Logistics Planner at Northrop Grumman
Marine parlays military logistics training into soft landing at Northrop Grumman.
By Warren Duffie

Lindsay Valenti personifies the phrase, “Never judge a book by its cover.”

Standing 5 feet, 5 inches tall, with a petite frame, the former sergeant doesn’t fit most people’s image of a Marine. Yet she can run for miles, crank out push-ups and pull-ups, and use a commanding tone of voice when she has to.

“When people think of a Marine, they envision a big guy with muscles and a shaved head,” she said. “Yet here I come along, this little girl who was physically and mentally fit enough to survive basic training and two deployments.”

Valenti, 28, harnessed this toughness to overcome personal tragedy and secure an attractive civilian job with Northrop Grumman.

On the Job
Based in Fairfax, Va., Valenti works as a logistics planner within the Information Systems sector of Northrop Grumman. She is responsible for tracking, locating and processing millions of dollars worth of equipment and parts for company engineers, who deal with an array of government clients.

“When I was a Marine, I served with a battalion where I made sure 380 people were ready before training exercises,” Valenti said. “I made sure their weapons had serial numbers and each Marine had his or her medical records intact. It was all logistics. It’s the same thing now, but I oversee communications equipment instead of people.”

In Uniform
Valenti enlisted in 2004, fulfilling a lifelong desire to serve in America’s military and take on the challenge of becoming a Marine. After basic training at Parris Island, she attended logistics school at Camp Geiger.

Stationed at Camp Lejeune, Valenti was deployed to Iraq twice – serving as part of an expeditionary unit traveling to various hotspots and setting up forward operating bases.

The Transition
In 2007, Valenti’s husband, a Marine stationed in Iraq with an explosive ordnance unit, was wounded in combat. In 2008, Valenti decided to leave the Marine Corps to care for him.

One day a representative from Operation IMPACT – an initiative created by Northrop Grumman to help severely disabled service members and their families find career opportunities within the company – visited the Wounded Warrior Battalion East at Camp Lejeune, where Valenti’s husband was stationed.

“Northrop Grumman’s Operation IMPACT helped me find a job, Valenti said. “I was very impressed with how well the company treats its employees and how they reach out to military veterans. I was also happy to continue using my logistics training.”

After two phone interviews and a face-to-face one, Valenti started her new job in July 2010. She received a pay increase and makes use of many of Northrop Grumman’s benefits, though she and her husband still receive medical benefits through TRICARE.

“Being a Marine was very natural for me,” she said, “so making the transition to civilian life was challenging. However, I’m very happy to work for a company like Northrop Grumman, which truly values the military community.”

“Northrop Grumman’s Operation Impact Program assisted me in finding a job. I was very impressed with how well the company treats its employees and how they reach out to military veterans. I was also happy to continue using my logistics training.”

After two phone interviews and a face-to-face one, Valenti started her new job in July 2010.

What Valenti Likes About Her Job

• My work environment. Northrop Grumman encourages its employees to work hard yet enjoy life.
• Being able to continue to work in logistics.

Valenti’s Advice:
Weigh every option. “Think about what you and your family need. Consider all the pros and cons about leaving the military.”

Make a priority list. “Do you want to get more education? Are you looking to find a job in a new career field or in your military field? You need to figure these out before your transition.”