What happens when you leave the military and step into the civilian cybersecurity world? In this episode, Air Force veteran and cybersecurity consultant Jose Toledo joins us to talk about the real (and often overlooked) challenges of the military-to-tech transition.

Jose’s career spans defense contracting, OT security, and strategic consulting with Google. He shares honest insights into identity loss, translating military experience into corporate language, navigating communication differences, and finding purpose after leaving a mission-driven environment.

In this conversation, we explore:

• why the military-to-civilian transition can feel disorienting • how veterans can turn leadership under pressure into an advantage • the challenge of “translating” military jargon into business value • soft skills veterans bring to cybersecurity and tech roles • communication differences: directness vs. corporate nuance • how office politics land for people trained in no-excuses environments • what veterans miss most after the uniform comes off • where to find purpose, meaning, and community after service • networking strategies for introverts, ambiverts, and those who hate small talk • the truth behind: “The tech is easy. The people are hard.”

Whether you're a veteran transitioning into cybersecurity, a hiring manager looking to understand veteran talent, or a cybersecurity leader navigating identity and career growth, this episode offers clarity, perspective, and actionable guidance.

00:00 – Intro & Welcome 01:12 – Meet Our Guest: Cyber Consultant & Air Force Veteran Jose Toledo 04:20 – How Jose Entered Cybersecurity Through the Military 07:58 – The Military Mindset: “Do More With Less” 10:45 – Why Translating Military Experience Is So Difficult 15:28 – Veterans Undervaluing Their Skills and Accomplishments 18:40 – The Interview Moment That Changed Jose’s Career 23:04 – Stress Leadership, Soft Skills & Mission Focus 27:52 – Responsibility at a Young Age: The Veteran Narrative 32:10 – The Mission-Shaped Hole After Leaving the Military 36:58 – Communication Style Differences: Directness vs. Corporate Culture 42:21 – Office Politics, Expectations & Emotional Intelligence 46:30 – Networking for Introverts and Ambiverts 51:12 – Teaching, Volunteering & Finding Purpose After Service 55:44 – Legal vs. Cyber: Translating Meaning Across Disciplines 59:20 – Final Advice: Reframing Your Value as a Veteran 01:02:10 – Closing & Subscribe

New episodes of The Cyber Mettle Podcast drop every other week.

Follow The Cyber Mettle for conversations on cybersecurity, leadership, law, business resilience, and the human challenges behind the keyboard.