How SkillBridge Helped a Naval Flight Officer Find A Fulfilling Career
How SkillBridge Helped a Naval Flight Officer Find A Fulfilling Career
Through the 2 Circle SkillBridge program, Pete “Haggis” Hagge found a career that fuels his passion of supporting the warfighter and allows him to be part of a squadron-like company.
In 2020, 2 Circle welcomed Pete “Haggis” Hagge, the company’s first Department of Defense (DoD) SkillBridge intern and hire. Now, he holds two different and important roles at the company — Senior Warfare Analyst and as Director of Strategy.
When he joined the company, Haggis brought with him a unique skillset, shaped by 25 years of service to the U.S. Navy, that has proven invaluable to 2 Circle. In fact, along with several 2 Circle team members, Haggis played a key role in helping 2 Circle become a SkillBridge industry partner.
Through an internship, Haggis found a career that fuels his passion for supporting the warfighter and allows him to be part of a squadron-like small company. Here, he talks about the transition to a civilian role, and how he helps 2 Circle help solve complex challenges for the warfighter.
What inspired you to join the U.S. Navy?
Haggis: I was drawn to service from a young age, primarily through my father. He was in the Navy Civil Engineer Corps, so I had been around Naval Aviation from a very young age. Even as an 8-year-old boy, I was drawn to flying for the Navy.
I attended The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina. After graduating, I worked as a stockbroker for a year but realized a career in finance didn’t offer the level of excitement nor meaning I was really looking for. So, I applied and was accepted to Navy Officer Candidate School (OCS).
What inspired you to join the U.S. Navy?
Haggis: I was drawn to service from a young age, primarily through my father. He was in the Navy Civil Engineer Corps, so I had been around Naval Aviation from a very young age. Even as an 8-year-old boy, I was drawn to flying for the Navy.
I attended The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina. After graduating, I worked as a stockbroker for a year but realized a career in finance didn’t offer the level of excitement nor meaning I was really looking for. So, I applied and was accepted to Navy Officer Candidate School (OCS).
Pete “Haggis” Hagge
Currently serves as the Red Forces Director at the Naval Aviation Distributed Training Center, Atlantic. Photo courtesy of Pete Hagge
Pete “Haggis” Hagge
Photo courtesy of Pete Hagge
Can you tell us about your Navy service?
Haggis: I served 25 years as a Naval Flight Officer. I started my career in the S-3B Viking community and during my first shore tour, transitioned to the F/A-18F Super Hornet. Following my first tour with the VFA-102 Diamondbacks, I was fortunate enough to be selected to attend the U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School, or TOPGUN. After graduation, I served in Strike Fighter Weapons School Atlantic as a Strike Fighter and Forward Air Controller (Airborne) Instructor, in Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 32 for my department head tour, at NATO’s Supreme Allied Command Transformation for my Joint tour. I was also the Executive and Commanding Officer of VFA-32 at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia.
Following my command tour, I served on the staff of Carrier Strike Group Twelve as the Operations Officer, Naval Air Forces Atlantic, as the Operations Officer and Chief of Staff. My career culminated on the staff of U.S. Second Fleet where I served as a staff officer and interim Chief of Staff for a new operational NATO headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia, called Joint Force
Can you share your current roles and responsibilities at 2 Circle?
Haggis: I currently serve as the Red Forces Director at the Naval Aviation Distributed Training Center, Atlantic (NADTC-LANT), based at NAS Oceana, Virginia. NADTC-LANT provides live-virtual-constructive distributed training to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) fixed-wing squadrons.
In that role, I coordinate distributed training events, linking units spread throughout the country allowing aircrew to train with different types of platform simulators, without ever having to leave their home stations. In support of this training, we create challenging scenarios replicating the current tactics, techniques, and procedures of threats that the aircrew want to train against.
Can you tell us about your corporate role as Director of Strategy?
Haggis: As the Director of Strategy, I primarily execute the strategic planning process and determine our company’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Then, I use that information to decide how best to focus our company’s efforts so that we can continue to be proactive, vice react to the changing environment. Additionally, I serve as the lead for our Employee Experience initiatives, to ensure that employees are happy with 2 Circle, are challenged, and fulfilled in their roles. We understand that our employees are truly the most valuable asset.
Take us back to when you decided to transition to civilian life. Why did you join the SkillBridge Program?
Haggis: I was in a unique situation in my last job, where I helped create a new NATO command, out of nothing, with a small team of U.S. Navy active and reserve personnel. Once we got the command off the ground and NATO international officers arrived and started working, I was able to step back and fill more of a guidance and mentorship role vice being intimately involved in the day-to-day operations. I learned more about the SkillBridge program and decided that it was the best path for me to transition to civilian life.
I had gone to flight school with Doug “Money” Halter, and have known him for over 20 years. We re-connected when I was at Naval Air Forces Atlantic and he had been working for 2 Circle for several years and had stood up NADTC-LANT. As I learned more about the program and the vision, I saw that this was the future — a new program that would make huge strides toward ensuring our Naval Aviators and warfighters remain the best trained and prepared in the world. So that greatly interested me.
Photos courtesy of Pete Hagge
What led you to pick 2 Circle for your internship?
Haggis: About a year out from retirement, I talked to Doug about 2 Circle. I had heard about 2 Circle from other people I had known such as Dave “Poof” Harris. I also knew several other members of the company and I knew the exceptional quality of those individuals and the outstanding reputation of the company in the fleet.
2 Circle isn’t a typical contracting company, which is mainly concerned with putting “butts in seats” and generating revenue. The company prides itself in recruiting high-performing individuals to execute our mission, vision, and values. This very purposeful hiring practice, and the talent pool we have accumulated as a result, has earned 2 Circle a reputation of excellence in acquisition and warfighter support.
Taking all this into account, it was a company that I was very interested in joining. The fact that they also had opportunities at NADTC was a bonus. For me, it was a perfect fit. This was absolutely the company I wanted to work for and the job I wanted to do.
At that time, 2 Circle was not a SkillBridge industry partner, so I sat down with Money and Glenn “Alvin” Swift and introduced them to the SkillBridge program. I helped point them in the right direction, and 2 Circle was approved and registered as a vetted employer of the SkillBridge program.
Why is the program so valuable for transitioning service members?
Haggis: It’s a fantastic program. It allows you to decide if the company is a fit and if the work interests you before making a final decision. Or, if it’s the right company but maybe not the right job for you. That in my mind is the true value of this program.
It’s valuable for the companies as well, as they can vet people and not spend resources on training and onboarding an employee, only to have them realize that this isn’t a good fit six months or three years down the road. It’s a win-win for the service member and the company.
My internship allowed me to truly get to know and meet all the people I would work with day in and day out. These are all passionate, dedicated individuals. They go above and beyond — not for the money, but because they care about making the warfighter better.
That’s what solidified my decision. It’s what I wanted most in an organization post-Navy career. That’s why I think SkillBridge is such a valuable program.
Was transitioning to civilian life difficult? What made the transition easier?
Haggis: I didn’t find it difficult to hang up my uniform. That’s because I am still actively involved daily with Naval Aviation. It’s what I’ve been doing for 25 years. It’s ingrained in me. I speak the language.
I took off the uniform, and I put on slacks and a polo shirt. And while I’m not flying in an aircraft anymore, I’m still involved in training aircrew; in everything that I enjoy.
My wife and family have enjoyed the transition to civilian life because I’m home much more. I’m not going on seven- and nine-month deployments and am able to take the time off to participate in events that I missed while on active duty. Those times and memories are priceless.
But what made the transition easier was talking to peers who had already transitioned, both in and outside of 2 Circle. A year or two out, I prioritized talking to people who had been in my shoes, getting their lessons learned, best practices, what they thought about their job, and what they recommended.
I highly encourage anyone who transitions to reach out to their peer network. Buy them lunch, or have coffee together. Just pick their brain. I did that with five or six people in and outside the defense sector. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to leave the Department of Defense and try something new.
But what it came down to is: what am I interested in? What am I passionate about? What gets me up in the morning?
I get up excited to go to work to help the warfighter. That’s what I was and still am passionate about.
You officially joined 2 Circle in April 2020. What has your experience been like three years after?
Haggis: What I have enjoyed most about 2 Circle is the culture, especially at NADTC-LANT.
It is like a squadron. We use call signs. We can tease each other. We have thick skin. But most importantly we debrief every event we do here at NADTC — all to make us the best we can possibly be.
I have enjoyed being part of a smaller company. Since joining 2 Circle, I’ve had the opportunity of taking up different leadership roles, giving me opportunities to make a positive impact.
At the two-year mark, I became the Director of Strategy, and now I lead our Employee Experience initiative. I’m not sure if I would have had the opportunity to pursue additional responsibilities that early in my career if I worked at a larger company or a major defense contractor.
One of the advantages of working at 2 Circle is the small company atmosphere. Despite being spread across the country and our growth, the company still operates as a small company. All employees are valued and have the opportunity to make a positive impact from day one. The absence of a strict hierarchical structure was something I appreciated during my internship and still enjoy today.
2 Circle Partners with skillbridge
2 Circle is committed to hiring veterans. Of our total employee population of 176, more than 85% are veterans, reservists, and military spouses. Through our Department of Defense SkillBridge internship program, we are adding even more passionate leaders and subject matter experts to shape efforts to maximize warfighter effectiveness and make a positive difference.
2 Circle Inc. Department of Defense SkillBridge program