From Convoys to Carpools: My Journey from Combat to Cyber, One Ride at a Time
The digital hum of a ride request pings on my phone, a familiar sound that now guides my daily mission. It's a far cry from the radio chatter and mission briefings of my Army days, but the underlying structure feels strangely familiar. As a veteran and Purple Heart recipient, medically discharged in 2015 after serving as a Transportation Specialist, I've found myself navigating a new kind of terrain: the streets of my city, behind the wheel of an Uber.
Let’s be honest: building a career in IoT and cybersecurity doesn't pay the bills—not yet, anyway. After years of trying to break into the remote job market, I realized I needed to find a way to bridge the gap. That's how I ended up driving for Uber.
Ironically, it’s a role that resonates with me. As a former Transportation Specialist, logistics and movement are in my blood. The app's ability to pinpoint locations and map routes brings back memories of planning and executing mission patrols. The difference, of course, is that now the "hostiles" are just traffic jams and the "mission" is getting someone safely to their destination.
There are moments, though, when the past intrudes. Driving down certain streets, I find myself scanning the roadside, a reflex ingrained from years of looking for IEDs. The rumble of a pothole can trigger a flashback, a stark reminder of the EFP that struck my truck in Iraq. These moments are tough, a stark reminder of what I've been through. But I'm learning to navigate them, just as I've learned to navigate the roads.
Despite the challenges, I find a sense of purpose in driving. It gives me a mission, an objective, and the financial stability I need to pursue my true passion: IoT and cybersecurity. My retirement covers the essentials, but I needed something more, something that would allow me to keep pushing forward.
Cyber-ar15.com isn’t just a website; it’s a testament to my ongoing journey. It’s where I document my progress, share my insights, and connect with others who share my passion. My dream of working in IoT and cybersecurity hasn’t faded. In fact, it burns brighter than ever.
Driving for Uber is a chapter in my story, not the final page. It’s a way to keep moving, to keep learning, and to keep building towards my future. And who knows? Maybe one day, those ride requests will be replaced by alerts from my own IoT security system, or notifications from a client about a successful penetration test.
Until then, I’ll keep driving, keep learning, and keep pursuing my dream. Because even on the busiest of streets, the road to my future is always open.
