Q+A Interview

Can you share a bit about your military background?

I retired as a USMC Colonel with 30+ years of service in 2024. My primary MOS designations were 0802 (Field Artillery Officer) and 8041 (Ground Colonel). I also held secondary MOS designations as a Joint Specialty Officer (9702), Operational Advisor (0571), and PPBE Officer (3450).

What is one valuable lesson, skill, or core value from your time in the service that you still carry with you today?

The Marine Corps’ core values of honor, courage, and commitment are deeply ingrained in my character and how I continue to approach my personal and professional life. I continue to serve my nation and others with integrity, transparency, excellence, and genuine care for my fellow citizens.

What sparked your interest in MANTECH, and how did you navigate the initial transition from the military to the corporate world?

I learned of MANTECH from my active-duty and veteran network. Good friends of mine who had recently retired shared their transition journey with me and helped me formulate my rubric for evaluating employment opportunities. This allowed me to zero in on MANTECH early on as one of my top choices for my next employer.

What was the biggest culture shock or unexpected challenge you faced when entering the civilian workforce?

Active-duty service is a 24/7 job, and everyone is on salary. Learning how to track and report hours was very different and a big adjustment for me. I also had to adjust to the availability of an hourly-based workforce when collaborating on projects under shortened delivery timelines.

Were there any specific programs, mentors, or resources (e.g., SkillBridge, veterans networks) that helped you bridge the gap?

I received the greatest benefit from my own personal network, which expanded exponentially with every subsequent transition conversation. This led me to opportunities with American Corporate Partners (ACP) and FourBlock.

How do your military skills translate into your current role here at MANTECH?

The teamwork mentality continues to ring true. I focus on my assigned role, who I need to collaborate with on projects, and how we can “accomplish the mission” through excellence and commitment to our clients. Leaders are always ready to roll up their sleeves and get into the detailed work that gets the job done.

How would you describe your experience feeling “at home” or finding your footing in the civilian world? Do you feel MANTECH understands the value veterans bring?

I think MANTECH’s organizational focus on mission alignment, serving as a trusted partner to our government clients, and emphasizing the care, development, and advancement of its workforce directly speaks to veterans. It’s what we look for in an organizational leadership climate.

What does a typical day look like for you now, and what do you enjoy most about working for MANTECH?

As a full-time employee, I log a minimum of a 40-hour workweek. I primarily work remotely from my home state of Florida with 25% to 30% travel to the DMV and other government client locations. This gives me a great balance of flexibility and engagement with clients and my MANTECH peers.

What do you miss most about being in the military, and how do you find or replicate that sense of community/camaraderie in your civilian life?

I miss the camaraderie and daily interaction with my fellow service members. I have found a very similar community by working with other veterans and with MANTECH’s civilian professionals. I’ve also found greater connection through local community involvement that addresses my spiritual and family-wide welfare.

If you could go back in time and give one piece of advice to yourself on the day you separated from the military, what would it be?

Start working on your network earlier and have a detailed recordkeeping approach for your multiple informational interviews.

What advice would you give to other veterans who are currently looking to break into MANTECH and the cleared field?

Look to attain industry certifications that elevate your relevance and allow you to better leverage the totality of your military experience. There are several veteran education programs that support upskilling at no cost to the member. As always, develop your network.

What are you most passionate about?

The security of our nation and our way of life. Working for MANTECH allows me to keep contributing to this mission.

Is there anything else about your journey, your identity as a veteran, or your time at MANTECH that you’d like to share?

I really appreciate the people I work with at MANTECH. We are all mission-focused, ready to collaborate and assist one another, and deliver high-quality mission support to the government. It makes me proud to be associated with MANTECH as a company and defense industry organization.