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Tag: The Next Step

Headed to Army War College: Connor Cherry ’25

This article is part of The Next Step series. While the four years at VMI are designed for cadets to push themselves academically, physically, and mentally to tackle the demands of life at a premiere military college, they also prepare cadets for life after graduation. Whether that life be one in the military or one in the private sector, VMI faculty and staff provide guidance to cadets along their journeys. One department specifically dedicated to that endeavor of post-Institute success is the Office of Career Services. In The Next Step series, we highlight cadets preparing to enter the workforce after graduation, as well as those still in the midst of their cadetship preparing for internships over the summer. 

Even before attending Virginia Military Institute, Connor Cherry ’25 always knew he wanted to pursue an international studies degree, with his sights set on obtaining the highly competitive national security minor. After an internship with the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) last summer, his interest in the field was cemented. 

The 1st Class cadet and international studies major from Mooresville, North Carolina, will be interning at the U.S. Army War College this summer.  

“I have always wanted to pursue a career in military intelligence through the U.S. Army and possibly a federal career pathway with a three-letter agency afterword. I believe this internship gives me another avenue of approach in understanding the holistic goals of U.S. national security,” he said.

He also applied to the Hertog War Studies program led by ex-CIA director Gen. David Petraeus but did not receive the internship.  

“Luckily the Army War College program fits with my needs for Army certified technology specialist training this summer,” he said. 

For his internship, he will be at the Center for Strategic Leadership, which is the U.S. Army’s strategic wargaming center. The internship will focus on updating scenarios that impact U.S. interests in Africa, Iran, China, Russia, and the Arctic.  

Specific responsibilities include working with regional experts to understand the security environment in these areas and to assess the implications for U.S. national security, assisting in updating existing geo-political scenarios used in the education of senior national security professionals, researching potential sources of conflict 12 years in the future, and develop recommendations for new scenarios. 

Other tasks for Cherry this summer include research, writing, and publishing on topics related to the internship, and participating in wargames, conferences, seminars, and meetings. Interns associated with this program will also develop videos and other injections for the scenario and help with other wargaming projects as required. 

“VMI gave me the opportunity to pursue my goals both militarily and regarding my goals with U.S. national security through the national security minor,” he said. “VMI’s strict rigor and discipline allowed me to lead the path of VMI cadets into the ARL Internship Program and working with their director and senior military college internship coordinator to allow other cadets the opportunity to expose themselves to the goals and processes of ARL and I hope to do the same with the Army War College.” 

To obtain this year’s internship, Cherry worked with Col. Spencer D. Bakich, professor of international studies and the director of the National Security Program at VMI. 

Cherry credits his parents for having a large role in the inspiration for his career and personal goals. He said both of his parents served as officers for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department for 30 years, which motivated him to pursue a career in public service.  

Looking forward, he hopes these internships will help bolster his resume to help him continue as an officer in the Army or hold a position in a federal agency.  

“I believe I have the choice in my pathway and the ability to decide the right career path when the time comes,” he said. “The perception of VMI cadets and their personal values I believe had an impactful role in me obtaining this internship as Army officials value cadets who go through adversity and hardships with strict standards at VMI.” 

From VMI to Pioneering Defense Technologies at DEVCOM: Jonathan Tumwikirize ’24

This article is part of The Next Step series. While the four years at VMI are designed for cadets to push themselves academically, physically, and mentally to tackle the demands of life at a premiere military college, they also prepare cadets for life after graduation. Whether that life be one in the military or one in the private sector, VMI faculty and staff provide guidance to cadets along their journeys. One department specifically dedicated to that endeavor of post-Institute success is the Office of Career Services. In The Next Step series, we highlight cadets preparing to enter the workforce after graduation, as well as those still in the midst of their cadetship preparing for internships over the summer. 

Jonathan Tumwikirize ’24 wanted to gain firsthand experience in a military environment, while also getting his degree. It’s what drew him to Virginia Military Institute and allowed him to explore federal-civilian positions to pursue upon graduation.  

The recent graduate from Ashburn, Virginia, majored in electrical and computer engineering and minored in mathematics, and he has accepted a position at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Center. DEVCOM is an information technologies and integrated systems center that develops technologies for the U.S. Army to use on platforms: from soldier to ground vehicle, and from air to space. 

“DEVCOM’s reputable contributions to advancing defense capabilities aligned perfectly with my career aspirations,” he said. “Their cutting-edge technology was frequently a talking -point in my electrical and computer engineering classes.” 

Tumwikirize said he applied to a handful of engineering positions but found that DEVCOM’s eagerness to find potential leaders was the most attractive thing about the position and work environment.

“They offered a dynamic and forward-thinking environment where employees can collaborate with top talents, take on complex challenges, and have a tangible impact on national security,” he said. “Besides their unmatched employee benefits and great location, they provide a similar environment to VMI: they are committed to nurturing the growth of their engineers.” 

At DEVCOM, he will be an electrical engineer specializing in embedded software, where he will be contributing to the company’s countermine division by deriving technologies and strategies that contribute to directly saving lives and enhancing mission effectiveness. 

He plans on pursuing a master’s in electrical and computer engineering at Virginia Tech. 

“As technology continues to grow in complexity, the need for individuals with refined skills also expands; complex solutions require subject matter experts,” he said. “A master’s degree allows me the opportunity to gain specialized knowledge, demonstrate leadership potential, and cultivate my overall ability to support the nation’s critical technological objectives.”  

VMI providing a strong path for success 

Tumwikirize said that with VMI Career Services, there were several opportunities to engage with various employers on post. He said he had met with an operations specialist from DEVCOM through a career fair held at VMI, who then assisted him in his job searching, making the process seamless.  

“I also wrote my first resume through career services, often sitting down and refining each statement to articulate my skillsets and potential,” he said. 

The foundation he received by attending VMI has allowed him to prosper. Shortly after joining the Rat Line, his leadership journey began with the responsibilities of a corporal.  

“Through various leadership positions, I have been able to experiment and develop leadership methodologies that are optimal for a variety of scenarios,” he said. “VMI has given me the opportunity to develop integrity, adaptability, resilience, empathy, and effective communication through their leadership course and positions in cadet government.” 

The inspiration for his path stems from his parents, who contributed to the United States Agency for International Development expatriate work. From that, Tumwikirize was exposed to a plethora of international affairs and the need for innovation within the defense community.  

“Exposed to the harsh reality of instability of five different countries, I often witnessed disastrous events commonly catalyzed by unsettling and armed extremists,” he said. “The unique exposure sparked my interest in contributing to global solutions within the defense community.” 

It also played into why he chose the electrical and computer engineering track. When he was younger, he had an interest in computers, but found that tinkering with various operating systems was what he found to be challenging. 

With the achievement of graduating from VMI, he said it exemplifies one’s resolute commitment to serve. It also served as an aid to him finding exemplary employment.  

“Only individuals who have experienced a cadetship at VMI know the tenacity in everything required to graduate,” he said. “This immediate recognition from alumni was a drastic competitive advantage in my job search. Alumni are familiar with the characteristics required to be successful within such a rigorous environment, and they desire the same type of people within their network.” 

His hope for the next decade is to become a seasoned engineer and leader. 

“I aspire to guide teams that foster groundbreaking solutions and lead individuals that have an unyielding commitment to advancing defense solutions,” he said. “I aspire to achieve collective goals in my career such as navigating complex engineering challenges, completing my master’s degree, and a decade of resilient service to the nation.”