How has your military service helped you accomplish a civilian goal?

My time in service.. I learned how to always stay more focused but respectful of others. Knowing how others feel and work style allows me to be able to get a mission/goal completed and be able to give bad news when needed.

Hi, SSG Cook.

I went back to school too after service. I was on the 20-year degree plan; I went to college right after high school because I thought I was supposed to, goofed off for a couple of years, and dropped out. Then i joined the AF and found the motivation and discipline to go back, but then i didn't have the time. Health issues got me med-boarded, and the VA's vocational rehabilitation program picked up my full ride for my bachelors' degree. Then I got squirrelly, and finished my MBA in 2009.

College was a piece of cake compared to the military. Not academically; any test I took in the AF was multiple choice over information I had just seen, and I never wrote a 40-page paper while I was in. It was the mechanistic structure of the military that made it hard. You had to look like everyone else and talk like everyone else and be on time and on target and on mission 24/7. Make no mistake, that's exactly what we all signed up for. But college was no where close to being as stressful.

I know that Masters' is a lot of work. Hang in there, and good luck!

The number one skill that I was introduced to in the military is patience. Some people learn this skill early on, not me! The service introduced it to me and I am still learning how to apply this skill in civilian life.

I am trying to finish a graduate degree also. Graduate school is similar to a long distance race. You need to be motivated enough to train yourself at your institution. You need to be patient enough to let your professors teach you in the classroom and on campus. You need to be disciplined enough to endure the process. The process is putting one foot in front of the other, day in and day out, while keeping your eye on accomplishing your objective.

SSG Drew Cook -Congratulations on the completion of your most recent semester in graduate school. I can relate to the challenges that you are currently facing as I too felt that pursuing my MBA was one of the most challenging responsibilities that I have completed thus far. With influencers such as unit OPTEMPO, deployments, and just the organizational posture and culture of the Army, had me questioning at certain points within my program if I was taking on too much and if I was even "cut out" to pursue advanced schooling. The other part of me was feeling that the timing just was not right and perhaps I should wait until retirement to pursue my MBA. Then, looking at the realistic perspective, when has there ever been an ideal time based on our profession to pursue college? In order to complete it, I realized that I had to MAKE the time. I am not necessarily sure what drives you or serves as your motivational factor, but for me; it always has and always will be my family. That, coupled with me being my own self-starter. However, like you I am a glutton for punishment and am now pursuing my Doctorate degree. Although I have just a little over 2 and a half years until retirement, I believe that my challenge facing post military life will be completing this forthcoming degree as I transition to the next chapter while being uncertain where the next opportunity is going to be coming from coupled with putting one of two children through college. Thankfully, I am an extreme optimist which helps to keep me from having "the sky is falling" moments in order to remain calm, collected, and grounded. Although the small view of uncertainty is presented, I will keep faith, remain humble, hungry, and with the mindset knowing that it will work out in the best interests of me and my family. Or at least having the peace of mind to know that I busted my ass to ensure it to be as such. Best of luck in the continuing of your studies; wishing you much excellence and continued success. Be well.

interesting... when i retired ... I went in to security...

Yes, because I got a degree while in service, and learned a profession and qualified for military retirement I was able to retire at age 62.

My civilian goal was to have a family and the military afforded me the opportunity to do just that. I was able to place myself in a financially stable situation which enabled me to support my wife and have a kid.

I never focused on "Goals" God bless you that can. I just wanted to work and do my thing and if nothing else my Military Background got me recognized as a Man of Action and a Subject Matter Expert in my Fields and that should never be discounted. The Military will always be an excellent environment to Hone whatever Natural Skill Sets You Have.

Being in the military helped me get a college education and a skill that enabled me to save countless lives in many countries, as well as fellow GIs. Not trying to sound arrogant of course, but the untold lives, vehicles, property and livelihood of who knows how many people made me feel like I changed the world. Or parts of it.

My civilian goal was to protect and provide for my family so they could live in comfort and safety, as those I helped could do. Egotistical? Probably. Show me another EOD Tech that DOESN'T feel that way, or any of you military folks for that matter.

Didn't finish boot cause of past b's but still love the marine core