Q+A Interview

Can you share a bit about your military background?

US Army, I retired after nearly 29 years (28 years and 10 months) as a Colonel and served as a 19A Series Armored / Cavalry Officer throughout my time in service. Primarily on M1A2 Abrams, M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles and Armored HMMWVs.

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

The importance of continuing to rely on faith, character and adherence to your core values throughout in your life, daily routine and connection with friends, family and colleagues.

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

I was definitely interested in wanting to continue to support the Department of War with the years of institutional knowledge and expertise of a lifetime of military service but wanted to pivot to understand how digital transformation initiatives are shaping the future force.

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

For me, the shock was the communication style. Military communication is direct, urgent and highly candid—you say exactly what needs to be said to accomplish the mission safely and quickly. In the corporate world, there is a much heavier emphasis on nuance, diplomacy and building consensus across different teams. Learning to dial back that intense, ‘mission-critical’ urgency for everyday tasks took some conscious effort. I had to learn that a change in pace didn’t mean people didn’t care about the outcome; it just meant they approached collaboration differently.

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

FourBlock was a great help to transferring Department of War service lexicon into something the civilian workforce could understand.

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

The military is the ultimate masterclass in teamwork and leadership. You are constantly working with diverse groups of people under high-pressure situations to achieve a singular objective. At MANTECH, I bring that same ‘mission-first, people-always’ mindset to my team. Leadership under pressure means staying calm when a project hits a snag, keeping communication clear and ensuring everyone knows their role. Understanding how to motivate a team, delegate effectively and support my colleagues when things get hectic are all skills that were forged in the service and are vital to our success here.

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?

Finding your footing in the civilian world can definitely be a culture shock at first; you go from an environment with a very clear, shared mission and intense camaraderie to a landscape that feels much more individualized. I truly started feeling ‘at home’ when I realized that MANTECH operates with a very similar, mission-focused mindset. MANTECH absolutely understands the value veterans bring—it’s woven into the culture here. They don’t just value our technical skills; they respect our leadership, our adaptability and our work ethic. Being surrounded by colleagues and leadership who speak that same language made it incredibly easy to find my footing and feel like I was part of a team again.

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

No two days are exactly the same, which keeps things exciting. My typical day involves balancing my core tasks with collaborating across different departments to solve problems and keep projects moving forward. What I enjoy most about MANTECH is the emphasis on continuous growth and the quality of the people. MANTECH really invests in its employees by making the best and most relevant training available at any time. They know this because their investment in you is a tangible ROI when you interact with the client. Coming from the military, where you constantly learn and adapt, it’s incredibly fulfilling to be at a company that invests in your professional development and surrounds you with teammates who always have your back.

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?

What I miss most is the effortless camaraderie—that unique bond where you know, without a shadow of a doubt, that the person next to you has your back completely, no matter how tough the situation gets. It’s hard to replicate that in the civilian world, but I’ve found a lot of it right here at MANTECH. Working alongside other veterans and mission-driven civilians gives me that familiar feeling of being part of a tight-knit team. We share the same focus, accountability and dry humor. I replicate that community by being an active supporter of my teammates, checking in on them and fostering an environment where we win or learn together as a unit.

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?

If I could go back to the day I took off the uniform for the last time, I would look myself in the eye and say: ‘Take a deep breath and give yourself some grace. You don’t have to have the next thirty years figured out by next Monday.’ Transitioning is a massive identity shift, and it’s okay if it feels uncomfortable or uncertain at first. Trust the foundation the military gave you. Your discipline, adaptability and work ethic are universal currencies. Be patient, keep learning and trust that you will find your footing and your people again—because companies like MANTECH are out there looking for exactly what you bring to the table.

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

Three things will get you into a great cleared role here: translation, certifications and networking. First, translate your military experience into corporate achievements. Second, look at the job descriptions for roles you want and get the foundational civilian certifications (like Security+ or PMP) to back up your practical background. Finally, join the MANTECH Veteran Talent Community and reach out to recruiters who specialize in military hiring. MANTECH values what you bring to the table—your clearance is a great key, but your work ethic and adaptability are what will truly land you the job.

What are you most passionate about?

Outside of the office, I’m passionate about my faith, spending time with my family, travel, Aggie Football Season and coaching CrossFit. At this stage in my life and career, I place a huge value on work-life balance—bringing my absolute best effort to the mission at MANTECH every day, and then unplugging to fully focus on the people and activities that recharge my batteries. I think having that strong foundation outside of work is what allows us to truly excel inside the workplace.

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

I’d just like to say how grateful I am for the welcoming culture here at MANTECH. Transitioning out of the military is a massive life event, and it’s easy to feel like just another face in the crowd when you enter the corporate world. But from day one, MANTECH has made me feel valued not just for what I can do, but for who I am and where I came from. To be able to continue supporting the national security mission alongside such talented, dedicated people has made this next chapter of my life incredibly rewarding.