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
As the United States marks its 250th anniversary this July, the Semiquincentennial offers more than a moment of celebration. It invites reflection on the nation’s history, its ideals and the individuals who have carried its burdens across generations.Milestones of this scale tend to sharpen national focus. They raise enduring questions about identity, responsibility and the meaning of service. At the center of those questions are America’s veterans—men and women whose experiences often reflect both the nation’s highest ideals and the most difficult consequences of its decisions.For more than five decades, Bruce Springsteen has helped bring those experiences into focus. Widely…
At U.S. Veterans Magazine, we believe that principled leadership and inclusive practices are essential for long-term business success. Companies and institutions that intentionally cultivate supportive environments—where veterans and other talented individuals can grow—are not only doing what’s right, but they’re also setting themselves up to thrive.According to recent findings from Ethisphere, organizations with strong ethical cultures outperform competitors by 7.1%. A separate study by i-Sight revealed that companies recognized for fostering inclusive, veteran-ready workplaces earned more than twice the profits of their peers.Each year, our Top Veteran recognition lists spotlight the employers, educational institutions and government agencies that go above…
Thunderly, the franchise marketing agency behind the year-long “American Dreamers: The Stories of Franchising”© campaign, is dedicating its August storytelling series to military veterans who transferred the discipline, organization and leadership skills developed in service to their country into successful post-military careers as franchise business owners.This month’s featured franchise owners include:Cory Boxall, owner of multiple TeamLogic IT locations throughout Virginia, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm and the United States Diplomatic Security Service. Today, he leads a nationally recognized managed IT and cybersecurity organization serving businesses, government contractors and enterprise clients across…
Across the United States, a growing number of universities are redefining how they support those who have served. While the Post-9/11 GI Bill has expanded access to higher education, leading institutions are building comprehensive systems that address the academic, professional and personal transitions veterans face when entering civilian life. From resource centers to career pipelines and peer networks, these universities are raising the standard.National ModelAt Syracuse University, that commitment is evident in both the infrastructure and the approach. The university is home to the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), a nationally recognized organization focused on research, policy and…
For military families, one of the most important milestones isn’t just high school or college graduation—it’s when a child’s TRICARE health coverage ends. As young adults transition to independence, understanding how TRICARE works when students age out of dependent coverage is essential to avoid gaps in health care and make informed decisions about next steps.Coverage LimitsUnder current TRICARE rules, dependent children of service members and retirees remain eligible for regular TRICARE coverage until their 21st birthday. Children who are enrolled full-time at an approved institution of higher education may continue coverage until their 23rd birthday or graduation, whichever comes first.…
For many veterans, the transition from military service to civilian life is complex. For service-disabled veterans, that transition can be even more demanding—physically, mentally and emotionally. Few individuals embody that journey, and the possibility beyond it, as visibly as Noah Galloway.A former Soldier wounded during the Iraq War, Galloway sustained life-altering injuries in 2005, losing his left arm and left leg after an improvised explosive device explosion. His recovery was neither immediate nor straightforward. Like many veterans adjusting to trauma, he experienced periods of isolation and personal struggle after returning home.Rebuilding StrengthWhat distinguishes Galloway’s story is not simply survival, but…
As America marks its 250th anniversary, much of the national conversation reflects on the past, founding leaders, defining victories and historic milestones. But for Air Force veteran and entrepreneur Lisa Ducharme, the more important story is still unfolding. It’s not just history, it’s a pattern. And at the center of that pattern is the veteran entrepreneur.Through her national initiative, America 250: Celebrating Veteran Inventors, Entrepreneurs and Businesses, Ducharme is documenting 250 veteran inventors, entrepreneurs and businesses spanning from the Revolutionary War to today. What emerges is not a series of isolated success stories, but something far more consistent: a repeatable…
AI is no longer simply a technology trend. It is becoming a workforce reality—and higher education is responding.As companies across industries integrate AI into operations, decision-making and customer experiences, universities are moving quickly to prepare students for careers in a rapidly evolving economy. One of the clearest examples comes from Georgia, where Kennesaw State University recently announced plans to launch the state’s first bachelor’s degree dedicated entirely to artificial intelligence.The program is noteworthy on its own, but it also reflects a much broader shift in higher education: AI is moving from specialization to strategy.For students evaluating degree paths, that evolution…
Stephanie Rose is no stranger to a flight deck. After logging more than 2,500 hours in the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft during her 22-year career in the Air Force, she now serves as a manager for Boeing’s AWACS program in Oklahoma City.Rose is one of more than 18,000 veterans across Boeing’s U.S. workforce supporting commercial aviation, defense platforms and aerospace innovation.Transitioning from military to civilian life can be challenging, especially when translating military experience into a corporate environment. Research from the Syracuse University D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families shows that many veterans leave their first…
