The network systems administrator

Greetings! I am an enthusiastic IT professional specializing in network system administration, with nearly 10 years of experience in the field. My journey began in 2012 when I joined the United States Air Force with the intention of becoming a military police officer. However, I opted for the "open general" designation, allowing the Air Force to assign me to a career based on their needs. As luck would have it, I was assigned as a Health Services Management tech, a role focused on medical administration. Fortunately, within this field, I discovered an opportunity to work in medical IT when I received orders to Alaska.

During my time in Alaska, I started off providing help desk support, desktop assistance, customer service, and occasional networking tasks. Additionally, I was appointed as the Information Assurance Officer (IAO) for the entire medical facility. As the IAO, my responsibilities included ensuring the security of our medical environment, leading incident response investigations, performing workstation patching, and contributing to various DoD Information Assurance Certification and Accreditation Process (DIACAP) projects. 

After completing my assignment in Alaska, I was relocated to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, near Washington D.C., which serves as the home of the President's Air Force One. It was at this new assignment that I had the opportunity to broaden my skill set as a network and system administrator. Over the next 3 years, I worked on numerous projects across various IT domains:

• Setting up Linux servers
• Physically migrating the entire data center to a new location
• Managing Windows domains, VMware ESXi, and File/Print Servers
• Maintaining Cisco-centric network infrastructure
• Deploying Windows 10 as a mass migration

When the time came to decide between re-enlisting or leaving the Air Force, I chose to separate and continue my IT journey in the civilian sector. 

As a civilian, I had the opportunity to serve as an IT Manager for a manufacturing company. During this role, I focused on implementing technology solutions to enhance efficiency and productivity within the organization. Following my experience as a IT Manager, I transitioned into the role of a Network Engineer. In this capacity, I was responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining network infrastructure. I worked on configuring routers, switches, and firewalls, ensuring seamless connectivity and network security.

Currently, I hold the position of Deputy Chief Information Officer (CIO). As the DCIO, my primary responsibility is to develop and execute the company's overall IT strategy. I collaborate with executive leadership to align technology initiatives with the organization's goals and objectives. Additionally, I oversee the management of IT resources, budgeting, cybersecurity, and the implementation of technologies to drive digital transformation. 

Throughout my civilian career, I have continuously embraced new challenges and opportunities in the IT field, leveraging my expertise and passion to drive positive change and contribute to the success of the organizations I have worked for. Every day, I find immense satisfaction in my work and I am eager to share my knowledge and experiences with others. I thoroughly enjoy assisting others in their own IT journeys. With The Net Sys Admin, I have created a platform where I can blend my passion for IT, teaching, and entrepreneurial spirit.