Skip to main content
Leidos
Search
  • Suppliers
  • Employees
  • Newsroom
  • Investors
  • Global
  • Contact
  • Company
    • Our Business

      We embrace and solve some of the world's toughest challenges.

      • Civil
      • Defense
      • Health
      • Intelligence
      • Dynetics
      • Leidos Innovations Center (LInC)
      Gibbs & Cox-designed DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-class destroyer at sea

      Leidos completes Gibbs & Cox acquisition, expanding maritime undersea, autonomous and cybersecurity capabilities.

      Read Press Release

    • Mission, Vision, & Values

      Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community.

      • Mission
      • Vision
      • Values
      man sitting on bleachers holding soccer ball

      Let’s come together and talk about the changes that are needed.

      The Opioid Epidemic: A Call to Action

    • Leadership

      Meet the executive team responsible for leading our forward-thinking employees toward a shared success.

      • Roger Krone
      • Chris Cage
      • Maureen Waterston
      • Vicki Schmanske
      • Jerry Howe
      • Jim Carlini
      • Debbie Opiekun
      • Thomas Sanglier
      • Jim Moos
      • Gerry Fasano
      • Roy Stevens
      • Liz Porter
      • Steve Cook
      • Paul Engola
      • Board of Directors
      Roger Krone

      Meeting the challenges of an uncertain world.

      An Interview with CEO Roger Krone

    • History

      Leidos has a long history of innovative problem-solving and customer service, dating all the way back to 1969 when Dr. J. Robert Beyster founded his "crazy little company".

      • Explore our History
      • Dr. J. Robert Beyster
      • A Kaleidoscope of Innovation: The Story of Leidos
      Dr. Beyster

      Almost 50 years ago, visionary scientist J. Robert Beyster, Ph.D. founded the company that evolved into Leidos.

      Read More

    • Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

      Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is reflected in the way we engage our people, our customers, and our external partnerships through our innovative programs, sponsorships, and engagement.

      • Our Vision, Philosophy, and Approach
      • Strategic Diversity Outreach
      • Employee Resource Groups
      • Inclusion & Diversity in the UK
      Top Supporters HBCU badge for 2022

      Leidos was recently named to the 2022 Top Supporters of HBCU Engineering list published by Career Communications Group, Inc.

      Partnering with HBCUs

    • Responsibility & Sustainability

      We're equally committed to using our time and resources to support people, enrich communities, and protect the environment.

      • ESG Goals
      • CEO Message
      • Executive Summary
      • ESG Governance & Strategy
      • Environment
      • Community
      • People
      • Suppliers & Small Business Relationships
      • Political Activities
      • About our Reporting
      • GRI™ Standards
      NASA ground station

      Discover how we helped NASA develop a climate action plan

      Read Article

    • Ethics & Compliance

      We have a strong history of performance that rests on our foundation of integrity.

      • File a Report
      • History of Ethics
      • Ethics Program Structure
      • Code of Conduct
      World's most ethical companies logo

      Leidos named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for sixth consecutive year.

      Read More

    • Rankings & Awards

      Our innovative approach and the services and solutions we deliver frequently earn Leidos recognition from our industry and the media.

      • Enterprise Awards
      • Defense Awards
      • Civil Awards
      • Health Awards
      A gold trophy on a light green background

      A frequent honoree on the corporate awards circuit, Leidos is proud of its many industry-specific and corporate-level achievements.

      Cue the Applause

    • Partners

      The Leidos Alliance Partner Network emphasizes connections through partnership and collaboration that drive innovation, advance technology, and build efficiency.

      • Corporate Strategic Partners
      • Technology Integration Partners
      • Emerging Technology Partners
      Bubba Wallace image

      We're teaming up with Bubba Wallace and 23XI Racing in 2023 advancing a culture of inclusion and diversity.

      Fueling a Better Tomorrow

    • Subsidiaries

      Our wholly owned and majority-owned subsidiaries attract and retain top talent motivated to deliver results for clients.

      • 1901 Group
      • Dynetics
      • Gibbs & Cox
      • Leidos Biomedical Research
      • Leidos Digital Solutions
      • BEONTRA
      • QTC
      • Leidos Engineering
      • Systems Made Simple
      • Varec
      Gibbs & Cox-designed DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-class destroyer at sea

      Leidos completes Gibbs & Cox acquisition, expanding maritime undersea, autonomous and cybersecurity capabilities.

      Read Press Release

    • Contract Vehicles

      Whether you’re a potential government customer or a prospective supplier, through this listing you can find our technical and professional services under pre-negotiated terms and conditions.

      • Governmentwide MACs & IDIQs
      • GSA Schedules
      • Agency Specific IDIQs
    • Global

      With more than 400 locations in 30 countries, we continue to expand our presence and strengthen our international relationships.

      • United Kingdom & Europe
      • Australia
      • Israel
      • Middle East
      • Canada
      plane flying over water

      Leidos has announced the completed acquisition of Cobham Aviation Services Australia’s Special Mission business.

      Hop Onboard to Learn More

    • Trust

      Cybersecurity and data privacy is central to what we do; protecting data, systems, and infrastructure that are critical to our employees, customers, communities, and stakeholders.

      • Commitment to Privacy & Cybersecurity
      • Cybersecurity
      • Data Privacy
      • Privacy Statement
      Citizens walking with data flowing around them

      Today, tomorrow, and every day is Data Privacy Day.

      Read the Article

  • Markets
    • Aviation

      From sidewalk to sky, we've got you covered.

      • Air Traffic Management
      • ANSP Professional Services
      • Security Solutions
      • Intelligent Approach
      • Scenario Planning & Forecasting
      • Passenger Flow Measurement
      • FODD & Fuels Management
      • Flight Management & Briefing
      Leidos Smartlane in use at an airport

      Safeguarding travel and trade at a global scale with fully-integrated security detection solutions.

      Learn About Our Portfolio

    • Defense

      From airborne work alerting warfighters to autonomous platforms protecting sea lanes and shores, we're enabling mission success across every domain.

      • Advanced Manufacturing
      • Airborne
      • Autonomy & Autonomous Solutions
      • Command & Control
      • Cyber
      • Digital Modernization
      • Force Protection
      • Hypersonics & Strike Systems
      • JADC2
      • Operations & Logistics
      • Training
      Gibbs & Cox-designed DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-class destroyer at sea

      Leidos completes Gibbs & Cox acquisition, expanding maritime undersea, autonomous and cybersecurity capabilities.

      Read Press Release

    • Energy & Industry

      Leidos is uniquely equipped to support your important work in critical industries such as energy, transportation, and manufacturing.

      • Power Delivery
      • Integrated Energy Management
      • Electrification & Clean Energy Services
      • Project Finance & Development
      • Advanced Communications Solutions
      • Manufacturing Systems
      • Site Management & Operations
      • Transportation
      Electricity pylons in sunny field

      Leidos delivers a complex modeling project resulting in a clear view of bulk electric and sub-transmission systems for FirstEnergy.

      Read the Case Study

    • Government

      We support important programs that expedite identity theft recovery, protect electronic health records, streamline paper tax filings, enhance consumer fraud investigations, support census data collection, and enable scientific research.

      • Cybersecurity
      • Digital Modernization
      • Health IT
      • Forms Processing
      • Operations & Logistics
      • Mission Software Systems
      IT analysts in discussion over monitors

      Leidos completes acquisition of 1901 Group, expanding digital modernization capabilities.

      Read Press Release

    • Healthcare

      We draw on decades of success to deliver a range of solutions and services to meet the healthcare challenges of today.

      • Hospital Systems
      • Federal Health
      • Military & Veterans Health
      Healthcare professional using tablet

      Taking a strategic approach to experience true digital transformation in healthcare.

      Read White Paper

    • Homeland

      Integrating, applying, and advancing IT to tackle the ever-advancing challenges of protecting our borders.

      • Biometrics
      • Mission Cyber & Network Defense
      • Integrated Systems
      • Digital Modernization
      • Data Analytics
      • Intelligence & Linguistic Services
      • CBRN Defense
      • Human Capital Services
      • Complex Logistics
      • Ports & Borders
      • Critical Infrastructure
      Leidos Smartlane in use at an airport

      Safeguarding travel and trade at a global scale with fully-integrated security detection solutions.

      Learn About Our Portfolio

    • Intelligence

      With expertise in cloud-enabled automation and augmentation and a team adept at harnessing machine learning, we’re applying powerful analytic tools for superior performance and protection despite a staggering breadth of data.

      • Intelligence Community Engineering
      • Collection, Analysis, & Reporting
      • Operational Support & Training
      Woman looking at computer screen reflection in glasses

      Our DevOps Lab is an advanced, unclassified, state-of-the-art center dedicated to software and hardware development and engineering.

      Learn more about the Lab

    • Science

      Providing groundbreaking scientific research and environmental management best practices that make headways in the defense, civilian, and health markets.

      • Life Sciences
      • Autonomous Systems
      • Airborne & Ground ISR
      • Command & Control
      • Environmental Science
      • Modeling, Simulation, & Training
      • Sensors
      • Specialty Sciences
      Illustration representing health-focused scientific research

      NCI's Frederick National Laboratory has launched three initiatives focused on SARS-CoV-2.

      Read the Article

    • Space

      Speed, security, and scale for your most critical space missions

      • Mission Operations
      • Human Exploration
      • ISR
      • Payloads
      • Domain Awareness
      • Propulsion
      Female behind a transparent screen with text and graphs visible

      IT systems disappear into the background by providing an enhanced user experience

      Learn how IT Enables the Mission

  • Capabilities
    • Cyber Operations

      We use intelligent automation and AI/ML-driven analytics, combined with detection and mitigation, to protect and defend networks.

      • Quantum
      • Zero Trust
      • Security Operations Center
      • Cyber Resiliency
      • Risk Management Framework
      • Cyber Analytics
      • Information Assurance
      • Insider Threat
      • Accredited Testing & Evaluation
      • EXCITE
      • Electronic Warfare
      binary code

      Outpacing adversaries through the application of IT, engineering, and science.

      From Castles to Cities with Zero Trust

    • Digital Modernization

      We deliver resilient IT solutions and managed services that leverage trusted AI and full-spectrum cyber to decrease vulnerabilities in complex IT operations.

      • Application Modernization
      • Cloud
      • Data Center Modernization
      • Digital Workplace
      • Mobility
      • SecDevOps
      • User Engagement
      IT analysts in discussion over monitors

      Leidos completes acquisition of 1901 Group, expanding digital modernization capabilities.

      Read Press Release

    • Integrated Systems

      We deliver high-performing hardware and software systems to solve challenges in an array of specializations.

      • Assured-Position Navigation & Timing
      • Autonomous & Unmanned Systems
      • Biometrics
      • Security Detection & Automation
      • Sensors, Signal Processing, & Analysis
      • Space
      • Strike Systems & Hypersonics
      • TRAPS
      Gibbs & Cox-designed DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-class destroyer at sea

      Leidos completes Gibbs & Cox acquisition, expanding maritime undersea, autonomous and cybersecurity capabilities.

      Read Press Release

    • Mission Operations

      In-depth domain knowledge and mission understanding to provide cost-effective tools and enhanced processes that are secure, resilient, and support our customer's critical missions.

      • Antarctic Support Contract
      • EngineeringEdge® NextGen
      • ISS Cargo Mission Contract
      • Leidos Performance Management
      • UK Logistics & Operations
      • StarTT®
      • Strategic National Stockpile
      Ice sheet in Antarctica

      Each year, Leidos moves more than six million pounds of cargo and coordinates 100 flight missions to and from Antarctica.

      About Our Role

    • Mission Software Systems

      Through disciplined processes, common tools, reusable frameworks, automation, collaboration, and domain expertise, our mission software systems are designed to deliver secure, mission quality software.

      • Command & Control
      • LEAF
      • SE Core
      • Tactical Data Links
      • AI/ML
      Software on a mission text on blue background

      Mission quality software. Silicon Valley speed.

      More on Building Better Software

    • Enabling Technologies

      Our enabling technologies are the backbone of our core capabilities, supporting our customer's important work from the front lines.

      • Secure, Rapid Software
      • Trusted AI/ML
      • Full-Spectrum Cyber
      • Rapid Prototyping & Manufacturing
      Military radar simulation with green display, showing a glowing grid with coordinates and positioning numbers

      How we are deploying AI to solve the world’s toughest problems.

      Artificial Intelligence in Action

    • Technology Certifications

      We partner with world-class technology providers to develop innovative solutions for our customer’s toughest challenges.

      • AWS
      • Cisco
      • Microsoft
      • Scaled Agile
      • ServiceNow
      group of coworkers looking at computer monitor

      We help our partners save money and improve performance.

      How the Cloud Saved Some Coin

  • Insights
    • Insights

      Expertise, industry leadership, unique perspectives, and more — directly from our employees and stakeholders.

      • Latest Insights
      • MindSET Podcast
      • Press Releases
      • Heroes of Leidos
      • Our Experts
      • Careers
      • Military & Veterans
      • Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
      • Fact Sheets
      • Articles
      • Case Studies
      • Infographics
      • Q&As
      podcast microphone

      Listen to the stories behind the world's most important work in the MindSET podcast.

      Explore the MindSET Podcast

  • Careers
    • Latest Opportunities

      Keep up to date on the latest career opportunities at Leidos.

      • Military Veteran Program
      • External Referral Program
      • Intern & New Graduate Jobs
      • Careers with Leidos in the UK
      • Careers with Leidos in Australia
      • Opportunities for Leidos Employees
      People icons with gradient over

      At Leidos, we have a strong focus on our employees’ career, flexibility, and well-being.

      Learn more about Leidos Life

    • Life at Leidos

      A career at Leidos offers meaningful and engaging work, a collaborative culture, support for your career goals, while nurturing a healthy work-life balance.

      • Our Values
      • Our Culture
      • An Inclusive Workforce
      • Build a Career
      • Leidos Alumni Network
      People icons with gradient over

      At Leidos, we have a strong focus on our employees’ career, flexibility, and well-being.

      Learn more about Leidos Life

    • Pay & Benefits

      Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision, which is why our compensation packages reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers.

      • Compensation
      • Health & Wellness
      • Income Protection
      • Leave
      • Retirement
      • Family Benefits
      People icons with gradient over

      At Leidos, we have a strong focus on our employees’ career, flexibility, and well-being.

      Learn more about Leidos Life

    • Frequently Asked Questions

      Find answers to the most commonly asked questions related to securing a role at Leidos.

      • Searching for a Role
      • Applying for a Job
      • Determining Application Status
      • System Access
      • Job Eligibility Requirements
      • Receiving Job Notifications
      • Our Talent Community
      • Career Insights
      People icons with gradient over

      At Leidos, we have a strong focus on our employees’ career, flexibility, and well-being.

      Learn more about Leidos Life

  • Search Search
  • Company
  • Markets
  • Capabilities
  • Insights
  • Careers
Back to top

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Insights

How Veteran John Alvarez pays it forward

John Alvarez and colleagues pictured in front of an aircraft

John Alvarez's almost 24 years of military service—11 in the Navy and 13 in the Air Force—stemmed from his love of country. Both his grandmothers and parents escaped communist Cuba in the late 1950s, followed later by his grandfather and uncle. Thanks to his grandparents' courage, John's dad, mom, uncles, and aunts could live the American dream.

While his dad worked as an industrial engineer, several uncles chose to serve in the U.S. military, giving back to the nation to which they'd escaped. John hoped to follow his uncles' footsteps, but having left war themselves, his parents wanted him to pursue a college education. John studied architectural engineering at the University of Miami then promptly joined the Navy. As a naval aviator, John flew MH-53E helicopters, conducting airborne counter-mine operations and special operations support in the Pacific and during the early 1990s.

The Crash That Led to John's Life-Long Mission

John was selected to join an exchange program with U.S. Special Operations Command assigned to Air Force Special Operations (AFSOC), flying MH-53 Pave Low helicopters. His time with AFSOC including deployment to the Balkans and Africa in the mid-1990s to conduct special operations aviation missions and counter-drug and counter-terrorism missions worldwide.

In August and September 1996, John deployed to Panama and then Ecuador, where he and his team formed a Joint Special Operations Task Force with Navy Special Warfare assets to conduct a counter-narcotics advisory mission that supported Ecuadorian joint forces. When a helicopter he was on  crashed into a river, John's training kicked in to help him survive the wreckage despite his grave injuries.

While bleeding out into the river, John thought about preparing himself for rescue but realized no one would arrive soon enough. Guilt and sadness flooded his mind as he thought of his wife, Shelley, and two young daughters—then anger and a will to survive for them took over.

John, and a Navy SEAL on the flight, survived and were picked up by natives who came to the crash site on a small canoe. They pulled John out of the river and brought him to the base. The SEAL, who couldn't fit in the canoe, remained in the piranha-infested water, swimming alongside the craft and fighting to keep John awake.

John Alvarez standing in front of an aircraft

When they reached the jungle base dock the task force was working from, John remembers the relief he felt knowing his brothers in arms had him. Through the heroics of his joint task force members, their deployed flight surgeon, SEAL corpsmen, and an MC-130 crew that flew into and out of an improvised jungle dirt strip, John was evacuated to a hospital in Quito, the capital of Ecuador. After several blood transfusions and surgical efforts to save both his legs, his left leg had to be amputated.

When the flight surgeon told him that he'd have to lose his left leg, John asked whether he would get to keep his right one and felt immense gratitude to learn it would be saved. Days later, John was evacuated to Texas via a C-141 transport plane. The critical care team onboard fought to keep him alive and deliver him to both Wilford Hall Medical Center and his family.

Amidst many surgeries and extensive recovery, John received constant support from his family and fellow service members. Despite initial expectations and medical advice, he went from a wheelchair to walking, running, and flying again.

John’s chaplain and family encouraged him to tie his goals to meaningful dates. By Thanksgiving 1996, John had mastered walking with his prosthetic leg—his goal was to make sure his grandfather could see him walk again. He began to run a few days before his daughter's birthday in February 1997.

After nearly a year filled with physical therapy and training with his prosthetic leg, followed by multiple evaluations in simulators, deployed physical tests, and a final formal Board of Flight Surgeons review, John was back to flight status.

He is the first amputee to return to combat flight duty; his first flight back was in September 1997. He requalified shortly thereafter and continued flying the MH-53 Pave Low and later several other airframes including Russian aircraft.

Continuing His Mission of Service

In May 1998, John completed an inter-service transfer to the Air Force and continued to serve for another 13 years. When he and Shelley later welcomed their son, they named him after the man who made John's prostheses. The flight surgeon who saved John's life became his son's godfather.

Following 9/11, John had the opportunity to pay forward all the efforts spent saving him and getting him back to work. He mentored two service members who lost limbs near Camp Rhino, Afghanistan. He has also mentored and paved the way for other pilots to return to flight status in the Air Force and Army.

John continued to deploy as a special operations combat aviation advisor and commanded forces conducting special operations and combat search and rescue worldwide. He also served in NATO and two embassies before retiring in 2010. Since retirement from active duty, John and Shelley have both been active advocates for service members and veterans with similar injuries, as well as for their families.

John's Civilian Work and Its Connection to His Military Service

After 12 years in the defense aerospace industry, John now serves as the vice president of business development and strategy for the military and veterans health solutions group at Leidos.

“The programs we support serve active-duty service members, veterans and their families," he says. “These efforts also aim to improve the lives of those heroes who provide military healthcare."

Many of the people who work on John's teams are also veterans and most, he says, served in healthcare. Not only does John appreciate supporting and working with fellow veterans—many of whom took care of injured service members—but he's also gratified to work at a company that champions values he holds close to his heart.

John Alvarez at a podium in front of the American flag

Integrity is the first core value in our guiding principles, and that speaks to me as a former military member," he says. “I'm proud that I can continue honoring my service and never have to compromise my integrity while representing a company that's recognized industry-wide as an ethical leader.

John Alvarez, VP, Operations Business Development and Strategy

He notes that despite being retired from the military, he still feels like he's part of something larger than himself while working with a team that he has faith in to help him rise up when needed.

“I'm grateful to have experienced brotherhood and to have witnessed courage, commitment, and selflessness while serving in the military, and I still get to at Leidos," he says. “We strive to be reliable teammates, to each other, our customers, and the companies we support."

Join our mission

Leidos is committed to hiring and supporting veterans and military spouses.

Learn more about Operation MVP

Related Insights
View more Insights
  • Inspiring Efficiency Awards
    Leidos customer Ameren Illinois wins four Inspiring Efficiency awards
  • Photo of group of people collaborating
    Energy efficiency partnerships expand program reach
  • John Mears headshot
    Border Management Today - Secure International Land and Sea Port Designs
Share
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share via Mail
  • Print Insight

Posted

December 13, 2022

Estimated Read Time

Tags

Health
Defense
Heroes of Leidos
Military and Veterans
Article

Sign up for our newsletters

Stay up to date on our expertise, industry leadership, unique perspectives, and more by subscribing to our newsletters.

  • Company
    • Our Business
    • Mission, Vision, & Values
    • Leadership
    • History
    • Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
    • Responsibility & Sustainability
    • Ethics & Compliance
    • Rankings & Awards
    • Partners
    • Subsidiaries
    • Contract Vehicles
    • Global
    • Trust
  • Markets
    • Aviation
    • Defense
    • Energy & Industry
    • Government
    • Healthcare
    • Homeland
    • Intelligence
    • Science
    • Space
  • Capabilities
    • Cyber Operations
    • Digital Modernization
    • Integrated Systems
    • Mission Operations
    • Mission Software Systems
    • Enabling Technologies
    • Technology Certifications
  • Insights
    • Newsroom
  • Careers
    • Life at Leidos
    • Pay & Benefits
    • Alumni
    • FAQs

Want to know more?

Contact us about product information and pricing, customer feedback, stockholder services, or just to voice a concern.

Get started

  • © 2023 Leidos

  • Trust
  • Ad Choices

  • Privacy Statement
  • Email Preferences
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • © 2021 Leidos
  • Australian Privacy Statement
  • Australian Whistleblower Policy
  • Ad Choices
  • Email Preferences
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information

Utility Footer Navigation

  • Products
  • Customers
  • Suppliers
  • Investors
  • Employees
  • Accessibility
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • YouTube