I’ll be real with you—when I got my first tech job, I felt like a fraud.
I didn’t have a degree in computer science.
I didn’t speak the lingo fluently.
And I certainly didn’t think I belonged in a room full of hoodie-clad engineers talking about Kubernetes.
That feeling? It’s called impostor syndrome.
And it hits a lot of veterans breaking into tech—hard.
Why It Hits Us Hard
As vets, we’re used to knowing our role.
We trained for it. We earned it. We were certified in it.
And suddenly in tech, we feel like we’re faking it—because everything is new.
Plus, when the people around you are younger, faster at typing, or speak in acronyms you don’t recognize (ironically), you start to doubt your value.
But Here’s the Truth
You’re not an impostor.
You’re just early in a new mission.
Impostor syndrome isn’t proof you’re unqualified. It’s proof you care—and you’re aware enough to want to get it right.
What Helped Me Beat It
✅ 1. I Documented My Wins
Every week, I wrote down:
What I learned
What I shipped
What I helped someone else with
It helped me see my progress.
✅ 2. I Spoke Up
I asked the “dumb” questions.
And 9 out of 10 times—someone thanked me afterward for asking what they were too afraid to say.
✅ 3. I Talked to Other Vets
Hearing from others who went through it reminded me: I wasn’t alone.
(Shout out to VetSec, a lifesaver.)
Your Military Background Is a Competitive Advantage
Here’s what tech often lacks:
Mission focus
Crisis composure
Loyalty
Adaptability
You have all of that. Don’t underestimate it. Don’t hide it.
Own it—and let your learning curve speak to your courage, not your inadequacy.
Final Thoughts
You served your country. You trained for chaos. You adapted in the worst conditions.
Learning Kubernetes? You’ll be fine.
Stick with me at jameshenderson.online—where impostors become experts, and confidence is rebuilt one commit at a time.