Veteran Mission
and Spotlight

vSQOD Solutions Engineer

April 2022

I joined because I was transitioning from my old company, and wanted to join an IT company that cared for veterans. My experience has been excellent with VSO. They care about their employees career progression, which is very important to me.

I joined the Air Force in 2001 and have been in Communications my whole career. I've excelled in my career so much that I received a lot of awards and have deployed by myself to support the unit that was abroad. Currently I'm still in the Air National Guard, but I am a First Sergeant for the 116th Medical Group on Robins AFB, GA

My wife and I have been married for 11 years, but have known each other and been friends since we both was in the sixth grade. We have a 16 year old daughter, that is dual enrolled in her high school while she pursues her BS in nursing. Being dual enrolled allows her to graduate high school with her Associates degree and her high school diploma. In my spare time I like to watch college football, GO BUCKEYES!!!

I joined the Army because I was tired of watching all of my brothers get locked up. I come from a family of 7 children: 6 boys and 1 girl. Out of all of them, I was the only one to join the Army. My father served 2 tours in Vietnam as a Marine. So you can say I always had the idea of joining the military and prison just wasn't in my sights.

Sr. System Administrator on Monitoring Team

April 2019

One day I was in school for PM and ITIL:, I was talking to Duke and he facilitated the referral to move to VSO. I love it!!! I keep myself busy and do what is needed. Currently studying for Azure 900, (looking to be complete by the end of November) CCNA and possibly PM in Jan. Recently earned my certification as an AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner. Earned my certification in ITIL since the last time I posted my status.

I am a retired Infantryman, with lots of combat experience. Fought during the 3rd push to combat in Ramadi Iraq with 3rd Infantry Division (Sledge Hammer) where I lost many friends but still brought all of my soldiers home safe. Then again in Afghanistan where we trained and fought along side the Afghan Army, their Police Force, and Secret Agents. The last position I held before retiring in 2016, was the Battalions Operations Sergeant Major as a Sergeant First Class.

I am originally from Houston, TX. I currently reside in El Paso, TX. I have 5 children: three boys and two girls. Their ages range from 23 boy whom currently in on the NYS project, about to attend college in January and just got certified as AWS CCP, 22 yr old boy that works for the Border Patrol, a 6yr old boy, 12yr old girl and 15yr old girl. I have a Bachelors in Business Administration. My Hobbies include running, working out, improving my yard, and cooking. I am a big-time UFC fan!

Kinda funny story. I answered an ad in the local newspaper for “heavy equipment operator training”. A phone conversation and 30 min later a Naval recruiter pulled up in the driveway decked out in dress whites driving a convertible bright red Corvette! …ended up running nuclear reactors aboard the Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier – suppose that counts as heavy equipment!

Senior Solutions Engineer

March, 2018

When John and Steve started VSO I was one of the first technical resources to come aboard supporting our first account R1 Health. I knew John was looking to perfect a vision, which I had also had the privilege of being part of at a previous company. I was certain John and Steve together would be an unstoppable team in that regard - and in all honesty I needed the work! My expectations have not only been met but I continue to be amazed by this company!

I was only 18 going on 19 when I signed up. I spent the first 1.5 years (after boot camp of course) in school in Orlando, Fl learning all about hydro- and thermodynamics along with nuclear power theory and practice. Then I spent 6 months in Idaho Falls, Idaho doing practical training on a couple of nuclear subs submerged in a swimming pool out in the middle of nowhere. I was then stationed on the Abraham Lincoln which was deployed at the time in the Gulf under the first Gulf war and stationed out of Alameda, Ca.

I met a Danish girl in San Francisco while in the Navy and followed her to Denmark. We got married and have four children together. My ex and I have since gone our separate ways but we are all currently living in Denmark. My two oldest boys are working on their respective masters at the university here in Aarhus, and my two youngest are finishing up “high school”. I enjoy dancing salsa with my fiancée, going on wine trips and otherwise travelling. I have a great interest in what I refer to as “Inspired Economics” which is essentially new systems thinking around economic (and socio-economic) challenges - and no, utopia is not a bad word, like all ideals it is star a by which we can navigate by or said less poetically it’s worth reflecting on in my opinion! Another great interest of mine is following the work of theoretical physicist Nassim Haramein and his team on Unified Physics at the Resonance Science Foundation. Truly fascinating work even if physics isn’t really your thing.

Marine Corps

Sergeant

February 2022

Senior Solutions Engineer

Iraq, Afghanistan, Japan, Philippines

One of the officers I served with works at VSO and reached out to me about a project he was working on. The role and timing were a great fit and I transitioned to VSO full time in March of 2022. VSO has allowed me to leverage my experience as a system administrator and small unit leader to deliver exceptional results to our clients. It’s easy to post core values on a website but seeing an entire organization exhibit them every day is truly remarkable and makes me proud to be part of the VSO team!

I enlisted right out of high school as a Tactical Data Network Specialist, a fancy title for Marine Corps IT guy. I thought I would spend my time in the basement of a secret base learning to hack enemy computers like something out of a Tom Clancy novel. Instead, I was sent to an infantry battalion in North Carolina where I deployed to Iraq in 2006 and Afghanistan in 2008. After back-to-back combat tours I spent my last year in Okinawa, Japan serving as the Network Chief for 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.

I currently live in South Florida with my wonder wife Maggie who’s a computer science PhD candidate. We have two King Charlies Cavalier Spaniels, Rufio and Ripley, and two cats, Garrus and Link. In my free time I like to work out and run. We are both big science fiction and fantasy fans. You can usually find me gaming with my friends, reading a book, or tinkering on something in the garage.

I decided to serve in the fall of 1995. School was coming to an end and college at that time was not an option. I have a father that served in the Navy, and two uncles that served in the Army, so I decided to see if I could make it for one enlistment. That enlistment, which started in the summer of 1997, turned out to be a career until the fall of 2017 when retired.

Associate Sys Administrator on Monitoring Team

October 2019

I joined VSO because I wanted the experience of working with IT and I saw an opportunity to join a company that is 1.) Veteran-friendly and 2.) very innovative from the research I did when offered the opportunity to join the team. I have enjoyed working with everyone so far and hope this can turn into another great opportunity to be a part of something that I believe in again.

I joined the US Army in July 1997. I completed OSUT training at Fort Knox, KY, where I was then stationed in Friedberg, Germany assigned to 1-37 AR. 1st BDE, 1st AD for the next two years. I then was stationed in Fort Knox, KY assigned to 1-16 CAV and 2-81 AR as a trainer to cadets and OSUT trainees. In 2003 I was then stationed back in Friedberg, Germany as a Tanker and deployed to Iraq on two different occasions, once from May 2003 to July 2004. The second deployment was from January 2006 to February 2007. Another station at Fort Knox as an instructor and then finally to Fort Bliss, TX with multiple positions to include Senior Scout, Platoon Sergeant, and S3 positions from 2011 until I retired in 2017.

I am from Waco Texas and married with no children. I am currently completing my Bachelor of Science in Information Systems. Since retiring two years ago, I have become a real home body and just like to enjoy life.

Hard to say now, I am sure patriotism was part of it the Iran hostages had just been freed and the Cold War was still around.  A family tradition on some level - my dad and uncles were WWII vets, my cousin a Vietnam vet and my sister was in the Navy.

I am supporting the Oracle Engineered devices (Exa) on the DOI ONRR account.

December 2019

I had been working with Ethan Watts for about a decade at a prior job and he suggested I apply at VSO. A million thanks Ethan, VSO is absolutely one of the best work environments. Everyday, I am astonished at how many highly skilled people are so nice. My youngest son was on the Covid Army and he always asks me how I got in with the "No Jerks" policy. I try to remember that.

Trained in aviation supply assigned to a small Helicopter Maintenance Squadron what at the time was NAS Dallas. In our shop which was behind the times it involved searching microfiche to locate the parts and then teletype to the Navy to order the parts.

My wife and I have 2 kids in college. We are recovering helicopter parents, so now we have 2 rescue dogs that get our attention - the kids seem relieved by that.

I heard a recruiter talk about cavalry scouts during a presentation. Thought that sounded pretty neat so I decided to become one.

Military Apprentice – Solution Architect Apprentice

I was looking on Linkdin for jobs and I came across a post from Nick Curry talking about an exciting opportunity for transitioning service members. The rest is history, I am beyond grateful to VSO for providing me so many opportunities for professional development. The culture is amazing, and the people are the reason for that.

I was a scout for 8 years and an artilleryman for 3. During my service I came across an opportunity to provide honors to deceased veterans. I cannot think of a more humbling and sobering job. I was trained by previous members of the Old Guard in Arlington National Cemetery. I trained more than 60 individuals on how to perform military honors. I was the NCOIC of a regional office. I completed more that 1500 funerals over a span of 8 years in the Military Funeral Honors Program.

I Married my best friend in 2013. She gave me 2 awesome children. I enjoy hanging out and doing things with my wife and kids as well as attempting to take strokes off my golf game. Video games are cool also!

Family Tradition (I am a third generation Marine) and a desire to defend the nation.

Business Unit Executive – Public Sector

October 1, 2021

I joined VSO because I identify with the company’s mission and values. Working here gives me a sense of belonging to something more than just a company providing a service. It’s a lot like the military in that sense.

Married with 5 children (1 boy and 4 girls).

At the time I was not exactly locked into college and I wanted do my part and serve my country while finding direction.

Account Lead

October 2018

I was recruited to come to VSO by John Birch to work as a Sr. Technical resource on Sprint, since then I have moved into the Account Lead role as well. My time at VSO has been exciting and challenging.

After high school graduation I enlisted in the US Air Force, at the tail end of the Cold War. I was in for a total 11 years (which included both Active Duty and Air National Guard time). I was a Weather Forecaster during my career.

I am from NJ, born and raised by immigrant Italian parents. I actually did not speak English when I went to kindergarten. My parents learned English along with myself while I went to school. I am the oldest of 3 boys. Playing computer games was an early love of mine. When I wasn't in the arcade, I was playing on my Intellivision, Commodore 64 or Atari. Sports was a large part of my childhood although it was mostly focused on soccer, which I still play today (albeit much slower pace!).

I am an avid motorcyclist and a nationally certified motorcycle instructor for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. In the past, I participated in road racing events.

Most importantly, I am married to my amazing wife since 2008, and we have a son, Ryan, who keeps me young while I try to keep up!

I joined the military shortly after Operation Desert Storm had started and just felt the need to serve my country. I took the first career choice that was provided to me and became a nuclear weapons specialist at F.E. Warran AFB, Cheyenne WY. I really wish I would have stayed in the military for at least 20 years. I left the military to try and start my own business and quickly found it was not a easy as I thought.

P/T Systems Analyst on Monitoring Team

August 2019

My 1st job is working for the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) and work Monday - Friday. I have a hobby and passion for restoring cars and needed some extra income so I took a second job (weekends) with VSO. This has been an eye opening experience as I have never done any kind of IT work before. I am truly loving the position and thanks to everyone's patience - I am slowly learning a lot. Additionally, I am very thankful for VSO because it can be challenging finding a good job while being a paraplegic.

I spent my four years at F.E. Warran AFB and was trained and certified on several nuclear weapons however I was assigned to the Peacekeeper Missile. It was an awesome job and very fascinating with a lot of outdated equipment.

I have been married to Dianna for a little over five years. I met her while working with the PVA. I have one biological daughter who is currently a 2nd Lt. in the USAF as a nurse. I could not be more proud of her.