At FCAH Aerospace, we’re honored to recognize our veteran employees on Veterans Day by sharing their stories from service and beyond. We invited our veterans to reflect on their journeys, and their responses capture the resilience, dedication, and strength they bring to their military service and their roles within our company.
Each story is a testament to the values and experiences that define our veteran community. We are grateful for their contributions to FCAH Aerospace and proud to honor them today and every day. Thank you to our veterans for your service, sacrifice, and the unique perspectives you bring to our team.
As a company that celebrates veterans, we understand the importance of supporting and honoring our veterans not only on this special day but year-round. We recognize that their service has a lasting impact on our nation, and we remain committed to showing our appreciation.
Thank you, veterans, for your service; your sacrifices and contributions are deeply cherished and forever remembered.
Richard Hickson
Air Cargo Equipment
Director of Business Development
1. In which branch/branches did you serve?
"US Navy"
2. What was your rank at time of departure?
"E-5,Petty officer 2nd Class- AMS2"
3. What was one thing you learned while serving your country?
"How to work as a team, lead a team of people."
4. What was the most rewarding aspect of your service?
"Meeting my wife, who was actually my boss, and just the camaraderie with all my brothers and sisters I had the honor to serve with. We all have a bond, whether or now we served at the same time or service."
5. What advice would you give to someone considering to join the military?
"Choose a rate before going in (type of job you want to do), research and visits all different services and choose the one that best reflects your values. They all have their pros and cons; ask others who have served about their experiences to get a good idea of what it is really like. Each service has good rates, but other services have some that are better. Research!!!"
John McLenachen
Air Cargo Equipment
Director of Maintenance
1. In which branch/branches did you serve?
"US ARMY"
2. What was your rank at time of departure?
"Sargeant"
3. What was one thing you learned while serving your country?
"Hard works pays off."
4. What was the most rewarding aspect of your service?
"Training new soldiers and watching that transferred knowledge set them apart from their peers."
5. What advice would you give to someone considering to join the military?
"Find a job that sounds interesting. Learn skills that set you up for a successful civilian career. Be ready for both the good and the bad."
Brian Shipman
AVI
Quality Inspector
1. In which branch/branches did you serve?
"US Army"
2. What was your rank at time of departure?
"Staff Sergeant"
3. What was one thing you learned while servingyour country?
"I know this is cliche' but "Lead by Example". This will earn you the respect of your subordinates and those above you. It is also a lesson that I've taken with me into the civilian world."
4. What was the most rewarding aspect of your service?
"As a young man, IT GAVE ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL THE WORLD, MEET NEW PEOPLE, and learn about different cultures."
5. What advice would you give to someone considering to join the military?
"Explore your options. Almost every job in the civilian world is available in the military. Find your passion, choose that MOS, and become the best you can be. Take pride in who you are and the uniform you wear."
Chris Cartwright
AVI
Engineering Manager
1. In which branch/branches did you serve?
"US Marine Corps"
2. What was your rank at time of departure?
"Captain (03)"
3. What was one thing you learned while serving your country?
"I learned so many things, but the one I remembere most is that someone else is depending on you to do your part so that they can do their part."
4. What was the most rewarding aspect of your service?
"The most rewarding aspect was the sense of camaraderie and the feeling of pride when we accomplished an objective together."
5. What advice would you give to someone considering to join the military?
"Make sure you join the right branch."
Irvin Bennett
AVI
Shipping & Receiving Clerk
1. In which branch/branches did you serve?
"US Army"
2. What was your rank at time of departure?
"Sargeant"
3. What was one thing you learned while serviing your country?
"Why I should care about others.."
4. What was the most rewarding aspect of your service?
"Meeting different soldies from all over the world."
5. What advice would you give to someone considering to join the military?
"It's a good move, it will help you become a better person."
Micajah Cook
Cargo Repair
Technician
1. In which branch/branches did you serve?
"US Air Force"
2. What was your rank at time of departure?
"E-4"
3. What was one thing you learned while serving your country?
"Attention to detail, respect, and the importance of each mission."
4. What was the most rewarding aspect of your service?
"Being able to participate in the base Honor Guard."
5. What advice would you give to someone considering to join the military?
"Think really hard about your job and future in that job."
Carl Vincent
Cobalt Aero Services
Q-Shop and R&D Coordinator
1. In which branch/branches did you serve?
"US Army National Guard"
2. What was your rank at time of departure?
"E-5"
3. What was one thing you learned while serving your country?
"Structure/Discipline"
4. What was the most rewarding aspect of your service?
"Service to country/state"
5. What advice would you give to someone considering to join the military?
"Do it....to serve, learn discipline, and travel."
Gary Holcroft
Cobalt Aero Services
AMT II
1. In which branch/branches did you serve?
"US Navy"
2. What was your rank at time of departure?
"E-6"
3. What was one thing you learned while serving your country?
"Teamwork."
4. What was the most rewarding aspect of your service?
"Knowing I had a part in protecting my country."
5. What advice would you give to someone considering to join the military?
"Keep a positive attitude/learn to follow orders."
Harley Stalnaker
Cobalt Aero Services
VP of Quality
1. In which branch/branches did you serve?
"US Navy"
2. What was your rank at time of departure?
"E-4 AMS-3"
3. What was one thing you learned while serving your country?
"Discipline."
4. What was the most rewarding aspect of your service?
"Travel/able to see the world."
5. What advice would you give to someone considering to join the military?
"Go into aviation field."
Heath Attaway
Cobalt Aero Services
Customer Service Representative
1. In which branch/branches did you serve?
"US Army"
2. What was your rank at time of departure?
"E-4"
3. What was one thing you learned while serving your country?
"Discipline."
4. What was the most rewarding aspect of your service?
"Being part of something bigger than yourself."
5. What advice would you give to someone considering to join the military?
"Go with an open mind."
James Looney
Cobalt Aero Services
Purchaser
1. In which branch/branches did you serve?
"US Army National Guard"
2. What was your rank at time of departure?
"PFC"
3. What was one thing you learned while serving your country?
"Respect"
4. What was the most rewarding aspect of your service?
"CAMARADERIE."
5. What advice would you give to someone considering to join the military?
"Go for what YOU want...Investigate MO's"
John Clark
Cobalt Aero Services
AMT III
1. In which branch/branches did you serve?
"US Navy"
2. What was your rank at time of departure?
"RM2"
3. What was one thing you learned while serving your country?
"Getting along with others"
4. What was the most rewarding aspect of your service?
"The opportunity to travel the world."
5. What advice would you give to someone considering to join the military?
"Stay in 20 years."
Josh Propst
Cobalt Aero Services
Director of Offsite Operations
1. In which branch/branches did you serve?
"US Marine Corps"
2. What was your rank at time of departure?
"E-6"
3. What was one thing you learned while serving your country?
"'Semper Gumby' Always be flexible."
4. What was the most rewarding aspect of your service?
"Travel Opportunities."
5. What advice would you give to someone considering to join the military?
"Enjoy and take advantage of all the opportunities that come your way."
Lawrence Benoit
Cobalt Aero Services
AMT I
1. In which branch/branches did you serve?
"Army National Guard"
2. What was your rank at time of departure?
"E-4"
3. What was one thing you learned while serving your country?
"You are only as strong as your weakest link."
4. What was the most rewarding aspect of your service?
"Being a positive role model"
5. What advice would you give to someone considering to join the military?
"Make sure it is what you want to do."
Nikki Christian
Cobalt Aero Services
Customer Success Manager
1. In which branch/branches did you serve?
"US Marine Corps"
2. What was your rank at time of departure?
"E-4 Corporal"
3. What was one thing you learned while serving your country?
"Lead by example."
4. What was the most rewarding aspect of your service?
"Camaraderie/built in family/travel."
5. What advice would you give to someone considering to join the military?
"Keep your mind open. Use all services afforded to you."
Phil Ashley
Cobalt Aero Services
Director of Repairs
1. In which branch/branches did you serve?
"US Navy"
2. What was your rank at time of departure?
"Chief Petty Officer"
3. What was one thing you learned while serving your country?
"Camaraderie. Discipline. Integrity."
4. What was the most rewarding aspect of your service?
"Camaraderie."
5. What advice would you give to someone considering to join the military?
"Go with an open mind."
Rachael Chancey
Cobalt Aero Services
Manager of Data Analytics
1. In which branch/branches did you serve?
"US Army"
2. What was your rank at time of departure?
"E-4 Specialist"
3. What was one thing you learned while serving your country?
"Patience."
4. What was the most rewarding aspect of your service?
"Knowing I was a part of something bigger than myself."
5. What advice would you give to someone considering to join the military?
"Go in with the mindset of being willing to be completely selfless."
Richard "Skip" Anderson
Cobalt Aero Services
AMT III
1. In which branch/branches did you serve?
"US Navy"
2. What was your rank at time of departure?
"E-7"
3. What was one thing you learned while serving your country?
"Work ethic."
4. What was the most rewarding aspect of your service?
"Watching an aircraft launch off an aircraft carrier."
5. What advice would you give to someone considering to join the military?
"It's a good start in life to learn a trade. Use GI Bill and retire from the military."
Ronnie Horton
Cobalt Aero Services
Quality Inspector
1. In which branch/branches did you serve?
"US Marine Corps"
2. What was your rank at time of departure?
"E-4 Specialist"
3. What was one thing you learned while serving your country?
"Sense of accomplishment/making a difference."
4. What was the most rewarding aspect of your service?
"Knowing I was a part of something bigger than myself."
5. What advice would you give to someone considering to join the military?
"Give it everything you've got."
Stephen Berry
Cobalt Aero Services
Purchaser
1. In which branch/branches did you serve?
"US Army Reserves"
2. What was your rank at time of departure?
"E-4 Specialist"
3. What was one thing you learned while serving your country?
"Discipline."
4. What was the most rewarding aspect of your service?
"Camaraderie and being able to serve my country."
5. What advice would you give to someone considering to join the military?
"Make sure you know what you want to do when going in. Pick your MOS."
Thomas Benoit
Cobalt Aero Services
AMT II
1. In which branch/branches did you serve?
"US Marine Corps"
2. What was your rank at time of departure?
"E-3 Lance Corporal"
3. What was one thing you learned while serving your country?
"Self reliance."
4. What was the most rewarding aspect of your service?
"Nice uniforms."
5. What advice would you give to someone considering to join the military?
"Think hard on it, and be sure what you want out of it."
Tim Moran
Cobalt Aero Services
AMT III
1. In which branch/branches did you serve?
"US Army"
2. What was your rank at time of departure?
"E-4 Specialist"
3. What was one thing you learned while serving your country?
"Word ethic/team work."
4. What was the most rewarding aspect of your service?
"Travel opportunities"
5. What advice would you give to someone considering to join the military?
"Join....unlimited benefits to take advantage of."
Todd Mattingly
Cobalt Aero Services
Shipping and Receiving Technician
1. In which branch/branches did you serve?
"US Navy"
2. What was your rank at time of departure?
"HM3"
3. What was one thing you learned while serving your country?
"Leadearship"
4. What was the most rewarding aspect of your service?
"Watching direct reports succeed in life."
5. What advice would you give to someone considering to join the military?
"Explore all of your options."
Daniel Taylor
Innodyne Systems
Airframe Floor Lead
1. In which branch/branches did you serve?
"US Airforce"
2. What was your rank at time of departure?
"Master Sargeant"
3. What was one thing you learned while serving your country?
"Integrity."
4. What was the most rewarding aspect of your service?
"Travelling around the world"
5. What advice would you give to someone considering to join the military?
"Accept any and all experience and expertise from your peers."
Ken Foss
First Class Air Support
1. In which branch/branches did you serve?
US Navy.
2. What was your rank at time of departure?
Aviation Machinist on F14's from 1984-1988.
3. What was one thing you learned while serving your country?
He honed his skills as an F-16 mechanic, learning the IMPORTANCE of accountability and taking RESPONSIBILITY in all aspects of life, both personal and military
4. What was the most rewarding aspect of your service?
"He built lifelong friendships and camaraderie, spending years stationed on an aircraft carrier and traveling around the world."
5. What advice would you give to someone considering to join the military?
"If you have the chance, absolutely consider serving. You'll emerge as a transformed person with invaluable experience, setting you far ahead in life."
About FCAH Aerospace:
At FCAH Aerospace, we are a holding company that provides exceptional customer-driven service and niche global aviation aftermarket solutions. We deliver tailored solutions to meet your specific needs, including access to high-quality aviation parts through exchange and consignment programs, OEM & PMA manufacturing, a global distribution network, and outstanding service through our MRO, DER, repair, and teardown capabilities.
