EC-Council University (ECCU), one of the world’s leading providers of cybersecurity education, is where U.S. Military veterans are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and qualifications to begin the next chapter of their careers. With a range of VA-approved online programs, veterans can fully leverage their GI Bill® benefits at ECCU as they pursue career-boosting educational experiences.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!As an ideal example, the ECCU Team recently interviewed Mr. Timothy Amerson, a former U.S. Army Major who’s currently enrolled in the Master of Science in Computer Science (MCS) program. He sheds light on his journey from military to civilian life and explains why ECCU is a great choice for veterans seeking meaningful careers in cybersecurity and tech. These are his responses to our questions:
Tell Us About Yourself and Your U.S. Military Background
Timothy Amerson (TA): My name is Timothy Amerson. I served 32 years in the U.S. Army and the Texas Army National Guard, retiring at the rank of Major in 2018. I began my career as an enlisted Soldier, serving 12 years before commissioning through Officer Candidate School. Over the course of my service, I held leadership positions including Platoon Leader, Commander, Operations Officer, Information Operations Officer, and Network Officer. I concluded my military career specializing in cyber operations as Deputy Commander of the Defense Cyberspace Operations Element and the Cyber Protection Team, where I led Red, Blue, and White Teams.
Today, I am the Founder, CEO, and Chief Information Security Officer of CASMO Consulting. I also recently served as Chief Information Security Officer for the Social Security Administration. With over 25 years of experience in information technology and cybersecurity across the military, federal government, and private sector, I continue to focus on advancing national and organizational security.
What Inspired Your Transition from Military Service to a Career in Cybersecurity?
TA: During my military career, I saw firsthand how critical cyber defense was to mission success. Threats were no longer limited to physical domains; adversaries had fully entered the digital battlefield. Whether we call it cyber conflict or not, the reality is clear: we are at cyber war. This realization, coupled with my natural curiosity for technology, motivated me to dedicate myself to cybersecurity.
Since 1999, I have been deeply involved in this field, standing up the first Computer Emergency Response Team and the first Cyber Protection Team in Texas aligned with U.S. Cyber Command. Beyond my military service, I have coached and mentored high school and college students in cybersecurity since 2014. For me, cybersecurity is more than a career. It is the next battlefield, and I remain committed to defending our nation in this domain.
As the Founder of CASMO Consulting, How Has Your Military Experience Shaped Your Cybersecurity Career?
TA: The military taught me to lead by example, set a clear strategy, and ensure every team member understands the mission from top to bottom. Precision and communication were vital, as mistakes in timing or execution could cost lives. The same principle applies in cybersecurity, where a single misconfiguration can lead to outages or compromise.
I built CASMO Consulting with that mindset. CASMO stands for Cybersecurity: The Art and Science of Maintaining Operations. Too often, cybersecurity is viewed as an obstacle rather than an enabler. My philosophy is that security must support mission and business objectives. Simply shutting systems down is not success—ensuring operations continue securely is. At CASMO, we focus on Zero Trust, supply chain risk, and insider threat management, blending my technical expertise with the mission-first mindset I developed across my career.
The military instilled in me discipline, structure, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. I deployed multiple times—to Egypt, Iraq, the Horn of Africa—and supported domestic missions such as Hurricane Katrina. In each case, the focus was always on the mission, not the chaos surrounding it. This mindset carries directly into cybersecurity. Incident response can be chaotic, but those with military training often thrive under that pressure. My experience in cyber warfare operations also gave me valuable insight into adversarial thinking, helping me anticipate threats and prepare defenses. Programs such as Certified Ethical Hacker reinforce this perspective by training defenders to think like attackers, which has been critical to my success.
Is Cybersecurity a Worthwhile Career Path for Veterans?
TA: Without hesitation, yes. Cybersecurity is mission-driven, fast-paced, and requires strategic thinking—all traits that align perfectly with military experience. Veterans thrive under pressure, adapt quickly, and bring unique value to the field. Demand for cybersecurity professionals is high, and the opportunities are extensive.
Here’s more information on why veterans should consider cybersecurity careers.
Why Do You Recommend ECCU to Veterans Pursuing Cybersecurity Careers?
TA: Absolutely. EC-Council University combines technical depth with practical application. Unlike programs that focus solely on theory, ECCU emphasizes resume-producing experiences like projects and labs that mirror real-world scenarios. These hands-on opportunities prepare graduates to speak with credibility about their capabilities, a critical advantage for veterans transitioning into civilian careers.
The flexibility of ECCU’s online format has been essential. I balance executive responsibilities, consulting work, and family life while pursuing advanced studies. The structure allowed me to apply classroom lessons directly to real-world scenarios—such as improving Linux server security and exploring algorithms for risk frameworks—while maintaining my professional obligations. Though the workload was demanding, the format enabled me to pursue my education without disrupting my family or professional commitments. It was the perfect model for me.
ECCU’s focus on cybersecurity, combined with the flexibility of the program and veteran support, made it the ideal choice. The computer science track challenged me with topics such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, robotics, and advanced programming, strengthening my technical foundation. This program bridged theory and hands-on application, directly enhancing my ability to address next-generation cyber challenges.
The faculty and staff are outstanding. Professors bring real-world experience into the classroom and are responsive to student needs, often answering questions quickly despite time zone differences. Administrative staff have also been consistently supportive, making the overall experience smooth and student-centric. Compared to other institutions, ECCU’s responsiveness has been exceptional.
My experience has been both positive and empowering. Veterans will find a flexible, veteran-friendly environment with responsive support and challenging coursework. I began with one class per semester and later increased to two, finding the workload balanced and rewarding. Overall, I would rate my experience a strong nine out of ten, leaving only room for continuous improvement.
For transitioning veterans balancing family, career, and education, ECCU offers the flexibility and rigor needed to succeed.
