Transitioning from Military to Civilian Careers in Cybersecurity: Insights from Veterans at RELI Group
At RELI Group, we highlight veterans who have successfully transitioned from military to civilian careers in cybersecurity. Each veteran brings valuable experiences and unique perspectives shaped by their time in the armed forces. Stay tuned as they share insights on how their military backgrounds influence their work, the challenges they faced during their transition and advice for other veterans considering this career path.
Veteran Introductions: Roles and Military Background
Brian McElyea
Dr. Brian McElyea, Vice President of Cyber Operations at RELI Group, has been with the company for just over seven months, where he has been instrumental in driving business development and ensuring seamless operations within the cybersecurity sector.
His journey began at the age of 17 when he joined the Navy, initially focusing on healthcare operations in both clinical and administrative roles. After a decade of service, he transitioned to an officer position in finance, serving as CFO for medical facilities. Though his military background may seem unrelated to cybersecurity, the skills Brian gained—such as budget management, compliance oversight and team leadership—are highly relevant to the field.
Gregory Miller
Gregory Miller serves as the Director of Solution, Strategy and Capture Planning at RELI Group. With over five months of contributions to RELI, he focuses on strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing the company’s cybersecurity capabilities.
Gregory’s military background as an intelligence officer significantly shaped his career trajectory. After leaving the Marine Corps, he initially sought to avoid further deployments but soon found himself back in the field as a civilian contractor. His work involved counter-IED operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, where he served as a field service representative for Task Force Odin, responsible for detecting and neutralizing IED threats to protect convoys.
Will Smith
In his role as Director of Business Expansion and Solution Design for cybersecurity, Will Smith leads initiatives to enhance the organization’s cyber offerings, making him a vital part of RELI Group for nearly two years.
Instead of attending school and rotating through duty stations, Will entered as an undesignated recruit, seeking a hands-on tactical role. After joining the USS Enterprise, he explored various areas and became an Airedale focused on aviation. His knowledge of computers—rare in 1995—led him to transition into an administrative role as a tower supervisor, working closely with the air boss.
Donald Parker
As a Cybersecurity Analyst supporting the Affordable Care Act systems for the CMS federal agency, Donald Parker has been with RELI for three years. His expertise ensures compliance and security for critical systems, making him an invaluable team member.
He enlisted in the Army in 1993 after earning a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and struggling to find a job. With his degree, he enlisted as an E4, gaining extra pay and student loan repayment benefits. He tested well enough to secure a role as a software developer in the Army, which provided valuable IT training and introduced him to the information technology industry, shaping his career path.
Christopher Nutter
Christopher, the Director of Operations at RELI Group, has been with the company for four months. He oversees the portfolio across all programs and plays a vital role in standardizing processes and formalizing procedures to facilitate organizational growth.
His military journey began with a focus on explosives, using his chemistry background as a bomb technician. After serving until 2004, Christopher transitioned to disaster preparedness planning, focusing on various hazards, including chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, explosives and cyber threats. Acknowledging the rising importance of cybersecurity, he pursued a master’s degree in IT.
Although their military backgrounds vary, the decision and commitment to join the military significantly shaped their career paths in cybersecurity and contributed to their success today!
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Transitioning to Cybersecurity
Transferable Skills
The transition from military service to cybersecurity showcases essential skills like discipline, leadership, adaptability and a mission-driven mindset. These veterans use their expertise to excel in cybersecurity, bringing valuable perspectives to the field.
Discipline
Cybersecurity demands a disciplined mindset, echoing the rigorous standards upheld in the military. This discipline keeps professionals focused on protecting data even in high-stakes situations. Christopher shared that his military training taught him to stay steady under stress, saying, “Military experiences taught me to put things in perspective—most challenges pale in comparison.” This ability to stay calm and focused is critical in cybersecurity, where the smallest oversight can lead to significant vulnerabilities.
Leadership
Notably, 80% of the cybersecurity leadership team are veterans highlighting the value of military-developed skills in decisiveness, resilience and teamwork. These qualities are essential for guiding teams through crises and addressing emerging threats. Donald notes, “The military often places you in leadership roles early on,” supported by training programs like Primary Leadership Development. This experience allows veterans to quickly assess risks and make decisive calls, ensuring that teams stay organized and effective in the face of evolving cyber challenges.
Adaptability
Both military and cybersecurity professionals need to swiftly adapt to changing environments, given that cyber threats are continually evolving. Will emphasized the importance of flexibility during his transition, noting, “Adaptability was crucial in my early roles, as I often managed responsibilities beyond my specific rate and tackled interdisciplinary projects.” This capacity to shift focus and apply skills to new challenges is vital in cybersecurity, enabling professionals to effectively address everything from emerging threats to rapidly changing technologies.
Misson-First Mindset
A mission-first mindset developed in military service aligns closely with the cybersecurity objective of protecting data and systems at all costs. Brian noted, “Cybersecurity requires a mission-first mindset,” reflecting his Navy experience. This emphasis on quality fosters a culture of teamwork and camaraderie, where everyone supports one another through the demanding, detail-oriented workload. Ultimately, this commitment to the core mission drives cybersecurity professionals to remain focused on safeguarding sensitive information amid risks.
Overcoming Challenges: Resources and Support Networks
Resources and Networking
These resources and networking strategies are essential for helping veterans’ transition successfully, offering both practical tools and a supportive community during their career shifts.
Veteran Programs and Organizations
The Veterans Transition Assistance Program offered vital support to many veterans as they moved from military service to civilian careers. Brian emphasized the importance of these connections, saying, “It’s crucial to connect with those who have gone before you.” Nonprofit organizations also played a key role in this transition, providing veterans like Christopher with a warm and welcoming community where they could quickly form bonds with fellow veterans, or as he called them, “new battle buddies.”
Networking Opportunities Through LinkedIn
LinkedIn was often mentioned as a valuable networking tool, particularly through its veteran mentoring initiatives and the ability to connect with others. Brian noted how crucial it was during his transition, saying, “Networking is essential in cybersecurity and most professions—not just for building contacts but for mentoring as well.”
Use the “Veteran Introductions” section in this blog to connect directly with these experienced professionals via LinkedIn, to learn from their experiences, and gain valuable guidance and support for your journey.
Leveraging Personal Strengths
Another key strategy for overcoming challenges was identifying the right industry fit. Will, for example, found success networking in cybersecurity, saying, “It’s crucial to reflect on what initially sparked your interest,” which helped him find a niche that provided clarity and direction. This approach has helped many veterans define their career paths and tackle the feeling of disconnection from society after military service.
Veterans’ Impact on Cybersecurity: Shaping the Future
Evolving Roles of Veterans in Cybersecurity
Examining their backgrounds, skills, strengths and the challenges they’ve overcome highlights the influential role veterans play in shaping cybersecurity. As Brian noted, “Veterans are well-suited for cybersecurity due to their experience in high-pressure environments, operational security and risk management,” aligning seamlessly with the demands of cybersecurity roles.
Gregory further emphasized this, saying, “Cybersecurity is more aligned with how veterans think,” as the military background provides veterans with “a level of analytical thinking, teamwork and coordination,” which are critical in cybersecurity. This foundation enables veterans to transition smoothly into roles that protect critical infrastructure. Their analytical approach, structured teamwork and ingrained security mindset allow them to excel in cybersecurity operations, quickly adapting to industry-specific terminology and workflows.
Celebrating Veterans at RELI Group!
At RELI Group, we celebrate the invaluable contributions of our veteran colleagues and acknowledge the vital role they play in shaping the future of cybersecurity. If you’re inspired by these veterans’ journeys and are ready to make your own transition or explore new opportunities in cybersecurity or other fields, visit our careers page to learn more. As a 2024 HIRE Vets Gold Medallion Award recipient, RELI is committed to supporting veterans in their career transitions.
Are you interested in hearing more from these veterans on their transition from military to cyber? Watch the full interview video below and gain exclusive insights into their experiences!