Idaho Guardsman balances command in Idaho, security at NASA | Article

BOISE, Idaho – Capt. Megan Mabey has flown more than 20 times between Idaho and Texas to balance her duties with the Idaho National Guard and her role as a security specialist at NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston. During her final trip to Idaho, Mabey assumed command of D Company, 116th Brigade Engineer Battalion at Gowen Field on December 6.

Mabey deployed to Southwest Asia in 2022 with the 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team in support of Operation Spartan Shield. The deployment allowed her to gain hands-on experience in a high-stress environment, which helped prepare her for running a business and her civilian career with NASA.

“I am honored and excited to lead MICO (D Company),” said Mabey. “I have spent my entire military career in the world of intelligence, and since I was the only intelligence contractor in the brigade, I always strived to be the obvious choice when it came time to appoint a new commander.”

Before beginning her military career, Mabey sought a position as an intelligence officer. She achieved this goal after joining the Idaho National Guard in 2017.

Mabey’s military experience gave her the skills and training to land a job at NASA in June. She said NASA’s practices and procedures for classified national security information are nearly identical to those of the military. Her time as a security specialist for the Idaho Army National Guard and as a foreign disclosure officer during her deployment prepared her for her duties at NASA. And her duties at NASA have complemented her duties in the Idaho National Guard.

“I am very fortunate because the skills I acquired at NASA go hand in hand with my duties in the National Guard,” Mabey said. “In both roles, protecting confidential information is critical, as is the security of day-to-day operations. Like most organizations, both are mission-driven. However, with NASA’s focus more on innovation and the National Guard’s focus more on defense and emergency response, I can apply the knowledge of each to the other and hopefully provide a unique perspective.”

Mabey is also pursuing a master’s degree in earth and planetary sciences. Balancing the demands of two careers and a graduate program is challenging.

“Both professions involve people from all walks of life and the ability to adapt and work as a team is absolutely crucial,” Mabey said. “In any team, it is important to understand not only good leadership, but also good followership.”

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