Profile in Counterterrorism and Counterproliferation: Tony Aragon

How do you support NNSA?

I am the DOE/NNSA Senior Advisor and Liaison to both U.S Central Command (CENTCOM) and U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). I advise and coordinate on nuclear, radiological, and energy-security related areas of interest between DOE/NNSA and the commands.

What is your personal background, and how has that shaped you and your approach to your career?

Born in California and raised in El Paso, Texas, as a first-generation American, my parents always instilled that even though our culture was Mexican-American, we were American citizens and should follow the American dream. Mine was to serve in the U.S. Army and thus I pursued that dream.

What did you study in school and how did it impact you personally and professionally?

With a four-year U.S. Army Academic Scholarship in hand, I graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso with a bachelor’s degree in finance and received my commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army, Infantry Branch from ROTC – Distinguished Military Graduate. The finance degree taught me analytical skills that I use to this day. The latter was my true passion that I pursued in earnest as an Infantry officer. Later, I served as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer, and then, as a Nuclear Operations and Research Functional Area Officer, I learned and honed my nuclear security-related technical skills.

I earned an MBA along the way and had the fortune to be detailed to NNSA when I retired from the Army as a lieutenant colonel.

What led you to a career in nuclear security?

Both the Explosive Ordnance Disposal and and the Nuclear Operations and Research communities are intimately connected to nuclear security, specifically nuclear weapons-related issues. My last assignment, detailed to NNSA, was the perfect transition to a nuclear security career with NNSA. My career both in the Department of Defense (DOD) and NNSA have allowed me to bring together two highly professional cultures in the pursuit of our national security.

What is the best part about your job?

The job is far from mundane and the impact to national security is immense. As the Senior Advisor and Liaison, I need to be aware of issues related to both DOD and NNSA. The challenge is connecting the two and addressing competing requirements to ensure success.

What is your proudest accomplishment while working at NNSA?

Serving as a Nuclear Emergency Support Team Federal Team Leader and Senior Response Official was humbling. I knew that I was working alongside NNSA’s finest to protect our nation.

Tell us something interesting about yourself.

My wife and I share the same birthday.   

Do you have any highlights from your time supporting NNSA?

I supported several emergency response operations, national special events, exercises and many training events. While on active duty (U.S. Army) and detailed to NNSA, I was awarded a U.S. Coast Guard service ribbon joint operation. I am a Harvard Kennedy School – Senior Executive Fellow.

What advice would you have for anyone interested in a career in nuclear security?

It truly is an honor to serve this great nation and humbling to work alongside the exceptional minds from the national laboratories. We truly have “quiet professionals” working at NNSA.

Who is someone that inspires you and why?

Retired Army Gen. Jack Keane. He was my first Brigade Commander and truly led from the front. He never asked his troops to something he wouldn’t do, and he truly personified “Mission First, People Always.” I’ve always tried to follow that same principle.

How do you plan to celebrate/commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month? Do you have any traditions related to this observance?

We will watch movies, such as “A Million Miles Away” that promote the American Dream and are linked to our culture. The Hispanic tradition that we follow is setting luminarias out for Christmas and enjoying tamales – well, really just one tamal.