About Me
Hello! I'm a proud United States Marine Corps Veteran, formerly serving as a 6672 Aviation Supply Specialist. My military background has instilled a strong foundation in leadership, logistics, and accountability. I’m now pursuing a Bachelor's in Cybersecurity at Western Governors University (WGU) with a growing list of industry certifications.
I bring hands-on technical experience, a professional work ethic, and a lifelong motivation to adapt and learn. My goal is to blend my operational experience with technical security expertise to solve real-world problems in the cyber domain.
Who is Zaga?
Zaga is the alias I use while working on cybersecurity labs, Capture The Flag (CTF) challenges, and red team exercises. It originated from my gaming days, where friends and teammates knew me by that name across competitive platforms.
Today, I carry that alias proudly through platforms like TryHackMe, Hack The Box, and Kali Linux profiles. Zaga symbolizes persistence, curiosity, and my hacker mindset—always breaking things (legally), learning, and building them back smarter and stronger.
Military Experience
In the Marine Corps, I served as a 6672 Aviation Supply Specialist where I handled procurement, asset tracking, and inventory accountability for high-value aviation parts. I also supervised junior Marines, coordinated logistics operations, and ensured supply chain continuity in fast-paced environments.
This experience sharpened my attention to detail, leadership skills, and ability to perform under pressure. Managing critical systems and personnel translated well into both technical support and cybersecurity, where structure, speed, and accuracy matter.
Current Role
I currently work as a Tier 2 Software Support Specialist at Storable, where I bring technical knowledge and a service-first mindset to support clients in the self-storage industry.
Advanced Troubleshooting
- Diagnose and resolve complex software issues escalated from Tier 1 support
- Perform in-depth analysis of error logs, system configurations, and network connectivity
- Troubleshoot integration issues with third-party applications
- Handle escalated customer concerns with patience and empathy
Technical Expertise
- Serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) on Storable’s software products and features
- Understand best practices and technologies relevant to the self-storage industry
- Use diagnostic tools and debugging techniques to resolve software issues efficiently
Customer Interaction
- Communicate clearly and professionally with customers both verbally and in writing
- Translate technical concepts into user-friendly explanations
- Build and maintain strong relationships with customers through proactive engagement
Knowledge Management
- Contribute to the internal knowledge base by documenting solutions to complex problems
- Identify recurring issues and propose improvements to reduce future incidents
Collaboration
- Work closely with engineering and product teams to investigate and resolve bugs
- Participate in team meetings and share ideas to improve support processes
Proactive Support
- Monitor system health and proactively detect potential issues before they impact users
- Stay current on software updates, security best practices, and industry trends
My Certifications
- CompTIA A+ (via WGU)
- CompTIA Security+ (via Intellectual Point)
- CompTIA Linux+ (via Intellectual Point)
- Splunk Core Certified Power User (via Intellectual Point)
- Currently pursuing: CompTIA Network+ (via WGU)
Volunteer Work
As the IT Director for VETS2INDUSTRY, I proudly volunteer my time to support the military community. In this role, I manage and maintain the organization's website and IT infrastructure, ensuring it stays up to date with leadership's needs and serves veterans seeking career resources. This experience allows me to give back while honing my IT and cybersecurity skills in a real-world environment.
My Goals
My ultimate goal is to become a cybersecurity analyst or penetration tester. I aim to specialize in areas like threat detection, red teaming, and offensive security. Long-term, I’d like to contribute to the defense of critical systems and mentor veterans entering the cyber field.
I believe in staying adaptable, learning continuously, and facing every new challenge with the discipline and grit the Marine Corps taught me. Whether it’s a certification, a new platform, or a team role—I bring full commitment and motivation to succeed.
Certifications
Check out my useful learning tips for cert-prep I will be uploading question samples, videos, and other training material specific to the certifications that I have completed!
Tips
Check out my useful learning tips for balancing WGU coursework, military transition, and certification prep—especially for busy professionals.
CTFs
I will be posting CTF walkthroughs for challenges that I have completed, and I compete in Capture The Flag events on platforms like TryHackMe and Hack The Box under the alias "Zaga." My focus areas include privilege escalation, enumeration, web vulnerabilities, and Linux post-exploitation. CTFs help me sharpen skills and test my knowledge under real-world scenarios.
Vet Resources
Check out a collection of cyber training programs, grants, job boards, and mentorships tailored for veterans and transitioning service members. If you're a vet and want help getting started—reach out!
Let's Connect
If you're a fellow veteran, student, or cybersecurity professional, I'd love to connect and share insights.
- Email: Contact me!
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ricardo-garciaf