Kurtis Wolfinger is a combat veteran who served with distinction in the U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry Division. During his deployment to Iraq, Wolfinger endured several encounters with IEDs, resulting in a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The injury fundamentally altered his life, affecting his ability to process information, engage in conversations, and even triggering episodes of temporary vision loss from severe cluster migraines.
Kurtis and Rebecca Wolfinger began a business after Kurtis found a new career through NASCAR Technical Institute.
Despite these challenges, Wolfinger found an unexpected lifeline in 2018 when he discovered CNC machining. What had once been a debilitating condition transformed into his greatest asset.
“It was like someone flipped a switch,” he explains. “My brain, which struggled with everyday tasks, suddenly thrived in a machining environment. I could visualize the manufacturing process in 4D. I retained information on everything from hundreds of lines of G-code to speeds and feeds, and machining processes for various materials.”
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He quickly enrolled in the new CNC Machining program at NASCAR Technical Institute, where his aptitude was evident. Before even completing the course, Wolfinger secured a part-time job at a local race shop as a CNC machine operator, often taking home machine manuals to further his knowledge.
Kurtis Wolfinger is shown during a tour of duty in Iraq.
Wolfinger’s career trajectory was nothing short of meteoric. Starting as a CNC machine operator, he rapidly progressed, eventually becoming a CNC manufacturing engineer responsible for managing two departments and 20 employees at a company producing custom construction attachments.
However, no matter where he worked, Wolfinger noticed two recurring issues across machine shops. First, many had cutting-edge technology and infrastructure, but failed to fully utilize them due to an outdated mindset of “We’ve always done it this way.”
As Wolfinger puts it, “It’s like riding a bicycle to Lowe’s to pick up lumber for building a house when you could just have a flatbed truck deliver it to the job site.”
The second issue was how veterans were treated in the workforce. Despite public support for veterans, he found that many companies fell short in accommodating veterans’ unique needs, particularly when it came to mandatory Compensation & Pension (C&P) exams, PTSD episodes, or challenges in adapting to civilian life.
Kurtis and Rebecca Wolfinger at a Warrior Rising event.
These frustrations spurred Wolfinger and his wife, Rebecca, to dream of running their own machine shop — one that would embrace technological advancements and, more importantly, support veterans transitioning from active duty. Yet, the high startup costs, typically more than $200,000 for a fully functioning CNC machine shop, made this dream seem out of reach.
In 2022, the Wolfingers found a creative solution: they launched Mil Spec Manufacturing as a remote company offering CAD and CAM services. This approach allowed them to keep their day jobs while growing their business and building a brand. By networking and reinvesting in the company, they steadily built momentum.
Within a year, they had secured a brick-and-mortar location in Salisbury and purchased their first CNC machine. Their total initial investment was just under $40,000 — an astounding 80% less than the industry average for starting a CNC shop.
Practical machinist and the rise to fame
Kurtis Wolfinger, right, speaks at a Warrior Rising event in Detroit.
The resourcefulness of the Wolfingers quickly caught the attention of “Practical Machinist,” a globally recognized media outlet for the manufacturing industry. In July 2023, the show’s host, Ian Sandusky, visited Mil Spec Manufacturing to feature them in an episode of the “Shop Tours” series. The episode, titled “This Shop Started with Less Than $40,000!” quickly went viral, amassing more than 30,000 views within its first 24 hours.
“The response was overwhelming,” Rebecca says. “People were fascinated by how we made it happen. Many in the manufacturing community, like us, thought starting a machine shop for under six figures was impossible.”
Kurtis Wolfinger works in his machine shop.
Their newfound recognition led to a partnership with “Practical Machinist” to create a video series called “Becoming a Practical Machinist.” The series documents their journey of building Mil Spec Manufacturing from the ground up, offering candid insights into every aspect of the process — from the financial breakdown of equipment purchases to marketing strategies, and even the mistakes they’ve made along the way.
“We want to provide the kind of transparency we wish we had when we started,” Kurtis adds.
Supporting veterans and building community
Kurtis and Rebecca have made it their mission to support veterans, both through their company and beyond. They serve on the advisory board for Warrior Rising, a nonprofit that offers veterans business education, mentorship and networking opportunities. Beyond their advisory roles, they travel the country to attend Warrior Rising events, where they often serve as keynote speakers. They share their inspiring story of overcoming challenges through entrepreneurship and CNC machining, encouraging veterans to never give up on themselves and to pursue new opportunities as they transition into civilian life. Wolfinger, having personally experienced the transformative impact of CNC machining, is deeply committed to helping other veterans find similar paths to success.
Through the Skillbridge program, Mil Spec Manufacturing plans to invite active-duty soldiers to spend their final six months of active-duty service at the company, learning CNC machining and gaining hands-on experience.
“CNC machining gave me a new purpose after my TBI, and I want to provide that same opportunity to others,” Wolfinger explains.
As Mil Spec Manufacturing continues to grow, the Wolfingers are dedicated to launching new initiatives like their “Machinist to Entrepreneur” workshop, which will teach essential business skills to aspiring machine shop owners. The goal is to not only grow their own business but also help rebuild the American manufacturing sector by fostering collaboration rather than competition.
“Rebuilding American manufacturing starts at the local level,” Rebecca said. “We have to invest in each other if we want to see real change.”
A vision for the future
Looking ahead, Wolfinger’s vision for Mil Spec Manufacturing is clear: continue pushing boundaries in CNC machining while building a community that uplifts veterans and small machine shops alike. Their journey from combat zones to CNC machines is a testament to the resilience of veterans and the power of determination in overcoming obstacles.
As they build their business in Salisbury the Wolfingers remain committed to the core values that brought them this far: innovation, collaboration and service.
“At the end of the day,” Kurtis reflects, “it’s not just about making parts. It’s about making a difference — in our industry, for veterans, and for the future of American manufacturing.”
With Mil Spec Manufacturing firmly established and a growing movement behind them, it’s clear that Kurtis and Rebecca Wolfinger are just getting started.
