Since 2018, Carlos Rico has been Metro’s Senior Manager of Transit Security, but his public service career began with the U.S. Marine Corps. With Veteran’s Day approaching — a time to honor and thank veterans for their service— we’re honored to share Carlos’ story. He’s one of 541 military veterans currently working at Metro. Keep reading to learn more about his journey.
The Spanish version of this story is here
Carlos was 11 when his family’s car was stolen one night as they slept. Hours later, the police arrived to tell them the car had been recovered. He was so grateful to them for helping his family that, for the first time in his life, he considered becoming a police officer himself. Little did he know that it would set him on course for a career in public service.
In high school, he took a military exam, hoping that it might open a variety of opportunities. He passed with high marks, although it wasn’t until discussing it with a Marine Corps sergeant that he decided to take the plunge. “Here, your mental and physical strength will be challenged to the limit,” the sergeant told him. “The training is hard and heavy. But every time you meet a Marine, that person will be your brother for life.”
In 2002, during his senior year of high school, after he had been accepted into college, Carlos told his parents the news: “I’m going to enlist in the Marine Corps.”
His parents, expecting that he would go into politics, were not thrilled. After all, he was the only child in his family, and it was just one year after 9/11.
“I knew I’d eventually go to college, but first, I wanted to do something different,” Carlos recalls. “I explained it to my mom, but she didn’t want to hear it.” His father, who had also served in the military back in Colombia, wasn’t any more receptive.
They eventually came around. “You’re like me,” his mother told him, “Once you’ve made up your mind, there’s no changing it. I entrust you to God, so do your best.” It wasn’t long after that his father also became a proud Marine parent.
His early days at Camp Pendleton in San Diego were like a “cold shower,” Carlos says. The training was intense and everything was done fast. “Your free time was spent preparing your uniform, shining your boots, or bathing. It was tough to adjust to such a controlled environment, far from home.”
Yet this very environment was an ideal setting to cultivate new friendships, many of which endure today. “You meet people from all over the country; you’re in a diverse environment, but despite all differences, you become a brotherhood,” Carlos says. “There’s no room for individuality; you have to be a team, or you’ll fail.”
Carlos specialized in artillery, and within a few months, he was deployed.
“One of the hardest things is saying goodbye without knowing when you’ll see your family again.” He spent time in Kuwait, then moved to Iraq, where he joined an artillery unit supporting infantry operations. In 2004, he served in the United Arab Emirates, then in Qatar in 2005, where he joined a military police battalion for security work in the “Green Zone,” which housed UN and diplomatic missions from several countries.
“We patrolled, did checkpoints to check cars, and stopped weapons or bombs from entering,” Carlos said. He also supported teams providing security for U.S. embassies, which are typically guarded by Marines.
While his active service ended in 2006, Carlos remained in reserve for two more years. He is convinced that his Marine experience instilled essential career skills that still serve him today: leadership, discipline, and the ability to work under pressure as part of a team. Especially at Metro, where he has served as senior manager of transit security since 2018.
After returning to civilian life, he graduated in political science, worked with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and earned a master’s degree in public administration. When he saw an opening at Metro, he didn’t doubt. “I wanted to work in an area where I could make a difference and create improvements,” Carlos says. “And in L.A., transportation affects everyone.”
Today, Carlos leads teams who respond to emergency calls from riders and employees, oversees bus safety teams, and attends community events to educate the public about Metro’s safety efforts.
Yet his experience as a Marine is never far behind. This past year, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visited a Metro bus division in Los Angeles. Upon hearing that Carlos was a veteran, the Secretary handed Rico a challenge coin, inscribed with the Secretary’s name at the words: “With gratitude for your service to the nation.”
Despite his demanding role, Carlos, who was born in Los Angeles to Colombian parents, makes time to enjoy family life. He loves traveling, enjoying a traditional Colombian dish of ‘bandeja paisa’, watching the Dodgers, and cheering for his two sons at their weekend baseball games with his wife.
For Carlos, every November 11 is meaningful. “It’s not just about remembering an important part of my life, but about honoring everyone who served and made greater sacrifices.”
Metro is a great place to work, and we’re committed to hiring veterans. For more information, please see our Careers page and and click on ‘open positions’: www.metro.net/about/careers/
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