Patrick Watrin

When it came to choosing his career path, Patrick Watrin wanted to choose something that would be an investment in his development. With the air force, he found that as well as an opportunity to ensure “life, freedom and opportunity” for future generations in the U.S.

After he completed his service within the U.S. Air Force, Watrin found work in several manager positions at OER, Warrior Energy Services and DSI Thru Tubing before joining XRI Holdings and rising through the ranks within the company.

Originally from Roswell, New Mexico, Watrin now lives in Midland, Texas, with his wife, two sons and daughter as he serves as senior vice president of operations for XRI Holdings.

Future investment

“I felt compelled to do something meaningful. The men and women who served before me all sacrificed to give me life, freedom, opportunity. I was driven to provide the same to future generations. The military provided me with an advanced education and a job doing something that was incredible for someone my age. They want to invest in my development. I wanted to be part of an organization that wanted to invest in me and give me an opportunity to succeed.”

Lifelong friends

“My greatest memories are the brotherhood and camaraderie that were built through difficult situations with the men and women alongside me. I established relationships with complete strangers that were forged by intense training and operations.”

Fitting in

“Veterans in the oilfield bring an increased sense of responsibility, respect and honesty that is hard to find in this day and age. Veterans conform to a structure and understand that safety is an integral part of how an operation becomes successful. Veterans come from all walks of life but know how to immediately fit into an organization due to a vast array of skills provided by armed forces.”

Always caring

“The military has instilled a number of traits including discipline, consistency, ethics and respect. It taught me to bring a sense of resourcefulness, boldness and leadership not seen in employees with civilian backgrounds. It gave me the opportunity to learn to care for others when I was younger and carry the lifelong lesson of caring about others through to the rest of my career.”