Transitioning from military service to civilian life can feel daunting. Many veterans wonder how to translate their leadership, discipline, and specialized skills into a new career. The experiences of American Military (AMU) students show that education can be the bridge between service and civilian success. By choosing programs tailored to military needs and drawing on a supportive community, veterans are forging new paths that honor their service and expand their horizons.Finding Purpose and CommunityFor Thyshown Esperience, a Marine Corps veteran turned deputy sheriff, the pivotal moment was discovering a program that connected his diverse experiences “from military to civilian into…
Author: USVM
When Brianna Keilar reports on the movement of a carrier strike group or the deployment of troops overseas, she no longer hears numbers. She sees families.“A thousand troops,” she said, reflecting on how her perspective has evolved over the years. “That’s a thousand families.”For more than two decades at CNN, Keilar has covered politics, policy and the defining stories shaping the nation. Military developments were part of that coverage—carrier groups repositioned, troops mobilized, strategies debated. But it was not until she became a military spouse that the headlines she delivered each day took on a deeper, more personal meaning.Click here…
(Visitors walk across the bow of the Queen Mary in Long Beach on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, on the 90th anniversary of the ship’s maiden voyage. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer, The Orange County Register)By Christina Merino | cmerino@scng.comThe Queen Mary, one of Long Beach’s most iconic landmarks, marked 90 years since its maiden voyage with a daylong celebration and ceremonial rechristening on Wednesday, May 27.Thousands of locals and visitors stepped aboard the iconic ship to celebrate on the exact date the legendary ocean liner first set sail in 1936. As part of the ship’s ongoing, yearlong anniversary programming,…
Military life is defined by movement. Servicemembers are transferred to new bases every few years, deployment cycles disrupt routines, and spouses often juggle parenting, employment and relocation with little warning.These shifts can make a traditional campus education all but impossible. Yet the stories of students at American Military University (AMU) show that mobility can be an asset, not a barrier. By harnessing flexible online programs and supportive faculty, military spouses and families are turning life on the move into an opportunity to learn and grow.Finding a Path That Moves With YouOne of the most striking examples comes from Chanda Chann,…
By Navy Federal Credit Union With government shutdown-related pay disruptions, financial strain on military families is immediate and often unavoidable. Paychecks pause, but everyday expenses do not, leaving households to navigate mortgage payments, rent, groceries, childcare, and other essentials amid uncertainty. Rapid Relief During the 2026 Government Shutdown In response to the partial government shutdown in early 2026, Navy Federal re-launched its Government Shutdown Program, which provides eligible members with no-interest payments proportionate to their paychecks. From February through the end of April, the credit union distributed $40.2 million in assistance to more than 7,800 members affected by delays in…
As employers increasingly recognize veterans as a valuable talent pool, well-meaning hiring practices can still create unintended barriers. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service, many veteran employment challenges stem not from a lack of qualifications but from how hiring systems interpret experience, communication style and perceived “fit.”Understanding where these missteps occur is essential for recruiters seeking to make veteran hiring both effective and equitable.Job DescriptionsOne of the earliest obstacles veterans encounter appears in job postings. Many descriptions rely heavily on civilian credentials, industry-specific titles or narrowly defined career paths that do not align with…
Translate Military Jargon into Civilian LanguageReplace MOS codes and military acronyms with terms employers understand.Instead of “Led a squad of 12 soldiers in combat operations” → “Managed and trained a 12-person team to achieve mission objectives under high-pressure conditions.” Highlight Transferable SkillsFocus on core strengths employers value:Leadership & Team ManagementProject Planning / LogisticsSecurity & Safety ComplianceTechnical ProficiencyCommunication & TrainingUse bullet points that demonstrate how you solved problems or improved operations — with measurable results if possible. Use Quantifiable AchievementsNumbers make an impact. Examples:“Reduced equipment loss by 15% through new tracking procedures.”“Oversaw $2M in assets with zero discrepancies.” Choose the Right…
Franchising is often positioned as a strong fit for service members transitioning into business ownership. Structured systems, defined roles and operational playbooks can feel familiar to those accustomed to clear chains of command and standardized procedures. To attract military-affiliated buyers, many franchisors promote incentive programs—most commonly discounted franchise fees or expanded training packages.These offers can create a meaningful entry point. But before making a financial commitment, it’s important to understand exactly what franchise incentives cover—and what they do not.Upfront SavingsMost franchise incentives focus on reducing the initial franchise fee, the upfront payment required to join a franchise system. That fee…
When military service ends, the transition to civilian employment is often described as a cliff rather than a bridge. For Scott Efflandt, director of the Military Talent Pipeline (MTP) at Texas A&M University–Central Texas (TAMU-CT), that cliff is not inevitable—it is structural and therefore solvable. Efflandt retired from the Army in 2022 after 34 years of service, closing a career that blended operational leadership with academic instruction. His experience teaching at the United States Military Academy at West Point and later at the Naval War College shaped his understanding of how education, when aligned with purpose, can fundamentally change outcomes.…
Opened in 2017, the Education & Outreach Center brings civilians and defenders together. Through speaking series, workshops, and summits, hosted events focus on character building exercises and educating communities about the importance of service over self.Bridging the GapWith less than 1% of our population in the armed services today, and all serving on a volunteer basis, our military and civilian communities rarely interact. This facility provides a casual, communal environment to bring these two worlds together for constructive dialogues and inspiring events.Raising AwarenessA service member’s successful transition to civilian life starts with a welcoming community. Our forthcoming multimedia exhibit and…
