Booz Allen’s Disaster Response Leave Policy in Action
Technologist and certified sawyer Nate Amsden helps out
Nate Amsden is not one for standing idle.
In his work as a senior lead technologist and cyber vulnerability researcher, he’s helping the FBI tackle some of its hardest cases. And at home, Nate’s wife fields his constant questions to help.
“Even on my days off or on a long weekend, I need to be doing something,” Nate says. “What can I do around the house? What home project needs to happen? I’m always asking what I can do to help.”
The desire to pitch in and serve others has been an ongoing theme throughout Nate’s life—while on active duty with the U.S. Air Force and Space Force, at disaster sites across the country with the veteran-led humanitarian organization Team Rubicon, and supporting national security and domestic resilience efforts as a Booz Allen employee.
Nate shares his story here, including how Booz Allen’s distinctive disaster response leave policy gives him opportunities to continue volunteering as an emergency responder while growing his career at the firm.
A Lifelong Drive to Go Above and Beyond
“I didn’t have a lot of free time in college, studying computer engineering and doing Air Force ROTC,” he recalls. “But when I did, I was doing stuff like Habitat for Humanity and service projects. A big component of that service to others involved going on active duty.”
Nate’s military career included atmospheric and space mission systems engineering, working as a cyber exploit engineer, managing cyber defense projects, and helping stand up the Space Intelligence Integration Cell (SIIC) for threat intelligence for the Space Force. But even at his busiest, Nate saw on-the-job duties as just one aspect of his work.
“The Air Force looks at the concept of the whole person,” he says. “You’re expected to excel at your job, but you also need to go above and beyond—as a volunteer and in your community.” And so, Nate continued to help—mentoring, contributing his time as a technology advisor, and generally pitching in wherever he found the opportunity.
Then a disaster hit dangerously close to home.
Joining Forces with Team Rubicon
“I first learned about Team Rubicon when Hurricane Harvey hit Houston back in 2017,” Nate recalls. “That’s where I grew up and where my dad, stepmom, and sister still live.”
Fortunately, the floods didn’t affect Nate’s family directly. But they did prompt a phone call and the beginning of an enduring commitment to volunteerism and disaster relief.
“I chose Team Rubicon because it started off as a veteran-led organization and they’re always doing service projects year-round, like community chainsaw work, or Wreaths Across America,” he says.
As Nate got more involved in volunteering, he looked for ways to get involved in more hands-on work in areas where the need was greatest: “I took a class and got certified as a chainsaw operator,” he says.
There’s no shortage of opportunities to use his new skillset. “I cut trees for homeowners,” says Nate. “It could be trees that have fallen on their properties, or trees that are blocking access to their houses.” Where professional tree removal services can cost thousands of dollars, that kind of support can be a lifeline.
“I got out about once a year to major operations, supporting a couple tornado and hurricane response efforts,” he says. Most recently, Nate supported a team in Asheville, North Carolina, to relieve victims of Hurricane Helene. His skills as a certified sawyer came into play more than once, clearing fallen branches and trees from homes and roads.
Keeping the Mission Going at Booz Allen
When Nate transitioned to civilian life, he wanted to continue to volunteer but knew it wouldn’t be an easy commitment to keep—the work often involves week-long commitments in disaster zones.
“Any time there's a major event going on, I want to get there and help,” he says.
That’s one reason Booz Allen stood out when he was evaluating job opportunities and benefits packages. “The Civic Responsibilities and Disaster Response leave policy is probably my favorite benefit that Booz Allen offers, and the policy actually specifically mentions Team Rubicon as one of the firm’s disaster response partners through the Booz Allen Foundation, which is really cool,” he says.
The policy allows an employee to use up to 10 days per calendar year for any type of civic responsibility, with disaster response just one option among many. “The policy covers a lot, like jury duty, census taking, voting station volunteering—it's really something I didn’t see many other companies offering,” Nate notes, adding that Booz Allen’s commitment to this leave policy goes beyond mere words.
“I've only ever had good experiences with Booz Allen leadership or clients when taking time off to volunteer,” Nate says. “Just to be able to take these days off, without dipping into my personal vacation days, to go and support people who have nowhere else to turn is immensely rewarding to me. I’ve really appreciated the flexibility and support that the firm, my clients, and my family have offered me to keep volunteering a part of my life.”
He encourages others to seek out that same flexibility and make the most of these opportunities in their own lives and careers. “There are so many different ways to volunteer,” he says. “It doesn't have to be with a big national organization. You can volunteer locally on a weekend or an evening. Find out where you can help.”
In the end, Nate says, it comes down to a question: “What really drives you?”
