Chris Rawlings knew he wanted to be a Marine from a young age. He relied on his experience auditing aircraft maintenance centers to start his own energy efficiency business, VLED, and podcast, Energy Sense. To other veterans leaving military service, he says, try new things, find your tribe, use the available resources, and start building your support network early for a successful transition.
Read MoreTimothy Crowder served in the US Navy as an Electronics Warfare Technician before studying sustainable energy systems. Today, he is helping to expand the availability of solar energy across Illinois, and says that the United States needs to increase domestic panel manufacturing to reduce reliance on foreign imports. His advice for other veterans? Making connections within the veteran community is key.
Read MoreSara Lechtenberg-Kasten, a US Army military spouse, is using her experiences as a US diplomat and researcher to help provide equitable and sustainable access to energy in developing countries because, she says, energy is an economic, social, and political driver in our day-to-day lives.
Read MoreJasper Camacho jump-started his career in the US Army and National Guard with the opportunity to study economics and invest in power generation around the world. To other veterans, he says, the military prepares people to look at a problem, develop a plan, and execute. The energy industry is a complex coordination problem and needs future leaders to execute the mission.
Read MoreMax Adams started his career integrating experimental technologies with the US Army’s special operations in Latin America. He is now using that experience as Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Parasanti, providing machine learning data solutions for the Department of Defense and renewable energy industry.
Read MoreGeorge Bonner spent the last half of his Coast Guard career repairing costal infrastructure damaged by rising seas and hurricanes. After retirement, he wanted to continue making a difference and now works in research and testing of marine energy — such as waves, tides, and currents — to help combat climate change.
Read MoreRobin Tyner witnessed firsthand how US military strategy around renewable energy developed from inside the Pentagon walls working for the Chief of Naval Operations. Today, she says renewable energy is a “win-win” and is excited about emerging technologies like river and tidal energy.
Read MoreRobert Hayward helped rebuild electric and water infrastructure in Baghdad, Iraq as a young US Army officer. That experience helped him to see how important energy access is to our society and drives his work to close the gap here at home. To other veterans leaving the military, he says to take a pause to find your cause before jumping job to job.
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july 22, 2021 | new hampshire veterans in advanced energy networking event. Photo provided by robin tyner.
Last month, Robin Tyner—a 2020-2021 Veterans Advanced Energy Fellow and US Navy Captain (Retired)— hosted a networking event for military veterans in advanced energy in Stratham, New Hampshire. The event took place at the private residence of Dr. Michael Bates and Rebecca Bates—supporters of military veterans and sustainability efforts.
Speakers at the event included energy executives and experts from the field. Approximately 30 people comprised a highly engaged audience that asked multiple questions of each speaker. Edward Drew, VP/General Manager at C-Power and US Naval Academy Class of ‘89, provided a grid and sustainability overview. Amy Farnham represented Revision Energy, a solar provider throughout New Hampshire and Maine, and offered military and veteran discounts. Other speakers included Jon Sherrill from Key HVAC, a geothermal and heat pump systems company, Nate Johnson from ORPC, a marine hydrokinetic power company, and Janet Stevens, a regional representative to the New Hampshire Executive Council. Additionally, the President and Vice President of Military Officer Association of America in New Hampshire (MOAA-NH) both attended, as well as representatives from three local municipal energy committees and the New Hampshire Military Coaching Alliance.
The Veterans Advanced Energy Project is designed to drive US leadership in advanced energy by recruiting, equipping, and empowering military veterans who understand the importance of the evolving energy landscape to our future security and prosperity. The Veterans Advanced Energy Project is a managed by the Global Energy Center within the Atlantic Council, a nonpartisan 501(c)3 nonprofit. www.AtlanticCouncil.org
Photo credit: Army Staff Sgt. Jason N. Bobo watches as a CH-47 Chinook prepares to land to provide transport for U.S. and Afghan soldiers after a key leader engagement in southeastern Afghanistan, Dec. 29, 2019. Photo by Army Master Sgt. Alejandro Licea
Colonel Greg Douquet, US Marine Corps Retired, directed strategy in Afghanistan under Generals McChrystal and Petraeus and is now the Co-Director of the Veterans Advanced Energy Project.
We’ll leave it to the pundits to point fingers and pontificate about consequences rising from the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban. My message isn’t to pundits—most of them didn’t serve—it’s to those few among you who fought and sacrificed to deny Al Qaeda safe haven and establish security and stability in a country of vital US national interest.
It’s a simple message: remain proud of your service. Endeavoring to bring security and stability to the “graveyard of empires,” a country beset by war with abysmal literacy levels and even lower regard for women, a country fraught with the cancer of corruption, a country encircled by foes to US interests who provided safe-haven for our enemies, you willingly tried the seemingly impossible.
You accepted this task with a brave and willing heart and a spirit of optimism that is fundamental to the American fighting man and woman. It is you who should be sharing your insights, but you rarely speak out—why? Your thoughts are tempered by the fire of combat and your perspective is balanced by the harsh realities on the ground. You keep your own counsel or share it with trusted comrades, who know as you do that Afghanistan presents no good options, just bad and worse.
You’ve earned the respect of those that matter, the fighting men and women on your right and left. When the puzzle of Afghanistan finally clarifies decades from now, that will be enough. You’ll continue to serve US national interests in the energy industry because that’s how you’re wired. It’s an honor to continue our service together.
Jon Gillis developed drones and robots with the US Marine Corps Warfighting Lab. Fuel consumption was just one practical design problem to solve, and he uses the same approach in his energy resilience work today. To other veterans, he says “keep showing up.” Someone might help you today, and you will pay it forward.
Read MoreMike Petersen traveled the world with the US Navy. After the military, graduate studies in business and international affairs led him to a career in energy. Today, he is encouraged by the rapid developments of clean energy technology but concerned whether developing countries will get any of the benefits. To other veterans, he says be patient, be humble, be flexible
Read MoreDavid Tancabel leveraged his experience as a nuclear engineer in the US Navy to start a career in energy. After working at various levels of government, he’s most excited about utility reform and most concerned about having the transmission lines needed to deliver electricity. His advice to other veterans leaving the military is to have a plan and work in energy for a sense of service.
Read MoreJessica Klinge says her military service and nonprofit work to educate veterans on the environment and climate change are driven by a desire to help other people and love of her country. Her advice for other veterans? Follow your passion and don’t settle for a job you don’t want.
Read MoreDan Misch, Founder and Co-Director of the Veterans Advanced Energy Project, joins Liz Ramsay Dalton, Executive Director of the Clean Energy Leadership Institute and member of the VAEP Advisory Committee, for a Q&A session on applications for the Veterans Advanced Energy Fellowship - housed within the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center. Learn more at www.vetsenergyproject.org
Read MoreJustin Lau joined the Air Force for an education in technology. He is now working to improve US national security by modernizing the grid and ensuring reliable energy infrastructure. To other veterans, he says to follow your passion and use your leadership skills to create your own opportunities.
Read MoreMike Henchen searched fuel trucks for bombs as an Army officer in Bagram, Afghanistan. The military dependence on these fuel transports and danger to US soldiers helps inspire his work in the clean energy transition today.
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The Veterans Advanced Energy Project is managed by the Global Energy Center within the Atlantic Council, a nonpartisan 501(c)3 nonprofit | www.AtlanticCouncil.org
