The story of our veteran Anatolii Holovchenko, Video Surveillance Specialist
Do you remember how you first got acquainted with Aurora?
Yes, I knew Aurora as a store where you could come in and buy things at affordable prices. But before joining the company, I didn’t know what Aurora was like as an employer.
Later, at the Poltava Veterans Center, I was encouraged to submit my CV to Aurora. They told me about what the company does for veterans and what working conditions it offers.
Tell us about your military service experience.
In March 2014, I volunteered to join the Aidar Battalion. We took part in fighting near Shchastia and the village of Metalist. That same summer, several of my fellow soldiers and I were taken prisoner. After the exchange, I spent three months receiving treatment at the Poltava military hospital and then returned to service.
Later, I transferred to the 25th Brigade, where I served until March 2015. A year later, I returned to the military again. I served in the ATO zone with the 131st Separate Reconnaissance Battalion, in a deep reconnaissance company, where I performed the duties of a platoon commander. In March 2017, I left the service.
When the full-scale invasion began, I returned to the military once again. On February 25, 2022, a fellow soldier and I went to defend Sievierodonetsk. I spent almost a year serving in a special operations unit, and in March 2023, I transferred to the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade “Magura.” I served in the Zaporizhzhia direction and took part in the defense of Avdiivka.
In 2024, I left military service.
You have extensive military experience. What was your experience of returning to civilian life like?
When I left the military during the full-scale invasion, returning to civilian life was somewhat easier because I had already gone through that experience before. I first returned in 2015, and then again in 2017. It was after my first return that things were the most difficult.
Now the adaptation process is easier, although certain difficulties still remain. They do not simply disappear, so you have to accept them and learn to live with them.
Employment has also become part of this process. At the office, there is face-to-face communication, support, and special consideration for veterans. I enjoy coming here and being around people.
You said that the challenges of adaptation need to be accepted and that you have to learn to live with them. What personally helps you recover and keep moving forward?
My faith comes first for me. My family also helps me a lot. I have a wonderful wife who supports me and believes in me.
Another important part of my life is horses.
Even before joining the company, I saw that Aurora supported veteran initiatives. Through the Traiectoriia project, I applied for support to create an archery area. The company paid for two complete sets of all the necessary equipment.
We then expanded the idea and started developing a stable for rehabilitation purposes. We have seven horses, and constantly staying active helps me cope with what is happening inside.
We hold activities with horses for children with disabilities, veterans, and families of fallen defenders.
Now, those who come to visit us can spend time with the horses and practice archery. They really enjoy it.
How memorable was meeting your colleagues after joining the company? Were there other veterans among them?
Yes, there were veterans among my colleagues. It is no secret that veterans can sometimes find it difficult to connect with civilians because everyone is different. But when you are around people who understand you and have gone through a similar experience, you feel much more comfortable.
The office itself also made an impression on me. At first, I thought I would spend a few days here during my onboarding and then switch to remote work. Working from home is convenient, and my wife is there.
But after six months of working here, I actually want to come to the office more often. There is real communication and support here. Overall, I like both the team and the way work is organized at Aurora.
During your years of service, your fellow soldiers were always by your side. How important are that sense of support and team spirit to you? Have you found anything similar at Aurora?
Yes, definitely. We are like one big family here. Sometimes we may disagree or see things differently, but we still remain close and support one another.
Even before joining Aurora, you had already experienced the company’s support for veterans. Had you heard about the benefits Aurora provides to veteran employees? Have you used any of them?
I learned about different opportunities by talking to other veterans. I knew about insurance, support with medical treatment, and other forms of assistance.
Personally, I received support with prosthetic and orthopedic products. The company also reimburses medical expenses, including necessary medication and procedures.
If you need to undergo a course of treatment or go to a rehabilitation facility, people are understanding about it. Veterans are also entitled to additional leave.
I believe this kind of support is truly of a high standard. I am satisfied with what Aurora is doing. For me, it is important that this support for veterans continues in the future.
What advice would you give to veterans who are considering joining Aurora?
The most important thing is to take the first step yourself. No one can take it for you.
You should not wait for a company representative to come to your home and offer you a job. You need to submit your CV, tell people about yourself, and try to find the right place for you.
For some people, that place might be Aurora. For others, it might be another company. I can only speak from my own experience because I work here and see the company’s attitude toward veterans from the inside. I appreciate the support and opportunities we have.
So my advice is simple: if you want to try, take that first step.