After more than two decades in the U.S. Air Force, with jobs in aircraft maintenance, network communications, and cyber operations, Ryan Furr was no stranger to change. But when it came time to retire, transitioning to civilian life brought a new kind of challenge.
In this Mission Continued spotlight, Ryan reflects on his favorite assignments, the realities of post-9/11 deployments, and the importance of building connections and translating valuable experiences. Today, he continues the mission at ECS as director of the Cyber Threat Analysis Center (CTAC), helping federal civilian and defense organizations achieve mission success with the same adaptability and sense of purpose that defined his military career.
Q. What did you love most about your work in the military? What lesson from your time in service has stuck with you?
A. Over the course of my Air Force career, I had the opportunity to wear many hats. I started out as a helicopter maintenance electrician, retrained into communications and network management, and eventually transitioned into cyber operations, where I finished my service. Each role came with new challenges and growth opportunities, and that constant evolution is something I really valued.
Looking back, what I appreciated most was the sense of purpose and community, especially at Hurlburt Field in Florida, where I was stationed both at the beginning and end of my career. Being part of the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) gave me a real sense of the mission, and the people I worked with made the experience unforgettable.
If there’s one lesson that’s stuck with me, it’s the importance of adaptability. Whether you’re learning a new technical skill or navigating complex joint environments, you have to be flexible, curious, and willing to grow. That mindset continued to help me long after I left active-duty service.
Q. What kinds of challenges did you encounter when transitioning from the military to the civilian workforce?
A. One of the biggest hurdles was figuring out how to communicate my military experience in civilian terms. I remember going into my first interview and being asked about specific threat actor TTPs (tactics, techniques, and procedures). I knew the answer, but the details were classified, so I had to quickly come up with a way to explain it that still demonstrated my expertise without crossing any lines.
There’s definitely a bit of a language barrier when you’re making that transition. Learning how to translate what you did in the service into something that resonates with hiring managers takes work and preparation.
Q. What would your professional advice be to a service member who is approaching their separation date?
A. Start building your network early. If you don’t already have a LinkedIn account, get one. Reach out to mentors, contractors, anyone who’s in the field you’re looking at. Ask questions and gather intel. You don’t have to figure it all out on your own.
My first post-military job actually came through a contractor who had worked for me. He knew I was planning to move back to Alabama, and when an opportunity came up, he reached out. That kind of connection only happens if you’re intentional about staying in touch and putting yourself out there.
Also, practice how you talk about your experience. It’s one thing to know your value, but it’s another to be able to explain it in a way that makes sense outside of the military. The more time you spend preparing for that conversation, the more confident and successful you’ll be.
Q. What about ECS made it seem like a good destination for you, professionally? How have the skills you developed throughout your military career translated to your role here?
A. What drew me to ECS was the people. This company has a strong veteran presence, and that made a big difference for me. Knowing I’d be working alongside folks who understood military culture and had similar life experiences made the transition feel a lot smoother.
In terms of skills, the fit was nearly one-to-one. My background in tactical and strategic communications, cyber, and cross-functional coordination all lined up well with the kind of work we do here. In the military, especially in joint environments, you learn to serve as a bridge between teams: to understand different perspectives and translate across roles and disciplines. That’s exactly the kind of work I’m doing now, just in a new context.
“Mission Continued” is a limited series in which military veterans working at ECS discuss transitioning to a civilian work environment and building a successful career while continuing to support the mission.
PROUDLY V3 CERTIFIED
ECS is a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified organization. We are committed to recruiting, hiring, and retaining veterans for the value they bring to the workforce. Virginia has the fastest growing veteran workforce in the country, and we are now trained on best practices for recruiting and hiring transitioning military members.
