Experiencing the Boss Lift Mission: Strengthening Clarios’ Commitment to Military Personnel

At Clarios, we’re committed to supporting our employees who dedicate themselves to serving our country. This commitment is exemplified by our involvement with the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Military Spouse Employment Partnership and most recently, the Boss Lift program, an event organized by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR).

During the Boss Lift, employers are transported, via military vehicle, aircraft or vessel, to military facilities where they observe Guard and Reserve members on duty. This unique program is designed to give civilian employers a firsthand look at the rigorous military duties and training of their National Guard and Reserve employees, who, along with many veterans, are an integral part of the Clarios workforce.

Recently, Clarios leadership participated in a Boss Lift event at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, alongside leaders from various Wisconsin-based employers. This experience provided invaluable insights into the daily lives and extraordinary skills of our military personnel.

The Boss Lift Experience

The Boss Lift program effectively bridges the gap between the civilian workplace and military service, providing employers with a tangible understanding of what “citizen-soldiers” do when they trade their work clothes for military uniforms.

We began our day with a flight to Fort McCoy aboard a Black Hawk helicopter. When you are a civilian double-buckled into a Black Hawk, it is impossible not to think about our service members who routinely fly these missions not for joyrides, but for critical operations, and the immense courage of those who have served.

The trip was hampered by rainy skies and low visibility, but our expert Black Hawk pilot captains navigated around the problem like the pros that they are.

Upon landing, several reservists greeted us and led us on a tour of the Wisconsin Military Academy. There, we talked with the National Guard members, witnessed demonstrations, and gained firsthand insight into the rigorous training the reservists undergo to prepare for their vital roles.

Dean Nemecek, Talent Acquisition Program Manager for Military and Veteran Hiring at Clarios, also participated in the event. For Dean, who retired after 26 years in the military, including time with the 101st Airborne, 10th Mountain Division, and 2nD Infantry Division along with more than 20 years in the Wisconsin National Guard, the experience was a powerful reflection. Having been in Black Hawks countless times throughout his military career, he found himself “pausing a moment to take it in”. His familiarity with Fort McCoy also highlighted the strong bonds within the military community, and it was wonderful to see how warmly he was greeted by many he had served with or led.

This sense of camaraderie continued as the team gathered for lunch. The “Boss Lift” day is designed to help you understand your employees’ responsibilities and experiences in the military, and the organizers make this more real with a lunch of MREs (Meals Ready-to-Eat). This simple act of passing around and sampling each other’s field rations immediately demonstrated that everyone, regardless of their background, was part of a “Win Together” team.

Unwavering Commitment to Win Together

For the men and women of the National Guard and Reserve, the transition is often abrupt: they trade their business suits, scrubs, or tool belts for fatigues, shifting not just their attire, but their entire mindset from civilian professional to uniformed service member.

“The skills and values our soldiers, airmen, and Navy personnel have—these are the same values we see every day at Clarios, from the manufacturing floors to the corporate offices,” Dean noted. “The skills they develop and hone in their military roles transfer beautifully into the civilian workplace.”

At Clarios, we understand the incredible skills military personnel bring to their civilian careers. Skills like a strong focus on process, meticulous planning, technical expertise, decisive leadership, and self-discipline are highly applicable and valued within the battery manufacturing industry. The military's extensive use of advanced technology, such as drones, offers lessons in automation that directly benefit civilian industries, including manufacturing.

Dean emphasized how the core values instilled through military service align perfectly with Clarios' principles. “Grit, adaptability, and resilience are just bred into us,” he explained. Additionally, the military's practice of rotating personnel into new roles every two years fosters adaptability, making veterans uniquely equipped to handle diverse challenges. This unwavering commitment and ability to "win together" are qualities that resonate strongly with Clarios' own values.

Supporting Those Who Serve

The Boss Lift program also sheds light on the crucial distinction between veterans and active reservists or National Guard members. While veterans bring a wealth of valuable experience, they are sometimes underemployed because civilian employers may not fully grasp their capabilities or understand military resumes. Reservists and National Guard members, on the other hand, continue to actively serve, dedicating weekends and weeks out of the year to training and critical operations that support our country during emergencies and beyond.

Supporting these dedicated individuals is not merely about appreciating their skills; it is a fundamental civic duty. As Dean pointed out, “The more leaders understand the additional demands placed on their reservist and National Guard employees—and the unique value these service members bring to organizations—the better equipped they are to provide comprehensive support.”

Are you an active-duty military reservist or veteran looking for a company that truly understands and supports your unique contributions? Explore career opportunities at Clarios and become part of a team that values your dedication and unparalleled skills.

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