More than 800 employees of General Mills currently serve or have served in our nation’s armed forces. We asked a few of them to share their personal stories for raising their hand to protect and serve.

1. “I was in the Air Force for 12 years during
which time I traveled a lot and was fortune to
established many long-lasting friendships
along the way. My time in the military has
empowered me to be a better spouse, Dad
and friend by teaching me the importance of
being flexible, open to change, and
embracing the time we have today. Life can
throw many curve balls, and certainly a
military career has many unknowns. However,
a positive outlook can go a long way.
On this Veteran’s Day, I’d like to say thanks to
those that serve or have served and their
family and friends.”
– Levi Severson, assistant sourcing
manager at General Mills.

2. “I joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1997
to pursue an opportunity to become
an Arabic linguist. My experience in the
Marine Corps has had a lasting impact
on my personal and professional life.
My military experience has provided
me with tremendous perspective.
When I am faced with challenging
situations at work or at home, I am able
to reflect upon the truly critical life or
death situations that I encountered
during my service. As an added bonus,
I also met my husband of 14 years while
serving.”
– Billie Chock, solutions manager
at General Mills

3. “After graduating from the U.S.
Military Academy, I served five
years as infantry officer in the U.S.
Army. The motto of my unit was
simple: ‘Deeds, not words.’ Serving
alongside and leading light infantry
soldiers – who endured some of the
harshest conditions and most
strenuous tasks across the military –
truly shaped who I am as a leader.
– Jeff Marone, senior operations
manager at General Mills

4. “I joined the U.S. Army in 1990 as an infantryman
and continue to serve today with the Minnesota
National Guard. The unwavering sense of family
and community within the Army has allowed me
to continue to explore and develop into the
person I am today. Although we are not simply
the sum total of our experiences, I would say with
absolute certainty that I would not be the person
I am today had it not been for my service in the
U.S. Army.”
– Mark Martin, IT project manager
at General Mills

5. “My grandfather was a huge influence on
me growing up as he actively served in
the Army National Guard for much of his
adult life. He was an exceptional man and
accomplished a great deal in his lifetime
thanks, in part, to his service. I made the
decision to join the Guard after high
school in an effort to both push myself to
my greatest potential and support the
country I love.”
– Karly Mangen, associate marketing
manager at General Mills