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Benefits and obstacles veterans face when seeking higher education
As service members consider the choices available to them when they transition out of the military, many are faced with a difficult decision. The path to civilian life is not always straightforward, and the job security of the military appears alluring when one considers the unknowns of easing back into civilian life. In this post, my aim is to use my story of transitioning from the Air Force to Yale University to help fellow veterans realize their options in the realm of education.
Like many fresh-faced service members straight out of high school, I planned to attend college after completing a four-year enlistment in the Air Force. And again, a story familiar to all veterans, plans change and unexpected re-enlistments occur. Seven years later, the time had come: My contract was ending in one year. Finally, I could pursue my original plan of attending college and I had an abundant resource to fund this next phase of my life: The Post-9/11 GI Bill. While I understood the worth of this asset, I was unsure how to go about maximizing its value.
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As service members consider the choices available to them when they transition out of the military, many are faced with a difficult decision. The path to civilian life is not always straightforward, and the job security of the military appears alluring when one considers the unknowns of easing back into civilian life. In this post, my aim is to use my story of transitioning from the Air Force to Yale University to help fellow veterans realize their options in the realm of education.
Like many fresh-faced service members straight out of high school, I planned to attend college after completing a four-year enlistment in the Air Force. And again, a story familiar to all veterans, plans change and unexpected re-enlistments occur. Seven years later, the time had come: My contract was ending in one year. Finally, I could pursue my original plan of attending college and I had an abundant resource to fund this next phase of my life: The Post-9/11 GI Bill. While I understood the worth of this asset, I was unsure how to go about maximizing its value.
SEE THE REST OF ARTICLE!
Applying to College as a Military Veteran
Posted from psychologytoday.com
Education
Transition
College
What Would You Do
Civilian Career
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 13
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs I attended The Univ. of Texas right out of high school. I had no business going to college than a man in the moon. By my third semester, I was going to flunk out. One of the only ways to withdraw without a grade penalty was to join the military. It was a seldom used alternative in 1975, with the Vietnam War very fresh on everybody's mind. I went directly to the Marine Recruiter, and without any hesitation signed a 4 year open contract. Three weeks later I was getting up at Parris Island at the time I was used to going to bed. When I returned to UT four years later, it was like a different school. I still got drunk and chased women all over campus, however, there was time to study and manage my education that did not exist before. For some strange reason college was not nearly the challenge it was four years before. The point of this post is to encourage this scary jump. If you have made the decision to leave the military and attend a civilian school, you will find yourself surprised. I am convinced that you have learned a lot more during your military service than you currently realize. In many situations you will find yourself drawing from a maturity that your civilian peers will never understand, and you will succeed in your academic endeavors. In my case, I returned to the Marine Corps as an officer, returning to the service is up to you, what ever the case, you have a distinct advantage. Good luck, you will do great.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
i know if I'd gone to college right out of High School it would not have worked out so well, I had no idea what I wanted to do anyway. i enlisted in the US Air Force and during My second enlisted added two years of college while I was on active duty. i thought I knew more than I did, the Captain I worked for and th Base equal Opportunity Officer kept trying to get Me to go on Operation Bootstrap, a program at the time to have the Air Force send You to the remaining two years of college and the to OTS, Officer training School. i decided to get out instead after 8 years active duty. I did finish college with BS degree but in the process found out being a civilian isn't all its cracked up to be. The Grass is always greener in the other fellows yard until You get there and find half the lawn is dead. After and 8 year break in service i went back into an Air Force Uniform in the Reserves. I did reenter as a SSgt but lost all the time in grade due to the long expanse of time. Had to take all the tests and physical all over again, did ok in them. i spent another 14 years in Uniform which brought Me up to 22 years. I retired as a SMSgt. i turned down a chance to make CMSgt as it would have required a relocation I wasn't willing to make. I'm also retired from the Sherborn (MA) Police Department. There are times I'm sorry i missed that opportunity to become a Commissioned Officer, I did get along ok in the USAF but I didn't have any experience as a civilian worker at that time. I guess things still worked out and I used some things I learned when I got older.
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https://studentveterans.org I think I got it now, the link should hopefully work now, with any luck.
The Leadership Institute Series is an annual series of leadership training events held in several regions around the country, and culminating with the highly-selective Leadership Institute.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
Capt Daniel Goodman Sorry, I didn't see your second message and I reposted it above as well. Sorry about that!
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LT (Join to see)
I am not sure if there is something wrong with my connection, but everytime that I try to click on your links, or even just type in https://studentveterans.org into my search engine... it comes up as http://www.burandokopi002.com/ for some reason. is there any other way to get to this site, possibly a different address? Thank you for your help!
The Leadership Institute Series is an annual series of leadership training events held in several regions around the country, and culminating with the highly-selective Leadership Institute.
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Capt Daniel Goodman
I don't entirely understand why, obviously, if you merely do a Google search for Student Veterans or America, you should certainly be able to find the proper link for it, I've glanced through the site many times, very impresv grp, it's been mentioned by sevl others on here, as well, whether the main group, or various chapters being discussed, hope that's of help, many thanks.
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Thanks for letting us know COL Mikel J. Burroughs both the benefits and obstacles veterans face when seeking higher education. Most are interested in the benefits but as veterans most have learned to overcome obstacles. Hopefully the obstacles will not be insurmountable to the veterans who apply for higher education.
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