Each November 11, we pause to honor the commitment, courage, and sacrifices of military personnel. While the day's name and traditions vary by country, its origins trace back to Armistice Day in 1919, marking the first anniversary of the end of World War I.  

In the United States, Veterans Day honors those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, with a special emphasis on living veterans. In Commonwealth nations, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, France, and Belgium, Remembrance Day centers on honoring the memory of those who died in armed conflicts. While different in tone, both holidays are rooted in respect, gratitude, and the enduring importance of military service.  

The Value Veterans Bring to Cisco 

At Cisco, our military veteran team members, along with military spouses and those serving in the reserves, strengthen our workforce through their leadership, discipline, adaptability, and a commitment to excellence. As a U.S. Air Force veteran myself who has been with Cisco since 1998, I've experienced firsthand how veterans' experience enables innovative problem-solving, inspires resilience, and builds collaboration across our global teams.

Cisco's dedication to veterans is embedded throughout our culture and actions, including:  

• Pathways for veterans and spouses: Programs to develop new skills for technology careers, with potential opportunities to work at Cisco or with our partners.  
• Cisco Networking Academy: Since 1997, over 400,000 veterans have received IT training through self-paced, virtual, and in-person courses.  
• Military in Sales & Leadership (MISL) Program: Career pathways in sales, engineering, and marketing with strong onboarding and veteran community support.  
• Cisco Veteran Leadership Program: Dedicated group of Cisco employees and veterans who participate in a six-month program for connection, networking, and learning. 
• Talent Bridge for Veterans: A free job-matching platform to connect veterans with Cisco partners, translating military skills into civilian careers.  
• Partnerships with organizations like O2O, ACP, and Randstad to support transitions and mentorship opportunities. 

Our recognition as a Top 10 Military Friendly Employer, most recently earning second place, reflects not only our commitment but also the tangible impact veterans make at Cisco every day.  

Stories from Our Veterans at Cisco

Below are a few of the many stories from our military veterans at Cisco, who bring their talent and resilience to every part of the company:

Dana Wraith

"During my time in the military, I was fortunate to serve in several roles, spending the majority of my career as a Special Forces Intelligence and Operations Sergeant in 7th Special Forces Group. Those years shaped my leadership style and gave me a deep respect for teamwork, adaptability, and building trust.

As a Green Beret, I found purpose in building relationships and working with people across the world. Whether it was training partner forces, navigating complex missions, or learning new cultures, I realized that real impact comes from collaboration, understanding people, and mutual respect.

Those same values carried over when I transitioned into the sales world through Cisco's Military in Sales and Leadership (MISL) program. The program gave me the opportunity to learn, grow, and translate the skills I developed in Special Forces into a completely new environment. Along the way, I've been fortunate to meet incredible mentors, including my current leader, who believed in my potential and gave me the opportunity to grow.

Now, I pay that forward alongside my peer and fellow MISL alum, Ryan Torres, by mentoring service members transitioning from active duty to civilian life, helping them prepare for interviews, and guiding them as they navigate the next chapter of their careers. Cisco has not only changed the trajectory of my life but also given me the opportunity to continue serving others, now just in a different way."

Reggie Espinoza

"My military journey tested my resilience and trust from the start. After graduating Ranger School in April 2019, I was quickly deployed to Afghanistan as a Fire Team Leader, leading over 50 tactical missions in four months.

Facing the challenge of leading more experienced soldiers, I learned the vital importance of placing trust in my team, leaders, and myself, as well as the value of choosing the hard right over the easy wrong. Serving later as a Ranger Instructor deepened my respect for preparation, accountability, and servant leadership, shaping the mindset I carry today: work fearlessly, communicate clearly, and always take initiative.

At Cisco, that same mindset allows me to approach challenges with confidence, support my teams selflessly, and see the bigger picture. The battlefield taught me resilience, but Cisco has shown me how to channel it into innovation, teamwork, and impact.

As the Ranger Creed reminds me:
'I will shoulder more than my share of the task, whatever it may be, one-hundred percent and then some.'"

On November 11, as we honor both Veterans Day and Remembrance Day, I invite all veterans, military spouses, and reservists to explore the opportunities available at Cisco. Your skills, discipline, and passion for service are valued, whether you're beginning your transition, seeking mentorship, or ready to pursue your next career in technology.

Learn more about working as a veteran at Cisco: https://cs.co/usveterans