With two decades of military service and training, working alongside security and intelligence both in and out of uniform, this VetSec member had a solid foot in the door to cybersecurity but lacked the community support for a smooth transition. In this edition of VetSec Impact Stories, we see the value of community and training for a stable career shift when retiring from Active Duty.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background before joining VetSec?
I am an enlisted Marine Corps Retiree that joined in 2004 and fully retired in 2025. I started my Marine Corps Career as a 2651, which at the time the MOS name was “Special Intelligence Communicator/Network Administrator”. I spent 5 years in this role working various positions FWD deployed and at NSA/CSS Hawaii. After this enlistment I spent the next 15 years in Marine Reconnaissance, Force Reconnaissance and Joint billets. In my job in Recon I was able to maintain a foot in the SIGINT/EW world as well as IT/INFOSEC, but this was by no means my primary job.
How did you first learn about VetSec, and what motivated you to get involved?
I was enrolled in the SANS Technical Institute BACS degree program and a fellow student referred me after I began inquiring about possible post USMC career paths.
What were some of the biggest challenges or obstacles you faced in transitioning to a cybersecurity career before joining VetSec?
I was largely in a Tech Vacuum, only having myself to bounce ideas off of for educational opportunities and career paths.
Can you describe your experience with VetSec’s training and mentorship programs? What specific resources or support did you find most valuable?
I have not taken part in any formal mentorship, other than community/peer mentorship on the Slack channel. In the channel itself I always received answers to any questions I posted, and all of my interactions have been positive.
How has the VetSec community impacted you personally and professionally?
The community has had many intangible effects, most pronounced has been my ability to actually understand my current knowledge level and career trajectory in the community, giving me a known point to work from. Before VetSec I was moving in the right direction, but I had no guideposts to reassure me that I was on the right (or wrong) path.
Can you share a specific moment or achievement during your time with VetSec that you are particularly proud of?
Finished my degree, retired from the Marine Corps and started a new career.
Where are you currently in your cybersecurity career, and how did VetSec contribute to your success?
I am in what I would say is an appropriately challenging early-mid career position at an Ai startup, a good first step after retirement. VetSec helped me understand my worth, and importantly my weak points.
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?
It is hard to say for sure. It may have had an impact on my professional success, or maybe it didn’t. I will say that I am definitely a more knowledgeable and well rounded cybersecurity professional as a result of my time with VetSec.
What advice would you give to other veterans considering a career in cybersecurity and thinking about joining VetSec?
Join, listen and contribute. Late career changes can be especially challenging and many older individuals are reticent to publicly share a lack of knowledge or to show vulnerability. I would tell other veterans that VetSec is a safe place to ask any question, and that the community is a safe space to not be an expert.