Making The Transition From The Uniformed Services to a Career in Cyber Security

By - Dion Edwards, MAJ, United States Army (Ret)

Servant leadership is my hallmark, I spent over 22 years on active duty in the United States Army, serving my country but even more importantly, serving those with whom I served. When I first entered the military, at the age of 20, I was clueless about what I was getting into but I was certain I had to get away from home to expand my view of the world.

I became bored with the education system and no longer felt that I was being challenged. The things that I was being taught at the university level were things I could learn on my own by opening a book and reading. My way of thinking had outgrown the formal education system and I was frankly frustrated with a failing system.

The military service was completely foreign to me but I soon found comfort in a strange place. I quickly excelled in the enlisted ranks where I gained the trust of my superiors and I was rewarded with more and more responsibilities. I was still not satisfied and wanted more. I looked at my leaders and would always question the status quo, my mind always envisioning ways to improve and enhance current systems and processes. My leaders again, recognized my potential and recommended I become a military officer and so I took up the challenge. My desire for leadership was fueled by my passion to create and support better opportunities for others, never for myself. In order for me to become an officer, I had to temporarily leave the military (the environment I had come to embrace) and return to the land of academia, the place I dreaded, because I did not feel challenged.

Back in college, six years later, the environment was now different because the conditions had changed. I was now married, with a child on the way, full-time engineering student with a part time job. I was looking for a challenge and I certainly got one. It was a struggle and a sacrifice but I graduated in four years (with the help of a couple summer sessions). Before long, I was fully reestablished in the military environment I had grown to love; leading and caring for people, taking care of equipment and the environment. The 17 years I served as an Army Officer were the most rewarding time of my service to our nation. The people I served alongside and the lives and environment we impacted have left an indelible mark on my life that is irreplaceable and unduplicable.  I will forever be grateful for that phase of my life; seniors, peers and subordinates alike had a profound impact on making the journey gratifying. But no matter how much you love something or how well you do it, you have to let go when it's time to move on. 

Now, moving on from military service, I was not ready or prepared for it; even when I knew it was at my doorstep and it was my next move. As an Army Officer, leadership is the bread and butter of your DNA. If you are blessed with it, your military path is clear and I would like to think that I have a bit of it in my bloodstream. As an officer, you also get limited exposure to the technical mastering of skills, you are instead trusted to manage and lead talents through successful mission execution. Leadership roles are very limited but you become a master of the staff functions so that your superiors will see your worth and reward you with leadership opportunities. After almost 23 years of active duty military service, I found myself at the transition center trying to figure out what technical skills I was really good at and how I could use them to launch a career in corporate America. I did not find the answer then, but I kept searching.  I was a very good Chemical Officer, but I wanted to put down the gas mask and completely step away from the uniform. I knew I still wanted to work in a team setting, I still had the desire to lead and influence people; and I wanted to be in a space where I could realize tangible and intangible results. I worked for Amazon for a year; it was fun, intense and labor intensive, especially at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was my first real exposure to the corporate world. Though it was a leadership role, it felt completely different than anything I had done in the Army. I felt the appreciation of my team from a leader standpoint, but I wanted to do more, to influence change, to inspire others, to make a profound impact but the latitude for me to do so was non-existent. 

After leaving Amazon, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I wanted to recluse and just live in the moment. People dying all around us, sheer panic everywhere, what was I really chasing after? I had many conversations with my siblings and especially my youngest brother, Michel. We are all very close, but I know the relationship he and I share is unique. He understood my frustrations and especially as they related to the workforce, transitioning and trying to settle into an exciting and meaningful career. Michel had been in the tech industry for  over 18 years (at the time) but he was also in the tech lab with a small team trying to create a platform to train and inculcate people into the Cyber Security environment. I said to him, as often as we would have these conversations, “save me a space on the team Brother, I don’t want to go back to a regular 9-5. I can lead, inspire and influence and I know there is a transient population out there who are looking for a pathway to success. Let me help you with that”. 

But why Cyber Security and why now? This is not only for veterans and transitioning military personnel, it applies to ALL who are interested in a career change, have an interest in the Tech environment/Cyber Security career field and are ready to invest in themselves. Our comprehensive, technical, and hands-on training program will catapult you on a trajectory to industry certifications and into career paths. Where you can immediately make an impact because of the  technical training and practical exercises provided in the course. The workforce is rapidly transitioning to a tech-heavy industry. If you are at the front gate of a military installation, ready to exit the armed services or you have already left without a fulfilled career transition plan, give BluuKazi.com your attention and let them prepare you for an exciting and rewarding career in Cyber Security. A successful military career has taught you how to plan, lead, problem solve, manage, and execute to the highest degree of efficiency. Combine this experience with the first rate training in Cyber Security from industry leaders and mentors to launch your next career. 

I wish I had this opportunity afforded to me at the point I was ready to transition out of the service, I would have absolutely jumped at it. When you enter the Transition Assistance Program (usually one year from separation) you can inquire and qualify for the DOD SkillBridge Program. This allows you to complete the training (paid for by DoD) while you are still on paid active duty. As you separate from the service, you are now trained and ready to step into a Cyber Security role and make an immediate impact. See your Transition Assistance Program Coordinator for details. 

Similarly, if you are a Disabled Military Veteran (with service connected disability, 10 percent or above) or just a Military Veteran with educational benefits in hand, and looking for a career change, a Cyber Security pathway could be your next step. You can train and transition to a new career path by utilizing your Veterans Readiness and Employment Program to secure funding for your training.  Contact VR&E support and services to inquire about the services they offer. Contact BluuKazi.com to register for the next available Cyber Security Course offering. You have served honorability, now use the services available to you to acquire the career you deserve. 

I am a Disabled Military Veteran who suffered through the uncertainty of military transition. My options at the time were limited, I stumbled my way through the darkness for a few years until my brother said, there is a space in Tech for you but it’s uniquely you. Shine the light on the path that you stumbled on for years. Lead our Veterans on a clear transition pathway, from Uniform to Cyber, from Service to Security. I am sharing my story with you because I believe  that there are many others like me:

1. Are ready to take off the uniform with no clear path for you to transition into a meaningful and desirable career?

2. You have been a great leader but what does that look like to corporate America?

3. What are your options?

   1.  If you are intrigued by the Tech world, and Cyber Security sparks your interests, start making the transition while you are still in uniform by utilizing the Skills Bridge Program. 

   2. If you have already transitioned out of the service but have a Service Connected Disability (Disabled Veteran) or a Military Veteran with educational benefits, contact your VA office immediately to inquire about funding for the Bluu Kazi”s Cyber Security Academy.

I served my country with dignity and pride, an opportunity for which I am forever grateful. My role at BLUU Kazi is also one of service. The military transition was a very tough road for me and I struggled for a few years to find my niche in corporate America. I don’t want my fellow Veterans to take the dark road I took. One of my service centric roles at BLUU Kazi is to provide a clearly lit path for Veterans to seamlessly transition from Honorable Military Service to careers in Cyber Security by providing them with the leadership and guidance they need.  When I served, the military definition of Leadership was (and still holds true today): Influencing individuals, groups or organizations to accomplish a mission (goal) by providing Purpose, Motivation, and Direction. Allow the BLUU KAZI Team to lead your career transition today, from military service into the world of Cyber Security. The roadmap has been built, all you have to do is take the journey with us.