Rehab Warriors Blog

From the Ground Up: How Deundre Armstrong Is Building a New Future in Construction

For many transitioning veterans, there’s a frustrating gap between leaving the service and stepping into a meaningful civilian career. Not for Deundre Armstrong.

When he joined Rehab Warriors, he was ready to get to work. Deundre knew his strengths, his learning style, and his goals. What he needed was a clear path, a supportive structure, and a team who believed in his leadership potential from the start.

“Being a kinesthetic learner, I thrive on hands-on experience, and starting in the field from day one gives me the invaluable opportunities I need to excel.”

That’s exactly what he found.

Placed with Purpose: How We Set Veterans Up for Success

At Rehab Warriors, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all training. Every veteran enters our program with a unique set of experiences, talents, and aspirations. We start by listening. What are your goals? What kind of environments help you thrive? Where do you want to grow?

From there, we hand-select employer partners who share our mission—not just to hire veterans, but to mentor them into leadership roles. These are companies willing to invest in potential. Companies that understand how discipline, adaptability, and mission-driven focus translate into world-class project managers.

Deundre was placed with Bloomfield, one of our employer partners, where he could immediately begin applying what he learned in uniform to the world of real estate development and residential construction.

“I chose Rehab Warriors because they understand the unique needs of veterans. As a veteran, this program stood out to me because I can apply the skills and lessons I learned during my service to benefit the community.”

Learning by Doing: Real Experience from Day One

While many programs spend weeks or months in the classroom before giving veterans a taste of the real world, our approach is different. We embed hands-on experience directly into the training model—because we know that’s where the deepest learning happens.

On day one, Deundre was in the field. Shadowing. Leading. Making calls. Solving problems. His role wasn’t symbolic; it was central to the project’s success. With direct mentorship from his site supervisor and support from our internal team, he began managing schedules, ensuring safety, and coordinating crews.

“I discovered that completing a construction job requires teamwork, and as a project manager, my responsibility is to ensure the job is finished safely and on schedule.”

The field became his classroom—and his leadership training ground.

Military Discipline, Civilian Results

Deundre brought more than ambition to his new role—he brought the mindset of a soldier. He showed up early. He stayed ready. He held himself accountable. And he led by example.

“I prioritize staying on top of work assignments and am ready to take charge of a role when necessary. I focus on problem-solving and completing tasks ahead of schedule, which allows me to assist in other areas or help others with their workload.”

In just a few months, Deundre established himself as a trusted asset on-site—not just someone learning the ropes, but someone helping others navigate the build.

Growth Isn’t Optional—It’s the Goal

We designed our program with one outcome in mind: to prepare veterans for long-term, sustainable careers in real estate and construction. That means pairing every hands-on opportunity with ongoing support and skill-building.

For Deundre, that has meant enrolling in certification programs, receiving personalized coaching, and taking advantage of our leadership development resources. He isn’t just doing the job—he’s building the foundation for a career with upward mobility.

“Through this process, I am pursuing certifications that will bolster my qualifications, along with engaging in extensive on-the-job training and coaching designed to refine my skills and deepen my understanding.”

The Rehab Warriors Difference

Deundre’s story isn’t the exception—it’s what happens when the right person meets the right opportunity, at the right time, with the right support.

We don’t just place veterans into roles. We position them to lead.

Our placement process is built on trust, alignment, and action:

  • We listen first. Every veteran gets a one-on-one onboarding session to clarify their vision, skills, and challenges.
  • We match intentionally. Our employer partnerships are built on shared values and mutual accountability.
  • We stay connected. Our team checks in weekly to track progress, troubleshoot challenges, and support continued development.

When veterans like Deundre thrive, our entire mission moves forward.