Article by: Rian Madden - 03XX Foundation Consulting Journalist
Curtis was born in 1984 and grew up near Arlington, Virginia. He grew in a military family and had an appreciation and interest in military service from a young age. Curtis originally joined the Marine Corps with the intention of working as an aviation crew chief but then switched to the infantry occupation field.
Curtis was born in 1984 and grew up near Arlington, Virginia. He grew in a military family and had an appreciation and interest in military service from a young age. Curtis originally joined the Marine Corps with the intention of working as an aviation crew chief but then switched to the infantry occupation field.
After Parris
Island and training at Camp Geiger, earning the 0311 MOS, Curtis joined Kilo
3/6 in 2003. Curtis first deployed to
Afghanistan, operating in Asadabad and Gardaz, in 2004. Upon his return, he was selected to join
Scout/Sniper Platoon, working as a radio operator, and deployed to Al Qaim,
Iraq. Curtis again returned to Kilo
Company, this time as a squad leader. He
deployed near Husaybah, Iraq for a final deployment as a line platoon squad
leader.
Much like all Marines,
Curtis’ aspirations changed over time and were molded by his experiences as an
infantryman. He initially intended to
continue to serve, earn a commission and retire. As time went on, Curtis had other ideas. During his time in sniper platoon, he found
himself growing more and more interested in entrepreneurship and owning his own
business. With only two week left
remaining on his contract, he elected to leave the Marine Corps and enter
private military contracting. Curtis returned
to Afghanistan, working for Blackwater and other PMCs. He operated as a member of personal security
teams and trained and supervised Afghans in fixed site security.
Curtis’ work as
a contractor had a clearly defined goal, raising capital to start his own
business. Over the years he had developed an interest in functional fitness and
was particularly interested in Crossfit.
Following his career in security contracting, Curtis’ started his entrepreneurial
journey. Crossfit Axon, in Charlotte, NC
opened for business in June of 2014.
Curtis now enjoys spending time with his family, competing in functional
fitness teams sports leagues, continuing his education and acquiring addition
certifications in his professional and expanding his business.
The life of an
infantryman can mold a person’s mindset for the rest of their life, greatly
increasing their success following active duty.
Serving as a grunt teaches valuable skills, while they may not be
directly transferable to many civilian job fields, are still applicable in the
private sector. Curtis credits much of
his success to the mental toughness and problem solving skills that he
developed as a Marine NCO. He is no
stranger to hardship and developed his leadership skills on the battlefields of
Iraq and Afghanistan.
Curtis
emphasizes the transition to civilian life is easier with a defined goal, or at
least a direction. Things are not just
going to “work out” themselves and Marines should find their passion and pursue
a career that relates to that interest.
He points out that many Marines head home following their service, a
place of natural comfort and familiarity.
Curtis explains that this isn’t always the best course of action for job
seekers and that there are opportunities all over the country, and the world,
that may be seized by those willing to relocate.
