From Soldier to Strategist

Today, as an Operations Research Analyst at Lockheed Martin, Park applies the same mission-focused mindset that guided him throughout his military career — helping deliver capabilities that support the warfighter and strengthen national defense.

Originally from Dallas, Texas, Park retired from the Army in 2025 after a career that took him around the world. From deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan to assignments in Hawaii, Korea, New York and Oklahoma, each experience shaped his leadership approach and reinforced the importance of teamwork, resilience and service.

Park initially joined the Army to pursue higher education, but after the events of Sept. 11, he felt called to continue serving his country. What began as a commitment to service eventually grew into a two-decade career centered on leadership and continuous growth.

Throughout his time in uniform, Park embraced opportunities to expand his skills — both personally and professionally. In addition to serving as a field artillery officer, he later transitioned into operations research and systems analysis, where he supported Army capability studies and operational evaluations.

That experience ultimately aligned closely with the work he now performs at Lockheed Martin.

As Park prepared to transition out of the Army, he participated in the Department of Defense SkillBridge program, which connected him with Lockheed Martin. The opportunity allowed him to apply his operational expertise in a professional internship environment, putting him in front of  Lockheed Martin leaders who recognized his skillset and dedication to supporting the warfighter.

Shortly after joining the company, Park contributed to a successful capture effort supporting the Army’s next-generation command and control initiatives. His firsthand military experience helped provide operational context that strengthened the team’s approach and ultimately contributed to earning a prestigious award within his first year of being with the company.

While Park was humbled by the recognition, he credits the success to collaboration and shared purpose.

In addition to contributing to critical defense work, Park says the culture at Lockheed Martin has played an important role in his transition from military to civilian life. From supportive leadership to employee engagement opportunities, he has found a strong sense of connection and belonging.

He has also appreciated the flexibility to spend more time with his family — especially attending his children’s school and extracurricular activities.

For Park, the transition from military service to Lockheed Martin has been less about leaving one mission behind and more about continuing it in a different capacity.

Whether in uniform or supporting defense solutions behind the scenes, his focus remains the same: serving others, performing with excellence and helping ensure the mission succeeds.