By Danielle DeSimone
FedEx, in collaboration with the USO and two NFL teams, has created the FedEx Football Fellowship – an incredible opportunity for recently-transitioned service members to gain hands-on professional experience as they transition from military to civilian life.
The FedEx Football Fellowship is an extension of the USO PathfinderSM program, which helps service members and their spouses through the process of shifting from a military life to a civilian life through career, education, family and financial services.
Each year, more than 200,000 service members transition out of the military. This year, the FedEx Football Fellowship has chosen four former service members to participate in a 12-week fellowship alongside the Washington Redskins and the Tennessee Titans to help them with that transition. Meet the 2018 FedEx Football Fellows below.
Jason Deters
Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Years of military service: 6 years
Rank at separation: Sergeant
Age: 31
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Stationed: Quantico, Virginia
2018 FedEx Football Fellowship Team: Washington Redskins
From Military Life to Civilian Life
What do you think you’ll miss most about serving in the military?
The people I met and served with throughout my career. You form a bond that is unmatched and un-duplicated in civilian life. The unique travel and experiences that are found only in military training and service are irreplaceable.
How has USO PathfinderSM helped you in your transition from the military?
The USO Pathfinder program offers veterans outstanding resources for our most important needs, like family assistance, job placement, entertainment and volunteer opportunities. The program reached out to me the same day I signed up, welcoming me and letting me know they were here to help with my success in any way possible. As a veteran, that type of support is really vital to our betterment and well-being.
What is your dream job after transitioning out of the military?
The non-competing marker at The Masters Golf Tournament.
Paving the Way Forward with the FedEx Football Fellowship
What do you love about football?
Football, like the military, is the ultimate team endeavor. It takes every guy to give their all in order for the team to be successful. Football brings together fans of every race, sex, religion and age where we all put aside our differences and come together over one common passion.
What is your most memorable USO experience?
On Veteran’s Day in 2014, I, along with a few other active-duty Marines, visited local retirement homes in our dress blues [with the USO], placing American flag pins on the shirts and lapels of military veterans living in the community. It was an experience I’ll never forget.
What excites you most about this fellowship opportunity?
Having the opportunity to experience game days from a completely different and behind-the-scenes point of view. I’ll get to see what it takes from a business standpoint to make each and every game enjoyable for the fans, customers and clients. Gaining this first-hand knowledge and learning lessons from the experienced professionals in the business department will be valuable for my career.
Darnell Ingram
Branch: U.S. Air Force
Years of military service: 21 years
Rank at separation: Master sergeant
Age: 41
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Stationed: Ramstein Air Base, Germany; Lajes Field Azores, Incirlik Turkey (x2); Aviano Air Base. Italy; Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany; Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.
Deployed: Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan; Balad Air Base, Iraq; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
2018 FedEx Football Fellowship Team: Washington Redskins
From Military Life to Civilian Life
What do you think you’ll miss most about serving in the military?
The things I miss most about the military are the camaraderie and providing guidance and mentorship to the up-and-coming airmen.
How has USO PathfinderSM helped you in your transition from the military?
The USO Pathfinder program has been a great assistant in helping me transition to the civilian sector. My counselor, Ms. Abby Dillow, played a major part in assisting me with my resume writing and job interviewing skills. I also believe the job fairs were instrumental in giving me the confidence to do in-person interviews, which I attribute to helping me get the Redskins’ FedEx Football Fellowship.
What is your dream job after transitioning out of the military?
I’ve been officially retired from the USAF since Sept. 30, 2017, and since then I’ve been undecided on what my next career path will be. I’ve been going to school for business management and I’m in the process of starting my own carpet and upholstery business. I’m also in a course to get my A+ certification and after working a week within the NFL, I’m really thinking about opportunities within the professional sports arena.
Paving the Way Forward with the FedEx Football Fellowship
What do you love about football?
What I love most about football is that it’s so similar to the military. I like how you can put together a group of individuals who have different experiences, backgrounds and upbringings, and watch them come together as a team and family who have each other’s backs and are able to accomplish some of the most remarkable tasks.
What is your most memorable USO experience?
I have so many experiences with the USO because of my 21 years of service and few deployments, but what I remember most about the USO is that if you ever see those three letters when out and about, you are at home and in a safe place. I try to make sure to visit the local USO lounges when traveling, even if it’s only to stop in and say “hi” to the volunteers.
What excites you most about this fellowship opportunity?
What excites me most about this fellowship is the opportunity to learn something new. I also like the fact that I’m one of the first to be involved in this program, so hopefully I will be able to provide feedback and guidance for the next rotation and make this program even more incredible. I look forward to watching football on Sunday, but after being able to experience the events behind the scenes, I look forward to being a part of Redskins football. In the next three months, I will be able to work in three major departments within the Redskins organization and I’m sure the knowledge garnered will propel me to my next opportunity.
John Lee Williams Jr.
Branch: U.S. Army
Years of military service: 21 years
Rank at separation: Master sergeant
Age: 40
Hometown: Philadelphia
Stationed: Fort Lewis, Washington; Fort Stewart, Georgia; U.S. Army Garrison Heidelberg, Germany; Fort Dix, New Jersey; Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Deployed: Two deployments to Iraq; one to Afghanistan
2018 FedEx Football Fellowship Team: Tennessee Titans
From Military Life to Civilian Life
What do you think you’ll miss most about serving in the military?
The cohesion you develop with people from different backgrounds. I will also miss training and leading young soldiers.
How has USO PathfinderSM helped you in your transition from the military?
I have to say I have been blessed to meet Ms. Tonya Wacker, the site manager at Fort Campbell. She has been mentoring me since I sat down with her for the first time. And Ms. Dorlisha White, a Pathfinder Scout at Fort Campbell. I call her my transition guide. She helped me with my cover letter and resume, and has answered numerous questions – from how to conduct myself during an interview to what business causal dress is. These two people have given me the tools to transition with confidence and to understand my worth outside of the Army.
What is your dream job after transitioning out of the military?
My dream job is to coach at the collegiate level or work as an athletic director at the collegiate level.
Paving the Way Forward with the FedEx Football Fellowship
What do you love about football?
I love football because it is the only American sport, in my opinion, that totally relies on the team concept. I have heard coaches preach “do your 1/11.” Meaning, if everyone does their part, the team will be successful. If you think about it, one player can’t win a football game.
What is your most memorable USO experience?
My most memorable experience was in 2009 when I was changing duty stations with my three boys. I was leaving Fort Stewart, Georgia, and going to Germany. Our flights kept getting delayed or canceled throughout our travels. The USO at every airport ensured that my family and I were taken care of by providing us with food and entertainment for my kids, and by putting me in contact with good hotels that I was able to afford.
What excites you most about this fellowship opportunity?
Everything about the FedEx Fellowship excites me. I’m learning a whole new world. I have never prepared a resume. I filled out a job application for the first time and I conducted my first job interview. I am excited for the opportunities that will allow me to be successful in the future and am looking forward to learning from all of the wonderful Titans staff. The family environment they have amongst each other makes this a relaxing place to learn.
Lawrence LaMont Whited II
Branch: Army
Years of military service: 4 years
Rank at separation: Specialist
Age: 27
Hometown: Youngstown, Ohio
Stationed: Fort Campbell, Kentucky
Deployed: One deployment to Jordan; one deployment to Syria
2018 FedEx Football Fellowship Team: Tennessee Titans
From Military Life to Civilian Life
What do you think you’ll miss most about serving in the military?
I will miss the opportunity to travel to different countries in an official capacity, and I will miss the one-of-a-kind learning opportunities, i.e., through Airborne, Advanced Driving, Hazmat, etc. I’ll also miss the inspirational people I was able to serve with while in the Army.
How has USO PathfinderSM helped you in your transition from the military?
The USO has helped me with resume advice, interview techniques and making connections with the best people who help with overall transitioning into their different fields - i.e finance. The USO also always keeps in contact, making sure you are set up for success while transitioning.
What is your dream job after the military?
My dream job now is to become an official member of the Titans after the fellowship, and my lifelong dream job is to become a law enforcement agent with the federal government.
Paving the Way Forward with the FedEx Football Fellowship
What do you love about football?
The life lessons learned on the field and what you learn about yourself. I also love how one sport can bring a whole city (through high school football), state (through college football) and country (the NFL) together.
What is your most memorable USO experience?
The day I sat down with Titans CEO Steve Underwood and was awarded the position with the Titans through the FedEx Football Fellowship.
What excites you most about this fellowship opportunity?
The fact that I get to work with the Tennessee Titans and the NFL in order to learn from high level executives and assistants that make the Titans and NFL organization the best.
Every day, America’s service members selflessly put their lives on the line to keep us safe and free. Please take a moment to let our troops know how much we appreciate their service and sacrifice.
