“The integration of the U.S. Armed Forces ensured I had representation and role models that looked like me. It also provided an opportunity for mentorship, advocacy, and support at all levels. I want to pay tribute to the people who made this order possible.”
– Cleophus Thomas, Jr., retired U.S. Army colonel and principal at Booz Allen
Cyber expert and veteran Cleo Thomas shares his story
In 1948, President Harry S. Truman signed Executive Orders 9980 and 9981 abolishing segregation in the federal workforce and the U.S. armed forces.
For U.S. Army Technical Sergeant Cleophus Thomas, Sr., this meant that he was able to serve his country during the Korean War and feel that he would be treated equally. For his son, the orders paved the way for a 25-year military career that allowed him to hold leadership positions that he could never have held before the executive order—including leading one of the Army’s largest signal brigades and providing support to the White House Communications Agency under President Barack Obama.
As Booz Allen celebrates the 75th anniversary of this legislation and National Veterans and Military Families Month, Cleophus Thomas, Jr. reflects on this journey, the community he has found at Booz Allen, and the importance of continuing the work.
A Team with a Shared Mission
Cleo joined the Army ROTC as a way to fund his education at Tuskegee University, one of the historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU) in Alabama.
“My original plan was to spend four years in the Army and get out, and four years turned into 25,” he says. “I was having a great time but, most importantly, felt like I was part of an equal team.”
“The Army was the first place where I would see people of different races just getting in the car together and going to lunch,” he remembers. “There was no sense of divide or separation. It was more about ‘we’re in this thing together.’ It was just a melting pot of different cultures coming together for one mission.”
Cleo recalls the Army being an environment where “your performance, no matter what you look like, was at the forefront of your promotion.” What’s more, he says, “I felt like the Army was something that was bigger than me, that I was giving something back—not only to the service members that I was working with but also as a role model to people coming up through the ranks.”
Common Values and Culture
Today Cleo uses the expertise he gained in the Army to support Booz Allen’s cyber clients.
“There’s an opportunity to recreate yourself,” he says about joining the firm. “You can network within the firm to find that job that specifically motivates you and moves you to the next level.”
Furthermore, he adds, “The culture and values are similar to how it was in the military. If you look at some of the things that you hold dear to your heart in the military—selfless service, loyalty, and mission—all of those values exist at Booz Allen.”
“I came to Booz Allen to be a part of a team, and I have felt welcome since I walked in the door,” he says.
Cleo is also active in the firm’s Military and Veterans Business Resource Group (BRG), a group he especially recommends for employees transitioning to civilian life. “You’re leaving an environment where they tell you what to do all the time, and now you’ve got to figure it out for yourself. The stress is real,” says Cleo. “The people in the BRG know exactly how the journey works.”
“Since first meeting Cleo as a junior officer several years ago, I’ve been impressed by his commitment to compassionate leadership and selfless service. I’m excited to see him demonstrate this same commitment in executing our VoLT strategy while ensuring an inclusive and equitable environment for his team,” says Dennis Via, chief engagement executive and executive sponsor of the Military & Veterans BRG.
Building Community and Confidence
In his leadership role at Booz Allen, Cleo is focused on paying it forward.
“One thing that fuels me and keeps me motivated beyond my day job is mentorship, and being part of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) opportunities and the veterans’ network—anywhere I feel like I have the opportunity to give back,” he says.
Mentoring his team members is important work. “Imagine an environment where you sat in your cubicle every day and could never ask for advice or guidance from an experienced leader,” Cleo suggests. “There were no mentors to address your cultural challenges. You felt like no one understood your journey.”
“I want minority employees to see leaders who share their backgrounds and experiences,” he says. Employees can achieve confidence through what they see.”
Cleo recalls his father’s experience in the 1950s. “Just because President Truman signed the order, it wasn’t like the next day things were integrated,” he says. “There were still people who held on to those views of segregation and didn’t want people to be treated equally. My dad experienced that firsthand.”
An Urgent Call
Today in 2023, the mission remains clear. “Racism still exists,” he says. “I think it depends on each one of us, no matter what your skin color is, to make sure that segregation dies.”
“People are the reason I was able to be a part of the military and advance to the rank I did,” Cleo reflects. “I want to pay tribute to the people in the past who really took it on the chin to desegregate the armed forces and the government community as a whole. I want people today to understand that it’s everybody’s responsibility that it stays integrated and fair to everyone.”