From serving as a Military Police Sergeant in Iraq to working as a Journeyman Lineman, IBEW 1245 member Kevin Cochrane carries forward a simple but powerful principle: look out for the people beside you.
For some Veterans, the transition from military service to civilian life means leaving one profession behind and beginning an entirely different one.
But for U.S. Army Veteran and IBEW Local 1245 Journeyman Lineman Kevin Cochrane, the values that guided him in uniform remain just as important in his work today.
Teamwork. Adaptability. Purpose. And above all, the responsibility to make sure everyone makes it home safely.
It’s a philosophy Kevin sums up in four words:
“Be Your Brother’s Keeper!”
A Foundation Built Through Service
Cochrane served in the United States Army from 2005 to 2010 , holding the military occupational specialty of 31B, Military Police.
During his service, he attained the rank of Sergeant (E-5) and served as a team leader, taking on responsibilities that required discipline, sound judgment, and the ability to adapt to challenging circumstances.
His military assignments took him to Fort Bliss, Texas, as well as Mosul and Tallil, Iraq.
The experience helped develop skills that would follow him into his civilian career, particularly the ability to assess situations, solve problems, and adjust when circumstances change.
Those lessons would eventually find a new application in the electrical utility industry.
Finding Purpose in the Trades
When Kevin began considering his career after military service, he knew he wanted more than simply a job.
He wanted meaningful work, something that would challenge him, keep him engaged, and provide a sense of purpose.
“I wanted a career that’s purposeful,” he explained. “Also a job that changes, so it doesn’t get too boring.”
He found that opportunity as a union Journeyman Lineman working in Outside Line at Underground Electric.
It’s a career that demands technical knowledge, physical ability, situational awareness, and the capacity to respond to changing conditions.
No two days are necessarily the same, and the work requires constant problem-solving.
Kevin credits his military experience with preparing him for those challenges.
“My military experience has helped me have success in this career path by training me to be able to adapt and problem solve with a lot of daily tasks.”
While the responsibilities of a Military Police Sergeant and a Journeyman Lineman may seem worlds apart, Kevin sees an important connection between the two professions.
Both require trust, accountability, and an unwavering commitment to the safety of those working alongside you.
Be Your Brother’s Keeper
For Kevin, the connection between military service and union membership is especially apparent when it comes to workplace safety.
“Being a Union Journeyman Lineman and an Army Veteran are similar in a major way, in my opinion,” he explained. “We have a very hazardous career.”
Working around high-voltage electrical equipment and other hazards leaves no room for complacency. Every member of a crew depends on the others to remain alert, communicate effectively, and recognize potential dangers.
It’s a responsibility Kevin takes personally.
“Every job at the end of the day, the task is to go home to my family, and that extends to my coworkers in the same way. Be Your Brother’s Keeper!”
Those words capture something fundamental about both military service and the labor movement.
In the military, service members learn to depend on one another. The strength of the team is built on trust, shared responsibility, and the knowledge that no one succeeds alone.
In the work IBEW 1245 Members do, those same principles are essential.
Looking out for a coworker isn’t simply a matter of professional courtesy. It can mean the difference between a safe day’s work and a life-changing accident.
For Kevin, brotherhood is more than a word. It’s a responsibility carried into every job, every day.
More Than a Veteran
Although his military service helped shape the person he is today, Kevin doesn’t necessarily want it to define him.
His perspective on Veterans Day reflects that distinction.
“Veteran’s Day to me… It’s like my birthday. It is just another day,” he shared. “I like to show appreciation to those who serve, but I don’t want that to be a status that defines me.”
It’s a reminder that Veterans are individuals whose identities, accomplishments, and contributions extend far beyond their time in uniform.
For some, Veterans Day is an opportunity for public recognition and reflection. For others, it’s a quieter occasion to appreciate those who served without drawing attention to themselves.
Both perspectives deserve respect.
Kevin’s story is a reflection of that idea. His military service is an important part of his journey, but so is the career he has built, the family he works to return home to each day, and the relationships he has formed along the way.
A Brotherhood That Continues
When asked what advice he would offer Veterans considering a career in the trades, Kevin’s response was straightforward.
“Go Union. Go into a career path where you still feel that you serve a purpose.”
For Veterans accustomed to working as part of a team, taking on difficult assignments, and contributing to a mission larger than themselves, the union trades can provide a meaningful opportunity to carry those experiences forward.
Kevin has found that sense of purpose in his work as a Journeyman Lineman.
But when asked what makes him most proud, his answer wasn’t about a particular military accomplishment, job title, or professional achievement.
It was about the people.
“I’m proud of the people I can call Brothers. That comes with military service and union service.”
In those few words, Kevin captures the enduring connection between two very different forms of service.
One in uniform. One in the trades.
Both built on trust, responsibility, and the bonds formed by people who depend on one another.
And whether he’s reflecting on his years in the Army or preparing for another day working in the field, the principle remains the same:
Be Your Brother’s Keeper.
The IBEW Local 1245 Veterans Committee proudly recognizes Brother Kevin Cochrane for his service in the United States Army, his contributions to the electrical trade, and his commitment to the safety and well-being of his fellow workers.
This article is part of the IBEW 1245 Veterans Spotlight series, recognizing the diverse experiences and contributions of Veterans throughout our Membership.
Leave No Veteran Behind.