The Cadet

“We have a saying in Filipino that translates if you do not know how to look back from where you started, you will not arrive at your final destination.” 

– Ben Dichoso Jr.

The VT Cadet Autobiography will be a collection of stories that highlight Ben’s 30-career journey starting in August 1988 to present.

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Virginia Tech Corps of Cadet

In August 1988, Ben entered the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets (VTCC) as a freshman. He was an Air Force cadet on a four year United States Air Force (USAF) ROTC scholarship for civil engineering. Little did he know how hard it was going to keep that scholarship. With much blood, sweat, and pain, Cadet Dichoso was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the USAF in December 1992. Read more about VTCC.

USAF Civil Engineer Squadron

In September 1993, Ben was assigned to the USAF 11th Civil Engineer Squadron as a Maintenance Engineer. He was also an Air Force Civil Engineer on worldwide deployable status in a Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force (BEEF) unit. This would lead him to the Island of Guam where Captain Dichoso led the KAL 801 crash survey, Super Typhoon Paka recovery, and numerous construction and repair projects on Andersen AFB, Guam, USA. Read more about USAF Civil Engineers.

ODNI Office of Facilities and Logistics

In October 2007, Ben was assigned to the Facilities Office of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). His first project was to design and build a facility for the newly formed IARPA group. The success of this project started him on a career journey of trials, struggles, and victories. He held two directorships and numerous deputy positions. Ben led construction and operations for three Intelligence Community Campuses (ICC) to include ICC-Bethesda and ICC-Liberty Crossing. He also led COVID-19 facilities and logistics response and numerous ODNI transformation projects for past Directors of National Intelligence (DNI) to including DNI Clapper, DNI Coats, DNI Ratcliffe, and DNI Haines. Read more about ODNI Careers.