Veterans Provide Milliken Innovation to Service Members

Milliken is a proud manufacturer of textiles that assist military operations by improving performance, protection, and concealment of troops in times it matters most. Many of the associates running Milliken’s government and defense textile operations once wore the uniform they now help to produce and supply to hundreds of service members. 

Sean Murphy began serving as a naval officer in 2014. When he decided to find civilian employment in 2020, he was encouraged to apply for an account manager position with Milliken’s Government and Defense business. 

“Initially, I had no idea where Spartanburg, South Carolina, was even located,” Murphy says. “But I did some quick research and was impressed. I learned more about Milliken’s history and saw that it had earned consecutive awards as one of the World’s “Most Ethical Companies.” 

Murphy says that his role as account manager with government and defense sales is a perfect match for him, given his years in the U.S. Navy and the knowledge that comes with his experiences. Since starting his role with Milliken, he has learned about all the steps that go into making the various service textiles, including the flame-resistant gear he wore on his naval tours.

“When I was in the Navy, I woke up every day and just threw on the uniform, not thinking anything of it,” Murphy says. “The technology and engineering that goes into the fabrics was never at the forefront of my mind.”

Murphy says that his military background enables him to effectively communicate with government and defense clients, to anticipate their needs and get the job done. 

“To this day, I'm still learning about the technical aspect of textiles,” Murphy says. “But I do understand what the military is looking for and how it operates, which is a nice perspective to have on this end.”

Like Murphy, Tommy Young joined Milliken after completing 13 years of active-duty service with the U.S. Air Force. During that time, Young served as an F-16 pilot, flying 115 combat missions in Iraq and Libya. When Young began looking for a civilian career, a military connection introduced him to Milliken. 

In his role as Business Development Director for Government and Defense business development and sales, Young is most proud of Milliken’s ability to deliver fabrics that provide comfort and confidence to service members in their missions and credits this accomplishment to the acquisition of the Westex and Polartec businesses.

“If you've ever been camping when it was really cold, you were probably preoccupied with how cold and uncomfortable you were,” Young explains. “We're protecting service members from the harshest elements so that they can focus on their mission.”

In close collaboration with the government, Young says that Milliken continues to innovate fabric that evolves with the needs of the armed forces. Before flame-resistant technology was introduced to service uniforms, burn-related injuries were among the most common for service members.

“I wore an FR flight suit almost every day I wore a uniform, and it was something I trusted every time I got in the cockpit,” Young says. “If you go down the line of all the services, you will find that personnel rely on FR fabric to protect them from burn injuries, which are some of the most painful to experience and recover. I take pride in knowing that Milliken’s doing its part to protect service members from severe injury in the future.”

While Young supports Milliken’s Government and Defense business, he continues to serve in the Air Force Reserves based out of Shaw Air Force Base. Between his active and reserve service, Young totals over 22 years with the Air Force.

Milliken is involved with the range of programs that supply essential textiles to service members, from dress uniforms to combat uniforms and ballistic vests to cold weather systems. Associates like Murphy and Young understand what service members endure on their missions and are passionate about ensuring their success. 

If you are interested in learning more about careers with Milliken, visit: https://www.milliken.com/en-us/working-at-millliken/military-careers.