Veteran’s Perspective
Open Letter to My Fellow Veterans
By July Franco
Franco Hauling LLC & Gunny Gear
Gunnery Sergeant, United States Marine Corps Veteran
Dear Veterans,
If you made it through Boot Camp, you can make it through anything. Your time in uniform may have ended; however, your contribution to this nation continues.
Operation Enduring Freedom in Kyrgyzstan, 2002.
When you made the choice to join the military, no matter the branch, you didn’t become a Sailor, Soldier, Airman, Coast Guardsman, or Marine overnight. You went through a transformation to earn your new title. That process required discipline, sacrifice, and resilience, attributes to carry within your soul into your next chapter of life. In the same way, transitioning back into the civilian world is a process. It requires patience, self-awareness, and grace with yourself.
Most importantly, give yourself permission to adjust; growth takes time. Utilize the benefits and resources you earned throughout your career. The VA, Vet Centers, and Battle Buddies are great resources when you find the right fit for you.
Know this with confidence: when you step into the civilian world, you are a tremendous asset. The military equipped you with knowledge, skills, determination, adaptability, and leadership traits that our communities desperately need. Our service did not end—it simply changed form.
A healthy transition begins by keeping your eyes on the target. In the military, our target was the mission. Now, our mission is to discover our renewed sense of purpose.
July Franco with her brother and business partner, Hector Franco.
Purpose looks different for everyone. Every path will be unique, so do not be afraid to explore your talents.
The beautiful thing about civilian life is that we now have options—and you have the grit, strength, and discipline to pursue anything you set your mind and heart on.
After serving in the United States Marine Corps as Gunnery Sergeant Franco, I transitioned my logistical military background into entrepreneurship. I founded Franco Hauling LLC, a Service-Disabled Veteran, Woman, and Minority-Owned certified construction dump truck hauling and supplier small business. Today, I also lead Gunny Gear, a military-inspired clothing brand designed through a woman’s perspective.
I have traveled across the nation with one mission: to motivate and inspire veterans to find their purpose—to dream bigger than they ever imagined. Because if you can endure the challenges of military service, you can build businesses, lead communities, and create legacies.
To my fellow veterans: yes, a woman can serve in the United States military, own and operate a construction dump truck hauling and supplier business, and build a military-inspired clothing brand like Gunny Gear.
Founder July Franco showcasing her military-inspired clothing Gunny Gear.
And to close this letter, remember this: we were the ones who defended and protected the fundamental freedoms of this nation—the freedom to pursue our dreams.
You are, and always will be, unstoppable.
With much respect,
July Franco
Gunnery Sergeant, United States Marine Corps
Semper Fidelis