A little optimism goes a long way.

Khosbayar "Khos" Rentsendorj is a testament to that.

The Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) Contract Specialist, former active-duty U.S. Marine and current Marine reservist, maintains a strict "glass half full" mentality, and it's paying off.

Rentsendorj joined the Marine Corps just months after the attacks on 9/11.

"I wanted to do something. I was a college student at the time, but I left school and enlisted in the Marine Corps," he said.

He remained on active duty until 2006, and after separation, went back to school and earned his degree from the University of Arkansas.

"After that I joined the Reserves and volunteered for active duty mobilization, which I did for four years," he said. "Then I got out again, and got hired by the Navy in 2014 as a civilian at Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Norfolk."

At NAVSUP, Rentsendorj met Greg Finke, who was impressed by his attitude and work ethic.

"Khos is a great employee but more importantly, he's a good person," said Finke, who is now a Division Head within the Contracting Office (Code 400). "A lot of the values he instills at home he brings to work."

When Finke was hired at NNSY, he knew Rentsendorj would be an asset to his new team, and since 2017, Rentsendorj has worked in the Shipyard's Contracting Office as a Contract Specialist. He currently supports the Submarine and Availability Support Division (Code 450), specifically the Submarine Preservation Program.

Earlier this year, Rentsendorj was selected as one of only 18 Warrant Officers chosen from the Marine Reserves. He then attended The Basic School at Marine Corps Base Quantico, where all Marine officers train to be platoon commanders.

"Whether you're active duty or reserve, to be selected out of enlisted ranks to be a Warrant Officer, a mustang, is a huge honor," he said. "Leading other Marines is a great responsibility and privilege. I'm grateful to Greg and my superiors for allowing me to stay actively engaged in the Marine Corps and take advantage of this opportunity. To be gone for five months is not a small period of time, so it's a great feeling when your leadership has your back like that."

In his Reserve capacity, Rentsendorj will be working as a personnel officer in a shop of roughly 27 active duty Marines and reservists.

As a reservist, Rentsendorj understands the impact of his work from both sides and he sees the dual nature of his career as more motivation to work hard because each of his jobs indirectly affects the other.

"We are a military organization and we support our military customers, whether it's the ships or other commands, and it's personal to me because I am also that customer," he said. "Everything I do as a Contract Specialist I take to heart and have huge pride in doing. I'm a warfighter, and I'm also indirectly helping the warfighters accomplish their mission."

"It puts a humbling spin on the work we do within the government," added Finke. "As a Division Head, I'm worried about supporting the shipyard and getting the work out, but when Khos has to perform his reservist duties, it puts that into perspective. We may not directly support the Marines, but what we do at the shipyard could impact him. Having a reservist on the team helps us see the end goal."

For Rentsendorj, being a reservist has given him a way to stay connected to the lifestyle he loves.

"Being a reservist is awesome," he said. "I can stay a Marine. To non-marines, the 'Semper Fidelis' and 'Once a Marine, always a Marine' mindset can seem almost cult-like. But to Marines, it's true. Even though I'm out of active duty I'm still heavily involved in other Marines' lives. It's nice to see junior Marines grow and do well, and it makes me proud too."

Outside of the shipyard and when he's off duty, Rentsendorj rarely has a free moment to spare.

"I have so many hobbies I don't have much free time," he said. "I have two kids who keep me busy."

His son and daughter are active in various extracurricular activities, from violin and ballet to piano and soccer.

"We try to prepare them as much as possible for the future, so they're very involved in a lot of things, which means I'm also involved in a lot of things," he said. "If I tell my kids to do something but I don't do it myself, it's an empty statement. I apply the same thing with my junior Marines. I want my kids to succeed and I want my Marines to succeed, so I take it personally and try to lead by example."

Rentsendorj's success can be attributed in part to his positive outlook on life.

"The attitude you leave home with will define how your day goes," he said. "Remember, we're living in the strongest and best country."

When asked for one piece of advice to live by, Rentsendorj didn't even pause to think.

"Always look at the glass half full because you never know if the person next to you is dealing with cancer, or the loss of a child, you never know. If you're healthy and you have a job and a roof over your head, you're good."

And for those who may be unsure about where their career is taking them, Rentsendorj offered this:

"Always look for advancement opportunity. The sky is the limit. That's what I always tell my kids. There are many ways to get to your goal, you just have to figure it out and make it happen."

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