Veteran’s Day—A Gladstone Story

Veteran’s Day, an official federal holiday that is observed annually on November 11, honors and celebrates those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

At Gladstone Institutes, we honor our veterans, both within and outside of Gladstone, and celebrate their commitment and contributions to this country. Sidney Oduah, a senior buyer in Gladstone’s purchasing department, is one of Gladstone’s veterans. 

“I joined the Service, because I ran out of money for college, and it was the smartest move I ever made,” recalls Oduah. “I got to live in places like Ginowan on Okinawa, and Sasebo and Yokosuka in Japan, and to see some of the most amazing places in the world.”

Oduah was assigned to a Navy Amphibious Assault Ship during the First Gulf War, Operation Desert Shield. He ran desert assimilation training for six months before the main ground war. Just before operations began, his team, which was scouting Iraqi-occupied Kuwait under Task Force Taro, had been inside Kuwait for 2 days with only air support.

“We hunkered down to make sure that the other advancing forces could maneuver toward Kuwait through the thick minefield that the Iraqi army had planted,” Oduah shared. “We were relieved when the first unit finally came through.”

In 1993, the military started drawing down, and President Clinton offered those suffering from the Gulf War Syndrome an opportunity to leave active service and stay in the reserve, without losing their seniority, while they got long-term treatment with the Veterans Administration. Recognizing the toll his service had taken on him, Oduah began the separation process, a decision that was key in him making his way to Gladstone.

While he was waiting for separation from the Marine Corps, Oduah was offered a chance to attend Naval Storekeeper Training, where he earned a certificate in logistics. He was then sent to the Alameda Naval Air Station in the East bay to help inventory the Korean/Vietnam-era ammunition stockpile for the Marine Air Wing that was stationed there. It so happened that the base was also slated for closure, and the USS Abraham Lincoln and its battle group were being moved to Washington State. Many of its sailors were also being separated from the service. For this reason, the Navy held a job fair at the base, and Gladstone was represented at one of the career booths.  

Looking back, Oduah considers his journey to Gladstone as sort of serendipitous.

“I was interviewed at the Gladstone booth, and I was offered the job as a receiving and supply clerk,” said Oduah.

Since that time, Oduah has held several positions at Gladstone, and he also obtained a certification in Environmental Heath and Safety. He then moved to the purchasing department, where he began as an assistant and moved his way up to senior buyer.

“I feel fortunate,” Oduah explained, “I enjoy the atmosphere, the people I have met, and the knowledge that I am part of the incredible work that we are doing for the betterment of humankind. It has not only been an amazing place to work, it has some incredible minds behind its research and throughout the organization that make everything work smoothly.”