As we recognize Military Appreciation Month and Memorial Day (May 25) in the United States, the Veterans Engaged for Teamwork and Support (VETS) Employee Resource Group (ERG) is honoring the contributions and sacrifice of those who have served in the U.S. armed forces.
This year’s theme, "Veteran wellness and whole health," emphasizes a holistic view of well-being. In a conversation with VETS ERG member Aaron Oldham, a senior services learning trainer based in Peachtree Corners, we explore his military journey, how it shapes his work today, and how the Intuitive community supported him through a challenging time.
Tell us about your role at Intuitive and what you enjoy most about your work.
I’ve been at Intuitive for 11 years. I started as a field engineer in West Virginia, moved to Washington, D.C., and then became a technical trainer in Raleigh, North Carolina, before coming to Peachtree Corners in 2022.
Throughout my time at Intuitive, I’ve been traveling internationally and teaching distributors. I’ve also trained our OUS (outside the United States) trainers and onboarded a lot of the field service team.
I really enjoy meeting people. Each group of students thinks about problems differently, and I learn something new from every single class I teach. I’m always learning from them just as much as they’re learning from me.
What inspired you to join the military, and what was your experience like?
I joined the Marine Corps in 2009 and served until 2014. It’s something I’d wanted to do since I was a small child. It always captured my interest.
I was in a marine light attack helicopter squadron. I served as a helicopter door gunner and a power plant mechanic. I did a lot of flying and loved it. At the same time, it’s dangerous and requires a lot of time away, so I decided to leave to focus on having a family and trying something new.
Aaron (far left) with his squadron. He comes from a family of veterans: one grandfather served in World War II and the other in the Korean War.
What skills or lessons from your service have shaped your career today?
I learned how to lead people and how to teach. By the time I left, I was a terrain flight instructor and taught helicopter maintenance and firearms maintenance to new service members.
That’s translated directly into my work here. I love teaching, and I’ll stay in this role as long as I can. It’s a ton of fun.
What motivates and inspires you at work?
We have a phenomenal team. They’re some of my best friends, and I couldn’t imagine working anywhere else. There’s a real deep care in what we do and in each other. We’ve got each other’s backs.
I also really believe in what we do. I’ve had family and friends go through da Vinci surgery, and I’ve seen the impact firsthand. I’ve seen the magic at work, and I truly appreciate it.
You’ve been through a major personal challenge recently. What has helped you stay motivated?
I was in a very bad motorcycle accident in November. I lost my leg, and my arm is still in a sling. I’ve had nine surgeries in the last six months.
The Intuitive community has been incredible. People donated, visited me, called, and checked in. I never had to eat hospital food during my 28-day stay because people kept bringing meals.
My partner, Alex, has also been amazing.They never let me sleep alone in the hospital.
I’m actually walking on my prosthetic for the first time tomorrow, which is really exciting.
This month’s theme is Veteran wellness and whole health. What does that mean to you?
I’ve been out of the military for 12 years, and I’ve really worked on myself: therapy, PTSD groups, trying different approaches.
If I were talking to another veteran, I’d say: Start with one thing, and if it doesn’t work, try the next. What didn’t help you five years ago might help you now. But the moment you give up on getting better—that’s where the real danger is.
I want to keep improving because I have a 6-year-old. We want him to see us thriving and being happy. And I am. I’m excited to be here.
Aaron (back row, third from left) with his squad in Afghanistan.
Kiowa is named after a Native American tribe and an army helicopter.
Tell us more about the VETS ERG.
You don’t have to be a veteran to join. That’s the biggest thing. It’s a group of really awesome people from across the company who share a communal bond of service.
If you want to get involved in veterans’ issues or better understand that perspective, it’s a great place to start.
What does honoring service members look like to you?
For me, it’s about actions, not words.
Volunteering—whether it’s placing flags on graves for Memorial Day, laying wreaths in the winter, or even helping clean them up afterward—shows that you care about people you may not know.
There are also organizations and events that support veterans year-round. Volunteering or donating is a meaningful way to honor both those you know and those you don’t.
Aaron (front center) at a recent event organized by the American Legion.
