Military Gives Serviceman the Confidence to Last a Lifetime
Ally Melby | Waupaca Foundry
Vic Civik, current Plant 1 shakeout employee, back in the 1990's.
Civik was in the Army Reserves for eight years, from 1991 to 1999. While still in high school, he began his military career with pre-drills, and then the summer after graduation, Civic attended basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. After, he started his job training at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland, where he spent four months.
Civik then began simultaneously studying physical and health education at the University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point in the fall of 1993. As an Army Reserve soldier, Civik could still live a civilian life, and received the same training as active-duty soldiers by spending one weekend a month and two weeks every year training to keep his skills sharp in case of needed deployment.
While attending college, Civik was placed with his first unit, the 44th General Hospital — that has since become the Army Reserve's 452nd Combat Support Hospital — in Milwaukee. There, he spent most of his time as Quartermaster and Chemical Equipment Repairer, trained in chemical warfare in case of combat, fixing machinery needed by hospital staff. In addition, he trained personnel how to transport equipment on large vehicles. After, Civik attended Fort McCoy, in Tomah, Wisconsin for training before he transferred into the 890th Transportation Company in Green Bay, Wisconsin where he was responsible for the transportation of heavy equipment.
After eight years in the service, Civik ended his military career as an E5 Sergeant. He returned to fulltime civilian life and held a few jobs before returning to Waupaca Foundry — a place he had worked previously during the summer months while still in college. He has now been with the company for 15 years.
Civik was nominated to be this year’s Plant 1 spotlighted veteran by Annie Nelson, the plant’s Production Systems- Six Sigma Coordinator.
“Vic is a role model to me,” Nelson says. “Vic brings many skills to his current job from his time in the service. He is well organized, can handle being given many tasks at once, is extremely adaptable, and is always willing to lend a helping hand.”
In addition to those skills, as well as a savviness with mechanical work, Civik carries a confidence with him that he acquired throughout his time in the military.
“[The Army Reserves] brought me out of my shell. I was pretty shy as a kid,” Civik says. “I can talk to anybody and not have any issues anymore … [The Reserves] makes you very adaptable, and I'm now more outspoken and know how to talk to people better. My communication skills have gotten better, and they helped with that.”
Waupaca Foundry is proud to employ the men and women who have served our country. Ten percent of our employees have served in uniform, and we thank you for your service.
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