Christian Horton
Network Engineer and Air National Guard NCO. I build and defend mission-critical networks.
Verified credentials
AboutTactical edge to enterprise core
I am a network engineer with an active TS/SCI who works both ends of the spectrum: deployable tactical communications for the Air National Guard, and large-scale enterprise infrastructure for Department of Defense installations. That combination means I am equally comfortable standing up a satellite link in a field environment and running a Government Acceptance Test on a DWDM optical ring.
What I bring
- Breadth with depth. Routing and switching, wireless design, optical transport, SD-Access, and cryptographic equipment — backed by 14 certifications rather than one narrow specialty.
- Automation instinct. When a tool has no feature for the job, I build one. A PowerShell solution I wrote cut wireless documentation turnaround by 95%.
- Accountability at scale. 100% asset accountability for 2,670 items valued over $2M across two USMC installations.
- I teach what I know. A 100% pass rate for 22 Security+ students and 7 Airmen certified on critical systems.
Currently
- Network Engineer at Nakupuna Companies, supporting three DoD contracts.
- Staff Sergeant (E-5), 224th Joint Communications Support Squadron, Georgia Air National Guard.
- B.S. Cloud & Network Engineering at Western Governors University, graduate March 2027.
- Building things — a 27U home lab and two production websites I run end to end.
Military ServiceGeorgia Air National Guard · 224th JCSS
Cyber Defense Operations (AFSC 1D7X1A) with a focus on deployable tactical networking — SATCOM, HF, and encrypted long-haul routing in austere conditions.
Non-Commissioned Officer (SSgt)
Lead and mentor the Airmen who build, defend, and secure communication networks worldwide — developing them into proficient technicians and capable leaders. Evaluated 3 promotion boards.
X-Comm Tactical Network 5-Level Trainer & Certifier
Certified to evaluate and validate proficiency on critical 5-level tactical network tasks; certified 7 Airmen on critical systems.
Communications continuity under earthquake and typhoon conditions
Maintained critical communications services throughout severe weather during the Japan-based exercise.
Multinational interoperability
Managed multi-network connectivity (Starlink, MUOS, HF) for 680 clients across four nations.
Airman Leadership School — Air University
Enlisted professional military education.
JCSE Joint Communications Support Element standards
Cyberspace Fundamentals & Network Systems Operations
Technical training pipeline graduate.
What I do in the field
- Deploy and maintain network infrastructure, IP detection, and cryptographic equipment via PacStar Modular Tactical Networking Systems.
- Manage BGP security for PacStar 451 packages to maintain secure long-haul routing; 100% accountability for tactical assets.
- Spanning Tree, PortFast, IP addressing, VoIP, Cisco hardware, KG encryption, Hawkeye satellites, HF radios, VMware, RHEL, Iridium, NIPR/SIPR, INTaaS.
Recognized for a 100% pass rate teaching 22 Security+ students and certifying 7 Airmen on critical systems. Administered drug and wellness checks for 100% of squadron members.
Rated “Exceeds” in every category of the 2025 annual performance review at Nakupuna Companies, and formally recognized by the company CEO for outstanding achievement.
Professional ExperienceEnterprise networking for the Department of Defense
Network Engineer — Nakupuna Companies
- Process automation: Engineered a PowerShell solution that cut Ekahau WAP documentation turnaround by 95% (20× faster) by programmatically renaming thousands of data points where no native mass-rename existed.
- Project leadership: Led the Physical Configuration Audit for the BAN Modernization at MCLB Albany — 33% ahead of schedule, 99% accuracy; earned formal recognition from the Nakupuna CEO.
- Optical networking: Lead Test Engineer for the Government Acceptance Test of Ciena 6500 DWDM; resolved port-mapping discrepancies to ensure compliance.
- SD-Access: Orchestrated installation and SDA onboarding of 170 network devices with Cisco Catalyst Center (DNAC).
- Wireless engineering: Surveyed 7.8M sq ft with Ekahau Sidekick 2, capturing 20,000+ data points across 1,100 WAPs.
- Asset management: 100% accountability for 2,670 assets valued over $2M across two USMC installations.
Network Operations Specialist — Leidos / MCCOG
- Enterprise infrastructure: Managed 2nd Network Bn assets and restored services for hundreds of users using Remedy ITSM.
- Industrial wireless: Assisted installation of 25 industrial wireless portals / SASLs for MCPIC.
- Power & redundancy: Improved power distribution and centralized redundancy for 2,800+ users.
- Network hardening: Pruned unused VLANs from trunk ports and applied STIGs.
- Proficiencies: Fiber optics, Ethernet, SFPs, TACACS, SecureCRT, Fluke LinkRunner, toner probe, Access Points, Cisco IOS.
Certifications14 verified credentials
Every credential below is independently verifiable on Credly.
SkillsWhat I work with
Network & Infrastructure
Security & Defense
Platforms & Tooling
Home LabI practice what I engineer
A production-grade lab is the fastest way to stay sharp on things you cannot experiment with at work. Mine runs real services with real uptime expectations — including the site you are reading right now, which is served from my own hardware.
27U rack
- Wall-mount cabinet with line-interactive UPS and managed PDU.
- Structured cabling, labeled runs, documented topology.
UniFi network
- UCG-Fiber gateway with IDS/IPS enabled on a 2 Gbps symmetric link.
- Pro Max 16 PoE switching, segmented VLANs, three Wi-Fi 7 access points with MLO.
Unraid server
- Parity-protected array, dual NVMe pools, Docker service stack.
- Sites published through Cloudflare Tunnel — no open inbound ports.
PhotosIn the field
Deployed communications, multinational exercises, and instruction — the work behind the certifications.
