On November 11th, we unite in gratitude to honor those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces and veterans worldwide. Veterans Day reminds us of the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of military members and their families. It calls on us to reflect on the freedoms their service has safeguarded and to embrace the enduring values of leadership, perseverance, and community they exemplify.
This Veterans Day, we invite you to take a moment to reflect and, if possible, reach out to express appreciation. Together, let’s honor their service and the values they inspire in all of us.
At Protiviti, we are proud to have many veterans among us. Their dedication and unique perspectives enrich our culture and strengthen how we serve clients and communities. We’re honored to share the stories of two of our veterans. Read more below!
Christopher Max – Business Performance Improvement Senior Manager, Austin
I am a retired Army Infantry First Sergeant, having served from 1997 to 2018. What began as a practical decision to pay off college debt, quickly evolved into a rewarding career defined by embracing the physical and mental challenges of military service. I trained and served across the United States—from Alaska to Texas, the deserts of California to the swamps of Louisiana—and completed eight overseas deployments, including three combat tours. One of the most defining moments was participating in the initial push into Iraq in 2003. Each mission reinforced the critical importance of teamwork, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to achieving objectives.
Success in the military, much like consulting, requires continuous learning. Throughout my career, I completed numerous advanced schools, including multiple leadership courses, Master Gunner School, Sniper School, Military Instructor School, and Battle Staff. A highlight was serving as an instructor at the Master Gunner School, one of the Army’s most intellectually demanding programs. In this role, I designed and delivered advanced training programs, shaping the next generation of leaders and weapon system experts. The role of Master Gunner is often considered the Army’s closest equivalent to a consultant, requiring both technical expertise and advisory skills.
In the latter part of my career, I drove organizational transformation and modernization as the State Master Gunner of the Texas Army National Guard. This position allowed me to implement structural and process improvements that kept the Guard agile and mission ready. Serving full-time also gave me the stability to complete my MBA, further broadening my perspective.
My military experience instilled lessons that continue to guide me today. Leadership, resilience, and teamwork became foundational principles, complemented by a deep appreciation for clear communication and collaboration. Operating in high-pressure environments taught me to adapt swiftly and think critically—skills essential to both personal and professional growth. Above all, I discovered a passion for mentoring and empowering others to reach their full potential.
After retiring from the Army, I transitioned into consulting at a Big 4 firm, deliberately choosing the commercial sector despite opportunities to leverage my security clearance and federal connections. Joining Protiviti represents another exciting chapter, allowing me to build on both my military and consulting experience, while contributing to initiatives like the Military Employee Network Group.
Peter Hefley – Technology Consulting Director, Dallas
I attended the US Air Force Academy from 1999-2003, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Computer Science with a focus on Information Warfare and Cryptanalysis. During my time at the Academy, I worked with the 26th Space Aggressor Squadron—essentially the Air Force’s “space hackers”—and discovered my passion for red teaming. I also led the Academy’s team in the 2003 Cyber Defense Exercise (CDX) team, a precursor to today’s CCDC event. This event challenged service academies and graduate schools to build and secure business networks while defending against attacks from a combined NSA and CERT/CC red team. Our team won that year, and I accepted the trophy on behalf of the Academy from the NSA’s Deputy Director for Information Assurance.
After commissioning as a Second Lieutenant, I remained at the Academy to teach study skills, mathematics, and cryptology. I then served as an IT Projects Officer at the National Security Space Institute, completing advanced training in Space Operations and Space Acquisitions. My next assignment took me to Vandenberg AFB, where I wrote the Space 100 mathematics curriculum and completed Information Systems Security Officer (ISSO) training, Officer Space Prerequisite Training (graduating top of class), and IQT for the Minuteman III ICBM weapons system.
I was then stationed at FE Warren AFB as a member of the 319th Missile Squadron before being fast-tracked into the 90th Operations Support Squadron as a Missile Combat Crew Instructor. In this role, I served as the lead developer and system administrator for the “Conundrum,” the missile crew training software, while continuing to lead weapons systems training courses, write training scripts, and deliver training rides. I also deployed to the field under 20AF’s strategic deterrence mission and earned two higher headquarters recognitions as an outstanding instructor.
In 2007, during an Air Force reduction in force, I chose to pursue my passion for cybersecurity and adversarial testing. I separated as a Captain with an honorable discharge and began my career as an information security consultant. Since then, I’ve built a diverse consulting and leadership career, always driven by my commitment to strengthening security through red team testing and training. In 2022, I joined Protiviti to help lead our Attack & Penetration Testing team within Security & Privacy.
My military experience shaped my leadership style, sharpened my communication skills, and fueled my passion for adversarial exercises. Managing 150 ICBMs, 29 crew commanders, and hundreds of support and security personnel taught me critical thinking and prioritization under pressure—skills that directly translate into my work in cybersecurity and management today.
Looking Forward
As we look ahead to 2026, Protiviti’s Military ENG remains committed to enhancing the veteran experience within our firm and expanding our impact across the organization. Our initiatives focus on building community, supporting recruiting and career development, improving benefits, and ensuring that those serving in the Reserves and National Guard have the support they need. Through these efforts, we aim to create an environment where veterans feel valued, connected, and empowered to thrive in their careers.
Today, we extend our deepest gratitude to veterans everywhere—and to their families, whose support makes service possible.
