From service abroad to subsurface innovation at home, veterans are shaping America’s energy transition.

As America pauses to honor those who have served, The Driller Newscast turned its focus this week to veterans forging new paths in the geothermal and construction industries. Host Brock Yordy opened Episode 153 with a reminder that the same discipline, teamwork, and mission-first mentality that define military service are proving invaluable on the jobsite.

“Veterans are a foundational strength of our nation and a vital part of our workforce,” Yordy said. “In construction alone, over 528,000 veterans, about 6.4% of the industry, are applying their skills to build a more sustainable future.”

He emphasized that veterans bring leadership, precision, and adaptability, qualities sharpened by service under pressure. But as they transition into civilian life, Yordy urged employers to pair opportunity with support systems, particularly around mental health. “Hiring veterans isn’t just the right thing to do,” he said. “It’s strategic.”

From Combat Zones to Climate Solutions

To explore that transition firsthand, Yordy sat down with Nick Fry, a geothermal consultant and U.S. Army veteran whose career now bridges energy efficiency and infrastructure design. Fry served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan before joining the Department of State and later entering the private sector as a geothermal designer.

“The deployments gave me a shock-and-awe perspective,” Fry recalled. “We live in a land of abundance here. Overseas, energy and water scarcity define daily life. Delivering something as simple as light at night or clean water changes lives.”

That awareness, he said, shaped his professional focus. “I started in excavation, worked with drillers, and thought, ‘Do I want to go into water or energy?’ Geothermal gave me both. It’s the direction we need to go for efficiency, decarbonization, and common sense.”

Lessons from the Field

Fry explained that his military background, particularly his time in combat arms, instilled a mindset of modularity and adaptability that translates naturally to infrastructure planning. “In the military, everything moved with you—command posts, fuel, food,” he said. “We could apply that thinking to how we build the next generation of geothermal communities: ready-made, efficient systems that reduce long-term energy costs.”

He drew parallels between mission planning and project management. “Military folks know their task, but they also understand the mission. In geothermal, we deal with uncertainty underground. The key is communication between drillers, engineers, and clients. That’s how you ensure safety, quality, and performance.”

Yordy noted the similarity between field deployments and modern energy projects: both demand coordination across disciplines and high stakes for safety. “In the field, lives depend on communication,” he said. “In our industry, project success and worker safety depend on the same thing.”

Advice for Veterans and Those Who Hire Them

For veterans eyeing a move into the drilling or geothermal trades, Fry’s advice is straightforward: stay curious. “Be a sponge,” he said. “Ask questions, learn from people who’ve been doing this for decades, and understand that leadership isn’t about being in charge—it’s about empowering others.”

He also called on employers to step up outreach. “When I got out, I didn’t know these opportunities existed. Companies should connect with veterans early, whether it’s field technicians, drillers, or geothermal designers. The talent is there, but we have to make them aware.”

Yordy and Fry agreed that employers must recognize the transition takes time. “Some veterans are still figuring it out,” Fry said. “Give them a pathway, not just a position. If you want to retain them, help them grow.”

As the conversation closed, Fry reflected on the need for “after-action reviews” in the geothermal industry, borrowing a practice from military debriefs. “Every project deserves reflection,” he said. “What went right, what didn’t, what we learned. Integration and communication across teams are where we can improve most.”

Yordy ended the episode with gratitude: “To every veteran who’s served and now continues to serve this country through construction, drilling, and renewable energy, thank you. You’ve taken what you learned abroad and turned it into something that powers our communities here at home.”

Listen to Episode 153 of The Driller Newscast to hear the full conversation with Nick Fry, and stay tuned for next week’s continuation of the series featuring Shane Banks, another veteran bringing military precision to construction management.

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Brock Yordy, Global Drilling SME, Anchor, and lead content creator at TheDriller.com, wants you to contribute to TheDriller.com. Send news, tips and interview suggestions to questions@askbrock.com.