Sometimes, the role you held while wearing the uniform is very different from both where you started and where you head next. In today’s VetSec Impact Story, we hear from a retired National Guard Medic about how they are returning back to the things they were involved with nearly 30 years ago…
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background before joining VetSec?
I medically retired from full time National Guard in Mid-2022, I joined VetSec in early 22. I grew up running linux and pretty involved with the 2600 community in the mid 90s, but relegated computering to a hobby after 9/11. I was a Medic when I was enlisted and commissioned as an Infantry Officer in 2011.
How did you first learn about VetSec, and what motivated you to get involved?
I can’t honestly remember how I stumbled along into the program. I was trying to figure out what the next part of my life looked like and my son urged me to consider IT/Cyber when we were building his gaming PC in late 20. I signed up for A+ and enrolled part time at an NSA partner school for cyber (DSU). I’ve used a few resources from vetsec, but the mentorship and having some folks that are already in the industry to bounce stuff off of has been the biggest help and what keeps me checking the slack.
What were some of the biggest challenges or obstacles you faced in transitioning to a cybersecurity career before joining VetSec?
I’m still not fully in a cyber security role, I am finishing a B.S. in Cyber Operations at Dakota State University this semester, I’ve worked for an ISP since I retired, currently level 2 in the Network Operations Center. I did work as a full-time Pentester last summer as part of an Internship with a large accounting firm (CliftonLarsenAllen)
Can you describe your experience with VetSec’s training and mentorship programs? What specific resources or support did you find most valuable?
Very Limited, I’ve taken a few of the online courses. The linked in course was exceptional.
How has the VetSec community impacted you personally and professionally?
It’s awesome having so many talented folks in one community, from resume reviews from a management/HR perspective, to career progression and no fluff answers about some of the more nuanced parts of Cyber.
Can you share a specific moment or achievement during your time with VetSec that you are particularly proud of?
I’ve had a few, I think the Pentest internship and my OSCP were the biggest ones. For the OSCP there were several other people doing the PEN-200 course the same time as me as well as people that had previously sat for it. Having a resource that included people that had been through that same grind was definitely a motivator. It was a huge reason I got the internship, and regardless of the flaws in Offsec still a goal I set when I started studying Cybersecurity.
Where are you currently in your cybersecurity career, and how did VetSec contribute to your success?
Still working on it, mainly because I’m a FERS disability Retiree and I’m already making about as much as I can without a 50k jump in pay, my current role isn’t very challenging but I’m free to use my downtime for my own study/projects.
Reflecting on your journey, how do you think your career and personal growth would have been different without VetSec? What are your future aspirations in the field of cybersecurity?
Obviously, if you change any variable the outcome has the potential to shift. I definitely think I’m further along in my path than I would be without VetSec.
What advice would you give to other veterans considering a career in cybersecurity and thinking about joining VetSec?
I encourage everyone to join VetSec, both at work and relationships from the military. I think it’s a huge resource even if I haven’t made the most of it. There are people that work inside of almost every discipline and lots of folks that are further along in their second lives.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your experience with VetSec or a message to the community?
The NSFW channel and some of the political spill over into other channels (mental health?) is quite toxic. There are some pretty big political divides not just across the branches but also specifically different Rates/MOS. There are some quality people that would love to be involved who I’m confident have left the organization because they don’t want to be told they are Nazis because they disagree on aspects of foreign policy or social issues in America. That being said the time the board and certain other people put in regularly (looking at you regulars in #resume-help) is just an awesome thing to witness.