This is not an official podcast affiliated with any organization. Guest: Justus Marks

What happens when you trade mastery for the challenge of starting over? Chief Warrant Officer Justus Marks did exactly that in 2015, leaving behind fifteen years of IT expertise to enter the Coast Guard's newly formed cyber field. Starting as a fireman in 2001 (thanks to a neighbor's recommendation), Marks climbed through telecommunications and IT roles before facing his biggest professional challenge: becoming a student again in cybersecurity. Listen now to hear how adaptability and continuous learning shaped one officer's remarkable career path.

The transition wasn't about technical difficulty—it was about mindset. After a quarter-century in service, Marks found himself surrounded by colleagues with strong cyber knowledge, his own technical and leadership skills once again put to the test. He embraced the learning opportunities. He discovered that red team work demands constant evolution, as patches and updates continuously remediate vulnerabilities and nullify exploits. The demanding nature of staying current requires balancing professional development with personal life to avoid burnout.

Justus shares insights on:

• Does mastery need to be surrendered for advancement

• Warrant officers as strategic translators, not just technical experts

• Career pivots demand humility and external validation

Resources Mentioned

• ⁠2024 CTIME report⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠U.S. Coast Guard Cyber Command⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yoke(dot)report@gmail(dot)com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This is not an official podcast affiliated with any organization.