Thank You for Your Service
In 1957, we opened our doors to serve military personnel and their families at what was then Pease Air Force Base in New Hampshire. Since then, we have grown to serve military members, veterans and their families all over the world. We are committed to supporting our military and veterans, and proud to have many veterans on our staff. In honor of Veterans Day, we are sharing their stories.
Philip von Streicher
Vice President, Overseas Operations
Served in U.S. Army 1977-1981
How did your military career eventually lead you to Service CU?
I was stationed in Berlin, Germany, and was hired there by Service CU as an Asst. BO Manager.
What does working at Service CU mean to you as a veteran?
I greatly enjoy working with and for people that have experienced the military environment, either as active duty or as a family member. The overseas military community is unique and extraordinary in terms of the degree of connection and support that people have for one another.
What advice do you have for current active duty military?
Don’t underestimate the value of your efforts; your experiences or your benefits.
Any memories you’d like to share?
I remember in Ft. Benning the first time that our Drill Sergeant said, “Good morning, maggots! Today we will run 5 miles.” I wanted to die on the spot …. because I was pretty sure I’d die before I finished a 5-mile run. But I didn’t. And that wasn’t the last time the Army forced me to prove I could do things I would otherwise never, ever have attempted.
Ricky Neubauer
Manager, KMCC Branch
Served in U.S. Air Force from 1983-2008
How did your military career eventually lead you to Service CU?
I was looking for a career change after retiring from the military and decided to pursue a profession that interested me prior to military service: accounting or financial management.
What does working at Service CU mean to you as a veteran?
I am proud to serve our members and feel I can relate to them on multiple levels as well as connect to the diversity of our members and staffs, especially working at a branch in Germany.
What advice do you have for current active duty military?
Plan for the future, it will meet you head-on before you know it!
Any memories you’d like to share?
My military service provided me the opportunity to travel extensively to over 20 countries and numerous locations throughout the United States. What was initially supposed to be a four year enlistment to pursue a college education turned out to be one of the best life decisions anyone could imagine, which by the way led to my employment directly thereafter with Service Credit Union. Interestingly enough, I started as a PT MSR with Service Credit Union while on terminal leave and actually had to request time off to attend my official military retirement ceremony.
Chris Whitely
Assistant Manager, Grafenwoehr Branch
Served in U.S. Army 1994-1998
How did your military career eventually lead you to Service CU?
I was stationed over here in Germany and met my wife here. We decided that we wanted to come back to Germany in 2003. I have been here ever since and just got very lucky that a job with Service CU came along at the perfect time. I have been with Service CU for three years now.
What does working at Service CU mean to you as a veteran?
As a veteran living overseas, it means the world to be able to stay in Germany and not have to uproot my family every few years. The stability means the world to me.
What advice do you have for current active duty military?
Make the best of your time in the military. The memories last forever.
Any memories you’d like to share?
Finding out that you have to pay to use the public toilets here really made me laugh.
Charles Houseworth
Branch Manager, Stuttgart Panzer
Served in U.S. Army, 1995-2001
How did your military career eventually lead you to Service CU?
It didn’t really. I was originally a light/heavy wheel mechanic in the Army and when I left the service, I did some IT work and also worked for AAFES as the cash cage/customer service supervisor. I happened to walk into the credit union when I worked in Bamberg and got told to drop off my resume and it all started from there. So I guess staying around the military community is what led me to Service FCU.
What does working at Service CU mean to you as a veteran?
Working for Service CU means that I still get to stay within the military community. Being that the military itself is a close-knit community, it is amazing to run into people that I served with or knew from the over 25 years as an active service member or as a civilian.
What advice do you have for current active duty military?
Find mentors and service members that you can look up to and have them help guide you towards whatever goal you are looking to achieve. Always know the people that have the right connections because they are the ones that will help you succeed, look out for you, and if you need a favor in the future, they will be the ones to help. Also, ensure that all documents are accurate and up to date, because when you leave the service, those are the documents that you will depend on when you need assistance in the future.
Any memories you’d like to share?
There are way too many stories that would take up way too much space but I can say this, as much as the Army can be frustrating, demanding, and any other adjective you can probably think of, I would never take back the times, memories, and friendships that I established while serving.
Morgan Harper
Admin, Stateside Contact Center
Serving in U.S. Navy since 2014
How did your military career eventually lead you to Service CU?
I come from an Air Force family who was stationed at Pease Air Force Base [where Service Credit Union was founded] 40+ years ago. I’ve been a member at Service CU since I was little.
What does working at Service CU mean to you as a veteran?
For me, the most important thing about working at Service CU is supporting service members at home and abroad 24/7. We are their peace of mind and financial security when they’re away from home.
What advice do you have for current active duty military?
Don’t discount the reserves; they make up 97% of the forward deployed forces. Also, check in on people in your unit or shop or battalion, even if you don’t normally talk to them. You could save lives.
Christian Ascencio
Member Service Supervisor
Served in U.S. Army, 1997-2020
How did your military career eventually lead you to Service CU?
I was stationed in Hohenfels and had my ETS [Expiration of Term of Service, or release from active duty] in Germany, when the opportunity to work with a great company with strong values – Service Credit Union — became available.
What does working at Service CU mean to you as a veteran?
It gives me the opportunity to continue serving soldiers, families, and the community.
What advice do you have for current active duty military?
Save money and build your credit.
Cameron Hebel
Loan Service Representative
Served in U.S Army March 2009-March 2016
How did your military career eventually lead you to Service CU?
I received a career opportunity in Hohenfels when I retired from the military.
What does working at Service CU mean to you as a veteran?
Still being a part of the Military community and giving back to it.
What advice do you have for current active duty military?
Enjoy it!
Douglas Foote
Project Manager
Served in US Army, 1989 –1992; Reserves 1992-1996
How did your military career eventually lead you to Service CU?
The Army brought me to Germany, which is how I learned of Service Credit Union. After getting out of the military, I had several jobs before starting at Service CU. It was only supposed to be a temporary job, but 20+ years later, it’s obviously grown from that.
What does working at Service CU mean to you as a veteran?
Working at Service CU allows me to continue working with the military and assist with their financial needs. It’s always fun seeing the “aha” moments when something clicks!
What advice do you have for current active duty military?
Enjoy the journey and if offered a chance to be stationed overseas, take it!
Any memories you’d like to share?
I was a young private on my first field exercise in Hohenfels, Germany. I was working in the kitchen and was tasked with grouping all the meals by each unit. One unit came very early for their food. I gave them what was there, which was a few loaves of bread, salad, tomatoes, onions, and some dressing, telling them it was all complete and they could go. Unbeknownst to me, the cooks were finishing up the meats in the kitchen, which they were supposed to take with them. They had a skimpy lunch, but fortunately they had a good dinner!
Victor Stevens
Loan Service Representative
Served in U.S. Army 1997-2019
How did your military career eventually lead you to Service CU?
I retired as a European Out, and Service CU was hiring as I was clearing.
What does working at Service CU mean to you as a veteran?
I continue to help out soldiers and their families as they are our main demographic here.
What advice do you have for current active duty military?
Get yourself situated while you are still in the Military. I see a lot who got out and are struggling due to debt and/or low paying jobs when they exit. You should ensure that when you leave you are as debt free as possible and not take out any new obligations until you are stable.
Nathaniel Glines
Fraud Investigator
Served in U.S. Marine Corps, 2009-2014
How did your military career eventually lead you to Service CU?
After finishing my enlistment and bouncing around between a few jobs, I was largely attracted to Service Credit Union since we have a heavy emphasis on our military members. Also, most of my family has had longstanding membership with Service CU over the years as well!
What does working at Service CU mean to you as a veteran?
It’s always nice to give back to a community I’ve been part of; having experience to draw on from my time in the service often makes it easier to relate to our military members, and their experiences/struggles.
What advice do you have for current active duty military?
Seek to understand why things work the way they do, and own up to mistakes (while finding ways to avoid making them again). These are things I strive for, which have served me pretty well!