Bringing Lessons and Stamina from Military Service to the Job

At the beginning of his career, Roy Knowings served in the military for seven years. Today, he still brings those lessons with him to 14 Wall Street, where he works as a porter.

“I learned a lot in the military,” he said. “When the sergeant is yelling at you, ‘Get back up Knowings! You can do better!,’ it really teaches you determination. There were times when I thought I wasn’t going to make it.”

One of the many things that his time in the military taught him was to be prepared for anything, especially the weather. “They can spend thousands of dollars on technology predicting the weather and still be wrong. Out of the service, no matter what I am always prepared. I bring my leathers with me to work every day.”

Knowings calls Harlem home. During his free time, he likes to visit Central Park. His favorite song is by Louis Armstrong: “Drop Me off in Harlem,” he said while laughing, finishing the lyric.

Prior to his current job, Knowings was a porter and worked security for a high school. He got along with all the staff and faculty – but misses the cafeteria the most. “They had pretty good food,” he said.

The best part of his current job at 14 Wall Street? Going up and down the freight elevator. “My friends at work think I’m crazy,” he said.

He has hopes of retiring in the next year. “Believe it or not I’m tearing up right now thinking about telling people,” he said. “But I know I’ll come back and visit to say hi.”

“I can’t work all my life. I want to see the world. My biggest dream right now is to go to Hawaii.”