Veterans Day Spotlight: Thomas Uhlinger

In celebration of Veterans Day, we invited members of the Douglas Elliman community who have served in the armed forces to reflect on how their service experiences have shaped their lives and careers in the real estate business.

Thomas Uhlinger, Agent, Cutchogue, NY

Please briefly describe your military service.

From 1964 to 1968, I was a Petty Officer 2nd class, Communications Technician in the U.S. Navy. I handled codeword communications for the Admiral of the 7th fleet when in the Vietnam War zone, as well as other bases in the Far East and East Coast of the U.S.

In what ways, if any, has your service experience shaped the way you approach your life and career in real estate?

The discipline gained from my military service equipped me to be determined to exceed in both of the two endeavors I've worked in: the pleasure boat sales and service industry for 20-some-odd years, and as an Active Associate Broker with Douglas Elliman for 35 years.

What would you like your colleagues to know or understand about your service experience and what it means to you?

I am proud of my service years for I felt, as a young man, I was finally doing something good for society after having been a bit of a cutup in my early teenage years! I do feel military service for many is a win-win for both the individual and our country.