“Veterans have an undeniable work ethic and commitment to everything we do. Being able to apply those qualities for our military family again is a great honor.” –Misty Murchison, Business Intelligence Analyst, Clinical Operations; 2025–Present, U.S. Navy 2001–2006; Hospital Corpsman Third Class
Each year on July 25, organizations across the U.S. celebrate National Hire a Veteran Day, an important observance to raise awareness and inspire employers to recruit and hire Veterans for the unique skills and commitment former military members bring to the workplace.
Established in 2017 by Marine Corps Veteran Dan Caporale, founder of Hiring Our Heroes, the day is also designated to spotlight the importance for Veterans to successfully transition into the civilian workforce following their service.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reports that about 200,000 former military service members transition to civilian life each year. For most, their transition includes the search for quality, stable, and purposeful employment.
As a long-time supporter and advocate for Veterans and military-connected individuals, TriWest Healthcare Alliance (TriWest) is proud of its commitment and reputation for recruiting, hiring, and retaining Veterans for its mission-driven team.
In observance of National Hire a Veteran Day, TriWest invited a few company managers and Veteran employees to share their personal insights and experiences within an organization that values former military members as an important part of its team.
TriWest Managers on the Value of Recruiting and Hiring Veterans
- Liz Loux, Human Capital Manager, Recruitment; 2023–Present
- Sarit Romero, Manager, Human Capital; 2024–Present
TriWest Employees on the Importance of Quality, Mission-Driven Work
- Robert Saporito, Business Analyst, Sr., IT; 2016–Present
- Misty Murchison, Business Intelligence Analyst, Clinical Operations; 2025–Present
- Gilbert Sanchez, Business Intelligence Manager, Performance Management; 2024–Present
Liz Loux, Human Capital Manager, Recruitment; 2023–Present
“National Hire a Veteran Day is a great reminder of why our work in recruiting matters,” Liz explains. “As a TriWest manager I get to work with incredible Veterans on my team, and seeing their dedication, experience, and perspective every day is great,” she adds.
“The day is also a good reminder whether we are doing enough to recruit more Veterans into roles at TriWest where they can grow and lead. Our mission is serving Veterans and military-related communities, and it’s our responsibility to make sure we’re showing up for Veterans in how we hire, support, and develop them,” Liz shares.
“As a manager, and previously a TriWest recruiter, I’ve seen Veterans bring a lot when they transition into civilian roles,” Liz says. “They show up with a strong sense of responsibility, follow through, are adaptable, and they know how to work within a team.”
“A lot of Veterans have had to learn new skills quickly or work in unfamiliar environments, which translates well into the fast pace of our work,” Liz explains. “Lastly, they’re mission driven, especially when it comes to our mission at TriWest. Veterans care about doing meaningful work well, which fits in perfectly here,” she emphasizes.
Sarit Romero, Manager, Human Capital; 2024–Present
“Recognizing National Hire a Veteran Day at TriWest means to me honoring the service and unique strengths Veterans bring to our company’s workforce,” Sarit shares. “As a manager of Veteran employees in Human Capital, the day is a reminder to create inclusive hiring practices and career pathways that value their service experience.”
“TriWest’s celebration of National Hire a Veteran Day also reinforces our commitment to building a culture at TriWest where Veterans feel seen, supported, and empowered,” Sarit explains. “In a mission-driven organization serving military-connected communities, this observance day affirms that hiring Veterans is not just a goal, it is who we are as a company.”
“From my experience at TriWest and with other employers, Veterans bring traits that elevate team performance. Their discipline, reliability, and strong work ethic to civilian roles create a culture of accountability,” Sarit explains.
“In my career, I’ve found Veterans are adaptable, mission-focused, and lead with integrity,” Sarit adds. “Veterans have a team-first mindset, value service and purpose, and their resilience make them invaluable to TriWest.”
TriWest Veteran Employees on Meaningful, Purpose–Driven Employment
Robert Saporito, Business Analyst Sr., IT; 2016–Present; U.S. Air Force 1986–1991; Fire Protection Specialist
“As a TriWest Veteran employee since 2016, being part of the TriWest family on National Hire a Veteran day is much like being part of the military family,” Robert shares. “Being part of TriWest means that much more when I meet a fellow Veteran who has joined and I wonder if they too had the same need to serve those who served,” he explains.
“I also believe that those who chose a different path or could not serve still have the opportunity at TriWest to be proud serving Veterans under our VA Community Care Network contracts, or Active Duty members and their families under our TRICARE contract,” Robert says. “At TriWest, we all have something to celebrate together and be proud about,” he emphasizes.
“Having been raised in the military and moving to a new location every few years – mostly overseas – prepared me well for the challenges transitioning to civilian life I would face,” Robert shares.
“However, my most notable challenge wasn’t transitioning to the civilian job market, but having to transition back into the military,” he adds. “After serving my first four-year enlistment, I had started working as a 911 operator for the UC Berkely Police Department, then in December 1990 during my inactive reserve status I was recalled to Active Duty service in support of Operation Desert Storm,” Robert emphasizes.
“I joined TriWest in April 2016 at the Sacramento Call Center Hub, as a contract complex authorization specialist,” Robert says. “When an opportunity and need for an operations admin opened, I applied, interviewed, and even ‘auditioned’ for the position. During my interview process I was tasked to develop a productivity report, create a PowerPoint presentation, and deliver it to the Call Center leadership,” he adds.
“With my military family upbringing, I’ve always felt I have had to prove not only to myself but to others that I was equal to any task. Then, during my operations admin interview process I was given that opportunity, and that was when I really wanted to become part of the TriWest team,” he explains.
“As a Veteran, joining TriWest has been the perfect opportunity to have clear purpose and to contribute to our mission with some of the best people in the world.”
Gilbert Sanchez, Business Intelligence Manager, Performance Management; 2024–Present; U.S. Marine Corps Reserves 2013–2021, Heavy Equipment Operator
“As a TriWest Veteran employee on National Hire a Veteran Day, it’s meaningful to me that TriWest advocates for recruiting and hiring Veterans because it shows that the company respects and values former military members’ work ethic, input, and commitment,” Gilbert shares.
“I became a proud Veteran through my service in the Marine Corps,” Gilbert says.
“As an eight-year Reservist, many don’t understand we are fully military Veterans too, even if we didn’t serve full-time Active Duty,” Gilbert says. “While most Reservists don’t serve full-time Active Duty, we still formally separate from the military the same as full-time service members do.”
“Throughout most of my civilian jobs I had struggled to find purpose with what I was doing with my skillset,” Gilbert says. “At the end of the day, helping Veterans and service members with accessing their health care is far more meaningful to me than commercial marketing or insurance, which was what I was doing in my prior roles,” Gilbert explains.
“Following my service separation, I’ve personally felt like my recruitment and employment at TriWest has been an amazing opportunity to continue serving others with my current skillset,” he emphasizes.
Misty Murchison, Business Intelligence Analyst, Clinical Operations; 2025–Present; U.S. Navy 2001–2006; Hospital Corpsman Third Class
“As a Veteran employee at TriWest, National Hire a Veteran Day to me represents supporting Veterans and recognizing and appreciating all the sacrifices we have made as well as our contributions to society,” Misty explains. “Veterans have an undeniable work ethic and commitment to everything we do. Being able to apply those qualities for our military family again is a great honor. As a Veteran, it is a feeling of great pride knowing that I can create an impact once again,” she says.
“Returning to the civilian sector was a hard adjustment for me,” Misty shares. “Following my service, I had to navigate leveraging my military medical skills and experience including the many procedures I was allowed to do while serving, versus what medical procedures I was allowed to do outside the military such as phlebotomy, IV starts, and other procedures,” she explains.
“After separating from the military, adjusting to less structure and less of a routine was very hard to maneuver,” Misty says. “At the same time, I had to rebuild my support system since things change in your absence within your own family circle while serving.”
“I had been trying for years to have a job that serves Veterans,” Misty shares. “I tried the VA many times but there were just no real opportunities with my skillset. Now I am able to contribute to the care and get back to assisting my military people. I take great pride in all my work that I do but I have exceptional pride being able to give back to my military family,” Misty emphasizes.
At TriWest, giving back to Veterans, Active Duty, and military-connected individuals is our core mission in ensuring they receive the quality health care they deserve. Their successful transition to the civilian workforce is also a major part of health and wellness, and Team TriWest is forever proud to recruit, hire, and retain those who have served to support our sole mission to serve our nation’s heroes.
Veterans and military-connected individuals seeking transition advice should also read last year’s Healthy Homefront® feature sharing tips and resources from TriWest recruiters that can ease returning to the civilian workforce.
Veterans and military family members can also explore opportunities on TriWest’s Careers site by reviewing current roles and applying for employment.