“Amazon has been an amazing company to work for. I truly value the military-friendly atmosphere.”

Travis Nottingham separated from active duty in 2011 but continued to serve in the National Guard. After his first job at Amazon, Nottingham was called up to serve in securing the US southern border to Mexico as well as in Afghanistan. In one of the most unique transitioning feats of our Warriors here at Amazon, he transitioned from combat to the Amazon office environment in 8 days, and now leads Global Intelligence at Amazon as a Security Intelligence Manager.

PHOENIX, AZ – After serving in the military for 15 years on active duty, Travis Nottingham saw the world through his career as a member of the Military Police. From stateside stations at Washington’s Joint Base Lewis-McChord, New Mexico’s White Sands Missile Range, Missouri’s Fort Leonard Wood and North Carolina’s Fort Bragg to various deployments to South Korea, Kuwait, Afghanistan and Germany, Nottingham gained global expertise during his time in service.

Throughout his military career until his transition from active duty to the National Guard in 2011, he “never thought he would work for a civilian e-commerce company.” But once he started as an Area Manager, Nottingham found it a great fit.

The Military Recruiting Team (MRT) at Amazon asked Nottingham (TN) to share his advice with veterans transitioning from the military to the workforce after his own journey from active duty to a civilian career and continued service in the reserves.

Here’s more from his success story and what he wants all transitioning veterans to know:

MRT: What did you do in your active-duty military career?

TN: I entered the Army in October 1996 for the job of Military Police and served in a multitude of leadership positions from Team Leader to Company Commander.

MRT: After you joined Amazon and transitioned to the reserves, were you called up for duty?

TN: Once I got assimilated at Amazon, I was called up to work on the US Southwest Border Mission, then ultimately to Afghanistan where I worked with Special Operations Command and the Navy. While there, I worked with intelligence and reconnaissance assets.

MRT: Did you find it difficult to be active, then civilian, then called up again to duty in the National Guard with a deployment to the Middle East?

TN: The transition from active to civilian was easier than coming back from Afghanistan. Coming home was more difficult from combat and moving back into a civilian employment role [rather than moving back to a military role, and then transitioning to civilian employment]. When I came home, the HR manager for PHX5 sent me through OLO [Operations Leadership Orientation] again to learn the Amazonian ways since I had been gone for almost two years.

MRT: How quickly did you transition from combat to civilian employment?

TN: I transitioned in eight days from Southern Afghanistan back to Amazon.

MRT: What was your journey like when you went from Area Manager to your current role?

TN: When I transitioned from combat, I met the leaders in Global Security Operations (GSCC) who brought me over. I transitioned from the Area Manager role to the Shift Manager role at the GSCC. I quickly rose to site leader then stood up a global intelligence program for Amazon.

MRT: As a veteran, what has your experience been like at Amazon?

TN: Amazon has been an amazing company to work for. I truly value the military-friendly atmosphere.

MRT: Now that you’ve transitioned to a leadership role, what advice can you share for veterans who are just starting out in their transition to civilian life?

TN: My biggest advice is expectation management: ensure you have a plan and are ready to make the jump. Support Amazon operations as you support operations in the military. Continuing to serve in the reserves or guard is also a great way to make an impact on your community and Amazon.

Do you want us to help yu get your resume to the Top of the pile?  Then complete the form below and one of our representatives will contact you appropriately.

[vfb id=4]