Q: Please tell us about your military service.
I served in the U.S. Air Force for almost 23 years, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. During my service, I was able to live all over the U.S. and world, including Alabama, California, Florida, Massachusetts, North Dakota, Texas, Washington (DC and the state), Iraq, Afghanistan, Germany, and Italy. Living in each of those places helped me learn about the differences that make our nation a great place.
Q: Why did you join the military?
While there are several reasons why I joined the U.S. Air Force, the main one is that I believe that serving one’s country is an honorable thing to do. About 1% of Americans serve in the military, and that is something I can always hang my hat on. My grandfather served during World War II and my uncles served in the U.S. Army and Navy. These men were my role models growing up. They were the individuals who marched during the local parades and took me to Memorial Day services.
Q: What does Veterans Day mean to you?
Veterans Day is on opportunity for us to celebrate those willing to be a part of something much bigger than themselves by serving our nation in our armed forces. It also serves as a reminder that there are brave Americans deployed throughout the world protecting the freedoms we hold most dear. It’s not only a time for us to pay homage to those currently serving, but perhaps even more importantly, a time for us to recognize those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Lastly, it is a time when I get to share in the camaraderie of the men and women who have volunteered to serve this great nation unconditionally.
Q: How did your military service prepare you for your career at ISS?
I could go on and on about what military members bring to the fight, but I’ll focus on just a few:
Leadership and teamwork – Service members understand how to earn the respect of their peers and bring people together, and know the importance of gaining support to pursue common goals.
Problem-solving and decision-making – Service members react quickly and precisely, trained to adapt in dynamic, high-pressure situations. This ability is invaluable in our fast-paced work environment.
Honesty and attention to detail – Military service members are often trusted with high levels of security clearance. All are trained to meet the highest standards of ethics, safety, and other organizational imperatives. Veterans meet this expectation in every part of their lives.
Global perspectives – Members of the military typically have years of experience working with diverse individuals from international teams. In a globalizing economy, this is a distinguishable advantage for our team.
Veterans come from a culture built on the mantra: “mission accomplished” – Few cultures have been engineered like the U.S. military’s culture. Even fewer cultures focus entirely on cooperation, personal development, and achieving the mission at any cost.
