Veterans at the Heart of the Shop

Carver Machine Works Earns the 2025 HIRE Vets Gold Medallion Award

Steven Herschberger remembers the first time he stepped onto the warehouse floor as a Receiving Agent at Carver Machine Works (CMW Global). He was a veteran fresh out of the Air Force, eager to apply his technical skills and find stability in civilian life. Today, he is Warehouse Lead, and his journey reflects the values that earned CMW the 2025 HIRE Vets Gold Medallion Award for exceptional veteran employment.

At CMW Global, the award is more than a plaque. It represents a culture built around giving veterans opportunities to thrive, and Steven’s story exemplifies that mission.

From Fighter Jets to the Fabrication Floor

Steven’s journey began in the Air Force in 2008, where he trained in Aircraft Metals Technology, learning welding, machining, and inspections. He spent five years stationed at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, and completed two deployments.

“Working on F-15s, climbing around the aircraft… it was everything I had dreamed of as a kid,” Steven recalls. He also took on security duties, managing sites, coordinating contractors, and patrolling the base.

His time in the Air Force taught him to perform under pressure. As he puts it, “Sometimes you get a call at three in the morning. A jet has to fly in two hours… You have to get it done.” That ability to stay calm and focused under stress has carried over into his work at CMW Global.

Finding a New Mission

Transitioning to civilian life wasn’t easy. Steven struggled to find opportunities that matched his skills. “It was difficult trying to be a welder, machinist, fabricator. The jobs were out there, but few and far between,” he says.

A connection led him to Carver Machine Works in 2015. He started as a receiving agent, managing inventory and coordinating with suppliers. From there, he worked hard to be someone that could be relied upon. He moved onto the shop floor, taking on welding, assembly, machining, and off-site work. Over time, his experience and work ethic earned him the position of Warehouse Lead.

“In ten years, I’ve gone from just getting my foot in the door to leading the warehouse… I can take care of my family. I’m able to sustain a way of life, a comfortable living for my family. And for a little while there, it was very questionable.” Steven says.

Bringing Military Skills to Manufacturing

Steven’s Air Force experience translates directly to CMW’s operations. He applies the same precision and problem-solving skills he used on fighter jets to pump casings, shafts, and assemblies.

“Even if I’ve never done it before, I can think through how to, for example, mitigate damage to an assembly that’s been seized or bearings that have melted onto the shaft, so we can get our tolerances and get to work quickly for our customers. That’s what I learned on jets—mitigating damage because every bit of damage you’re creating on that is more you’re going to have to fix… and the less damage you create the less repair you have to do.”

He also has taken the military mindset to improving warehouse organization and efficiency. Steven reorganized inventory, introduced more durable tooling, and streamlined processes, saving time and money.

A Team Built on Trust and Flexibility

CMW Global is a veteran-friendly workplace that values flexibility and family. Steven appreciates the culture:

“I can take care of my family. If my child is sick, I can go home. Family comes first here.”

Veterans also find camaraderie. Several team members, including the quality manager and another welder, are former military. “We have similar experiences and understand each other,” Steven says. “When I got out of the military, I didn’t have my wingmen around me. Here I was trying to live my life and sustain myself and my family. Carver Machine Works, they became that family. They became that team. I value being a part of it.”

Earning the HIRE Vets Gold Medallion Award

The HIRE Vets Medallion Award recognizes employers that go above and beyond in recruiting, hiring, and supporting veterans. CMW Global’s Gold Medallion Award reflects a culture that sees veteran experience as a valuable asset.

“It wasn’t easy when I got out,” Steven says. “Seeing a company put real value on veteran skills means a lot. I’m proud to be part of a company that does that.”

About the HIRE Vets Medallion Award

The HIRE Vets Medallion Award recognizes employers who demonstrate exceptional achievement in recruiting, employing, and retaining American military veterans. Carver Machine Works earned the Gold Medallion Award for 2025, placing it among a select group of U.S. employers that uphold the highest standards of veteran support, mentorship, and career development.

For more information, visit HIREVets.gov.