TANGOALPHA3 IS EXCITED TO HIGHLIGHT THE MANY EXCELLENT VETERANS WE’VE ASSISTED IN FINDING JOB PLACEMENTS.
The Veteran Spotlight series is a chance for us to catch up with our community of veteran talent. We discuss things like how their current job placement is going, what it was like while on the job hunt, as well as any challenges they may have faced while transitioning from the military to the private sector. In the end, it’s a great way to highlight excellent people and provide an inside vantage point into some of the services we provide and industries we serve.
LEON K. MELLIS
Leon represents TA3 as the Network Specialist providing the 96th Medical Group with on-site layer 2 network support at Eglin AFB in FL. Leon joined the team in March of 2022 after serving 4 years in the US Army as a Multi-Channel Transmission Systems Operator/Maintainer (MOS: 25Q). We’re proud to have Leon as a part of the team and aim to continue to help veterans like Leon transition into their civilian careers.
WE RECENTLY SAT DOWN WITH LEON TO CATCH UP AND ASK HIM ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCE WITH THE JOB HUNT AND WE’RE GRATEFUL FOR THE PRACTICAL ADVICE LEON SHARED WITH US
What is a typical day at work like for you?
A typical day for me starts with checking our ticketing system and emails for any urgent issues that might have come up over the weekend or previous night and then planning how I will tackle them. Generally, I will start by accessing the corresponding switches remotely to verify the issue and begin troubleshooting. If I can’t fix the issue from my desk, I go the site to speak with the user in order to get a better understanding of the issue and finish remediating it. When there aren’t any active tickets, I usually have several dashboards open on my desktop to monitor the switches and wireless access points while I assist others with their projects or study for other certifications.
Did you face any challenges when you first transitioned from the military into the private sector?
While transitioning from military to private sector, the biggest challenge I faced was changing the way I spoke. I was accustomed to using Army jargon that many coworkers didn’t understand and found myself having to explaining what I meant constantly. Another challenge was building a business casual wardrobe. While in the military, I spent years wearing a uniform to work every day so had to spend time purchasing the appropriate clothing to this new work environment.
What was your initial job search experience like?
The initial job search experience was actually pleasant. While still in the military, I had job lined up so when I separated I wasn’t stressing about what I would be doing next. I spent the time shopping around for jobs I was interested in at locations I would prefer to live. Luckily, I was contacted by TA3 for a position down at Eglin AFB which is beautifully located by the beach.
How has your military training and experience helped you in the private sector?
My military training and experience has prepared me to be resilient to the obstacles that I have encountered on the job. When issues arise, I am able to stay calm, assess the problem, and take a systematic approach to address it.
What advice would you give to transitioning veterans looking for their first job after leaving the military?
The main advice I would give would be to not disqualify yourself from an opportunity. Many job descriptions sound more technical than the actual work, which may discourage you but if you know you have worked in similar positions and can do the work, then apply. Let the HR tell you no, not yourself.
What has your experience been like working with TangoAlpha3?
My experience with TangoAlpha3 has been very rewarding and pleasant. They are always willing to assist me with any issues I have and whenever they don’t have an answer, they find someone who does. They have been my rock during my transition to this new job in an unfamiliar city. I hope all agencies that assist veterans adopt their passion and willingness help.
