other veterans, attend hiring events, and do not be afraid to ask for help. Veterans want to help each other. Mike credits his military service with instilling values he now works to pass on to his children. Discipline and integrity, he says, are key to a successful life. Fatherhood has also helped him grow professionally. The one thing his kids have taught him that has had the biggest impact on his career is patience.
Michael McGee
For Michael McGee, the best career advice came from a trusted friend during his time in the military: there is no better time than now. Whatever you are planning to do in the future, start now. That mindset shaped how he approaches both work and life. To fellow veterans who are also fathers, he offers this advice: do what you need to do while you prepare to do what you want to do. His own career path changed drastically because of fatherhood. After nearly twelve years of deployments and extended training events, Michael was assigned to recruiting duty. Not long after, he received orders to the 82nd Airborne Division, but before he could move, he was involuntarily extended in his recruiting role. He was devastated. That was when his wife sat him down and asked him to consider making the change permanent. At first, he resisted. But then she asked him to look at his relationship with their children, comparing the bond he had with the first two, born while he was constantly deployed, to the closeness he shared with their younger children, born during his time as a recruiter. The difference was undeniable. So he made the decision to become a permanent recruiter, choosing to be present as a Dad, not just a Father. From his service, he teaches his kids not to take moments for granted. Life is unpredictable, and the little things that divide us often do not matter. He recalls how Private First Class Charles W. Hughes took his place on a deployment in 1984. Michael had been on the original flight manifest and had fought hard to stay on it, hoping it would benefit his career. But reassignment orders sent him to Germany instead. Months later, Specialist Hughes was one of the 248 Soldiers killed in the Gander Crash. That moment taught Michael that sometimes not getting what you want is actually a gift. The biggest lesson his kids have taught him in return is patience. Each person sees the world differently, and it is through patience that you begin to understand those perspectives and become a better leader because of it.
This Father’s Day we are proud to celebrate the veteran fathers who lead with purpose, serve with heart, and continue to inspire both in and out of uniform. Their stories remind us that leadership starts at home, and the values they carry such as discipline, integrity, and resilience are gifts they pass on to the next generation. At Work for Warriors MS, we are honored to stand beside these dads as they navigate life after service, build meaningful careers, and shape brighter futures for their families. To all the military fathers out there, thank you for your service, your sacrifice, and your strength. Happy Father’s Day.
