Reflections of service: A personal journey

As Veterans Day approaches, I reflect on how my life has been shaped by historic moments that define our nation. My passion and respect for history stems from curiosity. History provides a lens to better understand the context of why things happen and how they apply to today.

Born in 1969, as the Vietnam War was coming to an end, I grew up in the 1970s and ’80s amid significant transformation. Coming from a military family, I was raised with a deep respect for the sacrifices made by service members. My father was a chief warrant officer in the U.S. Army, and I traveled with him as a child to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. The academy’s rich history ignited my interest to attend – and it’s where my personal military journey began.

My first day at the academy was unforgettable. Dressed in gym clothes and high black socks, I spent the hot July day running and carrying gear. It was exhausting and exhilarating. It was an introduction to the importance of perseverance, a lesson I would repeatedly rely on. We ended the day by taking an oath, which officially started cadet training.

Over the next four years, I forged enduring friendships and experienced some of my own historic moments – shaking hands with President Ronald Reagan as a freshman and receiving my diploma from President George H.W. Bush.

After graduation, I entered the Army during a pivotal time – the Berlin Wall had fallen, signaling the end of the Cold War. I was stationed at the National Training Center in California, where I honed my skills and learned about the importance of readiness. After a few years of active duty, I transitioned to the Army Reserve and entered the aerospace and defense industry.

However, when September 11th occurred, I felt the strong calling to serve again. I voluntarily deployed for tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, where I witnessed the realities of conflict and the resilience of our troops. Those experiences taught me invaluable lessons in leadership, decision-making and trust.

After my deployments, I continued to hold military positions while working for the aerospace and defense industry. This gave me insight into how veterans play a critical part in bridging the gap between the Department of Defense and industry – enabling greater effectiveness. Veterans can translate the needs of the DOD to technologists to ensure that solutions meet mission requirements.

For more than 20 years, I held these dual roles, primarily in the space sector. During my military service, I experienced firsthand how space’s assets, like GPS and satellite communications, were used. This strengthened my appreciation for their importance in civilian and defense applications.

I’ve had various roles in systems engineering, business development and program management. Now at BAE Systems, I lead our space systems product line out of our Manassas facility. The company’s mission, “We Protect Those Who Protect Us,” resonates deeply with me. It’s a shared commitment to provide our service men and women with the solutions they need to complete their missions and come home safely.

I retired from the Army in 2023 but continue to embrace its servant leadership mindset and honor its history. With a focus on people and purpose, you create and sustain a culture of innovation, enabling your team to solve some of the world’s toughest problems. By understanding our history, we recognize the sacrifices of those who came before us and learn lessons needed to navigate the challenges of the future.

I am proud to be part of a legacy that honors those who paved the way.

Retired Brig. Gen. Joe Dziezynski lives in Alexandria and works in Manassas as space systems product line director for BAE Systems.