The ASIS Military and Veterans Community (MVC) is an extraordinary resource composed of current and former military members from around the world, who are passionate and successful security professionals that volunteer to provide mentorship and insights. The MVC continually strives to meet the professional needs of ASIS members who currently serve or have served in any national military, whether enlisted or as officers. Additionally, the MVC aims to bridge the gap between military service and private sector employment by fostering understanding and cooperation among employers in the security industry.
Nathen Powell, CPP, CBCP, is an esteemed security professional with over 13 years of comprehensive experience in security, risk, and safety management. He has demonstrated exceptional capability in leading and managing high-stakes security operations across diverse and multifaceted environments, such as the Presidential Retreat (Camp David) and the U.S. Department of State.
Currently, Nathen serves as a Diplomatic Physical/Technical Security Manager for the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Navy. In this role, his primary responsibility is to lead teams of security professionals in the enhancement and periodic maintenance of technical and physical systems for eight U.S. diplomatic facilities across Canada.
Nathen holds a master’s degree in security management and a bachelor’s degree in occupational safety and health. He is a Certified Protection Professional (CPP) and a Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP), with additional certifications in technical security, active shooter response, and OSHA compliance.
Q: How were you made aware of ASIS, resources and tools they provide to veterans and those serving in active-duty roles currently?
I began seeking out information and mentors (mostly via LinkedIn) to better align my experience, education, and skills with the private security industry in early 2021. However, my search for security professional mentorship and insight drastically changed for the better in July of 2021 when I reached out to Eric Kready, CPP and Carlos Fransico, CPP, CSSP. These two highly successful security professionals instantly took me under their wing by providing unparalleled mentorship, insight into the security industry, and guidance on what would set me apart from others. Eric and Carlos passionately promoted ASIS as the world leading security professional organization, which prompted me to join and begin learning about all their available resources such as the Military and Veterans Community (MVC), the certification scholarship they offer, and the annual GSX event.
When I first joined ASIS, I was pursuing my master’s degree in security management, which allowed me to join under the student membership. Another great benefit of the student membership that I took advantage of was the GSX free admission pass for all three days. Once I told Eric Kready I was paying my way there and hotel fees, he dedicated several hours to me in regard to how I should approach GSX to ensure I left the event feeling accomplished.
Shortly after GSX 2023, I applied for the MVC certification scholarship and was selected. This scholarship included a voucher for any of ASIS’ certification exams, the application fee, and the online study guide. The newly earned scholarship increased my motivation to study and sit for the highest security professional certification available, the Certified Protection Professional (CPP). In January of 2024 I took the exam with confidence and passed on my first attempt!
One of the initiatives I took on as a MVC committee member was to liaison between the MVC, specifically Mikaela Fahey, PSP, CBCP and my current Naval command, Naval Support Unit State Department (NSU). After a few months, I was able to successfully add NSU’s six month technical & physical security training program as an ASIS approved curriculum. This initiative resulted in each NSU school honor graduate receiving a one-year ASIS membership, which was and still is a great way to demonstrate all the resources ASIS has to offer to these individuals.
Q: What have been the main challenges you encountered as someone who is still serving on active duty and planning for your transition into the private security industry?
As an avid planner, I knew my time in the Navy wouldn’t last forever. This mindset motivated me to begin my collegiate journey in 2014, three years after joining the Navy. From 2012 to 2016, I was stationed at a deployable Navy Seabee battalion, the Navy’s combat expeditionary construction force. This assignment provided an excellent opportunity to become heavily involved in occupational safety and health leadership positions, which led me to pursue and earn a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety and Health.
From 2016 to 2019, I served as an Operations Manager/White House Courier at the Presidential Retreat, Camp David. During this incredible assignment, I continued to take on OSHA leadership responsibilities and developed a keen interest in the security industry, recognizing the significant impact it can have on an organization.
Seeking further special assignments, I applied to the Naval Support Unit State Department (NSU) and was accepted. This command supports the Department of State and the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) by assisting security engineering officers with the installation and maintenance of specialized equipment, including closed-circuit TV cameras, alarm systems, electromagnetic door locks, vehicle barriers, and other special equipment in sensitive areas of U.S. embassies and consulates. This experience with the DSS truly inspired me to pursue a career in security management after my time in the Navy.
Aware that transitioning directly from the military to the private security industry could be challenging, I set myself up for success by earning a Master of Arts in Security Management, becoming a Certified Protection Professional (CPP) and a Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP), and leveraging LinkedIn to network extensively. As a result of my long-term planning, I established several meaningful relationships with security professionals, earned two relevant degrees and two highly sought-after certifications, and ensured my military experience was transferable to the security industry.
I can confidently say that my years of hard work will pay off, not only for me but for any transitioning service member who deliberately pursues their post-military career while still serving!
Q: Can you describe the process you used to develop the career maps that help veterans match their skills to civilian security positions?
The Navy-to-private-security industry career road map team was comprised of myself, a newly retired Navy SEAL, a retired Naval Officer, and two Navy Masters at Arms. This diverse group of skillsets enabled us to create a comprehensive road map covering three of the most common Naval career fields that transition into the security industry. The career map is broken into several sections:
- Master at Arms Naval career progression / civilian security professional career development
- Enlisted Seabee (Steelworker specific) Naval career progression / civilian security professional career development
- Enlisted SEAL Naval career progression / civilian security professional career development
- Legend for Navy Noncommissioned Officers
- Warrant Officer Naval career progression / civilian security professional career development
- Legend for Navy Warrant Officers
- Commissioned Officer Naval career progression / civilian security professional career development
- Legend for Navy Commissioned Officers
Each section was completed by the respective subject matter expert in each career field to ensure accuracy. The information in these career maps was primarily drawn from each specific Naval job or rate description/career ladder. The team continuously reviewed new information, ensuring accuracy, and correcting any errors.
I strongly believe this comprehensive resource will directly contribute to a sailor’s successful transition into the security industry. As I am currently transitioning from the Navy, I worked on this projectwith the intent to use it as an aid to demonstrate that this resource will help others in their post-Naval career journey.
Q: In your experience, what are the most valuable skills or experiences from military service that translate well to civilian security management roles, but are often overlooked by job seekers or employers?
Military personnel from all branches and career fields possess highly sought-after tangible and intangible skills. However, many military personnel do not recognize this or, more commonly, do not know how to properly articulate the skills and experience they gained during their service. One of the first lessons I learned about transitioning from the Navy to the private sector was how to translate my Navy job titles to their civilian equivalents. This applies to the job description and any accomplishments in those roles. Here are a few valuable skills from my military service that translate well into the private security industry:
- Leadership
- Public speaking, presenting, and everyday concise communication
- Utilizing all available resources to complete tasks
- Organization, loyalty, and commitment, which are highly valued in the smaller private security industry
- Decisiveness and the ability to make decisions in stressful environments
- Adaptability and ease of training, as service members often wear many hats and perform with zero room for failure
Q: What advice would you give to those active-duty personnel as well as veterans wanting to plan for a move into the private sector?
The number one quote that has consistently motivated me throughout my life comes from my dad: “The world will step aside for someone who knows where they are going” (Jay Powell, Command Master Chief, USN Ret.).
This quote has always driven me to be ambitious and relentless in pursuing success in both my career and personal life. I believe this message is crucial for service members, as their life choices will ultimately determine their success or failure.
It's essential to seek out true professionals as mentors, those who have established themselves positively within the security industry. A great mentor will provide honest feedback, including the good, the bad, and the ugly. Ask these mentors which specific industries your security-related skills will best translate to and how you can set yourself apart from others.
Additionally, focus on establishing meaningful relationships rather than amassing thousands of connections who don't know who you are. Start building these relationships well before you transition out of the military. This allows the individuals you reach out to time to get to know you and understand the value you bring to the table. Building these relationships early also helps avoid giving the impression that you are simply looking for a job, a mindset that will not get you far.
