From Fort Bragg to the Field

Riley Posey didn't want a desk job after leaving the military. He wanted something that kept him moving, thinking and solving problems — work where he could see the results of what he’d done by the end of the day.

A career in the skilled trades checked every box, and the Trane Trade Warriors program gave him the skills he needed to apply his enthusiasm to the HVAC industry.

Today, Posey is project and install manager at Air Design Systems, Pensacola, Florida, overseeing technicians and managing complex jobs. He’s come a long way from the first time he picked up an installation manual at Trane's training facility in Raleigh, North Carolina, and he's direct about what sets the program apart.

“With the Trane training facility, the learning and understanding was 10 times better and easier,” he says. “They gave you real tools, real equipment and a real-world environment to the best of their ability.”

When he entered the workforce, he felt the difference between his preparation and that of other entry-level hires.

“I work with a lot of technicians that are new to the trade from a year-long college program who have nowhere near the knowledge I had when I first started,” Posey says. “Trane and American Standard have advanced technology and can be complex to work on, but Trade Warriors prepared me for that.”

The transition from military life hasn't been entirely frictionless — he still wakes up at 0400 every morning, even though most jobs don't start until 0800.

“As a manager, I can at least start my day a bit earlier, which helps,” he adds. “I assumed that after four years I’d break out of that routine, but it hasn’t happened.”

The core of what the military built in him has translated directly to the trades: discipline to finish the job no matter how long it takes, teamwork on multi-person installations, and leadership skills he now uses daily managing his team.

He's also stayed connected to his Trade Warriors instructors long after graduation. “Anthony Manor and Bill Timberlake [partners at RightTek HVAC Training] have been and continue to be outstanding,” he says. “Whenever I've reached out from the field, they've never hesitated to help.”

His message to contractors about hiring veterans through the program is unambiguous: “Trade Warriors ensures soldiers are trained the right way from the start, with a strong focus on proper techniques and industry standards. That consistent foundation helps set them up for success and confidence when they enter the field.”

And for fellow veterans nearing the end of their service?

“The demand for HVAC work in homes and businesses is constant, so there are always opportunities,” Posey says. “Programs like Trade Warriors set you up for success and they keep supporting you even after the program is complete.”