1994 Tech High School grad, Jonathan Schroden, always had a knack for science. Chemistry and the physical sciences came naturally to him. So when he went on to attend the University of Minnesota-Duluth, he knew his focus would be in chemistry and physics. After finishing his undergraduate degree, he went on to Cornell University where he earned his Ph.D. in both physics and chemistry.
Schroden had always wanted to be a research professor; however, as he was wrapping up his doctorate, he had a realization that he didn’t have a passion for one specific piece of science to study the rest of his life. So, he looked at law school and business school. Still, neither really appealed to him.
“I’m the kind of person that gets bored if I work on it [something] too long,” says Schroden.
It was happenstance that CNA (Center for Naval Analysis) was on campus recruiting when he had his epiphany.
“The company [CNA] happened to be recruiting on campus,” remembers Schroden. “I did my research and gave them my resume. I was offered an interview, but it was at the same time that I had another interview with 3M, a place where I’d be close to home and my family. I canceled my interview with CNA.”
Instead, CNA called him that night to ensure they’d get an interview.
“It sounded fantastic, a sense of adventure,” says Schroden. “I never saw it coming. It just seemed like a grand adventure!”
Schroden began his career with CNA as a research analyst. He worked on Marine Corps ground combat simulations and Navy counterattacks. He was first assigned to Camp Lejeune in North Carolina and then was deployed to Camp Fallujah in Iraq. When he left Iraq, he went into a different field and was at the U.S. Central Command in Tampa for four years prior to being deployed again to Afghanistan for a year.
“It was just something most civilians don’t get to do-go on an aircraft carrier and such,” says Schroden. “I was sitting in Saddam Hussein’s palace in a meeting and if someone had told me at 15 that I’d be sitting in Baghdad one day, I wouldn’t have believed them.”
When he arrived stateside again, he was headquartered in Washington, D.C. and took over a team of CNA analysts. He now directs the Center for Stability and Development which deals with terrorism, counterterrorism, insurgency, counterinsurgency and more, and the Special Operations Program, which supports special ops commands. He’s written several articles published in Defense and Security Analysis, The Naval War College Review, the Journal of Strategic Studies, Armed Forces Journal and the Journal of American Chemical Society as well as War on the Rocks, The National Interest, and Small Wars Journal (online venues).
Looking back on his journey to where he is today, Schroden credits much of his love of the sciences and ease of problem-solving skills to his science teacher, Gary Anfenson.
“He taught enough of the basics, but gave us enough freedom to explore concepts which I still use today,” explains Schroden. “When you’re young, you have a stronger sense of curiosity. That is the essence of what I do. It keeps you intellectually fresh. I’m constantly learning new stuff.”
Schroden lives in Tampa now with his wife and two sons. He spends time with his family doing outdoor activities, including swimming and a lot of Lego building. He looks forward to his future with a reminder of how life can turn out so differently than what can be imagined.
“Honestly, if I’m still doing what I’m doing now, I’ll be happy,” smiles Schroden.
After all, his love of the sciences steered him to this grand life adventure.
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