What It Means to Be a Veteran

SealingTech was founded and built by veterans who share a common mission—to strengthen our country’s cybersecurity defensive capabilities. We’re deeply proud of our team comprised of veterans, active members of the Reserve, and civilians who work together to safeguard our nation and directly support the warfighter.  

In support of our veterans, we participate in the DoD’s SkillBridge Program which connects service members to industry partners. We also have an internal veterans support group and invest in continuing education. And we’re thrilled to announce that SealingTech once again received the Gold HIRE Vets Medallion Award from the U.S. Department of Labor. We’re one of the few companies who have received this honor every year since the program’s inception in 2018.

In honor of Veterans Day, we’re saluting our service members by sharing what being a veteran means to them and how it informs their role at SealingTech. Here are their experiences. 

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“Being a U.S. Army Reservist means balancing both civilian and military roles while serving part-time and maintaining a civilian career or education. It’s a commitment to defending the country and supporting military operations—and applying those skills and values in everyday life. For me, being a Reservist reflects a sense of duty and pride in contributing to something larger than oneself: to protect the freedoms and values of our nation. Making a difference comes from knowing that even as a part-time Soldier, the training and readiness you maintain could have a real impact during deployments, disaster relief, or domestic emergencies. Reservists often support local communities by bringing military expertise to real-world problems, serving as a bridge between civilian life and the military. One of the mottos of the Army Reserve is ‘twice the citizen’. These are the values that built our country and I’m proud to continue that tradition. 

“I am a Cyber Warfare officer in the Army Reserve which ultimately prompted me to seek employment with SealingTech. I have been involved in operations with SealingTech’s Cyber-Fly-Away Kits in several high visibility missions that directly contributed to our national security. This experience greatly helps when working with our Department of Defense customers. Understanding their mission, structure, and how Cyber Protection Teams (CPTs) operate exponentially enhances the public-private partnership to provide the innovation and capability necessary to defend our nation’s critical assets.”

Wade Saunders
U.S. Army Reservist, Cyber Warfare Officer
SealingTech Account Manager

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“I’m privileged to having served in the military and played a role in our nation’s freedom. I will forever remember the sacrifices made by my fellow soldiers, including those who gave their lives. Because of them, I will always wear an American flag on my shoulder with pride. 

“In my position as Program Manager at SealingTech, my military experience enables me to know our customers in a unique way because I’ve stood in their shoes. When we’re discussing an application and end use, I know the right questions to ask and feel comfortable gathering the necessary information to better serve their needs.

“My assigned Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) as a Combat Systems Officer placed me in situations I would never have imagined for myself prior to joining the military. However, the confidence it gave me from working with the nation’s most highly skilled experts in their field, allowed me to learn my limits and then exceed them.”

Kat White
U.S. Air Force Veteran
SealingTech Program Manager

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“Reflecting on my 20-year Army career, I can say that the Army instilled a deep sense of purpose in my life. As a high school graduate with no real goals for my future, enlisting ten days after 9/11 and becoming part of the military community gave me a sense of direction. Knowing that my contributions were part of the larger strategic vision for the United States, protecting my country and serving its citizens gave my days meaning. Each deployment, training exercise, and permanent change of station (PCS) move created hardships but serve as a constant reminder of the vital role we play to ensuring freedom and safety of our great nation. 

“This sense of purpose has stayed with me, even as I have transitioned into civilian life as an employee of SealingTech. I’ve learned that the commitment to serve doesn’t end with active duty. It evolves into a responsibility to ensure the success of the military community we support with our products and services. Our great nation relies on the military to be our defender of freedom and as a veteran it is my duty to ensure that our service members are equipped with the best capabilities needed to accomplish the mission.”

Justin Hunsaker
U.S. Army Veteran
SealingTech Solutions Architect 

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“Being a Navy Veteran means understanding that success is never about individual expertise but about how well a team functions together. The trust that develops in a high-performing team is nonnegotiable; without it, even the most skilled individuals can’t succeed. This trust, along with the relentless focus on mission, is something I carry with me into my role at SealingTech. Our work is mission-critical not just for our nation, but for the world, given our place in the global cybersecurity landscape.

“My military experience taught me the importance of strategic thinking and focusing on priorities. You must make decisive decisions, often with limited time and information, but with the confidence that your team has your back. People are our most valuable asset and keeping that in mind drives how I lead. Communication—early and often—is vital to maintaining alignment and trust within any organization, just as it was in the Navy. These principles guide me every day at SealingTech as we work to protect and defend in an ever-changing landscape.”

Hugh Clapp
U.S. Navy Veteran
SealingTech Chief Operating Officer 

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“I am an Airborne Signaleer trying to navigate the cyber realm in my civilian job. Being an Army Reservist brings me a lot of pride and shapes the way I live my life. It may be cliché, but the Army’s 7 values don’t just translate to the military. They also play an equally important role when it comes to your family, civilian job, and relationships. The Army values Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage. It instills and drills these into you in basic training, advanced individual training, and officer candidate school. The lessons I’ve learned allow me to prioritize what’s important in life, treat all people with respect, and stick to my values. 

“I hope that my military service helps me relate to others wearing the uniform to build a higher level of initial respect and understanding. My Army experience does give me insight to how the DoD conducts business though. I’ve been in the same position as my customers where someone from industry is attempting to understand my problems and pitch their solutions. This perspective helps me immensely when I’m speaking to our customers and stakeholders to be as effective with my time and theirs. 

“Overall, I am extremely satisfied with my service and plan to fulfill a 20-year career while I continue to jump out of planes and provide critical communications packages.” 

Scott Adkins
U.S. Army Reservist, Lima Troop Commander
SealingTech Account Manager 

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“Being a U.S. Army Reservist means a great deal to me, as it’s more than just serving in a military capacity—it’s about giving back to a country that has given my family and me the opportunity to thrive. After receiving my green card in 2011, I felt a deep sense of duty to repay the U.S. government for allowing us to remain here. That sense of patriotism was especially influenced by the events of 9/11. Joining the Army National Guard allowed me to contribute to something bigger than myself, whether it was through assisting with stateside missions during hurricanes, responding to state emergencies, or being part of the broader fight against foreign threats. I believe I make a difference by being ready to serve and protect whenever duty calls, ensuring the safety and security of our nation. 

“My military experience has greatly informed my role at SealingTech. As a current member of the Maryland National Guard, I have firsthand knowledge of the operational challenges we face when it comes to national security and fighting foreign adversaries. This perspective helps me align with SealingTech’s mission to provide advanced solutions that directly enhance our nation’s defense capabilities. I believe in SealingTech’s purpose within the Department of Defense, and I’m a strong advocate for the impact our technologies have on protecting national security. My background in the military has solidified my commitment to safeguarding our country, both in uniform and through my contributions at SealingTech.”

Jorge Riaza Giraldo
Maryland Army National Guard Reserve
SealingTech Account Manager 

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“Being a 20+ year Marine veteran means living by the core leadership traits we were taught from day one—like Justice, Integrity, and Courage. These values shaped not just my approach to leadership, but also how I handle any mission or responsibility. The Marine Corps teaches you that leadership is about more than making decisions; it’s about being Dependable, having the Endurance to push through challenges, and acting with Unselfishness when it comes to your team. These traits are embedded in me and continue to guide how I operate in both my personal and professional life.

“Prior to joining SealingTech, my military background was deeply rooted in defensive cyberspace operations, where I served as a Defensive Cyber Weapons Officer. I worked closely with Cyber Protection Teams (CPTs) and Defensive Cyberspace Operations-Internal Defensive Measures (DCO-IDM) companies, executing missions to defend critical infrastructure and secure networks against persistent threats. This hands-on experience in operational cybersecurity informs every aspect of my role at SealingTech, especially when it comes to designing and deploying robust, secure systems.

“Having started my career as a help desk technician, I have worked my way up through roles in network administration, systems administration, network engineering, and systems engineering, gaining technical expertise at each step. This progression has provided me with a comprehensive understanding of IT operations, from managing basic technical support to implementing complex, mission-critical cybersecurity solutions.

“Whether it’s deploying and securing enterprise systems, automating tasks, or leading teams through large-scale redeployment efforts, my technical subject matter expertise allows me to navigate both the strategic, operational, and tactical challenges faced by government and defense sectors. My role requires the same Judgment, Dependability, and Initiative that were essential in my military career, ensuring that every solution we deliver is both technically sound and mission ready.”

James Muldrow
U.S. Marine Corps Veteran
SealingTech Principal Systems Engineer 

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“I initially served 5 years in the Marine Corps where I was assigned to set up expeditionary airfields in a swift and precise manner. After that, I joined the Army for 15 years where I did a mix of communication roles including patriot missile relay, satellite communications, and eventually cyber for my last 6-7 years. Overall, I’m very proud of my twenty years of active service and the work I did.  

“As a Security Engineer at SealingTech, I find myself expecting things to be a certain way which probably comes from my military experience. I feel that simplicity wins above any kind of complicated solution. Not that we should work toward the lowest common denominator, but I’ve worked with a vast amount of people, all with extremely varied backgrounds and expertise, and have found that folks fear what they don’t understand. Simple isn’t always pretty (Steve Jobs may have disagreed with this), but it’s hard to mess up and leads to achieving a faster and more reliable solution. So, in my role at SealingTech, I take great pains to simplify anything that comes across my path and have found that to be successful.”

Zach McElroy
U.S. Military Veteran
SealingTech Security Engineer 

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“Being an Air Force veteran often brings a deep sense of pride, knowing you’ve served something bigger than yourself. It shapes you in ways that go beyond just the job—teaching you discipline, paying attention to the little things, and how to keep your cool when the pressure is on. You learn to be resilient, adapt to new situations, and work as part of a team, no matter what’s thrown your way.  

“The Air Force helps you grow as a leader, solve problems on the fly, and pushes you to aim for excellence. But it’s not just about the professional skills. For many, serving deepens their understanding of what it means to truly serve others, to be loyal, and build trust. It affects your personal life, too—shaping your values, your relationships, and giving you a sense of belonging to a community of people who’ve been through similar experiences. It’s a bond that goes beyond the uniform.

“My military experience has shaped how I approach being a Program Manager at Sealing Tech. The discipline, adaptability, and leadership I developed in the Air Force help me manage complex projects, stay calm under pressure, and keep teams focused. I’m used to making decisions quickly, coordinating efforts across teams, and ensuring we hit our goals, just like in a military operation. The values of trust and teamwork I learned in the service guide how I lead and communicate, which helps me drive results while maintaining high standards.”

Johnathan Diaz
U.S. Air Force Veteran
SealingTech Program Manager 

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“Being an Army Veteran holds a deep personal significance for me. It shaped my values and instilled a profound sense of respect, honor, and accountability. Through my decade of service, I’ve learned the true meaning of trustworthiness and integrity—not just in the military, but every aspect of life. The Army taught me to respect others, regardless of rank or background, and to carry myself with honor even when faced with challenges. It fostered a sense of accountability, to understand the weight of my actions and that my decisions affect more than just myself.  

“Above all, the military showed me the importance of integrity—doing what’s right, even when no one is watching. These values remain at the core of who I am and continue to be, thus guiding me in my personal and professional life. 

“My military experience equipped me with a strong foundation in discipline and problem solving, enabling me to be adaptable, all of which directly impacts my work here at Sealing Tech. It also enhanced my ability to lead and follow under pressure and work collaboratively in a diverse team while upholding the highest standards of professionalism and accountability.”

Jemar Battle
U.S. Army Veteran
SealingTech Security Engineer 

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Today and every day, we honor all veterans. Thank you to our service members for continuing to safeguard our country through their important work at SealingTech.