Linda Halsell poses with vice president and deputy general manager of Space, Cyber and Intelligence, Chris Long, after she is awarded the Science Spectrum Trailblazer Award at the 2026 BEYA conference. Linda has worked at General Dynamics Mission Systems for 31 years and is currently a network administrator in our IT organization. She is responsible for protecting some of the most critical security operations in the company.
When Linda Halsell enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1982, she had no idea she was taking the first step in a career that would span more than four decades of service. First serving her country, and then supporting the nation's most critical defense systems. Today, as a 31-year veteran of General Dynamics Mission Systems, Linda is living proof that the mission never truly ends - it simply finds a new form.
Answering the Call to Serve
Fresh out of training as a 72A Computer Systems Analyst, Linda discovered something that would shape the rest of her professional life: a deep, unshakeable passion for computer networking and information systems. The Army didn't just give her a job - it gave her a purpose.
"It is where my passion for computer networking started," she recalls, "and then General Dynamics just boosted that even more."
After four years of service, Linda transitioned out of the military in 1986, but she never left the mission behind. General Dynamics became her next uniform, and she has been wearing it proudly ever since.
(Left) Linda Halsell receives her next rank at Fort McNair, Virginia, in 1984. (Middle) Her official photo for the 2026 BEYA nomination package. (Right) A basic training graduation photo from 1983 with her drill sergeant at Fort Gordon, Georgia. These moments highlight Linda’s journey of dedication, service and excellence.
Translating Military Experience to Civilian Life
The transition from military to civilian life is rarely seamless, and Linda will be the first to tell you that. The structured, clearly defined world of the Army gave way to a civilian environment that required a different kind of communication.
"Everything was much more structured and clearly defined in the military," she says. "I realized I needed to adapt my approach and thinking so others could understand the value of my experience. Once I made that shift, it really opened doors."
That shift became one of the most powerful tools in Linda's professional arsenal, and it's a lesson she carries with her every single day.
Securing the Digital Front Lines
Ask Linda what she does at General Dynamics Mission Systems, and she'll tell you simply: she keeps things secure. But the work is anything but simple.
As the primary expert responsible for Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) ordering and installation for her customer, Linda is at the center of some of the most critical security operations in the organization. PKI certificates are the invisible shield behind secure digital communications — enabling teams to digitally sign and encrypt emails through Outlook and authenticate documents through Kofax.
Her day starts at 7:00 AM and doesn't let up until 4:30 PM - a back-to-back cadence of meetings, requests, installations, and troubleshooting that would exhaust most people. For Linda, it's just another day of doing what she loves.
"The skills I rely on most are my problem-solving, adaptability, leadership, attention to detail, and people-friendly skills," said Linda.
Winning a BEYA Career Achievement Award
In a career defined by quiet dedication and technical excellence, February 2026 brought a moment of well-deserved public recognition. Linda was awarded the BEYA Career Achievement Award - one of the most prestigious honors in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics - a milestone that left her both humbled and proud.
"I'm proud of the work I did in the military, and just as proud of the work I do for General Dynamics."
Same Mission. Different Uniform.
Perhaps what defines Halsell most is not the awards, the tenure, or even the elite technical expertise. It's the way she sees her work - not as a job, but as a continuation of a lifelong commitment to something bigger than herself.
"Continuing the same commitment to protecting and supporting others, just in a different role," she explains. "In the Army that service was direct. With General Dynamics Mission Systems, it means contributing behind the scenes — ensuring systems, technology, and operations are protected and reliable. It's the same mission, just a different way of serving. The uniform came off, but the mission stayed the same."
"It's one of the best moves veterans can make if they are thinking of moving into the civilian sector for career advancement."
Linda Halsell didn't just transition out of the military - she carried it forward, one secure system at a time.
