Veterans in Packaging

Mission-Ready: Veterans Bring Tactical Excellence to Packaging

November 10, 2025
2025 Veterans In Packaging 1440x750 hero

Veterans in Packaging

Mission-Ready: Veterans Bring Tactical Excellence to Packaging

November 10, 2025
BNP Media
Brad addington
Brad Addington
In tandem with Veterans Day as we thank Americans for their service, we recently spoke to military veterans who have brought their unique talents and skills to bear on the packaging industry.

Whether facing daunting challenges in the military or solving problems in the private sector, veterans thrive in both environments by bringing leadership, teamwork, and precision to the table every day. This helps to explain the success of veterans who decide to enter the packaging industry.

We talked to four veterans about how a career in packaging became their calling. Despite their different backgrounds, we discovered several common threads.

Of course, there is the technical expertise. In the case of James Eidem, a Mechanical Assembler at SOMIC Packaging, his experience in aircraft maintenance in the U.S. Air Force proved invaluable in the packaging industry, giving him the ability to inspect, rebuild, and troubleshoot equipment in the assembly process.

But beyond the nuts and bolts of creating top-notch packaging, there is the reliability and dependability associated with those who have committed themselves to serving their country.

In the words of the four outstanding packaging professionals we interviewed, here are just some of the traits of military veterans that translate well to the packaging industry and to the private sector generally:

  • Discipline in the workplace
  • Loyalty to the organization
  • Attention to cleanliness of surroundings
  • The ability to perform under pressure
  • Addressing immediate issues with speed and intensity
  • The ability to work long hours
  • The constant focus on “making mission”

We really enjoyed the opportunity to interview these four veterans and learn how their successful careers in the military led to rewarding careers in packaging. Check out the interviews below to get their stories in their own words.

Troy Couron

National Accounts Sales Manager, West
Texwrap

Troy Couron

James Eidem

Mechanical Assembler
SOMIC Packaging

James Eidem

Mike Wells

VP of Operations, label facility
RRD

Mike Wells

Jeremiah Wood

Regional Sales Manager
Brenton

Jeremiah Wood

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KEYWORDS: learning and professional growth palletizing robotics
Brad addingtonBrad Addington

Brad Addington is Chief Editor of Packaging Strategies and Flexible Packaging. He has more than 25 years of B2B publishing experience following the fresh produce industry, foodservice, retail, petroleum refining, petrochemicals, renewable fuels, and sustainability. He and his family live in Spokane, Washington, and enjoy participating in regional triathlons and marathons. Brad majored in Journalism and Latin American Studies at the University of Kansas.

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