After more than two decades in the Army, Tommy Quarles knew leaving the uniform behind would be tough.
“That was my identity,” said Tommy, a retired lieutenant colonel now working as a supervisor coach at Lowe’s supply chain facility in Coopertown, Tennessee. “You’re trying to figure out where you fit in the world again.”
That uncertainty is one that many service members face as they transition to civilian life. For Tommy, the turning point came through the Department of Defense SkillBridge program and his introduction to Lowe’s.
A short internship became a new career, a supportive team, and renewed purpose.
A bridge between two worlds
Retirement made starting over feel overwhelming.
“It’s emotional,” he said. “You go from knowing your place to asking, ‘What’s next?’”
SkillBridge gave Tommy and others like him a chance to roll up their sleeves and get real-world experience at Lowe’s before officially making the leap to civilian life. For Tommy, that meant jumping right into a leadership role from day one.
“They said, ‘You’re the coach now,’ and I ran with it,” he said.
That kind of trust, paired with steady support, made all the difference in helping him find his footing.
Translating service into impact
Tommy brought logistics and leadership experience, having managed operations for thousands. Like many veterans, he had to adapt those skills to a new world.
At Lowe’s, he found people who saw what he brought to the table and helped him learn the ropes.
Now, Tommy leads a team in the building department, leaning on the same values that guided him in the Army: staying focused on the mission, working together and always looking for ways to get better.
Finding belonging beyond the uniform
For Tommy, the best part of this new chapter wasn’t just having a job, it was finding that sense of belonging again.
“The SkillBridge program gave me reassurance that there is something for me outside the Army,” he said. “It gave me that sense of belonging again.”
That feeling goes beyond the job description. Tommy calls his team at Lowe’s a family, one that reminds him of the camaraderie he found in the Army.
“You get that same sense of connection,” he said. “People from all walks of life coming together, supporting each other.”
A mission that continues
A few months into his new role, Tommy is already dreaming bigger. He’s got his sights set on becoming a general manager and growing with the company that gave him his start after the Army.
“I still have a lot to learn, but I also know I have a lot to offer,” he said.
For other service members wondering what comes next, Tommy’s advice is simple: finding the right place can change everything.
“Find a place that values what you bring,” he said. “That sees your experience and wants you there.”
