Rich Near

Rich Near's work experience includes:

- Account Manager at FCN Inc. since April 2022, where they provide networking services, storage solutions, and enterprise application development for the Federal Government.

- Corporate Fellow at FCN Inc.'s Hiring our Heroes Corporate Fellowship Program from February 2022 to March 2022, where they gained professional training and hands-on experience in the civilian workforce.

- Network & Collaboration Architect / Project Officer at the United States Marine Corps from October 2017 to August 2022.

- Marine at the United States Marine Corps from July 2002 to August 2022.

- Telecommunication Systems Engineering Officer at the United States Marine Corps from February 2014 to October 2017.

- Cyber Officer-in-Charge at the United States Marine Corps from August 2014 to January 2016.

- Master Instructor (Communications) / Curriculum Developer at the United States Marine Corps from December 2011 to January 2014.

- Telecommunication Systems Chief at the United States Marine Corps from July 2008 to January 2014, responsible for the installation and programming of voice and video services.

- Advanced Foreign Security Force Advisor at the United States Marine Corps from August 2010 to November 2011.

- Chief Combat Instructor / Master Instructor (Tactics) / Master Instructor (Weapons) at the United States Marine Corps from May 2006 to April 2009.

- Telecom Systems Administrator / Designated Marksman at the United States Marine Corps from February 2003 to May 2006, operating and maintaining tactical voice systems and serving as a designated marksman during combat operations.

- Corporate Fellow at World Wide Technology's Hiring our Heroes Corporate Fellowship Program from December 2021 to February 2022, where they gained further experience and training in the civilian workforce.

Rich Near obtained their Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology Management with a focus on Information Technology Project Management from American Military University, from 2018 to 2021. Prior to that, they earned an Associate of Arts in General Studies from the same university in the year 2018.

Additionally, Rich Near has acquired several certifications throughout their education and career. Rich obtained the OLAN Planning & Design Associate certification from Tellabs in March 2021. In May 2016, they received the Implementing Cisco IP Telephony & Video certification from Skyline-ATS, and in March 2016, they attained the Implementing Cisco Video Network Devices certification from Global Knowledge Training. In January 2016, they obtained the Implementing Cisco Collaboration Devices certification from Skyline-ATS.

During their time in the United States Marine Corps, Rich Near completed the Telecommunication Systems Engineering Officer Course in August 2014 and obtained the Master Instructor (Communications) certification in November 2013. Rich also earned the Cisco IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software (Instructor) certification from Cisco in June 2012, and the Curriculum Developer certification from the United States Marine Corps in April 2012. Furthermore, they served as a Foreign Advisor in the United States Marine Corps from November 2010.

In 2006, Rich Near became a Formal School Instructor in the United States Marine Corps. Rich later went on to achieve various certifications from Cisco, including the Cisco Certified Network Associate Collaboration (CCNA-C) in November 2015, the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)-Route/Switch in May 2013, and the Cisco Certified Network Professional Collaboration (CCNP) in June 2016. Rich Near also obtained the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)-Route/Switch Instructor certification from Cisco in April 2013.

Finally, they have obtained additional certifications such as CompTIA Security+ and CompTIA Network+ from CompTIA in May 2022, and the Certified Ethical Hacker certification from EC-Council in June 2016.