Mike Wilson was just 18 years old when the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks shook the world. The tragic events at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon sent him into action — within a week, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.
“I come from a family of firefighters,” Wilson said, “and like my parents, I wanted to be a part of something greater than myself.”
Initially stationed stateside, Wilson’s path led him to the frontlines overseas, where he first conducted joint missions with Iraqi Security Forces along the tri-borders of Iraq, Jordan and Syria.
Mike Wilson, AWS Business Development Executive at Kyndryl
Wilson then deployed to Afghanistan supporting counterinsurgency operations — where he saw heavy combat and was wounded by an IED. “When my vehicle was hit, I received a traumatic brain injury, as well as neck and back injuries,” he said. “I had to undergo extensive rehabilitation, including physical, occupational and speech therapy.” Following rehabilitation, Wilson eventually returned to Iraq and Afghanistan, and was then deployed to East and West Africa, supporting national security efforts with various agencies and partner nations.
Michael Connolly, Director, Learning Consulting at Kyndryl
Michael Connolly also joined the military at age 18 because she wanted more out of her life. “When I graduated from high school, I knew I wanted to be independent and eventually to continue my education,” she said. “But I wasn’t sure how.”
Connolly enlisted in the United States Air Force following a year of exploration. She served for 20 years — 10 years of active duty, plus 10 years in the Air Force Reserve Command. During that time, she served in Germany, South Korea and the UAE, and deployed to Iraq.
Wilson and Connolly are just two of the many Kyndryls globally who are military veterans or family members of those actively serving. Veterans’ perseverance, dedication, teamwork and empathy are just a few traits that they bring to Kyndryl.
“Veterans excel in technology fields because of their resourcefulness and ability to adapt to rapidly changing environments,” said Barry Becker, Senior Vice President at Kyndryl and executive sponsor of its VetKIN, a business resource group. “Military veterans are uniquely prepared because their training equips them to think quickly, make decisive choices under intense pressure and adapt to rapidly evolving situations. Staying calm under stress and motivating others to do the same is a fundamental skill they possess.”
So how does one make the jump from active duty to corporate life?
For Connolly, now Director of Learning Consulting at Kyndryl, it was all about curiosity and lifelong learning. “My initial training in the Air Force was in communications and air traffic control,” she said. “After that, I spent 14 years in military intelligence. Military service also requires frequent moves, both physically and into new roles. In each case, you’re working with people from differing backgrounds, cultures and nationalities — with all of us focused on common goals. In addition to becoming disciplined, I learned a lot about critical thinking, problem-solving, emotional intelligence and personal accountability. Without those skills, I wouldn’t have been able to earn my undergraduate and advanced degrees in Organizational Development while on active duty.”
Thanks to his Veterans Affairs education benefits, Wilson also earned his college degree — one semester at a time while serving as a defense contractor. He received his B.A. from Georgetown University and is working toward his master’s degree at Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies.
After supporting U.S. government missions, Wilson transitioned into various roles, including veteran advocacy. His first corporate opportunity came after delivering a speech on supporting wounded warrior transition at a technology conference in Washington, D.C. “I’ve been incredibly fortunate in my corporate career,” said Wilson, who serves in Kyndryl’s Alliances organization as an AWS Business Development Executive. “However, two of my proudest achievements — other than becoming a father of two — involved securing the rescue of two interpreters I worked with in Afghanistan. As you can imagine, getting them and their families to safety was a lengthy and chaotic process. And I’m grateful they’re both building successful new lives in the U.S.”
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Military veterans are uniquely prepared because their training equips them to think quickly, make decisive choices under intense pressure and adapt to rapidly evolving situations. Staying calm under stress and motivating others to do the same is a fundamental skill they possess.
As part of our outreach to veterans like Wilson and Connolly, Kyndryl is partnering with American Corporate Partners, a nonprofit that aims to ease the transition from the military to the civilian workforce. Under the partnership, Kyndryl plans to offer mentors and guidance to military members and their families seeking professional careers in the private sector.
When advising others transitioning to civilian life, Connolly said finding mentors early and cultivating curiosity is important. She emphasized that life is not just about acquiring skills but a continuous learning journey — she is currently learning to use generative AI by asking it to teach something new each day.
For Wilson and Connolly, military service enabled each to grow, learn and pursue their own paths. Along the way, the skills they learned and the experiences that shaped them have made them uniquely qualified for life at Kyndryl. Whether it’s working across constituencies to focus on positive outcomes, navigating difficulties, or persevering to achieve company goals, Kyndryl’s military veterans are ready for the challenge.
