At AVIAN, military service has deep roots in the foundation of our company. We have the utmost respect for those who are veterans, active duty, or reserve personnel.
Each service member that joins the team carries on the mission to protect our country and brings a unique perspective and expertise that strengthens our team.
That’s why AVIAN is proud to highlight Christopher Thuot, an AVIAN teammate who served five years in the U.S. Marine Corps, two years in the Marine Corps Reserves, and has now been called back to Active Duty.
Christopher started with AVIAN in September 2024 as a Test Resource Manager (TRM) out of Patuxent River, Maryland. In his role as TRM, Christopher applied experience in Naval Flight Testing representing the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Test and Evaluation (T&E) competency and advising the Program Manager on any T&E subjects.
While at AVIAN, Christopher was selected to attend Officer Candidate School for the Marine Corps where he recently graduated and promoted to Second Lieutenant.
Christopher’s hands-on background helped him apply his knowledge at AVIAN and in the Marine Corps Reserves.
Through his years in the Marine Corps and the Marine Corps Reserves, he worked as a Government Inspection Office Representative Aviation Program Team Member, Collateral Duty Inspector, and Tiltrotor Airframe Mechanic. Notably, and related to his selection into the role of TRM, Christopher was part of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two One (HX-21) and Marine Tiltrotor Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron Twenty-Two (VMX-22) where he developed additional skills in test and evaluation.
The Reserves
Ever since he was young, Christopher looked up to his father and grandfather, who both served in the military. Quickly, they became role models, and the type of service member Chris aspired to be when he grew up.
Over the past sixteen years, Christopher worked hard to uphold his military family legacy.
After continuing to persevere, he was selected this spring and later graduated from Officer Candidate School, becoming a Second Lieutenant. Christopher shared his reaction after hearing he had been accepted into Office Candidate School.
“I felt a little bit of relief,” Christopher said. “I definitely had anxiety just because this is something I've wanted my entire life. The pathway to becoming a naval aviator like my father and his father before him, as well, and carrying on that family legacy. Just a bit of surrealness, I can't believe I've done it. It’s an almost indescribable feeling.”
Since becoming an officer in the Marine Corps Reserves, Christopher has also been reactivated to active duty to continue serving our great nation in a new way. His next steps are to complete six to seven months of schooling, attend flight school, and apply himself with future opportunities as a Marine aviator. Christopher voiced that even though this achievement was something he had yearned for; it was a difficult decision to leave because he has enjoyed working at AVIAN.
The Impact of AVIAN
Christopher was initially attracted to AVIAN because a previous employee relayed his positive experience and how much he appreciated the community-feel the company offered.
Christopher also wanted the transition from being an aircraft mechanic to having an administrative role with more flexibility. As a Test Resource Manager, it provided him the freedom to be creative with the solutions he presented to the customer.
The AVIAN principle of “do the right thing” and the promise of “get it done” were the values that Christopher upheld in the Marine Corps, at AVIAN, and what he plans to take with him on active duty again. “As an officer you have to have integrity and do the right thing,” Christopher said. “It’s important, and I take that principle to heart.”
When he leaves for active duty, he plans to take the value of “get it done” with him as an officer in the Marine Corps. That is one aspect of Christopher’s leadership he wants to teach others around him. “I don't need you to be perfect, but I need you to show up, work hard and do your job,” Christopher said.
Throughout this past year, AVIAN has valued Christopher's military expertise, positive attitude, and his creative solutions for the customer. As a company that respects and understands military service, AVIAN recognizes the importance to respond to the call.
That call for Christopher is as a commissioned officer in the Marine Corps and future aviator.
Even though Christopher’s time at AVIAN was not as long as expected he enjoyed the time he had and is taking the AVIAN principles and promises with him.
Fair Winds and Following Seas, Chris!
