General

Honoring those who have served

In honor of Veterans Day, we’re spotlighting a few OPPD team members who have served our country. We asked them what inspired them to serve, what the day means to them, which core values from their military service they continue to carry with them at OPPD and more. Join us in honoring their service, sacrifice and bravery.

Jacob Babb

What military branch did you serve in and for how long?

I served in the Air Force for 22 years

What inspired you to serve in the military, and how has that experience shaped who you are today?  

Honestly, I joined the military as a young kid who did not have many choices in life.  I had never left the state of Nebraska and never been on an airplane before.  I continued to serve through the years because of the amazing people and their awesome stories.  The military brings a diverse group of people together for a common goal. I still enjoy meeting people and listening to their stories; I believe everyone has a unique and interesting story to tell if we are just willing to listen.

What does Veterans Day mean to you, and how do you honor the day?   

Veterans Day is giving thanks to all the men and women who served or are currently serving in the military.  I try to take the day finding veterans of all the different branches, sharing experiences with them and thanking them for their service.

How has OPPD supported your transition from military to civilian life and your career development?

OPPD has been wonderful in my transition.  I have met a lot of vets in the different Business Units doing amazing things every day.  It can be hard to transition from the military structured lifestyle, but OPPD encourages members to continue to change and accept different viewpoints.  A great atmosphere for transitioning military members.

What core values from your military service do you continue to carry with you at OPPD?

Although all the core values still hold true here at OPPD, I believe Service before Self is most evident.  The OPPD team, from top to bottom, continuously places the service to our customers over their personal lives.

What advice would you give to other veterans looking to transition into the energy or utility industry?

Take the first step.  There are great people wanting to add you to their team for your ability to work hard towards a common goal.  The utility sector is all about serving, just a little different than what you are used to.

Dustin Donohue

What military branch did you serve in and for how long?

I served in the United States Marine Corps for four years, from January 2001 to January 2005. I attended MCRD San Diego for boot camp and Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, for Military Police training. After my schooling in Missouri, I was stationed at Miramar, California, as my first duty station. During my time in Miramar, I deployed twice to Iraq, from January-October 2003 and February-September 2004.

What inspired you to serve in the military, and how has that experience shaped who you are today?

I come from a family that is/was heavily involved in the military. My grandfather served in WWII in the Army, my dad was a torpedoman on a nuclear submarine in the Navy and my brother was in the Air Force. Other family members who served include many uncles and cousins. The Marine Corps is known for its tough physical fitness requirements. However, any Marine will tell you that it isn’t just a physical test but also a mental one. The Marine Corps builds tough bodies and tough minds. I believe this whole heartedly. I may not remember everything I’ve learned in the Corps and certainly don’t have the same shape, but I still believe I live my life with the same motivational attitude I developed in the Corps.

What does Veterans Day mean to you, and how do you honor the day?

Veterans Day is very meaningful to me. It is a day where I feel proud of what my friends, family and I have accomplished. However, it’s also a sad day because I’m reminded of the ones that sacrificed everything for this country. I have a few friends that were killed while we were in Iraq and a few that have passed over the years after coming home; I will always cherish the memories I have of them, and I will never forget their sacrifice for our great nation. I honor Veterans Day by reflecting these memories and occasionally getting a group of friends together for a round of golf to reminisce the days we served.

Also, this is the day my parents were married. They are still going strong after 46 years.

How has OPPD supported your transition from military to civilian life and your career development?

A couple years after the military, I started at OPPD at Fort Calhoun Station in the security department. I was surprised how similar my new job was to the military. With the number of prior service members and types of equipment we used, it was a familiar sight. I worked at the Fort for 13 years until it was decommissioned in 2020. As the plant was winding down towards its final days, I took the opportunity that OPPD gave me, and earned my degree in cybersecurity. This prepared me for the career path I am doing today. Currently I am at the Energy Control Center as a Senior Grid Operational Technology Engineer. Over the years, I’ve known many OPPD employees that were either in the military or currently still serving. I think OPPD does a great job supporting its former and current military employees.

What core values from your military service do you continue to carry with you at OPPD?

The Marine Corps is famous for their Traits and Core Values. The Marines had 14 traits and 3 core values. We used the acronym JJDIDTIEBUCKLE to remember our Traits. I will spare you the time of explaining all the traits, (Google JJ DID TIE BUCKLE), and just tell you the Core Values, Honor, Courage, and Commitment. With the help of my recruiter, these core values were branded in my mind even before I got to boot camp. They were plastered on every moto poster, t-shirt and key lanyard I had. I still believe and follow these core values today. I’m sure most Marines would agree with me that these three values were most impactful the first time someone called them a Marine instead of a recruit.

At the end of boot camp, Marines go through a mental and physical test called the Crucible. This test is a 54-hour, 50-mile, sleep deprivation requirement that demonstrate the abilities and teamwork of each recruit. At the very end of the Crucible, MCRD San Diego recruits are required to climb the one of the steepest hills in Camp Pendleton called the “Reaper.” On the top of the Reaper is where you become a Marine. I’ve never seen so many grown men cry from pride and relief. These core values are truly earned after this monumental feat.

What advice would you give to other veterans looking to transition into the energy or utility industry?

My advice to other veterans who are transitioning into this industry would be to determine your overall goal, get out of your comfort zone and network with people, don’t be afraid to ask questions and to always maintain a positive attitude.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Semper Fi, rah!

Andrew Henecke

What military branch did you serve in and for how long?

I served in the United States Air Force for 10 years on active duty before transitioning to the Nebraska Air National Guard, where I have been serving the last 3 years.

What inspired you to serve in the military, and how has that experience shaped who you are today?

I have always had a desire to be a part of something bigger than myself and to be able to serve others. I saw that path firsthand with my father, who is my inspiration to serve, when he was in the U.S. Army. I am extremely proud continue our family tradition.

What does Veterans Day mean to you, and how do you honor the day?

Veterans Day means a lot to me, it is a day where I can be honored for my service, and I can also honor the service of my brothers and sisters that came before me. This year it’ll be my son’s first Veterans Day; I plan on attending a parade and creating a new family tradition with my wife and him.

How has OPPD supported your transition from military to civilian life and your career development?

OPPD has been great to help my transition from military to civilian life, since I am currently serving part time, I have military duties that pull me away from OPPD. My leadership has been extremely understanding and helpful by taking on my workload and responsibilities when I am called to military duties, which is always a tremendous weight off my shoulders.

What core values from your military service do you continue to carry with you at OPPD?

The Air Force Core Values are Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence In All We Do. These values have been ingrained in me through my years of service. I always try to do the right thing, even when no one is looking (Integrity), I put my team first to ensure they are taken care of and have what they need to succeed (Service), and I strive to produce the highest caliber product possible (Excellence).

What advice would you give to other veterans looking to transition into the energy or utility industry?

My advice for anyone transitioning from the military is to work on translating your skills from military jargon to the civilian world on your resume. Use all the free tools and resources that are out there for the veteran community. Ensure you are networking as much as possible and don’t sell yourself short when applying for jobs!

Anything else you’d like to add?

I encourage my fellow Veterans to get out there on Veterans Day, your service matters and so many deserve to hear our stories!