Originally published in U.S. Veterans Magazine

By Austin Heneveld

I joined the Navy straight out of high school after receiving an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. Fourteen years later, after multiple deployments, thousands of flight hours and the birth of our son, I left the service. Standing at a crossroads, I had to ask myself the question every transitioning veteran faces: What do I want to be when I grow up?

I saw two clear paths. One led to stability and comfort. The other was riskier but full of potential, a leap into entrepreneurship. The decision to walk away from the military wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. I had spent over a decade mastering one of Naval Aviation’s core principles: accept no unnecessary risk. Now, I was ready to embrace a new challenge, one filled with uncertainty.

Flight school, overseas deployments and years stationed in Jacksonville shaped me into someone who values structure, accountability and leadership. My last tour brought me back to Florida, and it didn’t take long for my wife and me to agree this is where we wanted to build our life. We had our first child, and Jacksonville felt like the perfect place to raise him. But choosing to stay meant I had to figure out my next chapter quickly.

I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do after the Navy, but I knew I had a rare window to bet on myself. I began exploring entrepreneurship through acquisition and franchising, a path that offered the right mix of autonomy, challenge and upside potential. That’s how I found PIRTEK.

At first, it was just research. I spoke with the seller multiple times, reviewed the financials, observed day-to-day operations and delved into the technical side of the business. I didn’t come from a hydraulics background, but as a helicopter pilot, I knew the vital role hydraulics played in mission readiness. What stood out most was the people. The team at PIRTEK, comprising staff, customers and culture, was tight-knit, skilled and mission-driven. They played a critical role in keeping Jacksonville’s construction and marine industries moving. I knew I could learn the rest in time.

In October of last year, I officially took over the PIRTEK Jacksonville and PIRTEK Philips Highway locations. Practically overnight, I went from coordinating Naval flight operations to solving emergency hose failures for construction crews, rental companies and marine contractors. The job looks different, but the stakes feel familiar. When a machine goes down, time is money. We show up quickly, work precisely and help our customers get back on track.

One thing the military teaches you is how to lead under pressure. Naval Aviation demands fast, accurate decision-making, often under life-or-death circumstances. While business ownership doesn’t carry the same level of danger, the sense of urgency and accountability is very real. The buck stops with you. Whether it’s supporting a technician through a challenging job or responding to a client with an urgent need, I rely on those leadership muscles every day.

That said, entrepreneurship comes with a different kind of risk. In the Navy, the objective is to minimize every variable. In business, you have to be comfortable with calculated risk, knowing that success isn’t guaranteed, but the effort is still worth it. That was a major mindset shift.

There have been plenty of learning curves, like understanding the hydraulic systems, building customer relationships and navigating the market, but there’s also been a deep sense of fulfillment. I get to run a business that directly supports the community in which I live. Every day, we help local companies keep their projects moving and their equipment operating, contributing to the continued growth of Jacksonville, which is a city I’ve come to love.

To other veterans considering their next step: don’t let the unknown intimidate you. Let it drive you. You’ve already done incredibly hard things. You’ve led teams, adapted under pressure and delivered results in high-stakes situations. Running a small business isn’t all that different; it’s just a new kind of mission. Focus on your people. Your team and your customers are everything. Serve them well, and the rest will follow. That’s true in the military, and it’s just as true in business.

Eight months into ownership, I’m still learning every day. But I can say with confidence: I made the right call. I’m building something that supports my family, strengthens my community and challenges me in all the best ways.