Michael LeBlanc, Director of National Accounts, MINER
Veterans deserve careers that recognize their service and invest in their futures. It takes strategy and patience to find the right fit, but the payoff is a meaningful career built on the foundation of everything you’ve already accomplished.
Michael LeBlanc, National Account Manager at Miner, recently shared his experience transitioning from a decade in the Navy to a civilian career in SupplyChainBrain. Here are some of the key takeaways from his journey.
Leaving the military and stepping into the civilian workforce is one of the biggest transitions a veteran can make. The discipline, leadership and technical skills developed during service don’t always translate cleanly to a resume, and finding an employer who genuinely understands that background makes all the difference.
Michael LeBlanc, National Account Manager at Miner, knows this firsthand. After a decade in the Navy as a sonar technician and later as a recruiter, he made the leap to civilian life and has built a career that continues to grow. His journey offers practical guidance for veterans navigating this same path.
Find Partners Who Understand Your Background
Rather than sending applications into the void, Michael worked with a recruitment agency that specializes in placing veterans in technical roles. They knew how to help position his military experience in terms civilian employers would recognize, and they connected him with companies that genuinely valued what he brought to the table.
Veterans hiring programs, specialized recruiters and companies with established veteran cultures can all serve this purpose. The goal is to spend less time explaining yourself and more time demonstrating what you can do.
Look Beyond the Immediate Role
When evaluating opportunities, think long-term. Is there room to develop new skills? Can you point to people who’ve advanced within the organization? Does the company invest in training?
Michael started at Miner as a service technician, work that aligned with his Navy technical experience. But what drew him in was seeing a path forward. He eventually moved into account management, creating a role that hadn’t existed before. That kind of growth doesn’t happen everywhere, so it’s worth asking the right questions early.
Bring Your Intensity to the Right Place
Military service teaches you to show up, work hard and take initiative. But that dedication won’t be recognized everywhere. Some employers will see you as just another hire.
The right workplace will notice when you ask questions, stay curious and put in the effort. Look for environments where management actively mentors employees and invests in their development. During interviews, ask specifically about career progression and mentorship. If you don’t get clear answers, keep searching.
Recognize All of Your Transferable Skills
It’s easy to focus narrowly on your primary military role, but veterans bring far more than technical expertise. Leadership, training others, logistics, communication, relationship-building: these capabilities translate across industries.
Michael initially didn’t see how his Navy recruiting experience would apply to civilian work. It turned out that recruiting and sales share core fundamentals: understanding needs, building relationships and communicating value. That background helped him transition into account management.
Take a full inventory of everything you did during your service. You likely have more applicable experience than you realize.
Create Your Own Structure
In the military, development follows a clear chain of command. Civilian workplaces often require you to build that structure yourself. Seek out mentors. Ask how things work. Request feedback. Approach your new role with the same willingness to learn and take direction that served you in uniform.
The right employer will respond positively to that initiative, and if they don’t, that’s valuable information too.
MINER is proud to employ military veterans across the country. Learn more about career opportunities at MINER.