From Military Service to Civilian Success

What inspired you to serve in the military, and how has your service shaped the person you are today?

Where to begin? I enlisted at 18 because I had no clear direction in life. I wasn’t committed to my studies in high school, so college wasn’t an option. A few friends had enlisted and suggested I do the same. After some peer pressure, I enlisted as a helicopter mechanic. As a kid from rural upstate New York, I had never been on an airplane or traveled much at all. The Army’s enlistment commercials promised that you could “join the Army and see the world.” When I enlisted, I was sent to Fort Leonard Wood, Fort Ben Harrison, and eventually stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas—not exactly much of the world.

I asked my Platoon Sergeant, “When will we see the world?” His response was, “Careful what you wish for, Private.” And he was right. Four months after arriving in Kansas, I was deployed to El Salvador and Honduras. The next year, I spent six weeks in Germany for REFORGER.

I was hooked! I reenlisted for another tour in Germany, this time stationed in Mannheim. As a Huey crew chief, I got the chance to see a lot of Europe. I was also able to finish my degree and was commissioned in 1991. This led to another tour in Germany and eventually deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Not only did I see the world, but I also earned two master’s degrees, jumped out of perfectly good airplanes, rigged sling loads, and ran drop zones.

While these experiences were crucial to my long military career, I also learned one valuable lesson: The advice I was given before I joined that was absolutely false was “don’t volunteer for anything.” By volunteering for almost every opportunity, I got to fly a helicopter, parachute, and become a pathfinder. This sense of wonder shaped my career and prepared me to work at GovCIO and pursue a PhD program.

I am thankful every day for the opportunities the military provided. I learned to trust my battle buddies, understand the value of teamwork, and embrace every opportunity to volunteer. I volunteered to lead a major change initiative in the Army to roll out new brigade force structures, and that experience led me to my current position.

What was the most challenging part of transitioning from military service to civilian life, and how did you overcome it?

The most challenging part of transitioning from military service to civilian life was adjusting to the difference in structure and communication styles. In the military, there is a clear hierarchy, strict routines, and direct communication, which provide a sense of security and predictability. In contrast, civilian work environments can often feel more flexible, with less clearly defined roles or expectations, which can be overwhelming at first. This is especially true in the remote work environment.

To overcome this challenge, I focused on developing adaptability and seeking mentorship. I made an effort to learn more about the culture of the civilian workplace, specifically in my field, and to embrace the flexibility that comes with it. I also sought guidance from mentors—many of whom were also Veterans who had successfully navigated the transition—who helped me understand how to leverage my military skills in a civilian context.

Another key strategy was being proactive in asking questions and seeking feedback, which helped me better understand workplace expectations and dynamics. Additionally, I focused on building relationships with colleagues and engaging in networking opportunities to foster a sense of belonging and gain insights into the corporate culture. I found GovCIO to be easy to work in and navigate as I found everyone to be helpful and always willing to lend a hand.

Ultimately, patience, open-mindedness, and a willingness to learn and adapt helped me successfully transition from the military to civilian life and thrive in my new career.

How did you decide what career path to pursue after leaving the military?

When I transitioned from the military, I was naturally drawn to change management because of my experience leading teams through complex transformations during my service. In the military, I constantly dealt with organizational changes, from implementing new protocols to adapting to shifting mission requirements. I realized that the skills I developed – leading people through uncertainty, breaking down complex transitions into manageable steps, and maintaining team cohesion during stressful periods – aligned perfectly with change management principles.

My last role in the military involved restructuring our unit’s operational procedures, and I found myself energized by the process of guiding people through the transition. I saw firsthand how proper change management could make the difference between a successful transformation and a failed initiative. This experience made me realize that I could leverage my military leadership experience in a civilian role where I could continue to help organizations and their people navigate through periods of transformation.

I was also attracted to change management because it combines strategic thinking with human-centered approaches. Just as in the military, success in organizational change depends heavily on understanding people’s concerns, communicating effectively, and building trust. The structured approach to change management, with its emphasis on planning, execution, and measurement, also resonated with my military background.

The decision became even clearer after I spoke with several change management professionals and attended industry conferences. I saw how my military experience provided me with a unique perspective on managing change, particularly in high-stakes situations where effective execution is crucial.

How does GovCIO support Veterans in their professional growth and career journeys?

GovCIO supports Veterans in their professional growth and career journeys by offering a variety of resources, programs, and initiatives that help them transition from military service to civilian careers. The company values the skills and experiences that Veterans bring to the workplace, providing them with opportunities to continue growing in their careers.

Some of the ways GovCIO supports Veterans include:

1. Veteran-Specific Recruitment: GovCIO actively recruits Veterans, recognizing the value of their unique skills and experiences. These experiences are important to GovCIO’s success as many of our contracts support DOD and the VA.
2. Transition Assistance: GovCIO provides transition assistance to help Veterans adjust to the civilian workforce. Our Veteran resume reviews work to assist transitioning military, military spouses and Veterans in building their resume and and interview preparation.
3. Remote Workforce: GovCIO has a large remote workforce, Veterans can stay connected in their community, with their family and with their healthcare networks.

These efforts are designed to ensure that Veterans have the tools, guidance, and opportunities they need to succeed in their careers at GovCIO and beyond.

What does being part of a Veteran-friendly workplace like GovCIO mean to you personally and professionally?

Being part of a Veteran-friendly workplace like GovCIO means a lot both personally and professionally, especially when the focus is on supporting the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other organizations dedicated to helping Veterans. Personally, it provides a sense of purpose and pride to know that the work I do directly contributes to improving the lives of my fellow Veterans. It’s fulfilling to be part of a company that understands and respects the unique challenges Veterans face, and that actively works to support their transition into civilian life by providing services that directly impact their well-being.

Professionally, being part of a Veteran-friendly company like GovCIO offers numerous growth opportunities. The company’s focus on supporting the VA means I can contribute to initiatives that make a tangible difference for Veterans and their families. The skills and experiences I bring from my military background are valued and leveraged, allowing me to continue my professional development while supporting causes I deeply care about. Additionally, being in a Veteran-friendly environment fosters a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect, creating a positive, supportive work culture that helps me thrive and continuously grow in my career.

Working at GovCIO aligns with both my personal commitment to serving Veterans and my professional goals, offering an environment that values and uplifts the Veteran community while providing ample opportunities for career development.

What advice would you share about navigating corporate culture compared to the structured environment of the military?

Navigating corporate culture can be quite different from the structured environment of the military due to contrasting focuses on hierarchy, flexibility, and decision-making processes. One key difference is the level of flexibility and ambiguity in corporate settings. While the military operates with a rigid structure and clear rules, corporate environments often require quick adaptability to changes, with decisions sometimes coming from multiple sources rather than strictly top-down. In this context, embracing ambiguity and flexibility is essential.

Another major difference is communication style. In the military, communication is direct, formal, and typically involves following orders. In contrast, corporate culture values more collaborative, informal communication where active listening and group discussions are common. Adjusting your communication style to be clear, while engaging in collaboration with peers and leadership, helps in building relationships and advancing ideas within the organization.

Corporate environments also differ from military settings in terms of hierarchy and influence. In the military, authority is respected without much question, and hierarchy is clearly defined. However, in corporate culture, there is a greater emphasis on influence and persuasion, where building relationships and engaging stakeholders is crucial to getting things done. Leaders in corporate settings may not always be the ultimate decision-makers, so learning how to influence decisions through collaborative means becomes important.

The pace and decision-making process also varies significantly. Military decisions often need to be made quickly under high pressure, while corporate decision-making can be slower, involving multiple layers of approval and cross-functional discussions. This requires patience in corporate environments, understanding the importance of deliberation before decisions are made. Additionally, the importance of relationships and networking cannot be overstated in the corporate world. While the military builds relationships through shared experiences and teamwork under stress, corporate success often comes from establishing professional relationships across departments and building a network to gain visibility and create opportunities.

Finally, there is more autonomy and self-direction in the corporate environment. Unlike the military, where roles are highly defined, corporate culture often values initiative, creativity, and self-motivation. Being proactive and showing ownership of your work is highly valued in a corporate setting, as it aligns with the organization’s goals. In summary, adapting to a corporate environment involves understanding the flexibility, communication, and influence-based decision-making that may differ from the structured and hierarchical nature of military culture.