Apprentice Roderick Williams Transitions from Army Command to Real Estate Developer

For many veterans, the search for a meaningful post-service career is the hardest mission of all. Roderick Williams, a former Army leader who completed the Rehab Warriors Apprenticeship program, didn't look for a simple job; he sought a challenge worthy of his proven discipline.

He immediately chose a real estate project that would test his new skills: his first personal rehab in his hometown of Fayetteville, North Carolina.

His project is a single-family, 3-bed, 2-bath house, but Roderick saw past the decay to the mission. He was captivated by the sheer potential of the property. 

As Roderick puts it, "Honestly, the main thing that caught my attention was the potential. The bones were solid, but it needed a full gut, which to me meant I could really shape it how I wanted. Plus, the price and location made sense for a first big rehab project." Roderick's military mindset kicked in when facing the obstacles: "Right now I'm dealing with significant foundation, roof, and HVAC issues which would probably scare a lot of folks, but I love a challenge."

Translating Training to Real Life

Roderick's success is a direct result of his ability to translate military planning into complex construction logistics. The Apprenticeship program provided the new language, but his Army discipline executed the mission.

He quickly learned which of the Rehab Warriors program modules provided the most tangible value on the job site. "The estimating and scope of work training has been the most useful, because it keeps me from getting lost in the details," Roderick notes. This tactical planning extended to the management of contractors. "Also, knowing when to bring in subs so they’re not stepping on each other." Critically, he acknowledged the unexpected, embracing the reality of construction: "Even the change order process has come in handy even though I have stumbled a few times, because things never go exactly how you planned, which I'm learning on the fly."

The Measure of Success: Building a Legacy

Roderick’s goal is clear: mastery of the process and a final result he is proud of. He set a challenging, mission-focused deadline and detailed quality standards for himself and the property.

"My goal is to finish in about 3-4 months. What I really want to learn through this first project is how to run the whole thing smoothly, from scheduling trades to sticking to the budget. If I can walk away from this with more confidence in planning and managing the timeline, that’s a win." His passion is tied to the final result, transforming the home into something lasting: "I’m most excited about transforming this 'zombie house' into something a person would be proud to live in, and people say someone took pride in their work. I’m going for a clean, modern look that still feels warm.

Building Confidence, Phase by Phase

The true reward of the apprenticeship is the confidence gained from seeing the chaos turn into a clean vision. For Roderick, that turning point came during demolition and framing.

"For me, the best moment was walking through after the demo and framing were done. I could actually see the vision taking shape... not just walls torn down, but the start of an updated layout. I’m slowly building confidence with each phase completion." Roderick's story is a powerful testament to the core mission of Rehab Warriors: not just teaching skills, but providing the structure for veterans to launch a successful new career where they can continue to lead and execute.

Check Out Roderick’s Rehab in Progress

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