Adapt and overcome.Growing up in rural North Carolina, I was astounded by the cost and difficulty of attending higher education. Seeking an alternative, I joined the Marine Corps for a shot at blazing a trail up the socioeconomic ladder.After five years, I concluded my active duty service. Upon entering the civilian Information Technology field, I was flabbergasted that my peers touted self-education as the pathway up the pay scales and not a traditional brick and mortar education. After being caged within a set of pay-grades and bureaucratic rules regarding my earning power during military service, I went wild, eviscerating a litany of certifications in pursuit of lofty career dreams. Along the way, I conducted an inter-service transfer to the Air Force Reserve - hoping to create a dual-edged skillset with the training, experience, and professional network that part-time service in the Intelligence Community provided. Joining the Air Force also enabled access to Tuition Assistance, which I utilized to complete a Bachelor's Degree in Cybersecurity and re-enroll for a Master's Degree in Data Analytics. I served five and a half years, and was given an early transfer to the IRR a few months early to accommodate my transition into an MBA program.In 2020, my civilian life ended almost as soon as it started, when I was mobilized in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. After nearly two years on active duty, I returned home in April of 2022, brandishing a renewed spirit to build my civilian career. I am currently employed on a sensitive project at an organization in the Washington, D.C. area.With broad experience forged in a fast-paced, military environment, I'm best known for making the impossible happen. I've devoted diligent effort and sacrificed years to craft my skillset, know-how, and influence beyond my humble beginnings to provide a better future for my family, my community, and my country. I look forward to the opportunity to grow your business.My interests also include Finance (Centralized and Decentralized), Privacy-oriented Cryptocurrency (mostly Monero), Real Estate, Investment Management, Private Equity, Portfolio Optimization, Leverage, Black Swan Hedging, Veterans' Benefits, Cryptography, and Operational Security. I'm also a "Boglehead" that cut my expenses to rock bottom and used passive index investing to become a millionaire at just 26 years old. I'm open to conversation - message me if you want to talk!