Sain proudly hires and supports veterans who served and wore our nation’s uniform. As we celebrate Veterans Day, we are reminded about the importance of this day. Veterans Day is a national holiday that honors military veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces. Up until 1954, it was known as Armistice Day, however, it was renamed Veterans Day after a veteran from Birmingham, Alabama, Raymond Weeks, asked President Dwight Eisenhower to designate a whole day in honor of veterans who served in the military. President Eisenhower designated November 11 as a national holiday.
Skylar Shelton, a prior-enlisted Marine, works at Sain as a surveyor and drone pilot. We sat down with him to talk to him about his service in the military and how the skills he learned in the military help him with his job as a surveyor:
SAIN: How long did you serve?
SKYLAR: I was on active duty and served in the United States Marine Corps for five years.
SAIN: What did you do in the Marines?
SKYLAR: I worked in intelligence.
SAIN: Why did you choose that branch?
SKYLAR: I knew I wanted to join the Marines after a recruiter came to speak to my eighth-grade class. I was intrigued with his uniform and presence because it was something I had never seen before. After researching the other branches in high school, I chose the Marine Corps because of their higher standards. The Corps is internationally known as an elite fighting force, and I wanted to be a part of it. I was never interested in going to college after high school, and I felt like my calling was to serve in the Marines.
SAIN: Do you come from a military family?
SKYLAR: No, I am the first in my family that I know of to enlist in the Marines.
SAIN: Are there any similarities between serving in the Marines and being a surveyor?
SKYLAR: In the Marines, we spent a lot of time training in the field. My field training prepared me for working in the field of surveying. In addition, when I worked in intelligence, I worked with GIS systems and produced products with maps and imagery. Those skills have come in handy and have helped me with my job as a surveyor.
SAIN: What lessons have you learned from serving in the Marines that have translated to your work as a surveyor?
SKYLAR: The Corps taught me how to carry a lot of awkward weight while hiking rough terrain. This training has prepared me to carry survey equipment out in the field. Attention to detail was a big part of my training. Paying attention to detail is critical when serving in the Marine Corps, and the same skill set can be applied to surveying.
SAIN: What is your favorite part about your job?
SKYLAR: Every day is a little different. Having a career that allows me to work in the field and the office is something I’ve always dreamed of doing. I love driving off-road and flying drones. I especially like surveying in the woods – you never know what you might find!
We thank Skylar for his service in the United States Marine Corps. We also thank and honor all who served our country to protect our freedom and defend our nation.