After a few years away, I was fortunate enough to return to Mozilla, and today marks my second departure. It's an unusual feeling to write this post twice, but it speaks to the gravitational pull of the mission that brought me back in the first place.

For context, you can read about my original decision here: [Leaving MoCo (The First Time)](https://www.rhelmer.org/blog/leaving-moco/)

### A Long History with the Mission

**Here is a visual summary of my journey and tenure:**

![Timeline showing Rob Helmer's 25-year history with Mozilla, highlighting Bug 43869 (2000), first tenure (2006-2008), and total 18 years of employment (2025).](/images/rhelmer-mozilla-timeline.webp)

My commitment to the Mozilla project stretches back far before my official employment periods. I filed my first bug, [43869](https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=43869), over **25 years ago**. My first official tenure followed, spanning from **2006 to 2008**, before returning in **2010**. Across both periods of employment, I have been proudly dedicated to this vital cause for nearly **18 years**.

That kind of longevity provides a unique perspective. It means I've witnessed tremendous change, navigated complex technological shifts, and seen the unwavering dedication of people working to keep the internet open, safe, and accessible.

While the chapter closes for me now, I will continue to cheer on Mozilla's critical mission from the sidelines. Thank you to everyone who made this journey a memorable one.