UVA Today

Hong does not yet know his Space Force assignment, but he thinks he will either be involved in cyberdefense, guarding U.S. assets, or cyberattack, probing and challenging the defenses of the country’s adversaries.

“There are many levels to it and I’m not entirely sure on what I’ll be working,” he said, “They’re very secretive about this. If I am truly good at what I do, nobody will know about it.”

His Space Force experience will assist him in doing future cyberdefense work, either in the private sector or elsewhere in government.

Whatever future opens for him, Hong, who has served as vice wing commander of the ROTC detachment, will rely on leadership skills gained during his time at UVA. He said the military has trained him to be a leader and a more tactical person.

“Leadership is accomplishing the mission,” Hong said. “Being a good leader, to me, is making sure that people around you are happy and that they have the resources they need to accomplish the job.”

He said leaders should know the people working under them. Introverted but not shy, Hong is mission-oriented and prefers to stay in the background.

“I don’t need to be in the strobe lights with all the direct attention on me,” he said. “But I really do love helping out the people around me and making sure the mission gets done. I start out by making sure that everything’s running smoothly and that you have what you need to so you can do better.”

In addition to leadership experience, Hong said ROTC has taught him things he will carry into the future.

“You learn just how much you don’t know,” he said. “Throughout the program, I just keep learning more and more about who I am, how I can influence people and what my strengths are, my weaknesses. That’s the best part of this.”