Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month - Martin T.’s Story

Who better to ask about the significance of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month than one of the senior advocates for NSA’s AAPI Employee Resource Group? Martin T. is also an investment portfolio manager at NSA and a first-generation American who is named in honor of the South Carolina church that sponsored his family after they fled Vietnam in the 1970s. 

Q. How did you find out about business career opportunities at NSA? 

A. I learned about potential NSA business career opportunities through the career services center of the business school I graduated from at the University of New Mexico. At the time, I was working as a senior accountant, and had recently completed my master’s in business administration. 

Q. What sold you on coming to the agency to work?  

A. I spent a summer completing a college internship at the FBI working as a budget analyst. I enjoyed learning how federal agencies do business and gained insight into the FBI’s mission. I also enjoyed living in the Washington, D.C./Baltimore metro area, and I knew I would like to live there someday. The mission of NSA was fascinating, and the size, scope and location of the agency had potential for future opportunities.  

Q. What was your first job at NSA?  

A. I was hired in 2005 as a mid-level business manager, where I supported an office that conducted acquisition oversight over NSA programs.   

Q. How did you get involved with the AAPI Employee Resource Group (ERG)? Why is it important to you? 

A. I initially got involved by attending AAPI ERG general body meetings. At first, I was a little nervous about not knowing anyone, but the group was so friendly and inviting that I became more comfortable and started to volunteer. The ERG is important to me because it has connected me with people I would not have met in the course of my regular job duties at the agency. The ERG provides a critical support network for people with whom I share similar cultural and ethnic backgrounds. I have enjoyed being part of the ERG and value the efforts made by its members, which is a large reason I was excited to be one of their senior advocates.  

 Q. What does AAPI month mean to you? 

A. AAPI Heritage Month means dedicating a month to celebrate one of the most diverse ERGs, representing demographics from over 50 ethnicities and descendants from over 60 nationalities. It provides the opportunity to educate the broader workforce about the rich culture as well as the accomplishments of the AAPI community.  

Q. What is your family’s heritage? 

A. I am a first-generation American whose family emigrated from Vietnam. My parents and older siblings fled as refugees after the fall of Saigon and after the Vietnam War ended. I was born in Charleston, S.C. 

Q. How has your heritage influenced you as a person or as a professional? 

A. My father served with the South Vietnamese Navy as an ally to the United States. My parents were grateful that the U.S. government granted them asylum so that they could escape and build a better life in the United States. My name was chosen to honor the Lutheran church that sponsored us in Charleston, Martin Luther Lutheran Church, which was a critical support for our family. My father also worked supporting both the U.S. Navy and Air Force as a civilian in South Carolina and New Mexico. These experiences have shaped my leadership values and my desire to give back to the country that granted my family the opportunity for a new life.    

Q. How does NSA encourage inclusion and sharing diverse perspectives? 

A. NSA provides a support network that fosters a culture of inclusion and diversity. Through the creation and support of ERGs, members of the workforce have a support network in the workplace as they progress in their careers. Additionally, the ERGs provide the opportunity for the broader workforce to build awareness of other cultures by attending workshops or events by ERGs.   

Q. How meaningful was it to have a member of the AAPI community serve as the (now former) director of NSA/CSS? 

A. Gen. Nakasone was a great role model not just for the AAPI community, but also for the entire workforce. Through his personal interactions with the workforce, you knew immediately that he cared about the people who support this dynamic agency.  

Q. What do you like best about your career here at NSA? 

A. I like the ability to support or work in various mission domains, whether it’s mission or the critical enabler organizations that drive mission. When it comes to understanding and managing resources, it is a skill that is transferable to any mission at NSA. I also enjoy working with the people I’ve had the privilege to partner with in solving some of the agency’s toughest challenges. As the years have gone by, I have grown to appreciate the diversity of skills and experiences I have accumulated.  

Q. What advice do you have for people who are considering joining NSA? 

A. I highly encourage people to consider a career at NSA. Not only are there a multitude of career pathways available, but the opportunity to support your country is very rewarding.