Local 100 member and Marine Alex Ramos Speaks at Webinar about Veterans in Transportation

Alex Ramos, middle left, with veteran advocates at the workforce seminar
Alex Ramos, middle left, with veteran advocates at the workforce seminar

NOVEMBER 7—Recording Secretary of Line Equipment Section, TUF Outreach Coordinator and Marine Alex Ramos spoke in a webinar Thursday to a national audience of transit agencies along with three other U.S. military service members.

The discussion focused on opportunities for veterans in the public transportation workforce. The event, sponsored by the Transit Workforce Center, shared resources to encourage veterans to join transit agencies. Ramos says that military veterans are particularly suited to transit jobs because of their self-discipline, work ethic, and ability to follow directions. 

“It took me six to eight months to transition to civilian life. In the Marine Corps we carry a high standard. The skills that I managed from the service to my job now include time management. Every job here is crucial. I’ve been here 22 years, and I’ve never been late. And when the task changes, it’s not an issue for me.

Joining Ramos on the panel were fellow Marine Tim Tarrant of the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, U.S. Air Force Veteran Leesa Lester, now with Southern Iowa Trolley, and U.S. Army Vet Olivia Jones, of CapMetro in Austin, Texas.

Nationally, veterans are well represented in transit jobs. Eleven percent of bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists have military backgrounds. For Bus Operators and Supervisors, the figure is eight percent.

Veteran advocates like Ramos want the trend to continue. Ramos explained to his audience his role in outreach to Local 100 veterans. He said that he addresses every new hire class, and the first question he asks them is, “Did you serve?” He noted that with the MTA, veterans get extra points on civil service exams which gives them a step up on the hiring roster.

Recounting his transit journey, from Cleaner to Electrician, he concluded: “There’s a lot of veterans who start from the bottom and make it all the way up to the top. I show them the route."