For Paul, now a Level 1 Engineering Field Service Technician at Cummins, working in diesel mechanics wasn’t a matter of if—it was simply a matter of when.
His connection to Cummins began long before he ever joined the company. During his service in the U.S. Navy, Paul frequently worked around Cummins marine diesel engines. “I’ve always loved using my hands—taking things apart and rebuilding them. As a kid, I was constantly tinkering with cars, trucks and motorcycles. So when Cummins teams came aboard to service our engines, I made sure to watch closely. I knew that’s the kind of work I wanted to do,” he recalls.
After leaving the Navy in 2022, Paul settled in San Diego and moved through several civilian jobs, each one offering a step forward. The turning point came when a Cummins recruiter reached out to him on LinkedIn. “My wife and I had a long talk,” he explains. “It meant relocating from California to Louisiana, which was a big change—but we knew it was the right decision.”
That transition was made easier by the help he received along the way. “I didn’t expect so many resources to be available. Cummins really supported me with the move, and that made everything far less stressful.”
Today, Paul is back in familiar territory, supporting technicians in troubleshooting and servicing marine diesel engines. The work feels both comfortable and rewarding. “There’s a real sense of satisfaction when you find the issue, fix it correctly and hear the engine roar back to life. That moment never gets old.”
Beyond the technical side of his role, Paul is active in the Veterans Employee Resource Group (VERG), which gives him the chance to stay connected with fellow service members now working across the company. “It’s important for veterans to have that community,” he says.
Paul also believes veterans bring qualities every employer should value—discipline, dependability and practical experience under pressure. “I joke sometimes that veterans will always show up—and on time,” he says with a grin. “But it’s true. We’ve built skills that many people spend their whole careers developing. The organizations that recognize this see us as assets, not challenges, and that’s where we thrive.”
When it comes to advice for other veterans stepping into civilian life, Paul is clear: “Choose a field you genuinely enjoy—something you can see yourself doing for the long haul. The abilities you gained in the military can carry you far if you apply them in the right direction.”
For Paul, joining Cummins has been more than landing a job—it feels like the continuation of a lifelong calling. “This work just feels right. It’s hands-on, it’s challenging, and it’s something I truly believe in.”
His connection to Cummins began long before he ever joined the company. During his service in the U.S. Navy, Paul frequently worked around Cummins marine diesel engines. “I’ve always loved using my hands—taking things apart and rebuilding them. As a kid, I was constantly tinkering with cars, trucks and motorcycles. So when Cummins teams came aboard to service our engines, I made sure to watch closely. I knew that’s the kind of work I wanted to do,” he recalls.
After leaving the Navy in 2022, Paul settled in San Diego and moved through several civilian jobs, each one offering a step forward. The turning point came when a Cummins recruiter reached out to him on LinkedIn. “My wife and I had a long talk,” he explains. “It meant relocating from California to Louisiana, which was a big change—but we knew it was the right decision.”
That transition was made easier by the help he received along the way. “I didn’t expect so many resources to be available. Cummins really supported me with the move, and that made everything far less stressful.”
Today, Paul is back in familiar territory, supporting technicians in troubleshooting and servicing marine diesel engines. The work feels both comfortable and rewarding. “There’s a real sense of satisfaction when you find the issue, fix it correctly and hear the engine roar back to life. That moment never gets old.”
Beyond the technical side of his role, Paul is active in the Veterans Employee Resource Group (VERG), which gives him the chance to stay connected with fellow service members now working across the company. “It’s important for veterans to have that community,” he says.
Paul also believes veterans bring qualities every employer should value—discipline, dependability and practical experience under pressure. “I joke sometimes that veterans will always show up—and on time,” he says with a grin. “But it’s true. We’ve built skills that many people spend their whole careers developing. The organizations that recognize this see us as assets, not challenges, and that’s where we thrive.”
When it comes to advice for other veterans stepping into civilian life, Paul is clear: “Choose a field you genuinely enjoy—something you can see yourself doing for the long haul. The abilities you gained in the military can carry you far if you apply them in the right direction.”
For Paul, joining Cummins has been more than landing a job—it feels like the continuation of a lifelong calling. “This work just feels right. It’s hands-on, it’s challenging, and it’s something I truly believe in.”
]]>
