Like many who choose the enlisted military, I come from a small town life – though not that small of a town. I was raised in a trailer park on the outskirts of Tallahassee, Fla., in the typical single parent broken home we’ve come to love in America. I had a father who hit and verbally abused me; a mother who barely graduated high school and a stepfather who was a high school dropout. The only way of out of Tallahassee after high school was joining the military – well, it was that or stay at home and work for my stepfather’s HVAC company – so I joined the U.S. Air Force.

Rewind

Actually, that’s not the whole story: originally, I signed up for the Army Reserve because they promised me a $40,000 signing bonus to be an MP, but after hearing all of the horror stories from friends (and other Army MPs), I went to the recruiter to ask to be released on an account of “APATHY”. It was only then that I signed up for the Air Force.

And then came 9/11

Sept. 4, 2001, was my first day at basic training – seven days before everyone’s lives were changed forever. I try not to look back on it that dramatically, but at the time it was terrifying. Our instructor assured us the Air Force was not going to waste money training us to be mechanics or financial advisors or services personnel; rather, that we were going to have three weeks’ weapons training before being shipped off to war. He told us since we’re not skilled at anything, we’re expendable.

I never got those three weeks weapons training. I never went to the front lines either. I did, however, learn how to work on the KC-10 Extender and soon became really excited to do something I never knew existed before my fifth week in Basic Military Training.

Holding a wolf by the ears

I moved to Travis Air Force Base, outside of San Francisco, and began a great career as an Aerospace Maintenance Engineer. After three years there I moved to Kadena Air Base, Japan, where I started to realize the College Dream was slipping away the older I got and the more embedded in the Air Force I became. There was a thought that the Air Force was the like holding a wolf by the ears (Latin: auribus tenere lupum) – it sucked but there was no way in hell I was letting go. Nevertheless, I really wanted to go to college and do something with my life BIG…I didn’t quite know what that something was, but college seemed like the key to that goal.

So I got off active duty, joined the Reserve, went to the University of Florida (and several other smaller colleges) and traveled the world. I couldn’t have done most of this without the MGIB – it’s the greatest investment I’ve ever made. To tell you the truth, I’m still waiting on the catch seven years later.

Making it on the GI Bill

Someone at my first active duty station once told a good friend of mine, “If you ever get out of the Air Force you’re going to be flipping burgers back in your home town.” And without skipping a beat, my friend said, “I’ll be the best d#%$ burger flipper in the town.” Ricky Heckerson doesn’t flip burgers. He graduated from the University of Florida with a finance degree, married his college sweetheart and today works for a large international communications company. He made it on the GI Bill and so did I…and so can you.

Currently, I’m working at the University of Florida’s Health Science Center Library (HSCL) as an IT specialist. I’m also back in school for an IT Networking degree at Santa Fe College – which is turning out to be a formality since I’m being trained a lot faster at my job than in the classroom. I was hired because of my drive to learn and my abilities as a leader (something I learned from my training in the USAF).

When I separated from the Navy four years ago, all (well most) of my major life events seemed to converge within months. Get married – check. Find a job – check. Buy a house – check. Grad school? Not so fast.

As I started my new strategy consulting job, I found myself in an unfamiliar environment and culture. I sat in client meetings with other consultants speaking “consultanese,” and I struggled to keep up with the discussion. I wanted to earn a graduate degree to learn new skills and position myself for upward mobility, but first, I needed to focus on building my new career.

A year later, with more confidence and experience under my belt, I realized that it was time to take the next step. But what type of graduate degree was right for me? In the past when I made career path decisions (college, Navy ROTC, service selection, consulting), I always used the same process: identify my priorities/interests, talk to people with first-hand experience, weigh all the options, and commit to a decision (no looking back). Grad school was no different.

I spoke with my career manager about my professional goals; sought counsel from peers, senior leaders in my firm, and fellow vets who earned degrees that interested me – national security and business. I enrolled in a six sigma quality process improvement class and change management certification program. After writing up my first business case, I was hooked. MBA – here I come!

The next major hurdle – the GMAT. I had a hard time swallowing the cost of GMAT prep programs at first. But, being a nervous test taker, I decided to suck up the cost and enroll in a prep program. When I achieved my goal score (second time’s the charm), I moved on to figuring out the best program and format for me and my family. Should I quit my job and go to school full time? Could my family relocate? Would I be able to handle an executive program, balancing work, family and school obligations? Should I go in-state to save money? What if I don’t get accepted?

Admittedly, I became overwhelmed by the choices and variables I was facing. When I planned my wedding from Afghanistan, I was unfazed by the decisions and logistics at hand, delegating planning tasks and getting vendors to ship samples (even my wedding shoes!) to Kabul. Applying for grad school was a different story. I was a jumble of nerves and stress. In fact, my husband joked with my parents that I wasn’t a bridezilla, but I sure was a grad school-zilla!

Uncertain about how to move forward, I turned to a couple of friends, who recently had gone through the application process, for advice. I threw the variables out the window and first reflected on my story of how I got to my current job, where I wanted to go and how an MBA could help me achieve my goals. Only then could I take the next step and examine what program best fit me, my work/life situation and my career. The best part of this reflective approach? The application essays wrote themselves!

Now, a year into my MBA program, I can honestly say it’s one of the best career decisions I have made.

Throughout your military career, your path was mostly dictated to you. Go to boot camp. Go to infantry school. Go to Fort Bragg and join the 82nd Airborne. Go to Iraq. Return home briefly. Go to Afghanistan. Repeat.

Now, you’re transitioning from the military. No one will dictate your path. Without guidance, the options can feel overwhelming. You’re faced with a lot of choices. Should you seek a job with a role similar to the one you had in the military? Should you try a new role? Should you earn a degree?

College can serve as one path into the civilian business world and can provide substantial benefits. Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce published a study in 2011. They found that those who earn a bachelor’s degree could earn an average of $2.3 million over their lifetime, while those with only a high school diploma earn an average of $1.3 million (approximately $15/hour). However, college may not be the right choice for everyone. Here are some ways to find out what is best for you.

Do your homework.

What types of careers are you interested in? All degrees won’t lead to your desired career. It’s important to research career options and starting salaries for majors that you’re interested in. Some college graduates aren’t finding work, and some who find work have to settle for jobs unrelated to their major. Starting salaries in the last two or three years are lower for college graduates than they have previously been. Many jobs require a bachelor’s degree, so earning one will make it possible to apply to more jobs. In addition, if you choose a vocational major (accounting, criminal justice, computer science, cyber security, nursing, etc), college could help you develop professional skills, which could make you even more desirable to employers. Also, earning a college degree makes you well-rounded which may enable you to take on a wider variety of roles.

Find your major.

When you start college, you may not know what majors and careers interest you. Consider working part-time during college to learn more about your interests and what college programs match those interests. Class advisors and professors can help you find a major that’s right for you and will lead you to a successful career. Or, if you have concerns balancing a full-time program, consider attending school part-time. This will give you experience in a new profession while also earning your degree.

Alternative education options.

Don’t overlook alternative education programs. You could pursue a trade school to develop vocational or technical skills. There are automotive, plumbing, and electrician trade school programs, among others. Congress recently passed the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program, which offers up to 12 months training assistance to unemployed veterans between the ages of 35 and 60. Last, community colleges often provide a less expensive option to earn a quality degree, while providing you with more flexibility with your class schedule.

No matter which option you pursue, it is critical to understand the details of the Post-9/11 GI Bill and speak with school financial aid offices to learn how much coverage you will receive. Click here to learn more about the 9/11 GI Bill.

Don’t get left behind: Educate yourself about the education benefits you earned BEFORE you separate from the military.

I am a 25-year-old student veteran at Penn State University. I served as a culinary specialist in the U.S. Navy aboard USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) from 2007 to 2010.

Along with being a journalism student at PSU, I also hold a work-study position in the Office of Veterans Programs at University Park in State College, Pa. In this position, I have gained a different perspective of student veteran issues from the other side of the desk.

One thing that is disappointing to see is a student veteran who cannot name, and barely understands, the education benefit he or she is using. What upsets me most is that oftentimes it isn’t even the vet’s fault. The transition assistance programs and unit education officials are failing today’s military personnel. They are failing so much that students enroll in education programs before they have even applied for their VA education benefits. This creates strains and pains for students at a time when they are still trying to adjust to life outside of the military, not to mention the financial burden this puts on the students, many of whom depend on the cash flow from the GI Bill to pay rent and other bills.

The VA has a wealth of information on the Internet specifically for veterans using education benefits, but if veterans are not made aware of it, they will be left behind. The education process should begin while service members are still on active duty. In the case of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, as long as military personnel have accrued the 36 months of active duty service time, they can apply for their benefit while still on active duty. Getting processes started, like applying for Chapter 33, are too important to overlook. Everyone knows that dealing with the VA can be a long, painstaking process, so the earlier that aspiring students get started, the better for them.

Unfortunately, until pre-separation education about VA benefits gets better for service members, the burden will be on the individual vet to gather the information they need when it comes to paying for higher education, and that is a shame.

So don’t wait for the government: Visit the GI Bill website (www.gibill.va.gov) to gain an understanding of the education benefits you’ve earned. Then reach out to the school of your choice and contact their office of veterans programs to start your education.

10 ways schools can help military and veteran students achieve their academic and career goals.

By Dr. Thomas M. McGovern
President of Fisher College and U.S. Army veteran

Nearly 2 million service members have been deployed under Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) since 2001. Many of these service members are now returning from active duty in search of homes, jobs and an education. As a result, colleges and universities are working harder than ever to meet veterans’ postsecondary education needs. Some colleges have made great improvements in supporting veteran and active service members since the Post-9/11 GI Bill was implemented in 2009, while others still have a long way to go. Therefore, it is important for service men and women to do their homework when choosing a college that will best meet their needs.

Maximizing Your Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits

For many military students, the Post-9/11 GI Bill is the main reason for beginning or continuing their postsecondary education. To receive the maximum benefits from the Post-9/11 GI Bill, veteran and active service members must select a college that understands the challenges presented by the bill and has the expertise to manage the benefits it offers. In addition to assisting military students with understanding and leveraging the Post-9/11 GI Bill and its provisions, colleges should provide additional accommodations for veteran and active service members. Here are a few things to look for:

1. On-Campus Resources:

Military Friendly Schools offer on-campus resources to make learning about and utilizing Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits as easy as possible for veteran and active duty service members. As stated in the Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, “The vast array of funding possibilities illuminates the need for institutions to have a point person or office that can work with service member complexities.” It is advised that military students seek out this individual or office to learn about the benefits available in order to maximize their college experience.

2. Yellow Ribbon:

A qualified college will help military students utilize programs like the Yellow Ribbon Program. This program is a provision of the Post-9/11 GI Bill that is designed to help students avoid up to 100 percent of the out-of-pocket tuition and fees that may exceed GI Bill tuition benefits. A Military Friendly School will help veteran and active service members receive additional funds through this provision without additional charges to the student’s entitlement. By helping military students navigate processes and utilize benefits like the Yellow Ribbon Program, colleges can streamline the administrative aspects of degree programs for these students.

3. Credit:

Many Military Friendly Schools accept College Level Examination Programs (CLEP) and/or DANTES Subject Standardized Test (DSST) exams for credit, and many will accept military training and experience for credit through the American Council on Education (ACE).

4. Financial discounts:

Most also offer military students benefits such as tuition discounts; in-state tuition without residency requirements; and fee-waived applications.

5. Flexibility:

Military Friendly Schools tend to offer flexible schedules through evening, weekend, and online courses; and reenrollment without penalty for military students who are called to active duty.

6. SOC Degree Network System:

Military Friendly Schools are often part of the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) Degree Network System, an organization that works to provide educational opportunities to military students who, because of frequent relocation, have difficulty completing their college degrees.

7. MyCAA:

These colleges may also participate in the Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA), a program that provides up to $4,000 (over two years) of financial assistance for military spouses pursuing degree programs, licenses or credentials that lead to employment in portable career fields.

8. Relevant Degree Options:

Relevant degree options are increasingly important to veteran and active service members. Therefore, colleges looking to cater to these individuals should offer two- and four-year degree options in areas such as management, leadership, and public administration. Additionally, these degree options should be made available on a flexible schedule through day, night, and online courses. Colleges that understand the difference between traditional day students and military students will make allowances and build curriculums around the desires and needs of their veteran and active duty service members.

9. Career placement:

This is one of the most important aspects of a military student’s education. The transition from academic to civilian life is as critical to military students as the transition from military to student life. Colleges must acknowledge this process and provide the necessary support through internship opportunities, access to career counselors, and a network of Military Friendly Employers.

10. Community connections:

Colleges should also have experienced veteran advisors and counselors on staff who can help liaise with Local Veterans Representatives (LVRs) for career placement. By leveraging their business and community connections, Military Friendly Schools can effectively make the transition for military students into the work force as seamless as possible.

The provision of these benefits clearly demonstrates a college or university’s commitment to military students.

Pondering college can be daunting for even the most motivated service member. How to sift through the choices and determine your path.

With so many educational choices facing returning veterans in today’s academic marketplace, there can be an overwhelming sense of confusion, and even hesitation, when it comes time to sign up for classes and attend an institution that meets one’s life and career goals. Courses of study, institution type, academic culture, financial aid options, and government assistance programs now have a much greater breadth and depth to them than ever before, making any choice feel like it was only second best.

Attending school is a huge and underrated transitional piece for any veteran, riddled with many sociocultural factors that can be perceived as either a blessing or a barrier. When combined with the pressures of military duty schedules, civilian reintegration goals, and rediscovering one’s own identity and purpose from Soldier to civilian, an informed choice about college is paramount when planning for the future and reducing long-term, personal stress.

Research is paramount

Michael Dakduk, executive director for the Student Veterans of America, fully understands the challenges facing those who are transitioning from the military to an academic culture. Dakduk, a former Marine and Iraq combat veteran who attended college full-time to complete his bachelor’s degree, encourages others to explore their options.

“If I had to offer one piece of advice to transitioning veterans interested in college, I would emphasize the importance of researching academic programs or universities prior to enrollment,” Dakduk said. “Research is paramount to becoming a successful student. Veterans should begin that process before the uniform is removed.”

College or university?

Not all colleges and universities are created equal, and there are many types to choose from. Over the years, the term “college” and “university” have been used interchangeably, but these terms can denote different meanings. For instance, a college is generally an institution where a certificate, diploma or two-year degree is offered, whereas a university generally has four-year degrees and graduate programs, with a wider array of majors and course offerings. Class schedules, flexibility with family or work situations, and student culture can vary greatly between both types of institutions, and these variances can be divided into further subcultures depending upon where the school is located in the United States.

Give yourself enough time

It’s not only important to conduct some serious introspection regarding what career path to take after military life, but it’s equally as important to provide a cushion of time to research the correct school. Attending a college or university is not just about taking classes, but committing oneself to an organizational atmosphere and field of study that may or may not work for the long term, so find out in advance. Visit the campus, speak with faculty, chat with students, and get a feel for what they offer and how they offer it.

Also do some preliminary research on career fields of interest and attempt to find out what life is really like in those areas. One may find that while a career field may have been appealing in the military, its civilian counterpart may be a polar opposite. No matter which career interests are pursued through higher education, never feel pressured into committing to an institution or staying at one if it turns out to be the wrong decision.

“Understand the opportunities your academic program offers after you graduate and the potential return on investment of your specific degree field,” Dakduk said. “While everyone gets paid the same in the military based on a rank structure, the civilian world is remarkably different. Specific careers, and subsequently certain degree programs, will offer greater pay based on market demands. In some cases, your top-secret clearance may be more valuable than a bachelor’s degree based on career opportunities and the current economic climate. Veterans should understand that prior to choosing an academic program.”

Why accreditation is important

Many veterans may not realize how important it is to check the accreditation of a chosen school until it’s too late. Accreditation for a college or university is a symbol of quality assurance, proving the institution has met a set of public and private standards that provide value to an awarded degree. A non-accredited institution’s credits will typically be non-transferrable to other schools, and most programs of that nature will not be eligible for any student aid beyond taking out privately secured loans to pay for it. It’s a good idea to inquire with the appropriate accrediting bodies on the status of a school’s accreditation and licensing, as well as conduct an overall reputation check.

There are three main types of accreditation levels: programmatic, national and regional – all of which are overseen by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

• Programmatic accreditation deals with specific career fields that require special review, such as those being licensed after graduation. Engineering programs are a good example.
• National accreditation is more commonly associated with career and vocational institutes or those with specialized programs.
• Regional accreditation is the most common variety that is sought by most public and private higher-education institutions, and achieving such a level requires adherence to high academic standards. These accreditation standards apply to both for-profit, non-profit, public or private institutions, and these institutional credentials should be conspicuously posted in clear language on a school’s website or brochure.

Minds can change

Whatever path that’s taken to reach personal and professional goals through attending college, the journey of a service member through their transition from warrior to veteran has an impact on self-identity, interests and life direction as one becomes more integrated within the civilian culture. An important part of a service member’s transition deals with the loss of one identity – the warrior archetype, for example – and the emergence of a new variant of that former self, with the recognition that their old identity may never return. Due to this, it’s very common for veterans to change their academic focus while attending college as they grapple with who they once were, who they are now, and who they are looking to become.

MBTI

For those attending federal programs, such as Chapter 31, this internal change can be especially frustrating due to programmatic time restraints of college programs, and some federal vocational counselors may not be as patient or flexible as one may like. To more successfully navigate this adjustment, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a unique assessment tool, similar in nature to the initial vocational aptitude and interest testing conducted by the Chapter 31 program, to highlight one’s personality type and interests. This test can be taken online through the Myers & Briggs Foundation or through a certified professional. While it’s difficult to quantify human behavior, an inventory of one’s preferences and aspirations could be beneficial when attempting to make the “right” decision, especially if there are obstacles that have been overcome through the transition process that promote growth and change.