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Jack, Director (LCDR, SC, USN) at US Navy: Advize Career Interview

A non-linear career path, beginning with diverse internships and a forensic accounting role, led to a fulfilling career in the US Navy.

This individual's journey showcases leadership development, strategic communication, and global exposure, including deployments to East Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.

The role involves managing teams, coordinating high-level meetings, and navigating complex organizational dynamics.

Success requires determination, resilience, integrity, and a commitment to service, with a strong emphasis on continuous learning and humility.

A bachelor's degree, ideally in business administration, coupled with community service experience and strong academic performance, are key entry points.

The interview reveals the rewarding aspects of mentorship, leading future leaders, and the unique opportunities for personal and professional growth within the US Navy, contrasting the dynamic operational experiences with the current strategic communication focus.

The interviewee highlights the importance of understanding the varied career trajectories within the military and the two primary professional archetypes that thrive in this environment.

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

Jack Welsh

Director (LCDR, SC, USN)

US Navy

St. John’s College, Annapolis

UCLA Anderson School of Management

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

Political Science, American Studies

Government

Operations and Project Management

Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Transfer Student

Watch all of this Advizer's videos below

Career Path Of A Lieutenant Commander In The Supply Corps At US Navy

Jack's career path was non-linear, starting with diverse internships in genetics and environmental protection before working as a forensic accountant; this experience led to a "20-year-old life crisis," prompting Jack to join the US Navy, where they pursued various tours and promotions.

Career Path Of A Lieutenant Commander In The Supply Corps At US Navy

Main Responsibilities of a Director at US Navy

Jack, a Director (LCDR, SC, USN) in the US Navy, manages a team supporting the commanding officer through "liaison with leadership" and communication with other units. This involves managing high-level executive meetings, creating presentations, and generating regular reports, showcasing a career focused on strategic communication and command support.

Main Responsibilities of a Director at US Navy

A Day In The Life Of A Director At US Navy

A typical day for the Director involves prioritizing tasks from a "master task list," coordinating with leadership on daily and weekly objectives, and communicating these priorities to the team for organizational planning. The Director notes this current role's less dynamic nature compared to previous experiences, where 90+ day deployments required "balancing demands and running various complex and dynamic operations."

A Day In The Life Of A Director At US Navy

Most Important Skills For A Director At US Navy

For a Director at the US Navy, "determination and a willingness to overcome difficult challenges," alongside resilience, are paramount; these traits, a "strong sense of integrity," and "a high willingness to achieve," are essential for success in a field where many are choosing not to serve. The ability to "stay in the game, stay in the fight" is a defining characteristic of those thriving in this demanding career.

Most Important Skills For A Director At US Navy

Favorite Parts Of Being A Director At US Navy

Jack, a Director (LCDR, SC, USN) in the US Navy, finds the most rewarding aspect of their role is "the opportunity to lead and to develop future leaders," a shift in focus from "the basic day-to-day minutia" that comes with career progression and expertise. This mentorship and leadership development are viewed as the true value provided at this stage of their career.

Favorite Parts Of Being A Director At US Navy

Biggest Challenges Faced By A Director At US Navy

Jack's biggest challenge as a Director (LCDR, SC, USN) in the US Navy involves managing the influx of reports and messages requiring review, describing this as "making sure you're on top of the reports and inbound from other organizations." Another key difficulty is "pushing leadership to, uh, kind of be on task and stay on task," highlighting the importance of effective leadership and communication within the organization.

Biggest Challenges Faced By A Director At US Navy

Favorite Parts Of Working In The Military Industry As A Director, US Navy

Jack, a Director (LCDR, SC, USN) at the US Navy, most enjoys the "opportunity to have gone places in the world and to have seen things that most people will never get to see or experience," including East Asia, Australia, and the Middle East. This unique global exposure, achieved through "sacrifice and incredible challenges," provides opportunities unavailable to most other careers.

Favorite Parts Of Working In The Military Industry As A Director, US Navy

What Type Of Person Thrives In The Military, According To A Director At US Navy

Jack, a Director (LCDR, SC, USN) in the US Navy, identifies two archetypes of thriving professionals: "very type A" individuals who prioritize career advancement often at personal cost, and those with a deep-seated "passion for being in the military," sometimes stemming from a military upbringing and inherent sense of duty. The latter group understands and embraces the lifestyle, finding fulfillment in their service.

What Type Of Person Thrives In The Military, According To A Director At US Navy

What a Director at US Navy Wishes They Knew Before Entering the Military

Jack, a US Navy Director, wished for prior insight into the "possibilities" and career trajectory variations within the military, noting that some career paths are "top tier," others "so-so," and some ultimately lead to leaving the service. A mentor's guidance on navigating this dynamic career landscape, including forecasting impacts of "bigger geopolitical events," would have been invaluable.

What a Director at US Navy Wishes They Knew Before Entering the Military

Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring US Navy Officers

To enter the US Navy as an officer, a bachelor's degree is a prerequisite, with "business administration" degrees being favored for certain roles like the interviewee's. The Navy also seeks candidates with community service experience and high academic standing, demonstrating a commitment to both service and strong qualifications.

Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring US Navy Officers

Significant Career Lesson From A Director At US Navy

The most significant career lesson learned by the US Navy Director is to "always be humble," acknowledging that leadership often involves navigating unfamiliar territory. This humility fosters continuous learning and hard work, proving crucial for long-term success as "nothing is given."

Significant Career Lesson From A Director At US Navy

College Experiences That Helped A Director At The US Navy Succeed

Jack's undergraduate experience at a liberal arts school fostered "a very healthy sense of how to learn and to think," developing critical thinking skills crucial for a successful career in the US Navy, enabling the ability to adapt to diverse roles from small ships to special forces deployments in Iraq. This foundation allowed for success across various domains and the quick acquisition of new knowledge.

College Experiences That Helped A Director At The US Navy Succeed
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