My Amazon Warrior Story: Solving some of the globe’s toughest problems as an AF Reservist while grounded in mountain life

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 15:07:26 -0400

OK, I admit it: The choice to study machine learning at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) became pretty easy when I realized I could complete graduate work in between snowboarding sessions, outdoor hikes and the occasional triathlon competition.

It was 2012, and I had just graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy with a Computer Engineering degree. I just entered AFIT in pursuit of a Master’s degree when my thesis adviser asked if I could move to Colorado to research machine learning and satellite communications full time.

Since the mountains have always called my name, I said, “Sign me up.”

That not-exactly-noble decision turned out to be the right one. Within a few years, machine learning became one of the hottest career fields, and my skills were in high demand.

After earning my degrees and serving for three years on active duty in the Air Force, much of it modernizing satellite ground systems, I transitioned to the Air Force Reserves and sought a civilian position. In 2017, I made the move to Amazon Web Services (AWS). Here, I use my training and military background to solve some of the nation’s — and the globe’s — toughest problems, in areas such as disaster relief, climate change, refugee resettlement and Veteran suicide prevention.

It’s a job that’s pushed me out of my comfort zone into public speaking, challenging me to travel (in pre-pandemic times) to Washington, D.C., and Brussels to discuss trends in satellite technology and artificial intelligence. It’s where I get to collaborate with talented professionals, many of whom have worn the uniform. It’s a place that gives me time to serve in the Air Force Reserves, and the ability to gain work-life balance so that I can still go snowboarding on a powder day.

Controlling your destiny -

Today I’m one of 40,000 U.S.-based Amazon employees who represent the military or Veterans. As we seek to hire an additional 100,000 Veterans and military spouses by 2024, I serve as an adviser and a mentor to our community, both inside and outside the walls of Amazon.

In these roles, I’m sometimes asked how I successfully transitioned to the reserves and to a position in the private sector. My answer boils down to this: Control your own destiny, and don’t underestimate your capabilities.

Here are a few tips for making the successful jump into life after military service:

Network. If you plan to move from active duty to the reserves, take steps to obtain a military assignment that matches your skills. Tap your networks to find a position that fits your training and maintains your interest. Networking helped me locate my current reserve position, which is building machine learning models for the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Space Vehicles Directorate. I asked my Air Force academy professors for referrals, and they made calls and recommendations on my behalf. Reach out to your military and Veteran support system for advice, contacts, referrals and resources.

Demonstrate knowledge. As you develop your resume, don’t assume that a company like Amazon isn’t interested in your military skills and experiences. During the transition process, discuss with recruiters how to highlight your military background on your resume. Even if your military occupational specialty doesn’t directly transfer to an open position, you can add certifications and coursework to your resume to demonstrate knowledge and grab the attention of recruiters and hiring managers.

Gain relevant experience. Take advantage of Amazon’s many hiring and skills training programs specifically for transitioning service members, Veterans and military spouses. These include:
Amazon Military SkillBridge program, which allows you — if you’re active duty and within 180 days of separation — to train and learn with us in while still receiving military pay and benefits. (Details: https://amazonmilitaryskillbridge.splashthat.com.)
Amazon Technical Apprenticeship program, which combines paid and on-the-job training in technology careers. (Details: https://www.amazon.jobs/en/landing_pages/mil-apprentice.)
Hiring Our Heroes, where we assess your skillsets and match you with 12-week internships at Amazon. (Details: https://www.hiringourheroes.org/career-services/fellowships.)

Continuing to serve -

At AWS, I have many opportunities to continue to serve the public interest. I work in Amazon’s Machine Learning Solution Lab and my team gets to push the boundaries of AI technology and apply it to challenging problems.

Our AWS team is contributing to the care of our fellow Veterans. We teamed up with RallyPoint and Harvard University’s Nock Lab to apply machine learning to identify Veterans on public social media platforms who may need mental health interventions.

Are you a Warrior in Transition? See if a career at Amazon works for you.

Learn more:

Read about Amazon’s pledge to hire 100,000 Veterans and military spouses by 2024, and explore more than 38,000 open positions: https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/workplace/amazon-will-hire-100-000-veterans-and-military-spouses-by-2024.

Check out Amazon’s hiring and skills development programs for transitioning service members and Veterans and military spouses: https://www.amazon.jobs/en/landing_pages/mil-transition.

Learn about Amazon’s Warriors@Amazon employee-run Affinity Group that is made of current and former active military personnel, their families and Amazon employees who support the mission here: https://www.aboutamazon.com/affinity-groups

Learn about Amazon: https://www.aboutamazon.com.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 9 at 2021 3:10 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 15:10:20 -0400

I would like to share a PTSD Paper that has helped people. It is free.

Response by CPT David Gowel made Sep 9 at 2021 4:40 PM

CPT David Gowel — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 16:40:28 -0400

Very cool transition story, and even cooler that the company you like working at is hiring 100K vets and spouses. Thanks for sharing! Capt Private RallyPoint Member

Response by SGT James Garza made Sep 9 at 2021 9:22 PM

SGT James Garza — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 21:22:46 -0400

Awesome stuff. Keep up the good work for yourself & us vets.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2021 7:39 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 19:39:13 -0400

Great article and awesome job blazing trails!

Response by Greg Tolmie made Sep 15 at 2021 11:39 AM

Greg Tolmie — Wed, 15 Sep 2021 11:39:37 -0400

Awesome story- a lot of great tips there for anyone looking to transition to civilian life. Thank you for sharing Capt Private RallyPoint Member

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Sep 17 at 2021 8:11 AM

Capt Brandon Charters — Fri, 17 Sep 2021 08:11:19 -0400

Thanks for sharing your story Capt Private RallyPoint Member. Amazon SkillBridge sounds like a huge benefit for transitioning military. You can’t beat 180 days of military pay and benefits to get real world experience at Amazon.

Response by SFC David S made Sep 20 at 2021 3:13 PM

SFC David S — Mon, 20 Sep 2021 15:13:40 -0400

I don't have an account with amazon, they are making china rich while we work for a delivery company. I watched a friend burn a weeks worth of amazon boxes...trees from the amazon? A military social network is not a great platform to make money for a communist country and the owner of the delivery company. My neighborhood has gotten louder with amazon planes taking off and landing at paine field. I find this post in bad taste....

Response by PFC David Foster made Sep 28 at 2021 2:08 PM

PFC David Foster — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 14:08:31 -0400

Wow, has Amazon past Walmart for number of employees yet?... I've read that Mr. Bezos is the richest man in the world, so I presume he has blown Walmart away in profits....