I wanted to give the Friends of Chuck (FOC) organization my sincerest “Thank you” and deepest appreciation for helping me find employment in the corporate security world. Prior to meeting “Chuck,” I was an Air Force Combat Controller part of the United States elite Special Operation Forces (SOF). I deployed multiple times with different SEAL, Coalition and Special Forces teams during my career. I received two Bronze Stars, one with Valor, which was awarded to me on my last combat deployment. I left the Air Force after 15 years, because I knew that what I did for my country would not translate into the business world. I was eager to take control of my life and start the next chapter of my life. I knew it would be a difficult journey, but I was very optimistic because I consider myself a smart, well rounded man, and I already had a business degree.
I enrolled in an MBA program shortly after my honorable discharge in September 2013. I tried my luck at different jobs to just pay the bills and I began to lose hope in the civilian world. I eventually took a temporary position at the Texas Senate as a policy analyst in March 2015. Unfortunately the 84th session ended in June and I was out of a job again. Just when I thought I should go back to the battlefield, Chuck called. He relayed he had a possible opportunity with a very well known corporate security company near my home town of San Antonio, Texas.
On September 8, 2015, I will start my first day as a security manager for a very successful and trusted company in Seguin, San Antonio, and Schertz, Texas. I am forever grateful in the confidence, support and trust Chuck and FOC has in me. Lastly, it is of great comfort to me that there are Americans like Chuck and his organization who are willing to support SOF operators during their transition into the civilian world.