John McCartney’s life seemed set after a decade of military service segued to a career in federal government.
He served as an infantry and military intelligence officer before leaving the U.S. Army in 2010 then spent 12 years working in the federal intelligence community, primarily as an analyst based in northern Virginia.
In quite the career leap, he is now a paramedic with Suffolk Fire and Rescue and an adjunct instructor at Virginia Peninsula Community College.
McCartney’s professional shift was accidental. When his wife, who was active-duty Army at the time received orders for Fort Eustis, they settled in Hampton Roads in 2022. He eventually enrolled at VPCC.
“I was able to work from an office down here but was still having to go back and forth to D.C. frequently,” he said. “I was going through the EMT program using my GI Bill benefits while still working for the government. I had no intention of turning it into a career.”
“I was always interested in emergency medicine since I was a kid … but kind of just as a skill to have to be able to use in everyday situations. No matter where you are, emergencies happen… so that’s why I pursued EMT initially just to get that training to use as a life skill.”
When his job required a permanent return to Washington, D.C. in 2023, he was at a crossroads. McCartney needed to decide his future.
“I had that conversation with my wife. Everything aligned … the stars aligned. I was being told I had to go back to D.C. I was in the EMT program. I knew (VPCC) offered an accelerated paramedic program, so I decided to pursue it,” he explained.
“We were in a position where I was able to resign from my job and do full-time school. So that’s what brought me to where I am today,” he added.
McCartney completed EMT and paramedic certifications in 2023, passing national exams in January 2024. With requirements under his belt, he did a brief stint in medical transport while waiting for a fire department position.
“I got hired at Suffolk Fire and Rescue in May of 2024,” he said.
He enjoys the work. It includes everything from arriving at the scene and assessing the patient to determining a clinical course of treatment and safely transporting the patient to the hospital.
McCartney’s interest in emergency medicine dates to childhood. His father was a neurologist, and he recalls visiting hospitals and observing paramedics in action. The Florida native became fascinated with emergency medicine and his interest never waned. The opportunity to enter the field came at the perfect time in his life.
“I like challenges, and I like challenging myself. So, I thought, ‘You know what, I’m at a point in my life where I can do something that I want to do and not something that I have to do.’ … I just wanted something fresh and, new so let’s continue with EMS,” he said.
As for teaching, however, it was not in his plans. He became an adjunct instructor in VPCC’s Emergency Medical Technician program in October 2024 having performed well in the program as a student. He also had a great rapport with EMT personnel. McCartney’s first-hand student experience gives him a unique perspective.
“I already had a relationship with the instructors, which makes it easier to align my teaching with theirs,” he explained. “I’ve seen how the program works from the inside out, and I can adapt to better integrate with the structure and goals they’ve set.”
Like his student experience, McCartney’s professional background affects his teaching. His Army and federal government roles shaped his leadership and decision-making skills — qualities he imparts to his students. In daytime classes at VPCC’s campuses in Hampton and Williamsburg, he emphasizes teamwork, critical thinking and the importance of continuous learning.
“Every day on the job is an opportunity to learn something new,” he said. “That’s one of the biggest things I try to teach my students—to stay open to learning. EMS is constantly evolving, and you have to be willing to adapt.”
While he takes great care to stress the value of soft skills, he goes deep into program basics, ensuring students grasp everything necessary to succeed.
“I hope students gain an understanding of the basic skills they need to pass the program. But I make it more than just about passing the program. It’s more than just about the certifications and the tests. That’s why I try and utilize a lot of real-world experience and examples in my teaching, drawing in the basics,” he said.
“So I hope they gain an appreciation of the nature of the work outside of the classroom and how to apply those skills in a critical decision-making and critical thinking way, more than just memorizing information,” he continued.
While his military background is beneficial in the classroom, it also impacts McCartney’s daily work. And he believes his life experiences give him an edge in patient interactions and decision-making.
“The ability to communicate and make decisions under pressure, which I developed in the military, translates directly into EMS,” he said. “In this job, things can get chaotic, and you have to stay calm, focus on the task at hand, and lead by example. My military training helps me do that.”
McCartney, who finished high school at Roswell’s New Mexico Military Institute, holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in public administration from Florida Gulf Coast University. Intently focused on his career, he admits further education is not out of the question. He’d consider physician assistant studies.
Outside of work, McCartney is dedicated to his family. He and his wife have a son, nearly a year old, and he has two daughters, ages 16 and 21. With a passion for reading, especially about international affairs, McCartney enjoys staying informed on global events and spends his free time running, working out and traveling with his family, which he proudly notes also includes four dogs.
Reflecting on his career, McCartney emphasizes the importance of community colleges in preparing future first responders to serve their communities. He doesn’t regret choosing VPCC.
“I believe the value is good. I don’t mean value in terms of money. I mean value in terms of the experience of the instructors, student body … I was very lucky to be in a class filled with all active-duty firefighters and EMTs,” he stressed. “When I did in my search for colleges for an EMS program, I came over here. I was able to tour the (Hampton campus) facility. I was able to tour the facility up at the Historic Triangle, where I did EMT. Then I did paramedic right here, in the same classrooms I teach in now.”
“Community colleges, especially in EMS, have been the backbone of education for decades. The personal connection with instructors, the hands-on training, and the focus on student success make a big difference,” he added.