W4W Alumni and MILLERCO Employee Anthony McKenzie

This week I had the opportunity and privilege of catching up with MILLERCO employee and W4W Alumni Program Participant, Anthony Mckenzie at a job site in Tennessee. Anthony is an Army NCO Veteran and Purple Heart recipient that served his country with honor and distinction for 11 years with tours in Afghanistan and Iraq as a Combat Medic. After exiting the military, he was looking for a change of pace and decided the telecommunications industry was worth a hard look to help support him and his family. Anthony and his wife Brook are blessed with 4 children, Corbin, Addison, Benjamin and Mason.

 While meeting with Anthony, he provided some insight into his experience regarding the Safety LMS Certification training he received with our training partner, Aiken Technical College, and the journey so far working as a tower technician.

“The training gave me the familiarization of the safety equipment and tools to be effective once I started working. The curriculum of the course was beneficial to give me the basis of making me an immediate contributor and made it easier once I got to Miller Co on his first day of orientation.”

As with many of our hiring partners, MILLERCO reinforces safety, despite prior certifications, by providing their own in-house Competent Climber/Rescuer & Competent Rigging courses to new employees to stress personal safety, safe work practices, and the proper use of personal protective equipment.

Anthony provided a few tips to future veterans considering this path with W4W. “Make sure you are in good physical shape and learn all you can while you are there. The training is definitely worth it and ensures it is indeed something you want as a career.” Anthony also stated “Make sure you are prepared financially. Even though I utilized my VA Educational benefits, and W4W donations provided lodging and meals for the duration of the 2-week course, you still have bills to pay back home and take care of your family. The training was well worth it and preparing ahead will reduce any distractions so you can focus on the training.” “Also knowing W4W had already connected me with MILLERCO for an interview and was essentially hired before completing the course made things easier.”

Anthony has been with MILLERCO since February of 2022 and enjoys working for them. He had nothing but great things to say about his experience so far with MILLERCO and the career path he has chosen to follow.

We are honored everyday here at Warriors 4 Wireless to get an opportunity to meet and coach military veterans that show interest entering the telecommunications industry. As a fellow veteran myself, that struggled initially after I hung up my uniform, I want to thank all our Contributing Partners and Hiring Partners for providing military veterans like Anthony with an opportunity to have a career from soldier to citizen.