Bonds Beyond Service: A Journey Across Military and Corporate Life

NBCUniversal has a longstanding commitment of support to our military community. Military Times recognized Comcast NBCUniversal as the top employer in our industry for veterans in 2023 and our Veterans Network Employee Resource Group continues to foster a business culture that recognizes, supports, develops and promotes the unique characteristics of veterans throughout the company and across our communities.

First of all, thank you so much for your service. As we head into National Veterans and Military Families Month, can you both share your story on why you decided to enlist?  

Vince: After 9/11, I knew I wanted to join the military. I was in 5th grade at the time, living in Staten Island so I remembered that day vividly, and decided to wait until "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was repealed before enlisting in the Air Force Reserves in 2015. I wanted to do something bigger than myself. 

Chris: Joining the Air Force had been my goal since high school. I’ve always loved planes—my favorite movies are Top Gun and Armageddon. After college, I felt something was missing, and so I joined active duty for seven and a half years before joining the Reserves.  

Not only do you both work in the NBCUniversal Advertising & Partnerships division, but you also serve together in the same unit within the United States Air Force Reserve. Can you talk about that experience and your day-to-day responsibilities?  

Vince: Chris and I first met in boot camp at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio in 2015 – back then, males and females were separated so we’ve only crossed paths in the dining hall or marching around campus. We reconnected after boot camp and attended technical training school together, where we learned our job of loading airplanes. We are both currently assigned to the 88th Aerial Port Squadron out of New Jersey and deployed together to Iraq from Oct 2023 to May 2024, tasked with loading and unloading U.S. military aircraft to ensure safe transport of cargo and passengers around the world.  

Chris: In Iraq, we were hands-on, loading aircraft, managing weight imbalances, and approving hazardous cargo while delivering food and water for humanitarian efforts. 

What are you most proud of as people who’ve served in the military? 

Chris: This past deployment taught me the importance of support, even from those I just met. With around 20 people, we relied on each other regardless of our branches. It was gratifying to see everyone work together, supporting our allies from Spain, the Netherlands, and Germany. Ultimately, we share the same goal, just expressed in different languages.   

Vince: The camaraderie is what I cherish most. Only about 1% of the population serves in the military, creating a unique bond and experience that only those who served or still serve would understand. During some of the hardest moments in life, especially last year’s deployment, I leaned on Chris and our team out there. Chris is my left-hand man (because he’s a lefty) and my brother, and I know he would risk his life for me.  

How has your time in the military shaped the way you show up at NBCUniversal? 

Chris: One of the biggest lessons from the military is the importance of routine and processes. In boot camp, I learned a strong work ethic and efficient goal achievement.  

Vince: It’s allowed me to play an active role in leading and shaping NBCUniversal’s BOLD Vets Residency program, which serves as a veteran pipeline program emphasizing military-to-corporate transition and ensuring our employees within the military community can succeed even after service. 

Chris: Yes, the camaraderie and community we build in BOLD Vets exemplify the best of our experiences. 

What does National Veterans and Military Families Month mean to you?  

Vince: When people say “thank you for your service,” I almost want to thank them for supporting us. It’s not easy for a veteran to take time away from loved ones, often missing life events, like birthdays and holidays to serve their country for a greater cause. Even more, I believe we should honor the families as they’re the ones who give the ultimate sacrifice. The commitment affects not just the individual serving, but their entire network of people who didn’t ask to sign up, and it's important to acknowledge those sacrifices come with the love and support they have for their servicemen and women at home.  

Chris: I agree, this month highlights the sacrifices made by military families. After my deployment, I sometimes felt like my job in the military was quite relaxing, and I struggle with the idea that I haven’t done enough to deserve gratitude. Compared to events like 9/11 or the conflicts in Afghanistan, my impact feels small. But, families bear significant burdens; I missed my son’s first birthday last year, which was tough for our family. Their lives often pause for our service, and that sacrifice deserves recognition. 

What lessons do you apply from your time in the military to your careers at NBCUniversal and vice versa?  

Vince: The military engrains core soft skills in you from day one of boot camp, such as attention to detail, leadership, integrity, and teamwork. We would roll socks over and over again until we completed the task to perfection, comparable to ensuring a crease or fold isn’t missed in a parachute which could save someone’s life. This type of discipline translates into my work at NBCUniversal, helping me lead teams with an operational mindset and grace in high-pressure situations. Having a supportive team is invaluable. When I was deployed, my NBCU colleagues sent me care packages, bringing a sense of home to us when Christmas didn’t feel like Christmas in the desert sands of Iraq. 

Chris: One of the biggest lessons I've brought to NBCUniversal is the importance of thoroughly learning my job. In the military, attention to detail was critical, and I apply that mindset in advertising. Although airplanes and advertising are different fields, I value those who invest time in understanding their roles. In the corporate world, I’ve learned that appreciation from your manager or team makes you feel valued. I strive to bring that same appreciation into my everyday interactions at work.