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Finding Your Path: Andy Usborne's Journey Through Service and Beyond
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The winding path from military service to civilian success often reveals surprising connections. In this captivating conversation, Navy veteran Andy Usborne shares how his service aboard the USS Mobile transformed both the ship and his future career prospects.
Growing up as one of six brothers in rural New York, Andy was surrounded by family on all sides - his grandfather, aunts, uncles and cousins all lived down the same road. This tight-knit Italian-American community shaped his early years before he and a childhood friend decided to enlist in the Navy together to "see the world" in 1976. Little did Andy know that his assignment to a troubled amphibious cargo ship would become a turning point in his life.
When Andy reported to the USS Mobile, its reputation was so poor that other ships would take bets on whether it could make it under the Coronado Bay Bridge under its own power. Within a year, Andy and his shipmates transformed it into the squadron flagship, earning every Battle "E" efficiency award possible. More importantly, the technical skills he gained working with automated propulsion systems would perfectly prepare him for his civilian career.
After discharge, Andy leveraged his Navy training to secure a position at Long Beach Naval Shipyard, which led to a 35-year career with Honeywell in industrial automation. "The training I got in the Navy set me up perfectly for what I did at Honeywell," Andy explains. His willingness to make bold moves - relocating his family multiple times between California and New York before finally settling in Michigan - opened doors he never anticipated.
Today, Andy channels his energy into Veterans Connected, a nonprofit serving veterans who fall through the cracks of other support systems. Since 2019, they've provided nearly $750,000 in assistance, focused on preventing veteran suicide by removing key stressors. "We're the last stop," Andy says. "When all else fails, we'll take care of it."
If you've ever wondered how military experience translates to civilian success, or how one person can make a difference in the lives of fellow veterans, this episode offers powerful insights into both questions. Check out veteransconnected.org to learn more about Andy's current mission.
Chapters
1. Growing Up in Rural New York (00:00:00)
2. Joining the Navy After High School (00:10:05)
3. First Ship Assignment: USS Mobile (00:18:18)
4. Transitioning to Civilian Life (00:28:40)
5. Career at Honeywell and Moving West (00:43:58)
6. Veterans Connected and Giving Back (00:54:23)
114 episodes
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