From the military to the cloud: How one cleared professional found his next mission at AWS

After 26 years in the military and 10 years supporting the intelligence community, Luke Lukenbill kept his security clearance active in a client executive role supporting national security programs at IBM. He loved the work but kept thinking back to 2008 when he lost his nephew in Iraq to an improvised explosive device.

“That moment was really a catalyst for me in wanting to do more for the men and women serving their country,” he said. “I pretty much committed to myself that whatever I do, I want to make the world a safer and better place for them.”

Lukenbill started looking for ways he could better fulfill his mission-driven mindset in a civilian career, which led him to AWS.

“In the military, it’s ingrained to be focused on your customer,” Lukenbill said. “I started reading about Amazon’s Leadership Principles and they were all striking at the core of who I am.”

As a cleared AWS account leader supporting defense and national security customers, Lukenbill has found a post-military career that continues to leverage his security clearance and fulfills his personal mission to positively impact national security. The Life at AWS team sat down with him to learn more about his journey and role.  

Luke Lukenbill, right, with his former Naval Academy classmate, the Honorable Tom Modly, who previously served as the Undersecretary of the Navy and the Secretary of the Navy. Modly joined the AWS Wordwide Public Sector organization for a fireside chat at a team event in 2023.

You had an extensive career in the military before joining AWS. Can you tell us a bit more about your background and what led you to make the transition to the private sector?

I spent 26 years, one month and six days in the military, not including the four years I spent at the Naval Academy. I was always intrigued by aviation, and I was fortunate to become a naval flight officer, serving as a bombardier navigator on the A-6 Intruder aircraft. Later in my military career, I transitioned into the Aerospace Engineering Duty Officer program, which allowed me to continue flying while also doing test and evaluation work. This eventually led me to roles supporting the intelligence community, where I got my first taste of the space and satellite programs that are so critical to our national security. After retiring from the military, I joined a small company that was later acquired by IBM.

What drew you to AWS, and how did you find the transition from the public sector to a corporate role?

When I started thinking about my next move, I saw that a few of my close friends from my past had joined AWS. I was intrigued to learn more about the company's Leadership Principles. As a military veteran, I could really relate to things like customer obsession, delivering results, and being frugal — it just aligned so well with my own values and approach.
The transition has been incredibly rewarding. I'm constantly amazed by the caliber of people I get to work with and the innovative technologies we're bringing to our government customers. There's a real sense of ownership and empowerment here, where everyone feels invested in the company's success.

You mentioned the alignment between AWS's leadership principles and core military values. Can you expand on that a bit more?

As a military person, you're really focused on the customer, on delivering results, on diving deep to understand the mission and requirements. You also want to be frugal and make the most of the resources you have.
When I saw that AWS had codified those principles into its leadership model, it really resonated with me. And my experience after five years at AWS, I see firsthand that we truly live these values every day.
We go in with a mindset of earning the customer's trust, understanding their needs, and then working backwards to deliver solutions that make a real impact. It's that customer obsession and sense of ownership that I find so compelling. We're not just vendors — we're partners who are invested in the success of these critical government missions.

How has your role helped you continue your personal mission to make a difference in the world?

The best part of my role at AWS is I still get to support the critical missions I'm so passionate about, just in a different capacity. I lead a team that works closely with the intelligence community, helping them navigate the transition to cloud computing and other transformative technologies. It's incredibly fulfilling to know that the work we're doing has a direct impact on our national security.

How close are AWS employees to working on important missions and engaging with key decision makers, compared to being an actual government employee?

As Amazonians, we are very fortunate that we are very close to the missions. The only way to get any closer would be if you were an actual government employee. And the fact that we are industry people, we meet with our government customers and decision-makers all the time, speaking to them in a classified environment.

You mentioned the ability to influence and have an impact. Can you give an example of how AWS facilitates that for its public sector customers?

We have the ability to influence by sometimes helping different government agencies share knowledge. For example, we could have an experienced government customer advise another government customer that is still learning the cloud, on an area like satellite management in the cloud. Facilitating that government-to-government knowledge sharing based on our solutions pays dividends for everyone involved.
Amazon’s Day One mentality also allows us to approach every day with a beginner's excitement. Day One essentially refers to your first day on the job or learning something new, every single day. That infectious enthusiasm motivates our team and contributes to an amazing culture of impact.

What advice would you give to other military veterans or cleared professionals considering a move to the private sector?

My advice would be to not be afraid to reach out and have conversations. The skills and experience you gain in the military are incredibly valuable, and there are companies like AWS that are actively seeking that talent. The AWS team is filled with former military members who would be more than happy to share their experiences and perspectives. I'm always eager to connect with people, whether they're actively applying or just exploring options. I love being able to provide that mentorship and guidance, because I know how daunting the transition can feel.
So don't hesitate to put yourself out there. Reach out on LinkedIn, ask questions, and don't be afraid to learn more. The right opportunity is out there, and you may be surprised by how well your background can translate.