Veterans
At the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), Veterans Day carries a meaning that extends beyond simply remembrance. Veterans Day is a continuing reminder that service does not end when the uniform comes off. Nearly 40 percent of GTRI’s research faculty and staff are veterans who continue to serve the nation through applied research that strengthens national security, resilience, and technological advantage.
For GTRI veterans, the transition from military service to research is not a career change so much as a change in mission parameters. Whether they once operated aircraft, maintained complex radar systems, or led teams in the field, these professionals bring to their work a mission-focused mindset that directly benefits GTRI’s sponsors and partners. Their understanding of real-world military operations and end-user needs adds critical context to projects that protect warfighters and enhance national defense capabilities.
Veteran employees are found across every GTRI laboratory and in several of our operations units, and they continue to support the military community with their work. GTRI researchers develop advanced sensor systems and resilient communications networks, as well as pioneering autonomous platforms and cybersecurity solutions. GTRI researchers’ ability to combine technical precision with operational insight exemplifies GTRI’s core values: integrity, innovation, and service to the nation.
Highlighting our People | |
GTRI Veterans Reflect on U.S. Army's Legacy
| Four GTRI professionals who are Army veterans share their personal journeys, reflections on Army history, and insights on how military service has informed their current roles. Each GTRI soldier’s story highlights how the Army's timeless values and methodologies enrich GTRI's mission-driven culture. Published Nov. 10, 2025 |
David Picinich's Career Comes Full Circle with ‘Top Gun’ Film | David Picinich, who retired from the U.S. Navy in 2019 as a naval aviator, put his flight skills to use in the long-awaited sequel to the 1986 action drama "Top Gun," where he scouted out flight scenes for the film crew, and trained and flew with some of the pilots and actors who flew the iconic planes in the movie. Published July 5, 2022 |
Promoting Mental and Physical Wellness in a Post-Covid World
| Courtney Crooks, Ph.D., a principal research scientist at the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI). Crooks is also a licensed psychologist and a U.S. Navy veteran with 20 years of applied psychology experience, including research, education, and clinical practice. Crooks shares that both physical and mental health should be emphasized together as a “wellness package." Published May 31, 2022 |
Paving the Way for the Next Generation of Female Leaders | Air Force veteran, chief scientist, and academic are just three of the many impressive titles included in GTRI Principal Research Engineer Anne Clark's curriculum vitae. Clark has one message for aspiring female leaders across the globe: Be yourself. Published March 22, 2022 |
Military Outreach | |
Research With Impact: How GTRI’s Military Graduate Research Program Develops Mission-Ready Leaders | This year’s Military Graduate Research Program (MGRP) cohort at the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) took on defense challenges with real-world impact, all while earning a STEM master’s degree. Published June 23, 2025 |
Bridging Military Expertise with Research: GTRI’s Hiring Our Heroes Fellowship | At the nexus of military excellence and cutting-edge research, Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) has embraced the Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) Fellowship, a U.S. Chamber of Commerce initiative. Published September 12, 2023 |
GTRI's 2nd Hiring Our Heroes Cohort Credits Fellowship for Easing Military Transition | In 2022, after serving nearly 25 years in the U.S. Air Force, Carvelle Jones was ready to begin a new chapter. Jones participated in GTRI's Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) program, which helps veterans and families of military members find civilian employment as they transition out of the military. Published January 11, 2023 |
Podcasts featuring Veterans | |
GTRI Honors the USMC On Its 250th Birthday |
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| Visit the GTRI News Center to read more about our people, our impact, and our mission. | |
