How Military Technologists Can Move Seamlessly into Commercial Innovation

Retired Marine Corps Colonel and former public affairs leader Greg Reeder, who now supports government missions at Datadog, reflected on how his diverse military career created a natural pathway into the technology sector. He discussed how the common thread of technology across his roles prepared him for his current position at Datadog, where he helps government agencies manage complex, data-driven systems with simplicity and scale.

Reeder explained how Datadog’s mission, veteran community and FedRAMP-capable platform support critical federal operations across agencies like the departments of Veterans Affairs, Agriculture and others that touch millions of Americans.

He emphasized that public-sector professionals bring invaluable leadership, problem-solving skills and experience navigating complex systems, which often exceed those of commercial peers. He encouraged prospective career changers to trust the foundation they’ve built in public service and embrace the agility and opportunity of the commercial world.