From the Marines to New Beginnings

“My time as a gunsmith in the Marine Corps, working with precision weapons and in competitive settings, taught me to see the details in everything,” Jeremy said. “The process of building a weapon, fitting it to an individual, and fine-tuning it to excellence has translated into every high-functioning environment I’ve been in. It’s a skill I’ve taken with me wherever I go.”

But after 13 years of service, Jeremy began to feel a pull toward something new. The thought of staying for another seven years until he hit the 20 year mark required for retirement didn’t appeal to him; he craved personal growth and new challenges. His body, too, seemed to signal that it was time to move on, as he broke out in full-body hives during his last three months in the Marines—a condition that was never diagnosed but seemed to coincide with his growing desire for change. “I ended up with full-body hives for the last three months that I was in the Marine Corps,” Jeremy said. “It was never diagnosed, but it was a physical sign that it was time to move on,” Jeremy said.

Transitioning to Civilian Life

Upon leaving the military, Jeremy set out to write a new chapter. He channeled his passion for gunsmithing into a business that specialized in hydrographics and custom gun work. He also enrolled in a community college to study manufacturing and production. However, like many transitioning veterans, Jeremy faced significant challenges adjusting to civilian life. His business venture eventually collapsed, and for three years, he retreated from the world, living in isolation and struggling to find his place in society.

“Eventually, my business and the business partner that I had at the time just fell through,” Jeremy said. “So, I lost my ground there for about three years and became a hermit. It was awful. I kind of disavowed everybody that I knew, threw away all my friendships, and started to live on the other side of the clock when the world was quiet. I was just trying to figure out what the hell everything meant.”

During this time of struggle, Jeremy reconnected with a community of friends through online gaming. These friendships, forged over virtual battlefields, provided him with a sense of camaraderie and helped him weather the storm he was in. Then, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Jeremy and his family—his wife, son, dog, and cat—decided to travel the country in an RV, which allowed him to meet many of the friends he had made online. Their travels eventually brought them to Fargo, where Jeremy met one of his gaming friends in person.

They hit it off, and his friend extended an invitation for Jeremy to return to Fargo when their travels were over. After completing their trip, the family faced a choice: head south to Florida or return north to Fargo. Stephanie preferred stability, so they decided to move to Fargo, a decision that would open the door to a new career.

Veteran Transition

Over 200,000 military personnel transition to civilian life each year.

In Fargo, Jeremy took a job at JSM Woodworks, applying his CAD design skills to cabinetry projects. He worked in estimating and software implementation, which allowed him to learn new aspects of the manufacturing process. Although he enjoyed the work, Jeremy soon found himself exploring other opportunities, including a brief stint in sales for the camping industry, which ultimately wasn’t a good fit. It wasn’t until Jeremy attended a job fair in Moorhead that his path took a pivotal turn. There, he met Bob Roers, the chief operations officer (COO) at Mobile Pro, a live event production company. Bob was impressed by Jeremy’s background in art, CAD design, and 3D modeling and invited him to work as a stagehand at Mobile Pro events. Jeremy became intrigued by the events and entertainment production space, which allowed him to tap into his creative side.

Jeremy began freelancing for Mobile Pro, creating 3D models for events. His work impressed the team, and eventually, Mobile Pro offered him a full-time position in a creative role, where he continued to do 3D modeling and also helped with estimating. His success with implementing a new CRM system for the company led to a significant career shift—when Bob left Mobile Pro, Jeremy was offered the role of COO.

Lessons Learner and Leadership

As COO of Mobile Pro, Jeremy draws on the leadership lessons he learned in the Marine Corps. His time managing armories taught him the value of building strong teams, understanding individual strengths, and fostering leadership potential.

“My time in the Marine Corps taught me the value of building strong teams and nurturing people’s strengths to help them become leaders,” Jeremy said. “It’s about finding what individuals love to do, fostering that growth, and watching them thrive. Adaptability is key, but it’s also important to plan for long-term success, not just solving problems as they arise.”

Did You Know?

The average length of service for Marines is 7 years.

Jeremy acknowledges that while adaptability is crucial, there is a downside to always focusing on short-term solutions and perfection. It’s a lesson he continues to refine in his role as COO, where he strives to strike a balance between perfection and moving and iterating.

Moving Forward

Jeremy’s journey from the Marine Corps to COO of Mobile Pro has been filled with both triumphs and struggles. He faced the challenges of military service, the difficulty of transitioning to civilian life, and the uncertainties of finding his place in the world. Yet through it all, he remains committed to growth, both for himself and the teams he leads.

“I’ve come to realize that each day might bring a different role—one day I’m a stagehand, the next I’m handling finances or operations. It’s a weird way to exist, but I try to make the most of it and have fun with whatever I’m doing. Life is often chaotic, and we’re all just trying to adapt to it.”

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