Naval officer turned political reformer | Mike Cantwell - S.O.S. podcast #107

Military service members are often the best people to serve in office or work political reform.

It’s hardwired into us not to sit idly by when we see injustice, making us a powerful coalition when we take on institutional reform.

My next guest dedicates his time to this as his chosen calling. He is on a mission to fix what he calls a dysfunctional political system.

Mike Cantwell is currently the Virginia Task Force Lead for Veterans for All Voters and was the Vice President for FairVote Virginia and the DC Chapter leader for Unite America.

Mike is also the President of the Yorktown Civic Association and is active with his local VFW Post and Alumni Association.

In 2021, Mike ran as an Independent for the Arlington County Board and earlier this year, Mike launched Independents for America.
 
Mike recently retired from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). From 2010 to 2023, Mike served as a Collaboration Branch Chief, a Strategy Manager, a Partner Engagement Office, a Program Manager for an Agency-wide initiative, and as a Branch Chief in the Maritime Safety Office.
 
From 2004 to 2010, Mike worked for Booz Allen and CACI and supported federal government clients such as NGA, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and the Navy.
 
Mike spent over 28 years in the Navy and Navy Reserves. He was recalled to Active Duty after the terrorist attacks on the Pentagon in 2001 and served as a Watch Office in the Navy Operations Center until he was released from Active Duty in 2023. Mike retired as a Commander in 2015.
 
Mike Cantwell is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and earned a Master's degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College and a Master's degree in Business Administration from George Washington University.

After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy, Mike served as the Damage Control Assistant and Deck Division Officer onboard the USS Luce (DDG 38). He also served as the Navigator onboard the USS Nashville (LPD 13). Mike and his wife Mary live with their three children in Arlington, VA.

Independents for America -

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