Rico Nelson, Bachelor of Science in Business, 2022

Rico Nelson of Columbus, Georgia, earned a Bachelor of Science in Business in 2022. He shares, “My story is a typical one, characterized by aspirations of selfless service. A value that has been a cornerstone of my life for as long as I can remember.

I firmly believe in having a purpose. Occasionally, that purpose is to selflessly give of oneself. My purpose was the well-being of my family and the defense of my country. After 20 years of service, I found it challenging to rediscover that purpose. Although retirement was well earned and relaxing, it wasn’t quite for me just yet.

After a brief hiatus of approximately four months, I revisited my Army tough box and retrieved my “I Love Me” book. I meticulously reviewed my documents to identify the most distinguished awards and citations with the intent to translate the military jargon into more comprehensible terms for future employment in the civilian sector.

Upon reviewing my documents and evaluations, I finalized my curriculum vitae (CV), which effectively conveyed high executive-level performance.

I successfully managed personnel, time, and government funds, all while minimizing equipment costs. I met all annual training requirements and managed resiliency programs. I maintained comprehensive company records, ensuring no accounts incurred delinquency. Furthermore, I cultivated a positive work environment devoid of discriminatory practices by implementing unique equal opportunity standards.

I utilized effective communication skills to narrow language barriers between foreign partners while serving abroad, which optimized workforce performance, resulting in shared goals being set and achieved. All of this during a career that spanned two decades, across three continents, and in some of the most austere living conditions.

This is the resume I submitted through USA Jobs. It took some time, but I was offered a position back in government service. Not on the front lines, or anything that required me to brandish a weapon. That skillset was not listed, and for good reason. Tinnitus has consistently hummed in my ear for several years now.

The interview with the agency went well. Once I accepted the job offer, I’ve received the best training from the best-qualified instructors, and this position kind of places me back on the front lines in a sense.

Upon successfully completing the requisite training and obtaining the necessary certifications, I was officially sworn in as a federal agent. I still find it to have been an honor to be sworn in as a federal officer, particularly considering the extensive time I dedicated on the enlisted side. I would often jest with my lieutenants about their age and lack of facial hair, remarking, ‘You cannot spell lost without the “L.T.”‘

I am not a United States Army officer; rather, I am an officer serving with the Transportation Security Administration.

As a Transportation Security Officer (TSO), I find myself in a unique position, dedicating myself to a cause that prioritizes the safety of the nation’s transportation system, passengers, and commerce.”