Dr. Lazaro "Tony" Astro

Dr. Lazaro Antonio "Tony" Astro (born May 25, Philippines) is an American author, workforce development scholar, and retired United States Navy Chief Petty Officer. He is best known for developing the CAREHQI® Framework (Cultural Adaptability, Resilience, Agency, Empathy, Humility, Quest, Identity) and founding the Civilian Readiness Academy.

A specialist in military-to-civilian transition, Astro holds a PhD in Human Services and serves as a Transition Educator for the Department of Defense. His research focuses on "Transition Intelligence" (TQ) and the psychological reconstruction of professional identity for veterans.

Contents
  1. Military Service
  2. Corporate & Academic Career
  3. The CAREHQI® Framework
  4. Bibliography
  5. Credentials & Awards

Military Service

Astro served in the United States Navy for 23 years (1991–2014), retiring at the rank of Chief Petty Officer (E-7). His service included deployments aboard the USS Nimitz and various commands in Yokosuka, Japan.

During his tenure, he served as a Career Counselor and Military Leader, managing the professional development of junior sailors. He is a Service-Disabled Veteran, a distinction that informs his current work in veteran advocacy and vocational rehabilitation.

Corporate & Academic Career

Following his retirement from the Navy, Astro entered the corporate sector, working with American Express (Fortune 500) for three years. This dual experience—military command and corporate finance—formed the basis of his "Hybrid Intelligence" theory.

A lifelong scholar, Astro has maintained continuous academic enrollment for over 25 years. He holds a PhD in Human Services, alongside a Master's degree, focusing his dissertation on the socio-economic factors affecting veteran employment retention.

He is the founder of CommerceWise and Mvoss Creation, companies dedicated to workforce consulting and brand development.

The CAREHQI® Framework

Astro developed the CAREHQI® Framework as a psychological alternative to traditional job placement services. Unlike standard transition programs that focus on resumes, CAREHQI addresses the "Identity Gap" that leads to veteran underemployment.

The framework asserts that successful transition requires mastery of seven dimensions: Cultural Intelligence, Agency, Resilience, Empathy, Humility, Quest, and Identity.

Bibliography

Dr. Astro has authored eight books on career development, leadership, and transition psychology:

  • The Human Career (2025) – A treatise on adaptability in the age of AI.
  • Civilian Readiness Academy – The official textbook for the CRA protocol.
  • Broken Promises – An examination of the systemic failures in veteran support systems.
  • The Misfit Advantage – How military "outliers" drive corporate innovation.
  • Resume Rewired – A technical guide to translating military duties into commercial revenue.
  • Ethical Crossroads – Navigating moral dilemmas in the private sector.
  • The Transition Architect – A blueprint for post-service life design.
  • Cultural Hybrid Intelligence (CHI) – Bridging the gap between military order and civilian chaos.

Credentials & Awards

Dr. Astro holds multiple industry-standard certifications in career counseling and human services:

  • PhD: Doctor of Philosophy (Human Services)
  • CMCS: Certified Master of Career Services
  • GCDF: Global Career Development Facilitator
  • CCSP: Certified Career Services Provider
  • CMF: Career Management Fellow