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…
Each May, the United States observes National Military Appreciation Month, a time dedicated to recognizing the service, sacrifice, and resilience of active-duty service members, veterans, military spouses, and their families. Anchored by observances like Memorial Day, this month serves as both a tribute and a reminder of the ongoing support military communities deserve year-round. Beyond ceremonies and recognition events, businesses across the country participate by offering special discounts and promotions—helping military families save on everyday essentials, dining, travel, and more. A Nationwide Thank You National Military Appreciation Month isn’t just symbolic—it’s backed by tangible support from hundreds of companies. From…
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.…
For military spouses pursuing higher education, institutional support can significantly influence persistence and degree completion. While many colleges promote military tuition discounts, fewer maintain the structured advising systems and dedicated scholarships that address the realities of military life. Two factors consistently stand out: comprehensive military-affiliated student support centers and scholarships designated specifically for military spouses. Across the country, several public and private institutions demonstrate sustained commitments in these areas. Military Support Centers Large public universities often provide strong infrastructure for military-connected students. Dedicated military and veteran resource centers centralize advising, benefits guidance, career services and peer networks—reducing administrative complexity for…
LONG BEACH, Calif., May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — U.S. Veterans Magazine will honor The Queen Mary with its inaugural Service to Our Country Award on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, as part of the ship’s 90th anniversary of its maiden voyage, recognizing the historic ocean liner’s legacy supporting U.S. troops and veterans.In a tribute to history, service and national pride, the recognition highlights not only one of the most iconic vessels in modern history, but also its extraordinary and often overlooked role in supporting the United States military—past and present.Originally launched in 1936, The Queen Mary became a vital Allied asset…
This month, the Call of Duty Endowment (C.O.D.E.) celebrates Military Appreciation Month presented by USAA, reaching a milestone of placing 169,000 veterans into high-quality jobs.Now available in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and Call of Duty: Warzone, the C.O.D.E. Navigator: Tracer Pack was inspired by and created in collaboration with CAPT Chris Cassidy (USN, ret.), a former U.S. Navy SEAL and NASA astronaut. The pack honors his journey from sea to space and includes two Operator Skins, Weapon Blueprints, and more.100% of Activision’s net proceeds will be donated to the Endowment.The Endowment pack includes:• “Argonaut” Operator Skin• “Astronaut” Operator…
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,…
On the third Saturday in May each year, Americans observe a moment that is both simple and meaningful: Armed Forces Day. This year’s observance falls on May 16. While it may not carry the long weekend familiarity of Memorial Day or the solemn ceremony of Veterans Day, its purpose is distinct—honoring those who are serving today.For active-duty service members, members of the National Guard and Reserve and their families, Armed Forces Day offers public recognition of a commitment lived daily. It reflects the early mornings, long deployments, relocations, training cycles and quiet sacrifices that rarely make headlines but define military…
There’s something special about a baby shower. It’s a celebration filled with hope, excitement and support as families prepare to welcome a new life into the world. But for military moms, those moments can carry extra meaning — especially during deployments, relocations and the unique challenges that come with military life.That’s why the May 8, 2026, Milestone Baby Shower hosted by H-E-B in partnership with Operation Shower was such a memorable and meaningful event for military families in Texas.Held just ahead of Mother’s Day, the special celebration honored dozens of military moms-to-be, including active-duty service members and spouses of deployed…
