BY Geoff Fries

From Cockpit to Corporate America

From Cockpit to Corporate: My Military-to-Corporate Transition Story

Introduction: From the Naval Academy to the Cockpit

I entered the military on June 30, 2011, at the ripe age of 17. I was nervous, a little arrogant, and ready to put my Oklahoma public school education to the test at the United States Naval Academy. Little did I know then that in 14 years I would make the transition from cockpit to corporate America. 

My four years at the Naval Academy were a wild ride—I nearly failed classes, thought about quitting, made lifelong friends, and walked away prouder than I had ever been.

Ultimately, I pursued a set of Gold Wings as a Navy Pilot. This journey led me to fly the MH-60S operationally out of Japan, serve as an Instructor at the Fleet Replacement Squadron in Virginia, and ultimately serve as the Ship’s Safety Officer onboard LHD-5 Bataan.

I received a free education, a guaranteed job, and fulfilled a childhood dream of flying. As a leader, my time in the military helped me grow more than I could possibly imagine. Throughout my time, I gained confidence in myself, honed my communication skills, and most importantly grew as a leader. As I look back, I am forever grateful and deeply humbled for these experiences.

And like every service member, whether it be as an E-1 or an O-10, the day will come to transition out of the military. This is my transition story—and these are the lessons I’ve carried with me. 

14 Years Later: Facing My Transition Decision

After 14 years of service, I made the difficult decision to leave the military. 

As I reflected on my last 2 years of preparing for this decision, three themes emerged that guided my transition:

1. Find a guide or mentor
2. Invest in personal development
3. Adopt a growth mindset

Finding a Guide: Why Mentorship Matters

One of the most powerful steps I took during my transition was seeking a trusted guide.

In the military, the chain of command provided structure and direction. In contrast, the corporate world felt like an open ocean—unlimited options, unclear roles, and uncertain paths to success.

A mentor bridged this gap, offering insight into my strengths and how they could translate into the language of business leadership. Mentors also expanded my network and opened doors I wouldn’t have accessed on my own.

Investing in Personal Development

As I looked to the future beyond the military pipeline, I realized personal development would not only bring me great joy but also had to be a priority.

Instead of another door in the same military building, I realized I could open doors to an entirely new world of options. What about graduate school? Defense industry roles? Maybe Athletic Administration? I knew I wanted greater leadership responsibility, but I wasn’t sure where to start.

Marcus Aurelius writes, “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” I was confronted with an obstacle in my way, making a career pivot from a not-for-profit organization with previous success, into a for-profit world with no experience. This obstacle advanced my preparation.

So, I made personal growth a daily habit. I read voraciously—books, articles, and research. Authors like Jim Collins, Ryan Holiday, Daniel Coyle, and Simon Sinek reshaped how I approach leadership and decision-making.

This intentional development gave me a new fluency in strategy, finance, and organizational leadership. It prepared me to lead teams, engage stakeholders, and create value in the marketplace.

As I grew my network of mentors and continued learning, I realized I also needed to focus on being adaptable. I needed to adopt a growth mindset.

Adopting a Growth Mindset

While both the military and business worlds are dynamic and unpredictable, the military thrives on consistent, time-honored practices. By contrast, in the business world, those same routines can sometimes be a liability.

A growth mindset—the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort, feedback, and resilience—was critical. Instead of seeing challenges as threats, I saw them as opportunities to stretch and improve.

This mindset reminded me not to rest on past achievements. While my military service carried weight, it was not a guarantee of success in business. I needed to continually reinvent myself—embracing new technologies, studying new industries, and adapting to a changing workforce.

Joining Cameron-Brooks: A New Partnership

In July 2024, I partnered with Cameron-Brooks as I prepared for transition. Over the months, I received invaluable coaching, read countless books, and grew through feedback and preparation.

During my preparation, the Cameron-Brooks team initiated a new conversation: would I consider joining them full-time? By September 2025, I had left the military and joined Cameron-Brooks full time.

Today, I serve as a Transition Coach, helping other Junior Military Officers (JMOs) navigate the same leap I made. It’s a mission that lets me lean on my strengths, pursue new goals, and contribute to purposeful work within corporate America.

Leadership Lessons That Shaped Me

The beginning of my time at Cameron-Brooks and the work we did together have enabled me to figure out key leadership lessons I want to carry forward with me. Some lessons from my time in the Navy were so impactful that they became mantras that still guide me today:

• “Brilliant at the Basics” – Every little act matters. If my aircraft, unit, or division took care of the small things, we could handle the bigger challenges effectively.
• “Iron Sharpens Iron” – Through collaboration—and sometimes conflict—the team grows sharper and more effective than individuals working alone.
• “Relationships Matter” – How I treat subordinates, superiors, or outside units directly impacts the success of my team.

Final Thoughts: From Flight Suit to Business Suit

If you’re considering your transition from the military to the civilian world, here are three things that helped me:

• Seek out mentors to guide you and open doors.
• Invest in personal development through intentional reading and learning.
• Adopt a growth mindset to see challenges as steppingstones instead of barriers.

The past 14 years in the Navy were exciting and unpredictable. I imagine the next 14 years in business will be just as challenging—and just as rewarding.

I may have taken off my flight suit, but my commitment to lead with integrity, adaptability, and vision hasn’t changed.

If you ever want to talk, I’m here.

Best,

Geoff Fries

210.874.1500 | gfries@cameron-brooks.com | LinkedIn

Interested in learning more about leadership takeaways? Take a look at Brock Dudley’s leadership learnings during his time at Cameron-Brooks.