On March 5, 2025, Master Sergeant Earl Plumlee will stand alongside fellow Medal of Honor recipients to ring the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) closing bell. The event marks the beginning of Medal of Honor Month, a time dedicated to honoring the extraordinary sacrifices made by service members and keeping their legacy alive.
Ahead of the event, We Are The Mighty sat down with Plumlee to discuss his transition from the military, the importance of veteran success in corporate America, and why preserving the stories of Medal of Honor recipients matters now more than ever.
Helping veterans find their value
Now working in business development for Saab, Plumlee understands firsthand the challenges veterans face when transitioning into the civilian workforce. One of his biggest lessons? Corporate America doesn’t owe veterans anything – it has to be earned.
“Veterans bring a unique skill set, but they have to articulate their value,” Plumlee explained. “The military teaches us how to lead, how to problem-solve under pressure, but in the corporate world, nobody hands you responsibility just because you wore a uniform. You have to prove yourself.”
He also warns transitioning service members to manage their expectations—the pace of promotion in the private sector is far different from the military. “You’re not going to jump into a senior leadership role on day one. Be patient, be humble, and keep working,” he said.
Plumlee believes that businesses must do their part, too. With the NYSE receiving the Circle of Honor Award for its commitment to veterans, he hopes more corporations will actively invest in hiring, mentoring, and retaining former service members.
The weight of the medal
Plumlee was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on August 28, 2013, when he engaged a group of suicide bombers during an attack on Forward Operating Base Ghazni in Afghanistan. But to him, the Medal isn’t about individual heroism; it’s about the men who didn’t come home.
“This Medal isn’t mine. It’s a unit award,” he said. “It represents the guys we lost. The ones who didn’t get to live out their lives. That’s why it’s our job, as recipients, to carry their stories forward.”
That responsibility isn’t just about remembrance. It’s also about education. Plumlee and other recipients are working to preserve the Medal’s history and the values it represents, especially as the number of living recipients dwindles.
“The World War II guys are gone. The Vietnam guys are getting older. Eventually, it’s just going to be those of us from the Global War on Terror. If we don’t preserve these stories now, they’ll disappear,” he noted.
Finding purpose after the military
For Plumlee, purpose didn’t end with his military career—it just changed form.
“In the military, your purpose is clear. It’s mission first. When you leave, you have to redefine that purpose,” he said.
For him, that meant building a balanced life, one that honored the discipline of his service while prioritizing what matters most: his family.
“When I was on active duty, I missed a lot. Now, I’m home for the milestones. I’m at my kids’ games, their events. That’s my new mission.”
Plumlee emphasized that finding structure and a sense of responsibility post-service is critical.
“I stayed in [service] longer than I probably needed to, just to show other veterans that you don’t quit just because something is hard. You set the example.”
The Future of the Medal of Honor and its legacy
Plumlee also discussed the future of the Medal of Honor itself. With fewer conflicts leading to fewer awards, Plumlee sees a shift in how the Medal is perceived.
“Most recipients receive it posthumously. The Medal of Honor represents a tragedy as much as it does valor. Honestly, I’d love to see a long break without any new awards, because that would mean we’re not fighting new wars.”
That’s part of why the Congressional Medal of Honor Society focuses so much on education. Through programs like the Medal of Honor Character Development Program, recipients are working to ensure that future generations understand the values of courage, sacrifice, and service, even if they never wear a uniform.
“The Medal’s legacy isn’t just about those of us who wear it. It’s about teaching every American, military or not, that service and sacrifice matter.”
How to support the Medal of Honor mission
- Learn more about the Congressional Medal of Honor Society at cmohs.org or find them on Instagram |Facebook
- Participate in Medal of Honor Day on March 25 by sharing a recipient’s story
- Support veteran hiring and transition programs in your workplace
- Teach younger generations about the values of courage, sacrifice, and service
Medal of Honor Month isn’t just about recognizing history. It’s about keeping the mission alive for the future. Observe Medal of Honor March on We Are The Mighty here.