Beyond the uniform: Reflections on service and community this Armistice Day

Brent CurranVice President, Global Service Delivery for Enhanced Support | F5

For many veterans, the impact of military service extends far beyond their years in uniform. It's found in the friendships forged through shared experiences, the lessons that shape their leadership, and the memories of those who served beside them.

This Armistice Day, four members of F5's Veterans Employee Inclusion Group (EIG)—Isaac Loren, Chris Meredith, Rick Jorolemon, and Caleb Barthlome—reflect on their military experiences, the challenges of transitioning to civilian life, and the power of community.

The bonds that stay with us

For F5 Technical Support Manager Isaac Loren, who retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2024 after 22 years of service, the most lasting memories aren't tied to a particular assignment or accomplishment. They're about the people. "The men and women serving beside you quickly become your family," he shares.

Isaac remembers Senior Airman Jonathan Yelner, a fellow airman he met early in his career at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota.

The two were young, learning to navigate military life together, and once spent Thanksgiving attempting to recreate a traditional holiday meal with their fellow airmen.

Yelner's contribution was corn seasoned with chili powder. "To date, it was easily the worst Thanksgiving meal I've ever had, but we were so proud of ourselves," Isaac recalls.

Chris Meredith, who served in the U.S. Navy from 1992 to 1998, remembers a similar sense of connection aboard the USS John F. Kennedy.

"Some of the best memories come from the sense of 'family' that happens when folks deploy on a longer deployment," says, Chris, who serves as Senior Manager of Solutions Engineering at F5. "The bonds formed with your 'shipmates' at sea are hard to break."

For F5 Solutions Engineering Director Rick Jorolemon, a 20-year U.S. Army veteran, the memories are equally lasting. During his fifth deployment in 2011, Rick watched Afghan girls walk to school and play soccer. It was a moment that helped him recognize the generational impact of his service.

These experiences, both profound and ordinary, become part of who veterans are long after they leave the military.

While military service can create lifelong connections, it can also bring challenges that aren't immediately apparent to others.

"I wish more people understood that not all wounds are physical," says Caleb Barthlome, who has served in the U.S. Army for more than 16 years and continues to serve in the Army Reserve.

"Many service members live with post-traumatic stress, and it can develop in any environment, not just combat. We may not walk with a limp, but many of us carry struggles we rarely talk about."

A Senior Solutions Engineer at F5, Caleb believes that even a simple check-in can make a difference, and that asking for help should be recognized as a sign of strength.

The challenges beyond service

For Rick, one of the less visible challenges of military service comes with the transition into civilian life. "The military for all its positives, encapsulates us into that identity and when you enlist at 19 and retire at 39, it's discovering a new identity you haven't had since you were young," he explains.

Although Rick navigated that transition successfully, he recognizes that others may need support finding their footing.

Chris experienced that uncertainty firsthand. After leaving the Navy, he wasn't sure how his experience working on radar systems would translate into a civilian career. But a hiring manager took a chance on him, offering him a position in IT despite his limited experience with personal computers.

That opportunity helped launch a career that eventually brought him to F5, where he now works as a Solutions Engineering manager.

Not every transition looks the same. Isaac, for example, was excited to retire and begin a new chapter. The different perspectives of these F5ers remind us that supporting veterans starts with listening rather than making assumptions about their experiences.

Finding a similar sense of belonging at F5

For veterans accustomed to working closely with a team, finding that same sense of camaraderie in civilian life can be especially meaningful.

When Isaac began considering his post-military career, F5's human-first culture immediately stood out. In fact, F5 was the first and only company he applied to."F5 employees genuinely care about each other, and that is something I thought I would lose when I left the military,” he says. “It was a happy surprise."

Rick found a similar connection. "F5's culture is phenomenal. We truly are like a family or like a platoon in the Army," he shares.

For Caleb, who continues to serve in the Army Reserve while working at F5, that connection comes through the everyday willingness of colleagues to support one another. "F5ers share what they know, jump in to help each other solve tough problems, and celebrate each other's successes," he says.

Beyond camaraderie, all four have carried lessons from military service into their work at F5. For Isaac and Rick, leadership means taking care of the people around them. For Caleb, mentorship remains especially meaningful, whether he's helping junior soldiers develop their careers or guiding customers through new technologies.

Chris also draws on the leadership lessons he developed in the Navy. His own journey has reinforced the value of recognizing transferable skills and creating opportunities for veterans to succeed.

Together, the experiences of these four F5ers demonstrate how the values developed through service can continue to strengthen the communities veterans become part of.

Continuing the connection

Armistice Day is an opportunity to reflect on service, sacrifice, and the people whose experiences have shaped our lives.

For Isaac, it's a time to reconnect with former colleagues and thank those who continue to serve. For Rick, it's also a chance to recognize the sacrifices made by military families. For Caleb, it's a day to honor veterans while acknowledging the struggles some carry with them. And for Chris, it's an opportunity to celebrate the experiences and relationships that have stayed with him long after his Navy service ended.

At F5, our Veterans EIG provides a space for employees to share experiences, build relationships, and support one another, whether they've served in the military or simply want to show their support.

And that sense of community doesn't have to begin with a grand gesture. It can be a conversation with a veteran navigating a career transition, a check-in with someone who may be struggling, or simply taking the time to listen to a story that deserves to be heard.

"You can do it!" Chris says, encouraging fellow veterans starting their next chapter. "Thirty years ago, as a young sailor aboard an aircraft carrier, I never could have imagined the career I have today."

This Armistice Day, we honor those who have served, those who continue to serve, and the communities that stand beside them.

Visit this webpage to learn more about F5’s employee inclusion groups.

About the Author

Brent CurranVice President, Global Service Delivery for Enhanced Support | F5

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