From 'On Deck' to Behind the Desk: How Junior Officers' Experience Excels in the Corporate Environment

In high school, while attending a hockey tournament at Conn College, a serendipitous visit to the nearby Coast Guard Academy sparked an overwhelming calling for a military career. ? I had never considered it in the past, but in hindsight, it made a lot of sense because it filled a very similar spot in my life that competitive sports did: teamwork, higher meaning, passion for excellence, representing an organization, overcoming adversity, and being challenged.? An NROTC scholarship led me to Boston University, where I delved into leadership and developed an interest in nuclear power. Serving as a Surface Warfare Officer (Nuclear), my naval journey encompassed diverse roles, from overseeing topside activities on a destroyer in Pearl Harbor to managing the reactor electrical division on an aircraft carrier in Washington. After getting out of the Navy, I used the BreakLine Education program to land a role at Meta, working on content market trends and projects to improve the moderation of harmful content on the platform.? After a very challenging and active year of content during Covid and the US2020 elections, I wanted to return to a more technical role, so I used the services of Cohen Partners Strategic Military Placement to help me find a role with Danfoss in the Cambridge, MA office.? I worked on the innovation team for 2.5 years and recently moved over to the Eden Prairie office to work in a more operational role as the Test Lab Manager. In retrospect, I want to highlight how these military experiences seamlessly translated into skills for the civilian sector and how junior officers can naturally bring a lot to the corporate environment.

Authentic Leadership?

It still amazes me that fresh college graduates at the age of 22 embark on ships to lead a division of 10-30 sailors, 85% of whom have more shipboard experience. This experience prompted me to adopt an authentic leadership style from the get-go, fueled by the overwhelming and somewhat daunting task of leading with minimal real-world experience. My approach aligned with the prototypical "servant leader" style. I frequently picked up sander to remove running rust alongside my sailors doing corrosion control, I joined in during cleaning stations to attack the dust bunnies, and I even climbed down to the bilge to clean out the tubes in a seawater heat exchanger. This hands-on involvement not only accelerated my understanding of the ship, equipment, and maintenance but, more importantly, allowed me to grasp my sailors' struggles and motivations. It became a vital aspect of making informed decisions and earning the trust of my team.? Given their experience in handling complex and high-stress leadership challenges for years, junior officers are well-equipped to excel rapidly in a corporate environment where success is rooted in teamwork, motivation, and effective collaboration with people.

Project Management?

Project management became a significant aspect of my military experience. The military's stringent systems and processes demand a rapid learning curve for survival. Junior officers, like myself, often find themselves held accountable for a multitude of responsibilities. In my initial ship assignment, I juggled three warfare programs, five watch stations, 15 spaces, and led a team of 20 individuals—handling all associated operations, maintenance, and training, all within a combat zone. Transitioning to an aircraft carrier introduced the added pressure and responsibility of ensuring the safe operations of a nuclear reactor. Managing numerous tasks and programs required quick learning and adaptation to existing systems for survival. Post-military, my formal study of project management revealed that I was already well-versed and practiced in these principles; I simply needed to familiarize myself with textbook definitions and terminology.? The military's experience in managing complex projects with tight timelines and fixed budgets smoothly transitions to the corporate setting. While corporate control over resources adheres to working hours, there's greater flexibility in shaping schedules and budgets compared to the rigid constraints on a mission-bound ship. This adaptability positions junior officers to excel in delivering successful outcomes, aligning effortlessly with the intricate demands of corporate project management.

Communication

Effective communication emerged as a pivotal skill during my military tenure. As an officer, leading daily kickoff meetings with my division involved disseminating crucial information from higher-ups while instilling motivation and energy in the team. Handling sensitive information and navigating difficult conversations became routine. Managing upward, I needed to convince and influence leadership to make decisions that best supported my team and equipment. The ability to respond calmly and concisely during crises to deliver clear instructions was imperative. Importantly, the Navy's exceptionally high standards for safety, maintenance, cleanliness, security, and confidentiality have seamlessly translated into practices that I now bring to my operational role.? The skills required to communicate through difficult times to a group as diverse as the military prepares officers well for any challenges in the corporate world.?

Adaptability?

In the Navy, numerous instances required swift adaptation when decisions were handed down "from above." There was no room for pushback or questioning; the imperative was to promptly embrace the change and prepare to support the team through it. This "no questions asked, focus on what's next and execution" mentality has proven invaluable during periods of heightened change in the corporate environment. Recognizing the inevitability of change, this mindset has enabled me to navigate transitions seamlessly and ensure a collective focus on execution.

Moreover, military problem-solving emphasized making the most of the resources at hand. There's no going back for additional supplies, no pause button for a reset, and no luxury of altering plans to accommodate unforeseen challenges. It's about meeting timelines and missions set by leaders in DC, often unfamiliar with the specifics of your ship and its limitations. This "do or die" mentality propels you straight into the practicalities of "how do I make this work?"—swiftly transitioning from pondering the "what ifs" to strategizing the "how do I execute this now." This adaptive problem-solving mindset can quickly add value in a corporate role, where responding swiftly to challenges and executing pragmatic solutions is key to success.

Decision-Making

In terms of rapid decision-making, the military exposed me to scenarios with potential life-or-death consequences or the risk of accidents and mission mishaps. High-stress ship handling evolutions demanded quick and decisive choices to prevent collisions. The military's extensive preparation for such moments involved rigorous training, drills, studying, and practice, fostering decision development and confidence long before facing real-life situations. This process required building personal mental checklists, if/then scenarios, and go/no-go rules, enabling swift and confident decision-making. It involves establishing a decision-making system, contemplating it in low-stress settings, and honing it through practice, especially under pressure. In cases where the system falters, the focus shifts to identifying the root cause and implementing necessary adjustments for continuous improvement.? This experience enables transitioning junior officers to be able to make swift decisions, facilitating a quicker transition to planning and execution and avoiding prolonged analysis.

Transitioning junior officers bring unique skills to corporate America. Despite lacking industry experience, the ability to learn new roles and vast systems and lead diverse teams in high-stakes environments is a hallmark of military training. The high expectations of personal performance and team leadership learned in the military easily translate into thoughtful leadership in the corporate sphere.