Military life falls into several categories: one enlistment and done; active duty to Guard or Reserves; 'maybe I will stay for one more enlistment'; 'I've done ten years; what's ten more? I'm in it for life; 'they will have to tell me to leave.'

For most service members, once you serve for a certain number of years, usually ten, you mentally commit yourself to complete 20 years to get a retirement pension. One of the things service members struggle with is deciding to retire and then actively planning for it. But the decision point should also include education decisions and what kind of work you want to do after leaving the military. While I was on active duty, I chose to further my education. Every school I attended had an online option, so I could work full-time and attend class full-time. The online option suited me; I didn't have to travel to campus or take time off work and could work at my own pace. For my bachelor's program, I chose information technology. It seemed logical, with excellent prospects for well-paying jobs after military service. While I received promotion points on my record, it ended up being a "check the block" on learning, not something I would necessarily pursue as a career field.

I spent almost ten years in military service when I earned my bachelor's degree. It was time to decide to reenlist or return to civilian life. I opted to reenlist; the pay was good, the job wasn't too terrible, and I could continue my education. So I enrolled in another university and got my master's degree in organizational management. And because my full-time work was supply and logistics, I opted for a concentration in supply chain management. When I finished my master's, I was seven years away from retirement. The prospects for supply chain management looked good, and although I did not speak the civilian business lingo for supply chain, the processes were similar enough that I knew I could learn quickly and do well. But deep down, I knew this was not what I wanted to do after I retired from the military.

So, now what? After a lot of soul-searching and conversations with my husband (who already had a Ph.D.) I realized I loved learning, reading, and researching, so I returned to school for my doctorate. I decided on a doctorate in strategic leadership, which is the practical application of doctoral research. As an enlisted soldier, leadership is often caught rather than taught. We learn what terrible leadership looks like and then become determined not to do the same. We attend leadership courses that help us make the next rank, but they seldom teach leadership principles, people skills, or practical ways to train, encourage, and build leaders. I wanted to learn how to make a difference in helping others become good leaders. That is where higher education can help make a difference in training leaders.

Now, I am retired from military service and will graduate with my doctorate in May 2023. My military experience and educational background are a great combination for a career in higher education. Although I taught and trained my fellow soldiers in various classes and subjects, I had not considered teaching at the university level until now. I am willing to share knowledge, teach, and build up the next generation of leaders. My military experience plus higher education has given me options for the work I want to do next. And teaching the next generation of leaders is something I can do that can make a positive difference.

The military provides a wide range of opportunities, training and education that make service members ideal for positions in higher education. Military personnel are instructors, mentors, technical trainers, and leaders. We also have the ability to build teams and interact with people from many backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities. Service members with human resource backgrounds can find positions in higher education suitable with their education and experience. Veterans can also work in financial departments to assist veterans in maximizing their education benefits. I received some of the best financial advice from veterans who navigated through the GI Bill® and Federal Tuition Assistance processes. And other military veterans can use their administration and operation experience in strategy, operations, and planning that propel higher education forward in new opportunities and directions. The best part of military service is knowing I have a wide range of knowledge, education, and experience to draw from for my next career in higher education.

Have you considered how your military experience and educational background fit into a career in higher education? Just a heads up, higher education has many more careers than just teaching.

Over the years, I have learned that holding onto information, ideas, or innovation causes it to stagnate, wither, and die. Creativity, innovation, and learning become greater when shared with others. Sharing knowledge and teaching others to think critically and develop their creativity and innovation can take them beyond what they thought they were capable. We tend to see leaders at the pinnacle of their careers but fail to consider the years of hard work, education, and dedication it took to make it to the top. Higher education professionals with military experience can help guide students on their education path and add a unique perspective to what they learn in the classroom. Less than 1% of the United States population serves in the military. Those of us who served and choose to work in higher education can make a difference by sharing knowledge and experience with the next generation. Service members have a solid foundation from which to draw. As higher education professionals, we can help others build their foundation to become better students and leaders in their chosen fields.

I am at a place where I want the second half of my life to have as much meaning and significance as the first half. And for me, it is not chasing the next promotion or becoming a vice president or CEO of a company other than my own. My work is boots on the ground, to help train the next generation for educational and leadership success. Our higher education institutions should not be diploma mills; they should set high standards and propel young people forward to a career that is impactful and meaningful. Meeting standards is easy; raising the standards takes hard work and discipline. Who better to help with hard work and discipline in education than military service members?

Article Topics

Job Search Advice Military Friendly Institutions Serving Military in HigherEd Veterans Academic Success Women Veterans Working as a Veteran in HigherEd

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