Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Cybersecurity Principal Engineer

Northrop Grumman

Principal Cyber Systems Engineer

US Navy

Provides expertise in cybersecurity, information technology, command and control, communications, networks and space systems through the planning, acquisition, operation, maintenance and security of systems.

Information Professional Officer

Responsible for establishing, monitoring, and maintaining radio frequency communication systems, as well as operating and maintaining global satellite telecommunications systems. Duties include transmitting, receiving, and storing all incoming and outgoing messages, managing and coordinating information systems security across platforms and fleets, and designing, installing, and operating wide-area networks, computer systems, and associated devices. Additional responsibilities include performing network system administration, maintenance, and training, managing network security, and installing applications while troubleshooting user issues. Tasked with providing training and assistance on computer hardware and software, writing programs to collect and distribute data, ensuring proper security and handling of communications materials and equipment, and performing diagnostics, data recovery operations, and maintaining logs.

Information System Technician

Responsible for installing, testing, troubleshooting, and repairing or replacing cryptologic networks, physical security systems, electronic equipment, antennas, personal computers, auxiliary devices, digital and optical interfaces, and data systems. Additional tasks include configuring, monitoring, and evaluating Information Operations (IO), Information Warfare (IW) systems, and Information Assurance (IA) operations. Expertise in performing hardware and software isolation and repairs for state-of-the-art electronics, computer and network equipment, and related systems using complex test and analysis equipment, diagnostic software, hand tools, and technical publications. Also tasked with maintaining fleet cryptologic permanent and carry-on direct support systems essential for special land, sea surface, and subsurface operations.

Cryptologic Technician (Maintenance)

Command Destroyer Squadron 21 (CDS 21)

Manages network and telecommunication activities to achieve global operations. Coordinates with global satellite, network and telecommunications service providers to obtain Internet Protocol services and to establish Service Levels of Agreement.

Information Technology Manager

Navy Information Operations Command Hawaii (NIOC HI)

Directed Computer Network Operations (CNO) teams in the planning and execution of Offensive Cyber Operations (OCO) supporting national objectives.

Cyber Warfare Officer

USS IWO JIMA (LHD-7)

Developed system Assessment and Authorization packages consisting of 50 systems under Risk Management Framework, implemented information assurance controls, documented risks and provided recommendations to leadership. Executed mitigation plan and developed Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M).

Information Systems Director

Naval Network Warfare Command (NNWC)

Provided command and control decision-making support and shared situational awareness of four global enterprise networks.

Global Network Operations and Security Center Manager

Command Destroyer Squadron 50 (CDS 50)

Provided critical Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I) support to a staff of 40 overseas.

Navy Information Operations Command Georgia (NIOC GA)

Managed a 19-person, multi-service team responsible for the installation and maintenance of telecommunications and network infrastructure in support of 3,000 personnel.

Information Technology Division Supervisor

Naval Security Group Activity (NSGA) Groton and Pearl Harbor

Certified, installed and maintained communications and network equipment suites to include local/wide area networks installation, troubleshooting, operating system configurations (Linux, Unix and Windows) and associated network administration.

Fleet Electronic Support Maintenance and Installation Technician

M.S. Network Operations & Technology | Sec+, IAM I, IAT II | ITIL v3 | Navy IP Officer | Seeking Cyber, GRC and ISSM-related roles | Open to CO, CO Springs and remote roles | Active TS/SCI Clearance | Available 8/23

As a seasoned cybersecurity professional and career strategist, I bridge the gap between technical expertise and career development in the rapidly evolving security landscape. My journey spans multiple technologies, industries, and organizations, giving me unique insights into what drives success in cybersecurity roles.

Having successfully navigated my own transition from military service to civilian cybersecurity, I now dedicate myself to guiding others through their career journeys. I specialize in helping veterans leverage their military experience for cybersecurity roles, understanding that the path can seem overwhelming without proper guidance.

I take pride in demystifying cybersecurity careers through:
- Strategic career mapping and transition planning
- Certification and skill development guidance
- Resume optimization and interview preparation
- Professional networking strategies
- Personal brand development

When I'm not mentoring cybersecurity professionals, you'll find me on the golf course, pursuing fitness goals, or writing about industry trends. These diverse interests inform my holistic approach to career development – because success in cybersecurity requires both technical excellence and personal balance.

Connect with me to discuss:
- Military to civilian transition strategies
- Breaking into cybersecurity
- Career advancement in security roles
- Professional development planning
- Building resilient security teams

I regularly share insights, trends, and opportunities in cybersecurity. Let's connect and build a stronger security community together.

Josh Hicks

United States Marine Corps

Battalion Operations Officer

As the Intelligence Officer for 1st Force Reconnaissance Company, I provided critical intelligence support, operational analysis, and mission planning for one of the Marine Corps’ premier special operations-capable units. My role ensured that reconnaissance teams were equipped with actionable intelligence, threat assessments, and mission-critical insights to execute high-risk, strategic operations effectively.

Key Responsibilities & Achievements:

Operational Intelligence & Reconnaissance Support 
– Analyze, develop, and disseminate detailed intelligence products that enable Force Recon teams to conduct deep reconnaissance, surveillance, and direct-action missions.

Threat & Risk Analysis for Special Operations 
– Conduct advanced threat assessments, enemy course-of-action analyses, and terrain studies, ensuring mission success in denied and contested environments.

Mission Planning & Targeting Support 
– Integrate geospatial intelligence (GEOINT), signals intelligence (SIGINT), and human intelligence (HUMINT) into operational planning, enhancing situational awareness and decision-making for Force Reconnaissance missions.

Interagency & Joint Force Collaboration 
– Coordinate with Naval Special Warfare, Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs), and Joint Task Forces (JTFs) to synchronize reconnaissance operations and intelligence-sharing for real-world and training missions.

Training & Development of Reconnaissance Teams 
– Provide intelligence briefs, battlefield analysis, and enemy tactics training to enhance mission readiness for combat diver, airborne, and clandestine reconnaissance teams.

As the primary intelligence advisor to the Company Commander, I ensurd that Force Recon teams were mission-ready, intelligence-driven, and positioned for success in high-stakes operations.

Intelligence Officer | 1st Force Reconnaissance Company

While serving as a Marine Officer Instructor and Assistant Professor of Naval Science, I played a pivotal role in shaping and mentoring over 250 future Marine Corps and Navy officers, providing them with a deep understanding of military leadership, strategy, and the history of warfare. My primary responsibilities included leading classroom instruction, developing training curricula, and preparing officer candidates for the intellectual and physical demands of military service.

Key Responsibilities & Achievements:

Delivered 460+ Hours of Instruction 
– Led undergraduate courses on military leadership theory, ethical decision-making, and military history, equipping officer candidates with the strategic and operational knowledge needed for service.

Employed Digital Learning & Adaptation 
– In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, I spearheaded the rapid transition to online learning, leveraging Blackboard Learn and Canvas to ensure seamless instruction, engagement, and retention despite global disruptions.

Led Leadership Development & Officer Training 
– Designed and conducted tactical decision-making exercises, ethical leadership seminars, and operational planning coursework, enhancing candidates’ critical thinking, adaptability, and battlefield decision-making.

Dual Role in Unit Security & Operations 
– In addition to my instructional duties, I served as the Operations and Physical Security Officer, ensuring the safety, readiness, and efficiency of the training environment.

Developed Future Leaders 
– Provided individualized mentorship and career guidance to officer candidates, many of whom went on to serve in combat arms, intelligence, aviation, and logistics roles within the fleet.

This role allowed me to blend my operational experience with academic instruction, creating a rigorous yet engaging learning environment that prepared future Marine and Navy officers for the realities of modern warfare.

Marine Officer Instructor | Assistant Professor | University of Idaho

Led a 28-Marine technical operations team specializing in signals intelligence (SIGINT), electronic surveillance, and secure communications in support of global crisis response missions. Managed high-value equipment, oversaw complex training pipelines, and deployed with a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) to support U.S. operations in the Indo-Pacific and Middle East.

Key Responsibilities & Achievements:

- Led Distributed Intelligence Operations
Directed forward-deployed intelligence teams aboard naval vessels and across foreign partner nations, delivering real-time threat reporting, communications intercepts, and electronic warfare support to tactical and strategic decision-makers.

- Integrated Intelligence into Mission Planning
Aligned technical capabilities with dynamic operational goals, embedding SIGINT support into multi-domain operations, multinational exercises, and interagency coordination, enhancing decision timelines and mission execution.

- Managed Sensitive Systems & Data Security
Maintained accountability of over $12.5M in sensitive communications equipment and classified systems, ensuring operational continuity, system integrity, and compliance with stringent security protocols.

- Developed and Executed Advanced Training Programs
Designed and led training pipelines for high-performing teams, preparing personnel for maritime, airborne, and ground-based operations in austere and high-risk environments.

- Enabled Cross-Functional Collaboration
Worked alongside joint military forces, government agencies, and foreign partners to synchronize intelligence-sharing, data integration, and electronic surveillance efforts, enhancing regional situational awareness and interoperability.

Platoon Commander | 1st Radio Battalion

Selected for a highly competitive commissioning program, I balanced the dual demands of full-time active-duty military service and rigorous academic coursework, preparing for a career as a Marine Corps officer. Throughout the program, I mentored, trained, and developed 250 future Navy and Marine Corps officers, fostering their leadership, academic success, and operational readiness.

Key Responsibilities & Achievements:

Developed & Mentored Future Officers 
– Led leadership training, physical fitness programs, and tactical decision-making exercises to prepare candidates for the rigors of military service.

Balanced Full-Time Military Service with Academic Excellence 
– Successfully navigated active-duty commitments while completing a demanding undergraduate program, demonstrating discipline, time management, and adaptability.

Held Key Leadership Roles 
– Served in multiple leadership positions, guiding fellow officer candidates in ethical decision-making, small-unit tactics, and mission planning.

Contributed to Officer Development Programs 
– Assisted in training and mentoring 250+ ROTC midshipmen, focusing on physical fitness, academic performance, and leadership development.

Integrated Academic & Military Training 
– Applied lessons from history, philosophy, and leadership studies to real-world military scenarios, enhancing strategic thinking and battlefield decision-making.

This experience solidified my leadership philosophy, resilience, and ability to balance competing priorities, skills that I carried forward into my career as a Marine Corps officer.

Naval ROTC Officer Candidate | Undergraduate Student

As an Enlisted Reconnaissance Marine and Senior Instructor, I played a critical role in training and developing over 500 reconnaissance candidates in advanced combat, survival, and operational skills. I was responsible for 750+ hours of classroom instruction and 140+ live-fire and high-risk training exercises, ensuring that students met the elite standards required for reconnaissance operations.

Key Responsibilities & Achievements:

Developed & Delivered Specialized Training 
– Instructed over 500 Marines in high-risk tactical skills, including water survival, land navigation, helicopter rope suspension techniques (HRST), and demolitions.

Led High-Intensity Reconnaissance Training 
– Supervised and executed 140+ live-fire exercises, amphibious operations, and field training exercises, maintaining 100% safety compliance in high-risk environments.

Designed & Implemented a Systematic Training Curriculum 
– Standardized reconnaissance candidate training programs, improving knowledge retention, tactical proficiency, and operational readiness.

Ensured Operational & Safety Compliance 
– Implemented stringent risk management and safety protocols, preventing training incidents while maintaining combat realism.

Developed Future Reconnaissance Leaders 
– Mentored and assessed candidates for reconnaissance selection, ensuring only the most capable Marines advanced into specialized roles.

This role refined my ability to teach under pressure, lead in demanding environments, and develop high-performing teams, reinforcing my expertise in military instruction, tactical training, and risk management.

Enlisted Reconnaissance Marine | Senior Instructor | Basic Reconnaissance Course

As a Reconnaissance Marine, I conducted clandestine surveillance, direct-action missions, and specialized training operations during multiple deployments to the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions. I worked closely with multinational special operations forces, enhancing interoperability and intelligence-sharing in high-stakes operational environments.

Key Responsibilities & Achievements:

Executed High-Risk Reconnaissance & Surveillance Operations 
– Conducted 480+ hours of clandestine surveillance in support of counterinsurgency and direct-action missions.

Led Small-Unit Reconnaissance Teams in Combat Environments 
– Managed teams conducting intelligence-gathering, surveillance, and force reconnaissance operations in support of strategic military objectives.

Trained in Advanced Special Operations Techniques 
– Participated in elite training with U.S. and international special operations forces, including the Royal Jordanian Counter-Terrorism Group, U.S. Special Forces, and foreign naval special warfare units.

Enhanced Operational Readiness & Mission Planning 
– Conducted pre-mission planning, risk assessments, and tactical rehearsals, ensuring mission success in dynamic, high-threat environments.

Strengthened Military Partnerships 
– Collaborated with regional allies on joint military training and operations, improving cross-national force integration.

This experience shaped my leadership approach and strategic mindset, reinforcing my expertise in high-risk operations, intelligence gathering, and  reconnaissance tactics.

Enlisted Reconnaissance Marine | Manager | 1st Reconnaissance Battalion

U.S. Marine | Assistant Professor | Historian | Stoic

I am a Marine Corps officer, historian, and educator with over two decades of leadership experience in military operations, intelligence, and higher education. My career has been defined by a commitment to service, strategic thinking, and mentorship, shaping warriors and scholars for success in dynamic environments.

Currently, I serve as an intelligence officer at 1st Force Reconnaissance Company, leveraging my expertise in operational planning, reconnaissance, and intelligence fusion to enhance mission success. Previously, I was an Assistant Professor and Marine Officer Instructor at the University of Idaho and Washington State University, where I trained and mentored over 250 future military leaders in military history, leadership, and ethics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I spearheaded the transition to online learning, implementing innovative instructional methodologies to maintain academic rigor and engagement.

Throughout my career, I have led and developed teams in high-stakes environments, from combat deployments in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East to training the next generation of military officers. My experience includes serving as a Platoon Commander, where I managed $12.5M in assets and prepared my team for real-world missions, and as an Enlisted Reconnaissance Marine, where I conducted 480+ hours of clandestine surveillance and participated in elite training with U.S. and international special forces.

Beyond my professional responsibilities, I am deeply committed to service and mentorship. I have served as an Organizational Liaison for Marine Toys for Tots and as a mentor for the Vandal Mentor Network, assisting military-affiliated students and veterans in their transition to academic and professional careers. My involvement with the American Legion reflects my dedication to honoring veterans’ sacrifices and strengthening the military community.

Academically, I hold an M.S. in Adult, Organizational Learning & Leadership and an M.A. in History, complemented by a B.S. in History & Philosophy from the University of Idaho, where I graduated Magna Cum Laude. My passion lies in the intersection of history, leadership, and strategy, and I actively engage in professional discussions on military history, virtue ethics, and leadership development.

I welcome opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and meaningful discussions on leadership, military strategy, and education.

taplio

The Battle

Josh Hicks

Amish Smith

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