My Journey: From Combat Engineer to Tech Enthusiast

Reflecting on my journey so far, I’m excited to share the path that has brought me to where I am today. My career began with the U.S. Marine Corps, where I served as a Combat Engineer. This role combined elements of construction with demolitions, offering me a unique set of skills and experiences. During my eight years of service, I became deeply passionate about teaching and mentoring. As a Primary Marksmanship Instructor, I had the privilege of coaching and mentoring around 500 Marines and Sailors in marksmanship. My dedication to teaching and my love for the job made my time in the Marines incredibly fulfilling.

My deployments took me to Afghanistan in 2005, where I participated in several named operations, including "Operation Whalers," a follow-on mission from "Operation Redwings," known to many from the film "Lone Survivor." Later, in 2007, I was deployed to Fallujah, Iraq, where I engaged in various engineering operations, though there were no major named operations during that time.

After my military service, I transitioned into law enforcement in Kingsland, GA. As a Patrol Officer and Special Reactions Team (S.R.T) member, I honed critical communication skills and learned the art of de-escalation. Attending schools such as S.W.A.T. beginner and intermediate, and working alongside agencies like the A.T.F and U.S. Marshals, provided me with valuable experience.

Returning to my hometown of Panama City Beach, FL, I worked as a Government Contractor, focusing on tactics instruction for the Air Force E.O.D. community. Concurrently, I re-enlisted in the Army National Guard as an 11 Bravo Infantryman in a reconnaissance unit out of Tallahassee. I graduated with honors from an 11B transition course and was activated twice for hurricane relief efforts, assisting with shelters and providing security during Hurricanes Matthew and Irma.

Currently, I work in the construction industry, specializing in project management. My journey has now led me to the tech world. In 2022, I completed a Full Stack Developer course at Bottega University and began working as a Teaching Assistant, helping students with course material and code reviews. I also took on contract work with NiBuild LLC in Birmingham, AL, focusing on DevOps. My role involves me building on to my skill set in Python, SQL, HTML, and CSS. Plus build and maintain websites in WordPress and KoPage. I have also freelanced for a local flower wholesale company in Birmingham, where I addressed scheduling issues for their event workspaces, significantly improving efficiency.

Additionally, I assist as an Event Engineer at Digital Motions, helping with website content updates. This role allows me to continue solving problems and contributing to event success.

As I reflect on my diverse experiences, I’m excited about the future and the opportunities that lie ahead in the tech industry. I look forward to continuing this journey and exploring new challenges in my career.