Veteran career stories at PepsiCo are more than just corporate fluff… they’re a deep dive into how vets and milspouses are leading at every level, from operations to executive roles. This past week was one of those career-defining moments that just hit differently. I got the chance to be both behind the scenes and on camera, working on something that was better than I could have ever imagined.

We were filming at Frito-Lay HQ in Plano, Texas, for PepsiCo’s “My Service, My Career” series, and I have to tell you, this wasn’t some fluff piece. If you know me, you know I’m not about the flag-waving or throwing a pity-party for veterans. This project was real… something raw. And wow, I’m proud of what we created.

First, the setting was something else. Imagine the Riverwalk in San Antonio, but corporate… miles of walking trails, botanical gardens, Pepsi logos (and snacks) everywhere. But what really grabbed my attention wasn’t the flashy surroundings, it was the people. The veterans who keep PepsiCo running, whether they’re managing teams or cranking out 1,200 cans of soda a minute on a line. These folks embodied the same grit, loyalty (they literally will not drink anything out of a red can), and camaraderie you find in the military. I felt that connection right away and saw that Pepsi people are as die-hard about their organization as we are about our respective branches of service and it was amazing to see.

But this wasn’t your typical “smile and salute for the camera” gig. We went deep into the stories that matter. We teamed up with Cave 76 Productions, a Hollywood-caliber NY-based film crew that’s worked on everything from Spider-Man to Law & Order. These guys weren’t just about capturing surface-level shots… they were committed to telling the truth behind the stories and creating something the world hasn’t seen yet.

We had 5 days of filming, and started every day around 6:00 AM and worked/shot straight through until 8:00 PM, then ate, drank (Pepsi), recapped, and were in bed by 1:00 AM to do it all again. It was long, but man, was it worth it. I got to know this amazing film crew, and what started as just an impactful project turned into building friendships and strong partnerships. And nothing was done on a whim… if we had to shuffle things around or move the set, it was precise and calculated. Every detail was thought through to bring this vision to life.

Then we hit the road, traveling five hours to San Antonio, where we shot at Pepsi and Frito-Lay manufacturing facilities. It was powerful, capturing veterans and milspouses at every level of the company, from the floor operators to the executives, our people, making shit happen. These veterans aren’t just showing up; they’re leading teams, fixing problems, and driving the company forward. We got to show that unfiltered in real-time.

I sat down with veterans from all walks of life. Some had been with PepsiCo for 40+ years. We talked about their transition struggles, leadership challenges, and how they found purpose again in the civilian world. One of the stories that hit me hardest was from a PepsiCo senior leader and Army vet who spent a year holed up in a hotel room, drinking and doing whatever drugs he could find after leaving the service. His Marine dad finally showed up and dragged him out of that hole. I won’t lie, that one got me, and then so did about 5 others.

We also got the story of how a group of veterans saved a Pepsi facility in Mesquite, Texas, from shutting down. The place was falling apart… machines were broken, morale was in the tank, and the higher-ups were ready to potentially close it for good. These vets came in, turned it around, and made it the facility of the year. That’s the kind of impact veterans bring when you give them the chance to step up.

And this project? It’s not just some internal corporate video. We’re planning on submitting this thing to Sundance and SXSW Film Fest. Veterans telling their real stories, front and center on the big screen. And this is just the beginning. We’re working on turning this into a full-blown BufferSprings product and partnership creating a way to help companies like PepsiCo tell authentic, powerful stories about their veterans without all the stereotypes and fluff.

This experience reminded me why I’m doing this work and gives me faith that we can fix this for our people once and for all. We’re not just here to run job fairs or slap some Band-Aid on the veteran employment issue. We’re out here changing the game by showing companies the real value of military talent. Veterans are one of the greatest products on earth, but we’ve got terrible branding, mostly thanks to people who don’t get us or are stuck in the past. We’re going to change that.

Empowering companies, elevating veterans and military spouses, one great, passionate company at a time. This wasn’t just a win for BufferSprings, it was a win for every veteran out there who’s tired of being seen as a charity case. We’re assets. And the future is looking bright. I’m fired up to keep pushing forward.

The first videos are set to drop in November and we cannot wait to tell these stories to the world.

Thanks for reading!

-Rob Arndt

Founder & CEO @BufferSprings

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