Gary was building a great career when he decided to join the U.S. Reserves — and Walmart was in full support.
Gary Olsen balances important roles in two organizations with global reach: At Walmart, he is a director in the Health and Wellness department at the Home Office. In the United States Navy, he is a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Reserves, serving in locations worldwide.
How does he do both? Walmart’s military-friendly policies help make it possible, but Gary’s commitment to service is the key.
“I had that desire to serve, to give back”
In the 11 years Gary has been with Walmart, he has taken on various roles, including software implementation in China, tech finance and private-brand beverages. He is currently the director of training for the company's central fill pharmacies.
For eight of his years as an associate, Gary has also served as a Navy officer in the U.S. Reserves. He joined the reserves at age 36, when he was married with three kids.
“I had that desire to serve, to give back. But I was too far into my career to drop everything and go active duty,” he explains. “I wanted to show my kids that it's about more than just you — if you're able to give back, go ahead and give back.”
“Walmart has provided absolutely phenomenal support”
Giving back can mean sacrifice. The Navy has twice deployed him to serve overseas: once to Bahrain for two years and more recently to Iraq for seven months.
“Walmart has provided absolutely phenomenal support," Gary says. “When I got the news that I was being deployed for the second time, it was nothing but support from my manager.”
Walmart kept Gary's role open during his deployment and provided financial support to help offset the difference in his military and civilian pay.
“I would encourage other military members to consider a career at Walmart. The support is unmatched,” Gary says. “And Walmart would definitely have your back.”
“Decision-making is crucial”
In the Navy, Gary is a training officer with the logistics support unit for an elite SEAL team. There, Gary applies strong decision-making skills and ability to take quick action. Those skills come in handy as an associate as well.
“Decision-making is crucial. We get things done — not next week, not long-range — today,” he explains. “You have to be able to move with pace, especially within the SEAL teams where they're all about fast action on what needs to happen.”
Gary says that Walmart sees the value of the skills he’s gained in the military. “Discipline and motivation, those softer skills, I think Walmart management especially, they understand what that does to an individual,” he shares.
“You have to adapt how you teach”
On the flip side, Gary has gained skills as an associate that serve him in the Navy. Part of his role is training our pharmacists and technicians on the automation process within the central fill pharmacy buildings.
“People learn differently. So as a leader, you have to adapt how you teach, how you train someone,” Gary explains. “And that’s across the board: Either with the SEALS team, on small arms weapons qualification, or in a central fill pharmacy — in something new to them.”
Another parallel? Breaking down the fear of learning something unfamiliar. “Take it step by step,” he advises. “It’s nice to do these check-ins also, to say, ‘Hey, two weeks ago, two months ago, two years ago, look at what you did or did not know and look at you now.’ And that builds their confidence as well.”
“I’m learning just as much,” Gary admits with a chuckle. “In a teacher trainer-type role, I’m looking back and tweaking things, looking at how I’ve evolved and how I’ve grown.”
“Walmart and the Navy complement each other so well”
Gary is a member of SERVES, Walmart’s associate resource group that supports and engages military service members (past and present) and their families.
“The Serves community is tight knit. Most understand what it means to be deployed,” he says. “And they know it's just as tough for the husbands or wives who stay behind.”
Before Gary deployed, a Walmart executive assistant reached out to get his wife’s contact information and let her know that Walmart was there as a resource for the family. “That kind of support means so much,” Gary says.
Though military service comes with sacrifices and challenges, Gary plans to continue.
“Walmart and the Navy complement each other so well,” he says. “I'm grateful to be able to serve my country and my company, and I'm very, very grateful — and my family is grateful — to Walmart for being so supportive and helping out the troops.”
