Did you know that instructor positions at military service academies have educational requirements that are on par with civilian academic institutions? The service members that are ultimately chosen for these prestigious instructor positions undergo a rigorous screening process, as they are tasked with educating future military officers that will be charged with leading the men and women of our nation's armed forces. This is an excellent talent pool from which colleges and universities can draw fully qualified individuals for adjunct instructors and tenure-track professor positions. Let's explore why you should consider employing more transitioning military officers with academy teaching experience.

Qualifications
While it is widely known that military officers must at least hold a bachelor's degree prior to commissioning (with some exceptions), many continue furthering their education as it helps them remain competitive for future promotions. In 2020, approximately forty percent of active-duty officers held an advanced or higher degree. Within this population, only the best and brightest are selected for assignment as rotating faculty or appointment as permanent professors. Army officers seeking a position at The United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point are assessed using information from their Officer Evaluation Reports (OERs), Academic Evaluation Reports (AERs), Officer Record Briefs (ORBs), undergraduate transcripts, and GRE scores. Additionally, they are evaluated on their responses to essay questions, and well-written letters of recommendation can bolster their chances of acceptance.

There are permanent and rotating faculty positions at USMA, each with differing requirements. Academy professors, which are permanent appointments, must earn a Ph.D., and these individuals are switched to Functional Area 47 for the rest of their careers. For rotating faculty positions, applicants attend top-tier graduate schools through the Advanced Civil Schooling process before assignment as an instructor, even if they already have a graduate degree. The United States Naval Academy requires Navy and Marine officers to have earned a master's degree in the discipline they seek to teach, with positions in schools of mathematics and science, engineering and weapons, or humanities and social science. Permanent professors at the Air Force Military Academy (AFMA) must have a doctorate or appropriate professional terminal degree for an appointment. The visiting faculty program, which allows civilian instructors from institutions of higher education to teach at the AFMA, requires a master's degree, although a Ph.D. is preferred.

Organizational Benefits
Many veterans seeking positions in academia face several obstacles in getting noticed, which may lead to a substantial period of unemployment. Did you know that companies may be eligible for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) for hiring an individual from one of the targeted groups? You can meet the needs of your organization, provide meaningful employment, and earn the WOTC by employing someone from the following groups:

• Unemployed for a period totaling at least four weeks (whether or not consecutive) but less than six months in the 1-year period ending on the hiring date.
• Unemployed for a period totaling at least six months (whether or not consecutive) in the 1-year period ending on the hiring date.
• A disabled veteran entitled to compensation for a service-connected disability hired not more than one year after being discharged or released from active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces.
• A disabled veteran entitled to compensation for a service-connected disability who is unemployed for a period totaling at least six months (whether or not consecutive) in the one-year period ending on the hiring date.

The veteran may fall into more than one of these categories, which may then qualify the organization for additional credits. Additionally, the VA may pay for accessibility modifications and upgrades for disabled veterans to assist them in performing their duties. These enduring changes can help other employees and last well into or beyond the veteran's tenure.

Veterans are accustomed to performing in stressful situations; they can quickly adapt to their surroundings and contribute to the team shortly after onboarding. Functioning as part of a collective comes naturally to them. They were previously assigned to a battalion or squadron during their military service, where an unwillingness to collaborate could have life or death consequences. While many veterans possess innate leadership abilities, they also recognize when to defer to others and play their roles as part of a team. These individuals are highly resilient, and through their various assignments, many possess cross-cultural experience, which is beneficial when interacting with international students. Additionally, they are familiar with multi-hierarchical organizations, a category in which most academic institutions tend to fall.

There are veterans that are highly capable of walking into your organization and making an immediate impact. They are qualified and willing to learn what it takes to be a successful team member while also earning your institution financial incentives for offering them employment. This mutually beneficial relationship should be the motivation that you need to recruit more veteran instructors today!

Article Topics

Job Search Advice Military Friendly Institutions Working as a Veteran in HigherEd Workplace Inclusion

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