CJ Tobin's journey from West Point football player to Black Hawk pilot to NASCAR's Director of Vehicle Systems proves that technical military careers aren't dead ends - they're launching pads. In this episode, CJ breaks down how he transitioned from flying helicopters to designing the safety systems that protect drivers at 200+ mph.

What You'll Learn:

• Why starting early in your transition matters more than your rank when you leave
• How to build technical portfolios using open-source resources before you even separate
• The strategic value of humility in landing roles that seem "below" your military level
• Why cross-functional thinking from military leadership gives you an edge in technical roles
• How high-pressure military experience translates to high-stakes civilian careers

CJ's story demonstrates that military experience isn't something you overcome in technical careers - it's something that makes you better at them. His ability to think across systems, lead under pressure, and understand how individual components affect the entire organization comes directly from his military background.

Whether you're interested in engineering, data science, or any technical role in sports, this conversation offers a roadmap for making the transition successfully.

About CJ Tobin:

Director of Vehicle Systems at NASCAR R&D, responsible for designing chassis, suspension, brakes, and steering systems for the Cup Series. Former Black Hawk pilot and West Point graduate with a systems engineering degree.

Resources Mentioned:

• NFL Big Data Bowl Mentorship Program
• SkillBridge Program
• Open-source technical resources for portfolio building

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