Dirt Talk by BuildWitt – Episode DT 302: "Fighter Jets to Training the Next Generation" with Chris "Elroy" Stricklin

Release Date: January 9, 2025

Introduction

In episode DT 302 of Dirt Talk by BuildWitt, host Aaron engages in an in-depth conversation with Chris "Elroy" Stricklin, a seasoned Air Force veteran and construction industry leader. The episode delves into the parallels between military training and workforce development in the construction sector, exploring innovative strategies to train and inspire the next generation of workers.

Sponsorship Highlight

The episode opens with Aaron acknowledging Ariat as the official sponsor of Dirt Talk. Emphasizing the importance of quality workwear during harsh winters, Aaron shares his personal experience with the cold, stating:

“But just because it's cold does not mean the work stops. So to get the job done, you need the best, warmest workwear possible.”
[00:00]

Career Inspirations and Education

Aaron reflects on his own educational journey, expressing a lack of enjoyment during college but recognizing its value:

“I didn't enjoy college. Honestly, I... I wouldn't do it again. I didn't have fun, but that's what I've learned...”
[01:00]

Chris responds by discussing his involvement in athletics during college, highlighting the diverse opportunities available:

“I did different things across all four years... everybody has something they can participate in.”
[02:03]

Military Training and Insights

Chris shares his aspiration to become a fighter pilot from a young age, inspired by a Popular Mechanics article featuring the demanding life of Navy pilots:

“He wanted to throw up the whole time. And I read that and went, I'm in. That's what I want.”
[03:35]

He further elaborates on the rigorous training at the Air Force Academy and the competitive nature of pilot selection:

“We only sent 225 people out of my 900 graduates. So you had to be in the top 225 people that both qualified for and put. They wanted to go to pilot training.”
[50:51]

Workforce Development in Construction

Transitioning to the construction industry, Chris discusses the challenges of making construction a preferred career path rather than a fallback option. He emphasizes the importance of sparking interest early, particularly targeting 8th graders, to build intrinsic motivation:

“We need to get people around these machines once for them to get it and right now or to know... it's just the construction's been that fallback career where construction... to me it was inaccessible, which is... crazy.”
[06:42]

Training Simulators and Community College Partnerships

Both Aaron and Chris highlight the role of simulators in training. Chris details the collaboration with Alabama’s community college system to integrate simulator-based training, which includes online theory and practical hands-on experience:

“We put the training online on demand, on their schedule... we have over 25,000 people enrolled in programs right now in the state of Alabama.”
[09:04]

Aaron underscores the effectiveness of simulators, comparing their use in construction to pilot training:

“The simulator thing... it's not to replace seat time. It's to make the seat more accessible to people, and two, to get people familiar with what it's like the controls are like.”
[54:29]

Challenges in Workforce Recruitment and Pay Discrepancies

A significant portion of the discussion addresses the disparity in wages within the construction industry, especially between regions. Aaron points out the economic incentives that deter potential workers from choosing construction over other industries like warehousing:

“How can you fault somebody for saying, I'm gonna go work at Amazon because I'm gonna make more money a lot of times...”
[38:17]

Chris agrees, emphasizing the necessity of transparent pay structures to attract and retain talent:

“We have to talk about that so we don't hurt people... it's crazy... $17 an hour versus... $70 an hour for the same job just based on region.”
[39:12]

Leadership and Culture Change

Drawing from military leadership principles, both speakers discuss the importance of trust, communication, and a culture that encourages learning from mistakes. Chris shares his experience with leadership debriefs in the military, highlighting their impact on team performance:

“We have a safe place to go. Hey, I almost turned a skid steer over today because I held the bucket too high.”
[75:07]

Aaron connects these principles to the construction industry, advocating for a culture where workers feel valued and motivated beyond mere paycheck incentives.

Personal Stories and Family Impact

Chris opens up about the challenges his military career posed to his family life, illustrating the personal sacrifices made by military personnel and their spouses:

“My wife... we have four kids. They did 18 schools in 23 years... It's hard to be a teenager...”
[84:11]

He underscores the importance of support systems and clear communication in maintaining strong family bonds amidst demanding careers.

Technology, Automation, and the Future of Construction

The conversation shifts to the role of technology and automation in both the military and construction industries. Chris discusses the potential and limitations of automated systems, drawing parallels between fighter jet simulations and construction equipment training:

“We gamify things... when me and you get a simulator class, we get a score... It's grading me if it's on the right arch with the right bucket tilt...”
[55:39]

They explore the balance between technological advancements and the human element, stressing that while automation offers precision, the intrinsic motivation and satisfaction derived from hands-on work remain unparalleled.

Conclusion and Future Plans

As the episode winds down, both Aaron and Chris reflect on the synergy between military training and construction workforce development. They express optimism about the collaborative efforts to inspire and train the next generation, emphasizing the long-term benefits of such initiatives.

“We could pool our resources and do it once to get to the 75%... it's a team effort.”
[34:51]

Chris concludes by reiterating the importance of passion and genuine interest in building a motivated and skilled workforce:

“It's just a genuine let's make the industry better... We're really doing the same thing. We're just trying to make it better.”
[104:42]

Key Takeaways

• Early Engagement: Targeting young students to spark interest in construction through accessible training tools like simulators.

• Collaborative Training: Partnering with educational institutions and industry players to create standardized, scalable training programs.

• Cultural Shift: Fostering a work environment that values intrinsic motivation, trust, and open communication.

• Transparent Compensation: Addressing wage disparities to make construction a more attractive and viable career option.

• Leadership Principles: Applying military-style leadership and training methodologies to enhance workforce development in construction.

Notable Quotes

• Aaron on Motivation and Training:

  “We're trying to help build a community that treated people the way they needed to be treated... we just need to get people around these machines once for them to get it.”
  [06:42]

• Chris on Workforce Innovation:

  “Alabama is number one in the nation for workforce innovation because of this. It really is.”
  [16:09]

• Aaron on Leadership and Trust:

  “The way they put it together is really remarkable. But the way I watched it was from a leadership standpoint... the level of trust and communication.”
  [80:15]

• Chris on Intrinsic Satisfaction:

  “A career is something that comes with a paycheck, but it also gives you intrinsic satisfaction... That's what makes me motivated about what I do.”
  [17:35]

Conclusion

Episode DT 302 of Dirt Talk offers a compelling exploration of integrating military training principles into construction workforce development. Through the insightful dialogue between Aaron and Chris Stricklin, listeners gain valuable perspectives on building a motivated, skilled, and satisfied workforce capable of driving the construction industry forward.