The mission endures

When his son Mike served as a surface warfare officer in the U.S. Navy, Mike O’Sullivan Sr., a former Navy P-3 pilot and 1973 United States Naval Academy graduate, would talk about how important it was that the equipment on ships works well. 

Both naval veterans, father and son, found civilian careers when they joined the former Raytheon Company, a predecessor to Raytheon Technologies, helping to make the tools and systems members of the military depend on today. Their sense of mission was personal, and deeply rooted in their service experience.

“My dad and I both wanted to do our part to make a good company even better," O'Sullivan Jr. said. "There is a lot of pride for a father to know his son is continuing the personal mission of service." 

The O'Sullivans are in good company. Raytheon Technologies employs thousands of veterans, including other multi-generational families who developed their sense of mission in the military and now carry it over to their work for the company.

The younger O'Sullivan works as a program manager for the Patriot missile program. O'Sullivan Sr. retired from his position as a senior supply chain manager in 2014.

Her three sons

Brenda Boorda retired from the Navy as a commander and worked at the former Raytheon Company for 17 years, retiring as a vice president.

Three sons – Aaron, Andrew, and Phillip – followed in their mother's footsteps, coming to the company after serving in the military. Aaron and Andrew served in the U.S. Army; Phillip served in the Marine Corps. 

“Being in a family steeped with military tradition, service is like a calling,” said Phillip Boorda, who works for the company. “I carry over the mindset of service into the work I do for … where I continue to be part of something bigger than myself.”

When they left the military for civilian careers, she has helped them transition into their new jobs, translating their skills into their work, a service she has performed for many veterans. 

Her sense of duty is deeply ingrained. Boorda came from a military family and married into another military family. After college, she joined the Navy, just as her father, who served aboard diesel submarines, had.

“His uniform has always hung proudly in his closet – even until this day,” Boorda said. “His immense pride for his work resonated with me.”

Carrying service into communities

Raytheon Technologies supports veterans' organizations in local communities. It's part of the deep commitment to help members of the military, veterans and their families.

Being in a company that employs veterans helps in the transition process to civilian careers, according to Boorda.

“Affiliating with others who have shared experiences and goals is a great development experience,” she said.