Professional Background

• B.S. Marine Biology, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
• Marine Conservationist at Force Blue, a nonprofit that repurposes special operations diver veterans with the scientific world and redeploys them with a new mission of preservation and restoration of the planet.
• Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Training Contractor

Military service

• U.S. Navy 2008-2014
• Petty Officer 1st Class
• Senior EOD Technician
• EOD Diver
• Navy Parachutist
• Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan 2012

Why I want to serve veterans
“My parents are Chinese immigrants. Growing up, I became keenly aware of what a privilege and blessing it is to be born and live in this country … I wanted to give something back.

As a young guy before joining the Navy, I didn’t have a lot of confidence in myself. I was looking for a way to test myself and see what I was really made out of. Meanwhile, the concept of a purpose driven life was one of the things that influenced me to want to be part of something bigger than myself. Navy special ops offered me the challenge and the mission I was looking for, and the opportunity of a lifetime to do the cool stuff I saw in the movies and in the
commercials.

In the special ops community, I found a uniquely strong brotherhood that comes naturally when you are “the tip of the spear.” Being part of that exclusive community becomes a major part of your identity. It also comes with major costs. In combat in Afghanistan, I lost three buddies who were killed in action, and 2 of my buddies came home missing most of their limbs. The effect of losing your teammates like that is something that stays with you for the rest of your life.

Transitioning to civilian life after those experiences was tough. I was no longer around high-speed operators all the time, people who were like-minded and mission focused like me. Their absence made me aware of their influence on me. Out in the real world, I didn’t get to do the cool stuff anymore, and civilians just can’t relate with your special ops identity.

But for all veterans, we still share that identity with each other. We all served, and we still wear that uniform on our hearts. Now we’re all out and trying to navigate this post-service life, asking ourselves “Now what? And what about my buddies that didn’t come back in one piece?” Some of us need help that we’re too afraid to ask for. Men especially – we don’t communicate our thoughts and feelings very well. And the highly motivated types – we often try to figure our own way out.

I have friends who couldn’t deal with this transition. They committed suicide. There were no warning signs. They needed help. Right now, there are other veterans out there that need help, and I want to make sure that they can get to it. That’s why I choose to serve with HSR. I don’t ever want to leave another brother behind.”