From Submarines to Servers: Scott Parkin's Journey from U.S. Navy Veteran to Iron Mountain Data Centers Leader

Scott's Naval career led him to the submarine force where he quickly rose to become an officer of the deck, responsible for the entire submarine's operations. This role ingrained in him the concept of "extreme ownership"-a profound understanding of every operation and its potential impact, given the constant life-threatening risks. The Navy's quality assurance programs, which he describes as "incredibly rigid," demanded individual accountability for every issue, a standard so high that its regulations were even adopted by NASA following the 2003 Columbia STS-107 mission. Scott has brought the idea of "extreme ownership" from his military career and is exemplifying taking ownership - one of our company values - here at Iron Mountain.

He illustrates this concept with a vivid analogy: "Imagine you're walking down a building and you see the exit sign is falling off at the door…The exit sign is something that people would need to get out of a building in case of a fire. Everybody on the boat has a level of ownership to fix that sign. Doesn't matter if you know how; you would find a way to fix it, or you would wait there until somebody fixed it and you could verify that it was fixed."

Scott's service extended to the U.S. Strategic Command, where he contributed to projects that shaped the country's military strategy. This unique experience provided him with "organizational insights, allowing for direct communication with higher levels, similar to a technician speaking to a CEO in a civilian company," demonstrating his ability to navigate complex hierarchies and influence critical decisions.

Military precision proves a foundation for civilian success

The transition from military to civilian life presented its own challenges, notably the "sudden loss of purpose and pride that military service provided." The intense structure and constant pressure of military life, often involving 110-hour workweeks, made the civilian world feel vastly different. However, the rigorous training he received as part of the Navy's Nuclear Propulsion Program, earning him the classification of a "nuke," fostered skills that have proven exceptionally transferable to the corporate world.

"Nukes are highly sought after in the data center industry," Scott explains, attributing this demand to their ingrained "extreme procedural compliance, ownership, and a unique ability to think as both engineers and technicians." These versatile skills make them adaptable and desirable for a variety of positions. While acknowledging the difficulty in translating such specialized military experience to a civilian resume, Scott emphasizes that "nukes are known for their ability to think on their feet and find solutions under stress." It was this robust background, combined with his personable nature, that led to his successful hire at Iron Mountain's Data Centers. Scott Parkin's journey stands as a powerful testament to how the precision, comprehensive thinking, and unwavering responsibility cultivated in military service can be highly valuable assets in the corporate world, making veterans like him invaluable additions to any team.