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I planned to go into law enforcement. After an early detour in rocket launching, I became a data guy instead. I followed my passion, and it paid off. I hope my story transitioning from a military to a civilian career inspires you to follow your passion.
After high school, I pursued a degree criminal justice. But in that post-9/11 period, I knew I also wanted to serve the nation. I put higher education on hold and in March 2002, joined the U.S. Army as a 13M, a Multiple Launch Rocket System crewmember.
I completed basic combat and advanced individual training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, learning how to operate and maintain rocket systems. At Fort Sill, I was permanently assigned to Charlie Battery, 1st and the 14th Field Artillery Battalion. Our team's main task was successful fire missions. I liked troubleshooting, resolving technical issues and collaborating with my peers. I developed a knack for leading complex, data-intensive projects.
I returned in 2003 from a deployment to Iraq and spent two more years on active duty in increasingly information technology-centric roles. In 2005, I left active duty, switched my military occupational specialty, and joined the Florida Army National Guard as a 25B, Information Systems Operations Analyst.
I served for six years with the National Guard, including four years on Active Guard and Reserve (AGR) duty at the National Guard Bureau with the Army National Guard G6. I worked in a variety of roles, all related in one way or another to information technology. I had discovered what excited me.
When I transitioned out of military service in 2011, I began my civilian career in IT at CSRA, a Virginia-based consulting company, and later spent three years at Hewlett Packard. While there, I led a 30-person team helping the government modernize and transform its technology services. (This is much harder than handling rockets!)
I arrived at ManTech in 2016, first as a program and project manager and now as an executive director of operations in our Innovation and Capabilities office, where I lead over 50 direct and indirect staff in collaboration with more than 100 cross matrixed members. If you’re interested in careers at ManTech, you can search openings here: https://rly.pt/3Noeebk
By 2017, I was well into my career, but I still wanted to finish college. Even though the military provided me with critical IT training and experience, a higher education would help to advance my professional development.
American Military University was the perfect place to earn my degree, which is in information technology management: https://rly.pt/3gWXsUk
AMU understood me — a military Veteran working full time while raising two young children with Theresa, my amazing wife. AMU allowed me to take courses online, which gave me the flexibility to learn while balancing a busy schedule. I could take classes after work, and still have time to take Kayla, age 7, and Jackson, age 3, to school and to playdates.
And despite my years of real-world experience, AMU’s program of study reinforced the founding principles of IT and computer science. I developed a better understanding of the “why” behind certain principles and how they work. The military instilled in me a desire and drive to finish my degree. My education at AMU sharpened my overall knowledge of IT and prepared me to reach new heights in my career.
Everyone’s military and post-military experiences are unique. But we all face degrees of risk. As you think about your educational plans and your transition to civilian life, it is OK to accept a measure uncertainty. And it is OK to change plans. Only you know what’s best for you and your family and what’s going to motivate you long term.
Dig deep, discover what excites you, and I’m confident that success after service will find you.
Learn more
• Search ManTech job openings at https://rly.pt/3Noeebk
• Find GI Bill information: https://benefits.va.gov/gibill
• View my educational pathway: https://rly.pt/3gWXsUk
The views and opinions expressed here are solely from the author and do not reflect the opinions of any organization in this piece.
After high school, I pursued a degree criminal justice. But in that post-9/11 period, I knew I also wanted to serve the nation. I put higher education on hold and in March 2002, joined the U.S. Army as a 13M, a Multiple Launch Rocket System crewmember.
I completed basic combat and advanced individual training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, learning how to operate and maintain rocket systems. At Fort Sill, I was permanently assigned to Charlie Battery, 1st and the 14th Field Artillery Battalion. Our team's main task was successful fire missions. I liked troubleshooting, resolving technical issues and collaborating with my peers. I developed a knack for leading complex, data-intensive projects.
I returned in 2003 from a deployment to Iraq and spent two more years on active duty in increasingly information technology-centric roles. In 2005, I left active duty, switched my military occupational specialty, and joined the Florida Army National Guard as a 25B, Information Systems Operations Analyst.
I served for six years with the National Guard, including four years on Active Guard and Reserve (AGR) duty at the National Guard Bureau with the Army National Guard G6. I worked in a variety of roles, all related in one way or another to information technology. I had discovered what excited me.
When I transitioned out of military service in 2011, I began my civilian career in IT at CSRA, a Virginia-based consulting company, and later spent three years at Hewlett Packard. While there, I led a 30-person team helping the government modernize and transform its technology services. (This is much harder than handling rockets!)
I arrived at ManTech in 2016, first as a program and project manager and now as an executive director of operations in our Innovation and Capabilities office, where I lead over 50 direct and indirect staff in collaboration with more than 100 cross matrixed members. If you’re interested in careers at ManTech, you can search openings here: https://rly.pt/3Noeebk
By 2017, I was well into my career, but I still wanted to finish college. Even though the military provided me with critical IT training and experience, a higher education would help to advance my professional development.
American Military University was the perfect place to earn my degree, which is in information technology management: https://rly.pt/3gWXsUk
AMU understood me — a military Veteran working full time while raising two young children with Theresa, my amazing wife. AMU allowed me to take courses online, which gave me the flexibility to learn while balancing a busy schedule. I could take classes after work, and still have time to take Kayla, age 7, and Jackson, age 3, to school and to playdates.
And despite my years of real-world experience, AMU’s program of study reinforced the founding principles of IT and computer science. I developed a better understanding of the “why” behind certain principles and how they work. The military instilled in me a desire and drive to finish my degree. My education at AMU sharpened my overall knowledge of IT and prepared me to reach new heights in my career.
Everyone’s military and post-military experiences are unique. But we all face degrees of risk. As you think about your educational plans and your transition to civilian life, it is OK to accept a measure uncertainty. And it is OK to change plans. Only you know what’s best for you and your family and what’s going to motivate you long term.
Dig deep, discover what excites you, and I’m confident that success after service will find you.
Learn more
• Search ManTech job openings at https://rly.pt/3Noeebk
• Find GI Bill information: https://benefits.va.gov/gibill
• View my educational pathway: https://rly.pt/3gWXsUk
The views and opinions expressed here are solely from the author and do not reflect the opinions of any organization in this piece.
Posted in these groups: 
ManTech
Education
Bachelors Degree
94P: Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) Repairer
Iraq
ManTech Education Bachelors Degree 94P: Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) Repairer Iraq
Edited >1 y ago
Responses: 29
Congrats on your success! Thanks for sharing your story to inspire others.
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As a fellow 'rocket guy', I'm impressed with how you leveraged your Army career and worked your way up the chain of command at ManTech. It's rare to find someone with such a wide range of military experiences - the 13M to 25B swap had to be a big learning curve. Congrats to you!
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Your story is proof that a successful post Army career can be had with a little determination and willingness to use available resources to gain an opportunity. Nice job! I retire in 2024 and I am already opening connections to ensure a smooth transition into civilian life. Thanks for the share, brother. See you on the other side soon.
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I left the Marines and went into Law Enforcement , I loved every adventure and Adenain action. The thrill of the hunt catching evil and protecting others. It was Para-Military all the way. When it was time to move into the corporate world of Sysco, Wow what a different mode, fast paced and your Brain was in full use daily. I learned and taught my self what is my Forte? I was Leader, I had command Presence, I was a good communicator, I could investigate, I knew how to read people. I decided to use each and every skill base I had learned and applied it into the real world of business. The first Supervisor role I took it. I watch Managers and learned what they do and Became one, I became sought after, Other Sysco companies, requested my help, and I went. I became the only Director In Sysco with My title. So if you take what you know and are good at it, fine tune it, and grow it make your Own Forte. IF ITS TO BE ITS UP TO ME.
Semper Fi
Live the Dream and the Money my brothers it is there for those that want it.
Semper Fi
Live the Dream and the Money my brothers it is there for those that want it.
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Another success story, kind of the opposite of what the news always says about vets. After retirement I worked for ManTech doing TS level background checks for potential hires to the alphabet agencies. Met some amazing candidates, and a few duds. Was inspiring to see other vets wanting to work for the government in those positions.
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Inspiring story, similar to my experience, proud of you brother. Way to go.
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Former MOS's: 19E, 26H, 24T and 92L.
SQI's: H and R
I went from tweaking radars and IFF's for max performance, Teaching and R&D to Tweaking politicans, getting Ordinance's passed and serving my community on boards and commissions.
It was so easy for me to head out to some site alone and fix all of the issues myself. Piece of cake. Working with people (politicians and department heads) to get what you want done is diffcult. It's like trying to raise a child. Diffcult. Trying. Maddening. Its great when you get what you want done and a crushing defeat when it doesn't happen.
SQI's: H and R
I went from tweaking radars and IFF's for max performance, Teaching and R&D to Tweaking politicans, getting Ordinance's passed and serving my community on boards and commissions.
It was so easy for me to head out to some site alone and fix all of the issues myself. Piece of cake. Working with people (politicians and department heads) to get what you want done is diffcult. It's like trying to raise a child. Diffcult. Trying. Maddening. Its great when you get what you want done and a crushing defeat when it doesn't happen.
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Thank you for sharing your story, Chris. I like how you mention that uncertainty is part of the journey. We aren’t born knowing exactly what we’re going to do; instead it’s a matter of taking steps toward what we think is good for us. A key aspect is periodically reflecting on what we want and then looking for opportunities to act upon. It's about experimenting and adjusting course as needed.
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