Continuing the Mission to Serve: Jessica Rodriguez’s Journey from the U.S. Navy to ADT
Jessica Rodriguez joined the U.S. Navy at just 17 years old. After two deployments and several duty stations as a communications engineer, she knew her next chapter needed to carry the same sense of purpose. That’s what led her to ADT.
“I’ve always had a desire to give back to the community and help others,” Jessica says. “Once I made the decision to transition out of the military, I began looking for roles that still supported that same spirit.”
“This was a job that really gave me that opportunity to continue to serve my community. We’re out there helping to save lives. We are providing security to our customers. We’re helping further people’s lives and providing peace of mind.”
That mission aligned with her values and her desire to continue serving, and she felt it from the start. “Everybody was aiming for the same goal, which was to take care of the customer. It was very similar to the camaraderie we built in the military.”
Jessica pictured with 5 fellow service members during her time as a Communications Engineer in the U.S. Navy.
Supported Through the Transition
Leaving the military can be a difficult adjustment. Jessica credits ADT’s culture and leadership for helping her navigate the change. “My mentor and manager at ADT, Raul Cribelis, really partnered with me to retrain my brain and build into a culture that values individualism.”
Her introduction to ADT remains one of her most memorable moments. “It’s not easy transitioning from the military to a civilian job, and many military members struggle adjusting,” she says. “My ADT leaders, peers, and team were so helpful showing me the ropes and offering to partner through learning all things ADT.”
That support helped her adjust to a new environment that values individuality and personal leadership. “The best word I can put to it is family,” she says. “ADT helped me transition to being able to just be myself and build a team within a culture that values everybody’s individualism.”
“It’s not easy transitioning from the military to a civilian job, and many military members struggle adjusting. My ADT leaders, peers, and team were so helpful showing me the ropes and offering to partner through learning all things ADT.”
A Culture That Motivates
Jessica’s motivation comes from the culture. “My leader and our entire organization do a really great job of creating an environment where day in, day out, we’re all jumping in to give 100 percent for our customers and each other,” she says. “We’re learning from each other and helping each other grow.”
That sense of shared purpose and support reminded her of her time in the Navy. “Missing that sense of togetherness is one of those things that’s talked about a lot. People who get out of the military go through a disconnect because the same camaraderie isn’t there,” she says. “But when I joined ADT, I immediately felt that because it truly was a camaraderie role.”
Military Values in Action
As a Director of Customer Experience and Billing at ADT, Jessica now leads a team with the same values she carried from the Navy, especially the principle of never leaving anyone behind.
“We move as a team,” she says. “Whether it’s supporting a customer or helping a teammate who needs guidance, it’s about partnership. Even if it’s not in our department, we come together to get it resolved.”
She also encourages her team to embrace ambiguity and think creatively. “In the military, everything is black and white. But in the civilian world, you have to learn to work in the gray, and that was one of the hardest things for me early on,” she says. “Whether it’s solving a customer issue or supporting a teammate, thinking outside the box is key, and learning to do that benefited my team and I’s growth.”
Advice for Veterans
Jessica often shares her story with other veterans considering a career at ADT, and continues to circle back to one simple piece of advice:
“Take the leap,” she says. “ADT is a company that gives back so much to its employees. Whether it’s tuition reimbursement, internal career pathing, or mentorship, it’s a wealth of opportunity for anyone who’s truly interested.”
Continue Your Mission with ADT
Jessica found what she was looking for at ADT: a place where her service to her community could evolve.
“When you stop and really look at ADT’s mission, we make a true difference in people’s lives,” she says. “Everyone plays a role in keeping our customers safe.”
At ADT, veterans like Jessica lead with a commitment to community that drives our mission forward. With resources and support to help ease the transition, ADT empowers veterans to thrive from day one. Ready to take the leap? Explore career opportunities at ADT here.
