How to Build a Defense Career Without Starting from Scratch

EPISODE 15 SHOW NOTES

Episode Title: How to Build a Defense Career Without Starting from Scratch

Guest: John Gutierrez, Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired), Executive Director, Office of Defense & Aerospace Innovation | Michigan Economic Development Corporation

Co-Host: Nancy Dakin, Colonel, U.S. Air Force (Retired)

Most Americans think contributing to national defense requires connections, security clearances, or starting completely over. Retired Marine Corps Colonel John Gutierrez proves otherwise.

After 28 years leading logistics and acquisition programs—including managing the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle from testing through production—John now serves as Executive Director of Michigan's Office of Defense and Aerospace Innovation. But his journey started much simpler: as a Navy corpsman working his way through college, inspired by Top Gun to serve something bigger than himself.

In this conversation co-hosted by retired Air Force Colonel Nancy Dakin, John reveals the resourceful pathways that turn existing skills into defense contributions. From welders building submarine components to engineers working on classified hypersonics research, the infrastructure to serve already exists—most people just don't know it's there.

You'll discover the free government resources that make federal contracting accessible, how community colleges are creating defense workforce pipelines, why regional defense ecosystems matter regardless of where you live, and what John learned as a "professional nomad"—moving every 18 months as a kid across the American West, then throughout a nearly three-decade Marine Corps career.

This is resourceful action in practice: doing extraordinary things with what you have, where you are, using opportunities already available. Whether you're considering military service, exploring defense sector careers, or looking for work that serves national security, this conversation proves you don't need to start from scratch—you need to take action with what you already bring to the fight.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Show Overview

00:55 Meet John Gutierrez: A Marine Corps Officer's Journey

01:50 The Role of the Michigan Office of Defense and Aerospace Innovation

08:31 Opportunities in Defense and Aerospace for Michigan's Workforce

20:01 Exploring Michigan's Natural Beauty

21:11 The Spirit of Michigan and Its People

23:28 Michigan's Role in National Defense

26:33 Opportunities in Defense and Aerospace

Key Topics Covered

• The meritocracy of military service and defense careers
• Free resources: Apex Accelerators, proposal assistance, training programs
• Converting commercial skills to defense applications
• University research opportunities in defense challenges
• Why "serving something bigger than yourself" is strategic, not just philosophical
• The Michigan Maritime Manufacturing Initiative as a national model
• How nomadic life builds resourcefulness and adaptability

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

Apex Accelerators - No-cost guidance for accessing federal contracting opportunities

Website: Find your local Apex Accelerator

Michigan Maritime Manufacturing Initiative (M3) - Workforce training for defense sectors

Macomb Community College partnership program

"Two on the Twos" Webinar Series - Free educational series on defense opportunities

Second Tuesday of every month at 2:00 PM

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Hear John's complete journey from Navy corpsman to Marine Corps acquisition leader to state-level innovator, plus the specific pathways he revealed for accessing defense careers with the skills you already have.

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About the Host

Shelly Rood is a leadership coach, former Army Intelligence Officer, and Creator of Others Over Self® leadership development training. She helps frustrated high-achievers keep their edge without going over the edge through the Hardcore and At Ease™ framework.

Learn more: www.missionambition.org

Category: Business: Management | Society and Culture: Philosophy | Education: How To

Episode Length: 45-50 minutes

Release Date: Tuesday, September 30, 2025