When Humphrey left the Marine Corps in 2017 after 17 years of service, he was not sure how his military experience would translate to a civilian career. He soon discovered that the leadership principles he learned as a drill instructor—”firmness, fairness, dignity, and compassion”—would play a significant role at Amazon.
Starting as an inventory associate, Humphrey quickly advanced within the company. He became an ambassador training new associates and now serves as an area manager overseeing dozens of employees. Reflecting on his military service, Humphrey said that being responsible for a team at just 19 years old taught him responsibility and how to remain calm under pressure.
“People often ask me, ‘How are you so calm when everything else is crazy?’ This quality comes directly from my military experience. During my years in the Marines, I learned from watching great leaders who always knew what they were going to say next, even in less-than-ideal situations. It’s about being truthful, honest, and reassuring—never exaggerating or making false promises.”
Humphrey applied his background in artillery operations to develop contingency plans at Amazon fulfillment centers. When automated systems failed, he created manual sortation processes that allowed operations to continue with minimal disruption. “Many colleagues were surprised that I had thought about this scenario months in advance—but that’s exactly the kind of foresight my military training instilled in me,” he said.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, these skills proved essential. Humphrey helped implement safety protocols such as social distancing and sanitation before they became standard across Amazon locations.
His approach to leadership emphasizes both professional development and well-being: “I actively develop future leaders on my team, encouraging them to ‘know your job and the job of two people above you.’ In the military, we always trained our replacements to ensure a seamless transition and continuity of work.”
Humphrey also helps other veterans adjust to Amazon’s corporate environment through Warriors at Amazon—a group supporting former military members—and encourages colleagues to use education benefits and flexible scheduling for career advancement.
Amazon has surpassed its goal of hiring 100,000 veterans and military spouses worldwide by January 2024 (https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/workplace/amazon-hiring-veterans-military-spouses). The company is investing over $1 billion into raising pay and reducing healthcare costs for U.S.-based fulfillment and transportation employees; average total compensation now exceeds $30 per hour with benefits (https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/workplace/amazon-pay-benefits-investment).
At fulfillment centers like Humphrey’s location in Texas, many managers have military backgrounds from different branches. They draw on their experience managing teams under pressure—a skill set directly applicable during busy periods such as Prime Day or other major shopping events (https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/operations/how-amazon-prepares-for-prime-day-big-deal-days).
“Every day, I see how my military leadership experiences enhance our ability to execute at Amazon,” said Humphrey. “Whether it’s maintaining clear communication during high-pressure situations, developing innovative solutions to operational challenges, or building strong, trust-based teams—these fundamental leadership skills translate powerfully to Amazon’s culture.”
