Bridging the gap for veterans

May 3, 2022 | 4 minute read
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Scott Payfer

Scott Payfer served in the U.S. Navy for 23 years, an experience that’s shaped who he is today. Inspired by the possibilities in cloud computing, he became a Senior Site Reliability Engineer with Oracle National Security Regions (ONSR) – and when he saw an opportunity to support his fellow veterans, he seized it. Today, Scott’s helping veterans pivot from military to corporate life through our pilot SkillBridge program.

This Military Appreciation Month, he’s sharing why that matters.

Shaped by service

Scott’s military service and technical skills go hand-in-hand. “Much of who I am today was formed by a career's worth of experiences,” he reflects. “I spent my military life working on submarine communications, IT systems, and other electronics and sensor systems.”

He credits his mentors with giving him the support he needed to become a Senior Enlisted Leader, advising his unit's commanding officer on personnel and operational matters. “I loved the opportunity to be a part of the organization’s strategic vision while remaining engaged with our daily mission and the talented Sailors carrying it out,” he shares.

At Oracle, he’s using that knowledge and experience to solve new and exciting problems. “My technical and troubleshooting skills are employed and challenged every day, and those interpersonal skills developed in the latter half of my career have enabled me to communicate effectively across all levels.”

Paving a path for veterans

It was a military connection that helped Scott find his way to a new career with ONSR. “I was recruited by a fellow Sailor that I know and trust, and that had a substantial impact on my choice to join Oracle,” he tell us.

He was soon motivated to pave a path for other veterans. “When I joined, we didn’t participate in the Hiring Our Heroes Corporate Fellowship. But we’re encouraged to run with new ideas, and given the freedom to shepherd them into reality,” Scott explains. That’s how he became the driving force behind the development program’s adoption, culminating in a successful pilot in ONSR.

The SkillBridge program (now accepting applications) is designed to help highly skilled transitioning service members, veterans, military spouses, and military caregivers to launch a civilian career. Leading this program is deeply meaningful to Scott – and creating a clear path to impactful civilian careers benefits both veterans and the companies they join.

“Veterans bring a diverse background and a proven ability to adapt in complex and challenging environments. Though making the pivot from public service to the corporate world can seem daunting, I want veterans to know that their skills are valuable and needed here.”

 

Scott with mentors
     Scott (center) at his retirement ceremony with his mentors Jared Hofer (left) and Eric Antoine (right), 3x Chief of the Boat award winner. "They helped me navigate the wicked waters of senior leadership and provided sound advice more times than I could count," says Scott.

Embracing a new challenge

Today, Scott provides support to over 50 software development teams. “My team helps maintain the portion of OCI services powering our cleared cloud. We’re developing and deploying new features, resolving bugs, responding to incidents and outages, and patching security vulnerabilities,” he explains.

Scott has always loved new adventures and challenges – and that’s part of what appeals to him about life at Oracle. “I'm inspired by the possibilities in cloud computing and truly love the culture and pace of the company. We're able to push the envelope of what's possible while still promoting a healthy work-life balance.”

Scott encourages any veteran considering a career in cloud computing or enterprise applications to reach out to fellow veterans within Oracle and ask about open positions. “The camaraderie I feel with my team and our organization parallels that which I felt in the military,” he adds.

The importance of Military Appreciation Month

Reflecting on his years of service, Scott is struck by a deep appreciation both for his experiences and for those who serve our nation today. “The benefits of serving my country are difficult to capture with words. I grew into who I am today while on active duty, and I've never met a more selfless group of people than those who stood to my left and right,” he shares.

He’s moved by the incredible dedication of our service members. “I believe the all-volunteer nature of service in America should not be overlooked. Service in the military is a 24/7 responsibility, and despite the fact that the pay and benefits service members receive is not commensurate with the required level of sacrifice, young Americans continue to raise their right hand every day.”

To Scott, Military Appreciation Month is a chance to acknowledge that sacrifice. “Less than 1% of our population serves in our all-volunteer military,” he explains. “Today, as a member of the 99% who benefit from the sacrifices of our military and their families, it's my turn to show those in the service of our nation the same level of deep dedication and support that they show us every day.”

By working to bridge the gap between military and civilian life, Scott is paving a new path to success for our service members.

We value the unique skills that veterans bring to our diverse workforce. Read more inspiring stories about veterans at Oracle to find out how your experience and talent can help you thrive. To apply to the SkillBridge program, click here.

Oracle Careers Editorial Team

The editorial team is comprised of members of the Oracle Talent Advisory group, with a wide-range of employer branding responsibilities. They partner with employees across Oracle to capture stories that showcase our company, culture and career opportunities, and help candidates envision their #LifeAtOracle.


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