• Branch of Service: Army National Guard
  • Highest Rank: Specialist.
  • Location of Service(s): Jordan, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.
  • What is your job at Mountaire: Cybersecurity Analyst.
  • When were you hired at Mountaire? November 2023
  • What motivated you to join the military? I wanted to inspire people. Wanted to show them that no matter their background, they can still do good in the world.
  • Why did you choose the branch of service you joined? I chose the Army National Guard because I could still be close to home while serving and I could also still deploy.
  • Did you earn any medals or honors during your service? I received an ARCOM (Army Commendation Medal) for my time serving as a Systems Administrator in the ENEC in Jordan. Also, because I was technically deployed in combat zones.
  • What was the most valuable lesson you learned? Cherish time with your family and always stay in touch because the hardest part is coming home and coping with the fact that they had to spend a year trying to figure out how to live without you being a part of their everyday life. As hard as it is on you, it is 1000 times more difficult on them. Appreciate the people who hold down the fort while you are gone. Life moves on without you while you are overseas.
  • What was the best and worst “military food” you were served? The best food was in Jordan. They fed us 4 times a day lol had MONSTER breakfasts they would also do a Mongolian night on Wednesdays where you pick whichever proteins and vegetables you wanted on the grill and they would cook in your choice of sauce. The worst food was in Saudi. They sometimes ran out of food and is usually wasn’t even worth the walk through the 120-degree weather. The chicken was so bad. The MRE’s are pretty bad too.
  • Tell us about a funny, poignant, or moving story you experienced during your service. We had a guy one time pass out at 8:30 am in Saudi Arabia because he had stayed up for three days straight drinking nothing but energy drinks. When he came to, he had a mouthful of sand and just said “man, that’s craaaaazy!” It was a valuable lesson in staying hydrated and getting plenty of rest.
  • Tell us an interesting fact about yourself. I like lifting weights.