Operations Manager at Dunbar Armored
Army ammunition specialist highlights his security clearance and gets his civilian career rolling at Dunbar Armored.
By Warren Duffie

Faizan Haq understands the importance of punctuality and attention to detail. In the Army, he transported and safeguarded ammunition, provided artillery support, and ensured vehicles and ammunition were in working order at all times.

“In the military, being on time is very important because someone’s life might be on the line and it could be the difference between life and death,” said Haq, a former specialist. “In the civilian world – though someone’s life isn’t on the line – people are still counting on you to perform a job well.”

On the Job
Haq, 24, takes this lesson to heart daily as an operations manager for Dunbar Armored, one of the world’s premier armored security companies. Based at the company’s Kenilworth, N.J., branch, Haq is the second in command – in charge of approximately 90 employees serving a variety of local banks and retail chains, mainly cash deliveries to and from these businesses.

His duties include setting 
up truck delivery routes, making sure trucks are loaded up and checked in and out properly, scheduling employee shifts and handling customer 
concerns or issues.

“The biggest challenge of my job is when a driver/guard or member of a truck crew calls off or is running late,” Haq said. “I then have to find a way to make sure the truck still goes out on time. If a truck goes out late, things start to snowball and customers get worried or upset about their money.”

In Uniform
Haq enlisted in the Army in 2004, right out of high school: “I was always interested in the military and I knew I wasn’t ready for college. I didn’t want to just bum around or be someone who bounced from odd job to odd job.”

After basic training at Fort Sill, Okla., he was trained as an ammunition specialist/rocket artillery crew member (13 Mike). He served in South Korea and Texas.

The Transition
By 2007, Haq was ready to attend college, so he left the Army. He moved to Jacksonville, Fla., to study aviation at Jacksonville University. By 2009, his interests had evolved from aviation to security, so he returned to his home state of New Jersey and began searching for work with different security companies.

“On my résumé, I highlighted my security clearance,” Haq said. “It gives employers a real sense of trust to see an applicant who was trusted with a security clearance by the U.S. government.

“Dunbar really stood out among the companies I applied to,” he continued. “I liked that it is a private, family owned company yet is large enough to be one of the world’s most respected security companies.”

Haq was hired as a driver/guard and soon advanced to vault attendant before being promoted to his current job in 2010.

How’d You Get That Job?
By 2007, Haq was ready to attend college, so he left the Army. He moved to Jacksonville, Fla., to study aviation at Jacksonville University. By 2009, his interests had evolved from aviation to security, so he returned to his home state of New Jersey and began searching for work with different security companies.

“On my résumé, I highlighted my security clearance,” Haq said. “It gives employers a real sense of trust to see an applicant who was trusted with a security clearance by the U.S. government.

What Haq Likes 
About His Job
Helping my customers 
and employees.

“It was a pretty easy adjustment to civilian employment,” he said. “Dunbar has quite a few military veterans, which made the transition a lot easier. I also like that I don’t have to do PT every morning anymore. At first, I took a pay cut, but as I’ve advanced, I’m now making more than I did in the Army.” 

Haq’s Advice
Hang tough. “Leaving the military can be scary. Figure out a game plan for what you want to do and stick with it.”

Go to school. “Take advantage of your GI Bill benefits. If you can, get your degree before you transition out of the military. I’m going back to school to study communications. You always have to keep learning.”

Dunbar Armored
HQ: Hunt Valley, Md.
Employees: 5,000
Branches: 80 nationwide
www.dunbararmored.com