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7 Reasons You Should Consider an MBA

EducationGovernment

By Kara Sherrer

Transitioning from the military to civilian life can be challenging, and veterans all approach this life change differently. Some go into military contracting, while others immediately get a job on the civilian side.

Still, others decide to return to school after the military, and getting an MBA can be a great way for veterans to prepare themselves for a new career.

To get the full picture of how an MBA benefits veterans, Vanderbilt University sat down with Christie St-John, Director of Admissions for the MBA program at Vanderbilt Business and the admissions representative for all Armed Forces candidates. She shares the top ways that business school helps veterans.

1 Career Switching Support

Most veterans leave the military with a strong background in operations work. While many veterans can and do get a civilian position working in operations, others want to switch into a different function entirely. An MBA program’s breadth helps veterans ease into a wide variety of industries and makes it easier to start a different career path.

“An MBA gives veterans skills that they can use in many different jobs, and their transition will better, smoother, and financially enhanced with an MBA,” St-John said.

2 Bigger Starting Salaries

Getting an MBA generally results in a higher starting salary for military veterans; for perspective, the average base salary for a Class of 2017 MBA graduate at Vanderbilt Business was $113,205, plus a $25,232 signing bonus. An MBA also improves the probability of future promotions. When asked how she convinces veterans of the value of an MBA, St-John says, “I would probably go to them and say, ‘This will be your starting salary if you start a job right now, and this will be your starting salary if you graduate with an MBA.’ That, and the enhanced network, usually does it.”

3 Larger Professional Network

Going to business school will greatly expand your network beyond current and former military personnel. You’ll connect with professionals across a variety of functions and industries. Through the recruiting process, you’ll also learn how to network with people, a critical skill for navigating the civilian business world. “They don’t have to network in the service. The next promotion is offered if you are qualified, so you don’t have to make sure you socialize with the head of the unit,” St-John explains.

4 Career Resources

Business schools are invested in helping students succeed: after all, it doesn’t help anyone if students drop out or don’t get a job. “[One veteran told me,] ‘In the [military] academies, they’re trying to get you out. Business schools actually want to keep you in,’” St-John recalls, with a laugh. Business schools offer career support services, such as the Career Management Center at Vanderbilt Business, to help all students narrow down possible options, update their resumés, and prepare for interviews.

5 Veterans Clubs

In addition to career management services, many schools offer veteran clubs that give members a place to network with fellow military personnel and get advice on specific recruiting challenges for veterans. For example, “the Armed Forces Club will help [veterans] translate their military resume into a civilian resume,” St-John explains.

6 Financial Aid

Depending on the length and nature of the military officer’s service, several sources of financial support are available. Both the G.I. Bill and the Yellow Ribbon program are possible funding sources for veterans. Outside scholarships, such as those provided by the Pat Tillman Foundation, may also be an option.

7 Many Job Opportunities

Lots of civilian companies are actively looking to hire veterans for their leadership and teamwork experience and their ability to work under pressure. Veterans with MBAs are very desirable candidates for certain industries, including the high-stakes world of investment banking. “Most of the companies we work with have a specific division that is looking for military candidates,” St-John said. “[Companies want veterans] because they know they’re going to be very mature, focused, and disciplined, and they’re obviously excellent at working in teams.”

If you’re a current or former member of the Armed Forces contemplating your next move, reach out to Christie St-John to learn more about the Vanderbilt Business MBA program.

Source: business.vanderbilt.edu

Which College Majors Are Student Veterans Pursuing and Why?

Education

Female soldier with books on USA flag background

Originally posted by Suzane L. Bricker, M.A., HigherEd Military

Warrant Officer Randall Johnson had enjoyed his military career; but now, he had other concerns on his mind. At 39 years old, with two kids, a wife, and a dog, he knew that unless he returned to the civilian world and tried to make more money, he was not going to provide for his family the kind of lifestyle he had always dreamed of giving them.

Johnson had entered the military at 18. He wanted to achieve something no one else in his family had been able to obtain: a college degree.

Thinking back on that time in his life, Randall remembered that he never really considered himself to be much of a student. But now, as he considered his options; the military officer thought that maybe he had just needed time to mature, and he would do better in his classes this time around.

His attitude changed and Randall got a bit excited as he realized how much he wanted that college degree as insurance, so that he could get a good-paying job once he re-entered the civilian workplace. And now, as he was turning 40, he realized he needed to take that next step, before his age began to stand in the way of finding a meaningful career.

Warrant Officer Johnson’s conflicting opinions about his future are not that unusual, according to Abby Kinch, interim chief of staff for the Student Veterans of America (SVA). The primary reason for enlisting in the military is to get education benefits and go to college, she said. This trend has gotten even greater since enlistment numbers surged after 9-11.

And, among the roughly 75% of veterans who do pursue a four-year degree, the majority are full-time students, who simultaneously choose to work a full- or part-time job. Their spouses may work too.

Kinch is an Airforce veteran, who worked as an airborne cryptologic linguist in the military. Like many other service members and veterans, her motivation to enlist was the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers in New York and on the Pentagon.

“I was a sophomore in college on Sept. 11,” said Kinch. “At that time, I was slow to realize what was going on.” But, at 19 years old, Abby enlisted; just 24 hours after the Twin Towers fell.

After she left the service, Dr. Kinch went back to school, where she continued to pursue her education until earning a Ph.D. in public administration and policy at Florida State University. She also joined SVA as a chapter member in 2011. The nonprofit agency reaches about 750,000 student veterans a year, she said.

“Our main goal is empowering student veterans to, through, and beyond higher education. We advocate for student veterans on the campus level.”

Dr. Kinch pointed out that student veterans are looking for meaningful, highly compensating careers. That is why, she said, the vast majority of veterans go to four-year public universities and major in business, STEM, or health-care related fields.

Top Five Majors of 2023

According to Dr. Michael T. Nietzel, president emeritus of Missouri State University, and a senior contributor to Forbes online, “In the past decade, there has been a substantial shift toward practically oriented majors with greater job prospects.” He added that the move away from liberal arts majors has created more interest in the computer sciences.

Dr. Nietzel’s Feb 16, 2022, Forbes article identified the most popular majors among the class of 2023. This list is based upon Niche, a data-gathering resource for prospective college students:

Business (6.57%)
Medicine/Pre-Medicine (5.99%)
Psychology (5.36%)
Biology (5.04%)
Nursing (3.89%)

Majors Preferred by Student Veterans and Military Students

So, how does this list stack up against the majors preferred by military students? Dr. Kinch commented that many of these same options are likely to be chosen by military learners too, with one exception: psychology.

“Social sciences are not among the top majors these veteran students usually pursue, because they tend to be more purposeful in their money decisions. They are looking for a career before, or directly after separation, and want to find the college majors that will get them those options.”

Dr. Kinch also stated that the vast majority of student veterans are not distance learners, because they’re looking to be full-time students. Distance learners; on the other hand, are usually active-duty service members who are using tuition assistance to pay for their classes.

According to Dr. Nietzel, who obtained his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Illinois in 1973, student veterans have a good sense of the job market. As a result, enrollment in majors in IT and the healthcare professions are definitely benefiting from this trend, as are standard business majors, like finance and accounting.

But, he said, he has also seen evidence of another emerging trend on the horizon.

“You see a movement toward communications,” Michael said. In the last couple of years, the enrollment is rising, as companies attach more importance to a strong communications department. Whether or not communications will emerge among the top five popular college majors has yet to be seen, he added.

Drs. Kinch and Nietzel both pointed out that the influx of military students on college campuses in recent years has had very positive impacts upon the student population overall.

“I’d like to emphasize the benefits that veterans bring to colleges campuses,” Kinch said. “They are funded students who graduate with high GPAs and get outstanding careers.”

Dr. Nietzel agreed, “I think that faculty generally like to have diversity in their classes; the experiences that former military would bring to the classroom should be seen as an asset.”

Read the original article here.

How Colleges Can Better Support Veterans

Education

two graduating students giving high five and peace sign

Choosing a college can be challenging for anyone, but as a veteran, you want to ensure that you select an educational institution that understands your experiences. To help you know what to look for, we sat down with Senior Director of Student Success Initiatives at ASU, Nicolette Miller, who has firsthand experience working with veterans returning to school. Here are her thoughts:

What support should veterans be looking for when choosing a college?

Students should select a college that has dedicated support for their unique needs. There are a lot of nuances with applying for military benefits. Attending a university with specialized and dedicated military and veteran programs can help eliminate funding barriers as well as recognize life experience and the challenges that veteran students might encounter as they acclimate to a new life and routine and balance their studies.

It’s helpful to select a university with an established community of students who provide peer encouragement. At ASU Online, we have a dedicated success coaching team that is specially trained to understand the unique needs of veterans, active-duty military and family members or dependents. The Pat Tillman Veterans Center at ASU, which assists both campus and online students, understands the challenges that our veteran, military and dependent student population faces and helps simplify the academic process and build a successful college experience.

What programs are best for veterans reentering the workforce?

We often see our veteran students enter STEM fields based on their military experience. We also offer degree programs such as a Master of Arts in Global Security which appeals to those with military backgrounds. It trains students to critically engage global conflict and international security in a comprehensive manner designed to aid professional advancement in the military, government and private sector careers.

Programs like ASU Online also offer resources for students that may be unsure of what degree they would like to pursue or what careers might be a good fit for them. We offer enrollment coaching guidance as well as tools to help narrow down the programs that best align with their educational and professional goals.

How do I find a school that will offer course credit for my military training and experience?

Nicolette Miller

Students should look for schools that accept Joint Services Transcripts (JST) and/or Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) Transcripts. The CCAF is a regionally accredited community college. If students received credit for courses taken through the CCAF while serving in the Air Force, they will submit this transcript as part of their undergraduate application. The JST will be reviewed for possible transfer credit as well.

What’s your advice for achieving a balance between academics and work when pursuing an online degree?

Identify and leverage a network of family and friends or through ASU Online with a Success Coach. Our coaches will help you formulate a plan to manage your time and set incremental goals as you navigate your degree program. They will also help you navigate the variety of resources that are available to you as a student. Expect the unexpected. Obstacles will come up along the way, but your Success Coach is available to help you overcome any academic or personal challenges you may encounter and provide you with the tools to allow you to continue your progress toward graduation.

What should I be considering as I research online degree programs?

First and foremost, you should ensure your university is regionally accredited and has a solid technology platform, flexibility and great support from staff and faculty. It’s important your university puts students first and surrounds them with a community that is committed to their success.

Former NFL Seahawk, Dave DesRochers’ The 1st & Goal Project Screens Movie: MVP

EntertainmentGovernment

panel of five onstage discussing the movie promo behind them

By Danielle Jackola

“On the streets of Hollywood, a recently retired NFL player is saved from scandal by a homeless veteran suffering from PTSD. With their ‘glory days’ behind them both, the two men bond in search of real purpose and identity. Inspired by actual events, MVP dramatizes the formation of Merging Vets & Players and features both military veterans and former professional athletes in front of and behind the camera” (@MVPtheMovie).

PHOTO: Christina Ochoa, Mo McRae, Margarita Reyes, MJ Acosta-Ruiz and Nate Boyer attend FilmRise’s MVP Red Carpet Premiere at AMC The Grove 14 in Los Angeles. The film, inspired by true events, is a raw portrayal of navigating the transition to life outside the uniform. Co-written by Nate Boyer, a Green Beret, former Seattle Seahawk and producer, MVP takes viewers on a journey into the intersecting lives of former NFL player Will Phillips portrayed by Mo McRae and Zephyr, portrayed by Boyer, and introduces viewers to the organization, Merging Vets & Players.

Merging Vets & Players

Boyer and Fox Sports insider Jay Glazer founded Merging Vets & Players in 2015. As a veteran and former NFL player, Boyer understands the unique experiences of veterans and professional athletes and how they can support each other. Glazer, a long-time television personality and sports reporter, has trained numerous athletes and co-owns The Unbreakable Performance Center in West Hollywood, California with former Chicago Bears’ linebacker, Brian Urlacher and U.S. Women’s Volleyball Captain, Lindsey Berg.

The organization shares that, “MVP empowers combat veterans and former professional athletes by connecting them after the uniform comes off; providing them with a new team to assist with transition, promote personal development, and show them they are never alone.” The nonprofit offers programs in eight cities plus virtually and boasts 2,000+ participants and over 9,965 program hours offered. There are many ways to get involved as a member, donor and partner. Find more information at vetsandplayers.org.

Screening

The 1st & Goal Project and Merging Vets & Players invited U.S. Veterans Magazine to a recent benefit screening of MVP (the movie) in Laguna Niguel, California. This fantastic film is not to be missed! Prior to the screening, attendees mingled, shared stories and enjoyed the photo opps. We are grateful for Dave DesRochers, Nate Boyer and everyone who organized the event, and the veterans, former NFL players and supporters who attended in support of this thought provoking and inspiring movie.

After the screening, several of the actors and the founder of 1^st & Goal Project, DesRochers, spoke with the audience and explained their connection to the story and the nonprofit MVP. Viewers had an opportunity to ask questions and several veterans in attendance were moved to tears and shared how the film resonated with them.

The 1^st & Goal Project

two men and a woman hold U.S. Veterans Magazines, smiling — (L-R) Nate Boyer, star of MVP, Danielle Jackola, senior editor of *U.S. Veterans Magazine* and Dave DesRochers, founder of The 1st & Goal Project, attend the MVP screening in Laguna Niguel, California.

DesRochers, former offensive tackle for the Seattle Seahawks, is deeply committed to philanthropy including veteran-related causes. He is the vice president of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) in Orange County, California and the founder of The 1^st & Goal Project.

The 1^st & Goal Project is hosting its inaugural Celebrity & Veteran Golf Invitational on Monday, March 20^th at the beautiful Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club in Coto de Caza, California in support of veterans and veteran support groups: CarePossible, Veteran Legal Institute, Patriots & Paws, MVP and The 1^st & Goal Project. Nestled in Orange County, the private, 36-hole country club is the perfect venue for the event. Join DesRochers and club sponsors, Pat and Kathy Aitro for a memorable day of golf, the chance to meet numerous celebrities and to impact the veteran-focused organizations benefitting from the event. To get involved, email dave@the1standgoalproject.com.

Photos courtesy of Olivia Sullivan @oliviasullivanphoto

Quick Tips for Settling Into a New Home

GovernmentMilitary Spouse

father in fatigues and young daughter carrying boxes

By Katelyn Nixon

What makes a house feel like a home if we can’t feel rooted where we are? We are constantly shifting. Sometimes it feels like the dust barely settles before we pick up all our things and transition again. A home means something else entirely when your surroundings rotate so often. It has to.

I asked every member of my family this question, and we all had different answers. My 10-year-old daughter said that once all our things are unpacked and put away, it feels like home for her. She dislikes the limbo and the moving process. It unsettles her. She feels better when her new home is set up. My husband said it’s just the people. The family being together settles him. He isn’t the type to get attached to places or things. My 5-year-old son said it’s the calm. When things feel calm, he feels at home. A safe place for him to unleash all his exuberance is what feels like home to him. I have to agree with all of them, and I love their answers.

Here are a few simple things that I like to do to help make a space feel like home:

Find something positive about the new house and appreciate it.

We all get to experience so many living spaces. We get familiar with making it work with whatever we have to work with. You undoubtedly have a mental list of everything you hated or loved about all your previous houses. There is always something different. We are currently settling in a new duty station with so much storage space. I’m literally so excited about all the linen closets because I actually have a place to put all our sheets, pillows and blankets. Even though this seems simple, finding something to appreciate starts your new relationship with your house on positive terms.

Find your new routine.

I like to evaluate our routines in the old house and make some adjustments. It’s like a New Year’s resolution for every PCS. We are changing the rules about screen time and focusing on cooking more in our new house. We also evaluate how the extracurriculars worked for our kids in our last place and change that up as needed. It’s fun for them to try new things and get excited about pursuing new passions. It also makes our life feel fresh where we are. Like we are curating our own stories in a new place instead of living Groundhog Day every day and every duty station.

Start building a community outside your home.

Connections and relationships mean more than belongings and to-do lists. A sense of belonging inside a community can make us feel rooted during constant transition. But it is by far the hardest thing to accomplish. It takes courage, energy and confidence. We all have negative experiences that can bring more fear into a new space. But every place is a new beginning. For me, it seems like the longer we stay in the Army, the smaller it gets. I always think a fun way to start is by pursuing a new hobby or exploring your new area to find all your new spots. It is a simple concept in theory, but this step always takes me the longest.

Feeling grounded is a process. We each have a priority of what it takes to feel settled. There are some simple things we can do to aid us in feeling at home in our new space.

Source: Blog Brigade

101-year-old vet receives medal for being one of the 1st Black Marines

Government

first black marine holds his award in ceremony

By Irene Loewenson

Grace King didn’t realize until a few years ago that her cousin, George J. Johnson, was a Marine veteran. And she didn’t realize until January that he was part of the Montford Point Marines, the first Black men allowed to enlist in the Marine Corps.

Her mother and Johnson were cousins, technically making him her first cousin once removed. But they were close. He and his wife, Hannah, often would come down from New York to stay with her family in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in the summer.

Photo: Retired Army Maj. Gen. James W. Monroe presents former Cpl. George J. Johnson with a certificate of service from the National Montford Point Marine Association. (Norman’s Photoland/courtesy of Mallorie Berger)

It was strange to her that Johnson, now 101, hadn’t talked about being a Marine until recent years.

“George isn’t a very modest person,” King told Marine Corps Times. “He has that New York swagger.”

In January, King saw a local ABC segment on the Montford Point Marines. That led her to connect with Mallorie Berger, whose grandfather was a Montford Point Marine and who has joined efforts to track down these Marines and their families.

On Feb. 6, Johnson was honored with a bronze replica of the Congressional Gold Medal honoring the first Black U.S. Marines, many of whom served in World War II.

The daughter of former Cpl. Moses Williams, another Montford Point Marine, also received a medal in her father’s honor.

Pamela Y. Williams had long known that Moses Williams was a member of military police in the Marine Corps. But her father, a soft-spoken man, didn’t talk about his experiences in the military. She had heard about Montford Point from a friend whose father also had served there, several decades after he died in 1970 at the age of 44.

Receiving the medal on her father’s behalf left her feeling “overwhelmed and just very, very proud.”

“I can only imagine what types of hardships they had to go through,” Pamela Y. Williams said. “But I know that they had no idea that they were making history — which is exactly what they did.”

Johnson, the other Montford Pointer honored on Feb. 6, now has failing health, according to King. It’s hard to get details from him on his time as a member of military police — though he does sometimes mention transporting prisoners to Alcatraz — and he wasn’t up for an interview with Marine Corps Times.

“When you mention Montford Point, he does light up,” King said.

Leaders of the National Montford Point Marine Association and local politicians attended the ceremony honoring Johnson and Williams, as did the junior ROTC class from Dillard High, Johnson’s alma mater, according to Berger.

Read the complete article on Marine Times.

From SEAL to Gaming Creator

BusinessGovernment

Meet the Master of Escape and Evade — Joel Lambert

By Annie Nelson

U.S. Navy SEAL and Afghanistan and Kosovo veteran Joel Lambert keeps things interesting. The star of the Discovery Channel’s Lone Target TV show (known outside the U.S. market as Manhunt) started on his journey due to fear, and fear has never defined him.

If you ask Lambert WHY he became a SEAL, he will tell you, “I wanted to be a SEAL because it was the thing that scared me the most!” You see, he wasn’t sure he could achieve it, so something inside him told him that was what he had to do. As Chuck Palahniuk, author of Fight Club, said, “Find out what you’re afraid of and go live there.”

I asked Lambert how being a SEAL changed him as a man. “How did it change me? It rewrote my DNA. It inducted me into a sacred brotherhood that stretches back to time immemorial and goes forward to who knows where. There are a few true warrior societies left on Earth, and the SEAL teams are one of them. Long Live the Brotherhood.”

Residing in middle Tennessee now, Lambert loves the country life and living off the land. He has a passion for the people in his life, his dogs and our freedom and independence as humans.

Lambert has found his freedom and independence and is thriving! “I had to get out of California. Tennessee is gorgeous. I live on 80 acres of paradise with deer, turkey and all kinds of wildlife on our property. We are becoming self-sufficient, and I can drive into downtown Nashville [which is] 20 minutes away and have world-class entertainment, the city and everything I might need. It’s paradise here.”

I asked him what things from his military career led him to the life he has lived after his Navy career. Lambert said, “It was such a shaping experience that I can’t dissect it like that. To do so would cheapen the complete metamorphosis that the SEAL Teams were for me. However, the things that were uncovered/revealed in my being from that experience are some of the most precious in my existence.”

After his military career, Hollywood came calling. Lambert did quite a bit of scripted acting at first, and he still does occasionally, but he is mostly done with that chapter. The show Lambert is most proud of is Manhunt. He was dropped into foreign countries where he would sneak over their border, parachute in or come out of the ocean. The host nation’s Special Operations Forces, fugitive recovery team or specialty tracking unit would then try to track him down and capture him before he made it to his designated extraction point — one to four days after he started.

Lambert would use anti-tracking, counter-tracking (a primitive skillset) and all his wits and experience to try to get away before they could catch him. They would use everything at their disposal: Dogs, drones, human trackers, electronic gear, thermal imaging, whatever they wanted. Per Lambert, “It was an amazing experience and a great show.

We aired in over 240 countries and territories worldwide. I know exactly what drew me to Manhunt. [It] was precisely because I didn’t want to do it that I knew I had to [do it]. I did not want to do it because it would be hard. It would be dangerous; it would require all my skills, mental toughness and ability to endure miserable conditions and even then, even if I performed at my best, there was no guarantee that I would prevail. The deck was stacked against me — the constant threat of international humiliation looming. I looked at all the reasons NOT to do it, which were precisely [why] I knew I had to do it.

When I was going through BUD/S, the SEAL selection and training program, all I did was dream of graduation day when I would finally be on top of that mountain, the peak, the pinnacle. When I finally arrived, I stood up on that mountain and realized a funny thing: The darkest moments were the ones that were the most significant — where I had grown and evolved the most. Since then, I have tried to continue to find my best in the darkest, hardest places. Manhunt, while it was definitely not the SEAL Teams or life-and-death, still challenged me and allowed me to access that place of struggle where we can find ourselves at our greatest expression.”

Lambert also has a passion for innovation. He is constantly researching, engaging and moving forward. Behind the blue jeans and boots is a mind that does not stop.

So, what is the most captivating thing on the planet right now for all ages? Gaming. That is the space you will find Lambert engulfed in right now. Not as a gamer, but as a creator.

Lambert shared, “I have started a gaming company, and we are in our angel investor round. We have an incredible concept that we’re bringing to market in the augmented reality genre. Escape and Evade!”

People can go to escapeandevademobile.com and sign up. You can also follow their Instagram accounts: @joel5326 and @escapeandevademobile.

So, when the rooster crows, you will find Lambert feeding his chickens, “The Ladies” as he fondly refers to them, then tending to his produce and hay as well as his favorite girl, Miss Petunia, a foster-failure dog that he rescued fall of 2022. By midday, this entrepreneur creator will be grinding on the Escape and Evade gaming company. To think it all started because this young man feared being a SEAL.

Photo Credit: Discovery Channel

The Scoop About the 2023 Post-9/11 GI Bill

Education

This year you may consider utilizing your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to pursue higher education. As is standard, the bill has changed its coverage to match the average cost of undergraduate education.

Here are the rates for the 2022-2023 school year.

The Basics

The Post-9/11 GI Bill program is comprised of multiple payments. All payments and maximum amounts listed below apply to individuals eligible for the full benefit (100% eligibility tier). The payment and maximum amounts listed will be prorated based on your eligibility percentage if you are not eligible for the full benefit. Other benefits, such as the Yellow Ribbon Program, may help you to cover costs that the Post-9/11 GI Bill does not cover.

Public School

Students attending a public school in their resident state may be eligible to receive full coverage for tuition and fee payments. This rate is not guaranteed for all students and is the maximum amount you can receive. You may also be eligible to receive a monthly housing allowance, funding for books and supplies and a one-time rural benefit.

If you are attending a public institute of higher learning (IHL) as a non-resident student or a private IHL that is more expensive than the annual cap, you may be eligible for extra payment under the Yellow Ribbon Program. You may also qualify for in-state tuition rates if you live in the state where the school is located, regardless of your formal state of residence.

Private, Foreign and Non-College Degree-Granting Institutions

For these learning institutions, coverage will not exceed $26,381.37 per academic year. Students wanting to attend these universities may also qualify for the housing, books and supplies funding and the one-time rural benefit.

Apprenticeships and On-the-Job Training

Funding is also available for those working in an apprenticeship or on-the-job training. The rates are as follows:

First six months of training: 100% of your applicable Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA)
Second six months of training: 80% of your applicable MHA
Third six months of training: 60% of your applicable MHA
Fourth six months of training: 40% of your applicable MHA
Remaining pursuit of training: 20% of your applicable MHA

You may also be eligible to receive a stipend for books and supplies.

Vocational Flight Schools

The actual net costs are not to exceed $15,075.05 per academic year.

The cap applies to all classes and/or enrollments that begin during that academic year, regardless of the academic year in which the courses or enrollments are completed.

Correspondence Schools

The actual net costs are not to exceed $12,831.78 per academic year.

National Testing Programs/Licensing and Certification Tests

You may receive a reimbursement for any fees for testing, licenses and certifications. The charge against an individual’s entitlement for payment for licensing and certification examinations and national tests will be prorated based on the actual fee for the test relative to the rate of $2,200.96 for one month. The maximum reimbursable amount for licensing and certification tests is $2,000. There is no maximum reimbursable amount for national tests.

MHA, Books/Supplies and Rural Benefit

If you are eligible for any of the above, which many GI Bill users are, here’s what you need to know about these programs:

The MHA is generally the same as the military BAH for an E-5 with dependents. This rate is variable and dependent on factors such as the location of your school, your rate of pursuit and whether you enrolled in the program before 1/8/18. Exceptions to the MHA include:
- Foreign Schools: Maximum of $1,833.30
- Exclusively Online Training (No Classroom): $916.50
- Schools in U.S. Territories: E-5 with dependents OHA Rate for school location
A yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1,000 is paid proportionately based on enrollment.
A one-time payment of $500 may be payable to certain individuals relocating from highly rural areas if they reside in a county with six persons or less per square mile (as determined by the most recent decennial census) and either:
- Physically relocate at least 500 miles to attend an educational institution
- Travel by air to physically attend an educational institution if no other land-based transportation exists

For more information on your specific coverage, visit benefits.va.gov/GIBILL.

Sources: benefits.va.gov, military.com

How two WWII veterans built Waffle House into an empire

BusinessGovernment

Waffle House restaurant image with veteran owners superimposed

By Sarah Sicard

Nary a soul has been stationed at a military base or made it through four years of college without stumbling one drunk Saturday night into the 24-hour greasy spoon chain known lovingly as “Waffle House.”

With more than 2,000 locations across 25 states, it’s safe to say that the humble breakfast haunt is really more of an empire than a mom-and-pop shop. But it wasn’t always that way. The first Waffle House was actually opened by two veteran neighbors in the small town of Avondale Estates, Two World War II veterans opened the first Waffle House in 1955. (Sarah Sicard/Waffle House via Canva)

Georgia, in 1955. “Tom Forkner joined the military and served in military intelligence and security based out of Oak Ridge, TN,” according to Njeri Boss, Waffle House’s vice president of public relations.

Drafted into the Army in 1941, he covertly worked to transport valuable products from a “Tennessee facility to Los Alamos,” according to the Atomic Heritage Foundation. He eventually was sent to work on the infamous Manhattan Project, where he served until heading home and taking his place with his family’s real estate business.

His eventual partner, Joe Rogers Sr., enlisted with the Army Air Corps at age 16.

“The bulk of his service was in the Army Air Corps where he trained to fly BT-9s, B-29s, AT-17s and B-24s,” Boss said. “When his military service ended in 1945, I believe he was a B-24 pilot instructor with the Eighth Air Force at Smyrna Airfield. He achieved the rank of at least Captain during his service.”

The pair met in 1949 when Rogers moved to Georgia. Wanting to do something different and create an environment where friends and family could come together and eat, they opened a 24-hour diner-style joint in their Atlanta suburb and painted the sign bright yellow to attract the eyes of drivers.

Its reputation for being the best place for late-night food and overall popularity led Forkner and Rogers to begin franchising Waffle House in 1960.

And while the times have changed greatly since that first greasy spoon opened in the 1950s, much of the Waffle House aesthetic and menu has stayed the same.

“We serve the basic foods, and the basic foods never change,” Rogers told NBC.

Alas, the iconic restaurateurs both passed away in 2017, but their waffle legacy lives on in the hearts of troops in dire need of hash browns and syrup boats after a night of barracks shenanigans.

Click here to read the original article posted on Military Times.

Best Tech Majors for High Paying Jobs

CareerEducationTransitioning

Business man pointing finger towards computer screen with a flash of light surrounding screen and his hands on the keyboard

Your military service has prepared you for a lot. You have a desirable skillset that can be used in any work environment, you’re entitled to generous financial aid, and you have a perspective that can positively contribute to the workforce.

What’s the best career for you to apply your skills?

If you’re one of the many veterans looking to return to school but unsure about what major to pick, consider majoring in a tech field. Tech jobs are not only high-paying, diverse, secure and consistently growing, but these fields have experience in veteran hiring and recruiting practices.

Here are some of the most popular tech majors for veterans:

Computer and Information Technology:
Information technology (IT) is the use of computers to create, process, store, retrieve and exchange all kinds of data and information. Employment in computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow 13 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations.

Popular Information Technology Careers:
■ IT Analyst
■ IT Technician
■ Data Scientist
■ Systems Analyst
Those in the information technology field make an average salary of about $97,430, which is higher than the median annual wage for all occupations by about $52,000.

Web Development:
Web developers create and maintain websites. They are also responsible for the site’s technical aspects, such as its performance and capacity, which are measures of a website’s speed and how much traffic the site can handle. Web developers may also create content for the site. Jobs in this field are expected to grow by 13 percent, about double the average rate for all other occupations.

Popular Web Development Careers:
■ Digital Design
■ Application Developer
■ Computer Programming
■ Front-End and Back-End Development
■ Webmaster
Web designers make an average of about $77,200 per year.

Database Management:
Database administrators and architects create or organize systems to store and secure a variety of data, such as financial information and customer shipping records. They also make sure that the data is available to authorized users. Most big-name companies utilize database administration, offering employment at companies of all backgrounds and environments. Jobs in this field are growing at a steady rate of about eight percent.

Popular Database Management Careers:
■ Database Engineer
■ Database Manager
■ Cybersecurity
■ Security Engineer
The average salary for database management is about $98,860 per year.

Software Development:
Software developers create computer applications that allow users to do specific tasks and the underlying systems that run devices or control networks. They create, maintain and upgrade software to meet the needs of their clients. Jobs in this field are growing extremely fast at about 22 percent.

Popular Software Development Careers:
■ Software Engineer
■ Full-stack Developer
■ Quality Assurance Analyst
■ App Developer
■ System Software Developer
The average salary for software development is about $110,140 per year.

Sources: Indeed.com, BLS,

Questions to Ask Before Selecting a School

Education

Before applying for the first college that comes to mind, consider your goals to determine what you need from higher education.

While most colleges and universities offer an excellent education, many factors can contribute to your overall experience.

Some universities may be in undesirable locations, not provide the full benefits you could receive as a veteran or might not have the best program for your desired major.

Is this school accredited?

Accreditation is a process where a recognized group (an accreditor) looks at a school’s education program and decides whether it meets an acceptable quality standard. When choosing your school, you’ll want to confirm that it meets this accreditation status. If you attend a school that does not meet that accreditation status, you may be unable to transfer to a different school or obtain the specific courses you need to graduate. Schools that are not accredited are also not eligible to utilize federal funding programs.

What type of institution is this?

You have some options regarding the types of schools you might consider. A college or university might be a public, nonprofit (sometimes called “private”) or for-profit institution. The category can affect what you might be able to study and how much you’ll pay. Your post-9/11 GI Bill benefits make you an appealing candidate — especially to for-profit schools. Still, you’ll want to ensure that the school is more interested in giving you the education you need than the funds they receive from your enrollment. Typically, schools are differentiated by the following:

Public and nonprofit universities:

Usually accredited
Not owned by an individual or business
Offer a variety of majors
Strive to help students learn

For-profit universities:

Not always accredited
Owned by a person or business
Often focuses on a few majors or areas of study
Money driven

Does this school cover my needs for my major?

Start by researching the “top schools” for your major of interest to narrow down a list. Many schools may offer the major you want to pursue, but not all of them will have the same resources, training and opportunities you’ll need to get the best education possible. Look into your area of focus at the schools you’re interested in and see which ones offer the most extensive benefits.

How else does this school compare?

Just because a school offers your desired major or has the best program for your future career doesn’t mean the school is the best fit for you. Some schools produce more graduating students, have higher acceptance rates and better utilize your GI Bill benefits than others. Compare your top schools to see which one can best accommodate all of these needs. Some other things to consider:

What is the graduation rate at this school?
Will my GI benefits cover all of the costs?
Are there opportunities for internships?

Does this school offer the Yellow Ribbon Program?

The Yellow Ribbon Program can help you pay for the higher out-of-state, private, overseas or graduate school tuition and fees that the Post-9 /11 GI Bill doesn’t cover. Depending on your educational and career goals, choosing a school that utilizes the Yellow Ribbon Program may be the best move to save you money and find an institution that understands the needs of veterans. To find a list of schools offering the Yellow Ribbon Program this year, visit va.gov, and search for Yellow Ribbon.

How will this school support you as a veteran?

As a veteran, you have life experiences that not everyone else can relate you. Your college campus is going to be a place where you’ll be spending a large portion of your time. Why not make it a place that meets more than your educational needs? Look into the kinds of veteran programs and supports that your school offers. Do they have a chapter of the Student Veterans of America? Do other veterans attend this school? What kinds of extracurricular activities or clubs do they have? This might not seem like the most critical aspect of choosing a school but having a support system can be extremely helpful regardless of the educational path you decide to take.

Sources: Federal Trade Commission Consumer Advice, Military Consumer, VA