From Air Force to Cybersecurity: My Journey as a SkillBridge Intern

After 22 years in the U.S. Air Force, Matt Tarman found a new way to serve — helping protect national networks through SealingTech’s cybersecurity mission.

Transitioning out of the military after more than two decades of service is both exciting and daunting. After 22 years in the United States Air Force, I found myself preparing to step out of uniform and into a new chapter. I wanted to stay connected to the cyber domain, supporting this vital mission of the United States Air Force. That’s when I discovered the Department of Defense SkillBridge Program, a program designed to help transitioning service members gain civilian work experience during their final 180 days on active duty. 

Through SkillBridge, I joined the Parsons Corporation supporting one of their subsidiaries, Sealing Technologies (SealingTech), a leading defensive cybersecurity and technology solutions company based in Columbia, Maryland. SealingTech provides advanced Defensive Cyber Operations, zero trust architecture solutions, network engineering, and system integration services to protect national networks and support our warfighters across the globe. For me, it was the perfect place to merge my operational experience with my passion for cybersecurity. 

Before joining SealingTech, I served as the Senior Executive Officer for Chief Master Sergeant Kenneth Bruce, Senior Enlisted Leader at U.S. Cyber Command and Senior Enlisted Advisor at the National Security Agency. Prior to that, I worked as a Cyber National Mission Force Operations Superintendent and Exploitation Analyst, where I helped plan and execute missions that defended national networks against sophisticated adversaries. Those years taught me the importance of teamwork, mission focus, and technical precision values that aligned perfectly with SealingTech’s culture. 

Safeguarding Our Nation’s Critical Assets

When I began my SkillBridge journey, I longed for more than a corporate role; I desired to be a part of a team that understood the mission and had the agility in size and in-house expertise to meet customers’ needs. SealingTech exceeded every expectation. As a Strategic Advisor for its Growth Team, I now manage customer relationships and leading federal initiatives that safeguard our nation’s critical assets. I work alongside engineers, developers, and cyber operators who are as committed to protecting the country as I have been throughout my military career. 

SkillBridge connected Matt’s military experience with a civilian career where he continues protecting our nation’s networks at SealingTech.

During my SkillBridge experience, SealingTech provided an environment that valued both my military background and technical curiosity. The company’s commitment to innovation and national defense mirrored the principles I lived by in uniform. I was encouraged to apply my leadership and strategic planning experience while also diving deeper into cybersecurity engineering and federal acquisition processes. 

The SkillBridge program made this transition possible. It gave me the opportunity to gain real-world industry experience while maintaining my military pay and benefits. More importantly, it allowed me to continue serving a mission that truly matters, protecting our nation in cyberspace. 

Today, as a veteran and cybersecurity professional, I continue to build on the foundation I am gaining through SkillBridge and my time at SealingTech. My goal remains the same as it was in uniform: to safeguard our networks, support the warfighter, and strengthen our nation’s cyber resilience. 

For any service member preparing to transition, I can’t recommend SkillBridge enough. It’s more than a bridge, it’s a launchpad. And if you have the opportunity to partner with a mission-driven organization like SealingTech, take it. The sense of purpose doesn’t end when you hang up the uniform; it simply evolves.