Wiley says that deciding to join the Army began as a family tradition. "I had a great uncle who was in the Korean War, and he talked to my mom about it being a great opportunity for me. My cousin was in the Army too. It became the best move for me. I was able to travel around the world, learn so many new skills as an engineer and with construction work. I worked on heavy equipment and did some work on three ranges included a tank, fighting vehicle, and attack helicopter. I gained so much from my time in the Army. Working at Barnhill is similar in many ways. I am surrounded by a team of great people, like family, and still get to enjoy much of the same work."

Joining when she was a young 17 years old, Alice says that being raised in and serving in the military gave her a sense of adventure, and that her job at Barnhill has been just that! She was stationed at Travis Air Force Base in the Philippines, serving as a passenger/household goods specialist and a weigh master.

"What I can say the most about my time in the Army is that it made me grow up," says Mike. "I learned how to be a better leader as well as many skills. I was involved in communications, handling switching equipment worldwide." He was stationed in Korea, was in Germany for a few months, and then in two units here in the United States. Mike says his reason for joining was simply that he felt the need to serve after High School. After his time in the Army, he came to Barnhill immediately after as recommended by his father-in-law, who was also a Barnhill employee.

Kendall says that many of his family members were in the Army and initially talked him into joining. "It definitely changed me, coming from a small town and then being able to see so much of the world and so many cultures. It gave me a bigger view of the world." Kendall says the Navy was the best place to be! He was able to work on submarines, an assortment of ships, and received numerous awards including Navy Achievement Good Conduct. After the military, he came back to Rocky Mount and met his wife in school and then became a certified welder before Barnhill. "I am thankful for my time in the Navy and my time now at Barnhill."

Danny was Active Duty from 1976 - 1979 and in the Reserve for six years after that, serving as a Cryptology Analyst for the US Army. He has now been with Barnhill for 30 years.

Andy says that his time in the Air Force felt like a true honor to serve his country. "I served as a Firefighter and HAZMAT technician, traveling the world and learning many different cultures. In the time of this photo, I was in Kunsan, Korea. I always really enjoyed the camaraderie with fellow service members." Andy says he greatly appreciates Barnhill for recognizing it's veterans.

Hope joined the Air Force in 1986 and served as a Maintenance Support Liaison at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base for the Engine Shop A-10 Thunderbolt (Warthogs) ground support planes. "I joined the military when I was 20 years old because I needed a better direction and discipline for myself." She also worked at Hurlburt Field Special Ops Base with the C-130s and Helos handling inventory. Before Barnhill, Hope worked for Wilson County Public Schools as a Data Manager and Inventory Manager for their bus garage. "Two weeks after I graduated college, I received a message about this position at Barnhill. At first, I wasn't interested, but God had other plans. I am thankful that I was given this opportunity."

Bill says that he attributes everything he has accomplished in life to the Marine Corps. "As long as I can remember I had one goal, to be part of the world’s finest fighting force, a U.S. Marine. I have had the privilege to serve our great nation with some of the best of patriots, in some of the most austere conditions, both in peacetime and while at war. After retiring from the Marine Corps, I took on my other goal of becoming an over the road owner operator truck driver and after six successful years decided it was time to settle down with a job that would allow me to have more family time. I started my career with Barnhill as an equipment service man. A short year and a half later I became the lead man for the Jacksonville shop until I was promoted to my current position as the Truck Foreman for the 800 Division."

Jason originally joined the Army looking to get some help with college. "I decided to stay in because I realized it was what I needed at the time." He served in the Army from 1990-1999, had a break in service, and then was in the NC Army National Guard from 2003-2016. "I was in the Engineer Corp and served as a combat engineer as well as a construction engineer. My first assignment was to Desert Storm straight out of AIT, went through Jump School, Air Assault, Jungle Ops and various other missions and training. 911 happened so I volunteered to join the local guard unit to deploy, and that's when I decided to stay in." Now a Project Superintendent, he feels this line of work correlates well with the experience he gained from the Army.