Manager at Wackenhut
Last year, Command Sgt. Maj. Patrick Dawson helped lead an Army battalion. This year, he’s running an office for security giant Wackenhut.
by Warren Duffie

As an Army command sergeant major, Patrick Dawson oversaw powerful battalions of imposing military police officers. Now a manager with Wackenhut, he must put his military skills to good use on a smaller level.

“In the military, you get used to bigger budgets and larger groups of people,” said Dawson, 43. “There’s not as much pressure to streamline a budget. When you need something, you need it.

“As a civilian manager, I still use my problem-solving and interpersonal skills,” he continued. “However, you must manage your assets more closely, with an eye on profits and the bottom line. You have to work harder to keep your employees happy.”

On the Job
Dawson just completed a general management training program under Wackenhut’s Operation Smooth Transition initiative (aimed at commissioned and warrant officers separating from the military). Under the six-month program, Dawson visited various company officers, teamed up with established general managers, and spent several weeks at Wackenhut’s Florida headquarters.

“I learned about profits and loss, laws and regulations about running a business, and selling to prospective clients and caring for existing ones,” he said. “Now that I’ve graduated from the program, I’ll be running an office in Pensacola, Fla.”

The Company
A subsidiary of G4S plc (formerly Group 4 Securicor), Wackenhut is America’s leading provider of customer-focused security solutions. Boasting 35,000 employees in 200 offices nationwide, the company specializes in security services, nuclear security and energy consulting, government services, automated and integrated security management, and consulting and investigations. Wackenhut’s clients include government agencies, health care, education, financial institutions, utility companies, gaming and recreation, retail stores, and commercial office space.

About 10,000 members of Wackenhut’s work force have military experience. In fact, the company’s Custom Protection Officer Division was created with the Armed Forces in mind. This program requires prior military service for employment, and in-demand military occupational specialties (MOS) include military police, combat arms, security forces and special operations. The division provides services such as K-9 handlers, prisoner transport and transit system security.

Operation Smooth Transition – which Dawson completed – provides a fast track to full-time employment in operations management to military personnel who have had leadership roles. The initiative particularly targets commissioned and warrant officers.

G4S Wackenhut ranked 44th on the Top 50 Military Friendly Employers® list published annually by G.I. Jobs magazine.

In Uniform
A native of Harlem, N.Y., Dawson enlisted in the Army in 1984 at age 18. The Army offered the most opportunities in law enforcement, he said, and his dad – a former Soldier – encouraged him to sign up.

After boot camp and military police training at Fort McClellan, Ala., Dawson served in Korea, Germany, Cuba, Colorado, Texas and Alaska. His final assignment was as the command sergeant major of Fort Benning’s 92nd Military Police Battalion. Dawson also spent two years in Iraq helping to train Iraqi police.

The Transition
Dawson left the Army in 2008, ready to start a civilian career while he was “still young enough to.” Aside from taking transition classes, Dawson networked with friends and colleagues in the military and civilian work force.

“I had dealt with Wackenhut a lot in security circles, and knew a lot of people with the company,” he said. “I made some calls, went to the Web site, and submitted my résumé.”

After several interviews, Dawson was hired in December: “I liked that Wackenhut has a lot of prior service employees. It made the transition very smooth. People worked hard to make me feel comfortable, and the company is very employee-friendly. My salary is comparable to the military’s, but I have my Army pension and TRICARE benefits, so I’m in good shape financially.”

Dawson’s Advice
Start thinking about your new career early. “Begin your research at least a year in advance, that way you can fully understand your industry and the job market.”

Be flexible. “You might have to move as a civilian. There are opportunities in many places.”

Don’t be afraid. “A lot of people get scared about leaving the military. Think of your transition as a new adventure.”