Author: USVM Editor

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…

For generations, service members have often viewed sacrificing sleep as part of the job. Long hours, demanding missions and the expectation to push through fatigue have become ingrained in military culture. But retired Air Force Gen. Mike Minihan believes that mindset deserves a second look. After more than 34 years in uniform, he argues that recovery is a critical component of sustained performance, effective leadership and long-term health.Minihan retired as commander of Air Mobility Command, where he led more than 110,000 Airmen and directed one of the nation’s largest mobility operations. His experience overseeing combat missions, humanitarian relief efforts and…

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…

By Woody Bradshaw     Patriotism is often associated with symbols; a flag waving in the breeze, the national anthem before a ballgame or a holiday dedicated to remembering those who served. While those traditions remain important, genuine patriotism is built on something much deeper: gratitude.Gratitude for the freedoms many of us enjoy every day.Gratitude for the opportunities we’ve been given.And perhaps most importantly, gratitude for the people who have sacrificed to make those freedoms possible.In today’s world, conversations about patriotism can quickly become divided by politics, opinions or personal experiences. Yet regardless of where we come from or what we…

After nearly three decades in the Air Force, Felice Parker didn’t slow down—she shifted gears. What followed wasn’t just a transition to civilian life, but the launch of a second career rooted in structure, leadership and continuous learning.Her path into franchising reflects a growing trend among veterans: turning military experience into successful business ownership.Early StartParker retired in 2012 after 27 years of service, carrying forward more than formal education in elementary and early childhood development. She brought with her a leadership mindset shaped by years of training, responsibility and real-world execution.“The Air Force prepared me for those roles with numerous…

Last November, U.S. Veterans Magazine introduced readers to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association’s (SFIA) VetsEXCEL Career Transition Program—an initiative designed to connect transitioning service members with career opportunities in the sports and fitness industry. At the time, SFIA President and CEO Todd Smith pointed to a clear opportunity: aligning an industry in need of talent with a community rich in leadership, accountability and operational expertise.Now, as the inaugural cohort progresses, that vision is taking shape through real experiences, meaningful relationships and early outcomes. The VetsEXCEL pilot program—built around a small cohort of veterans paired with industry mentors—offers individualized guidance,…

After more than three decades of military service, Major General (Ret.) Matt Smith has built a career defined not by rank, but by relationships. Today, as the Executive Director of Veterans Initiatives at Emory University, he applies the leadership principles he refined in high-stakes environments to help veterans navigate one of the most complex transitions of their lives: moving from military service to civilian careers.Smith’s 32-year career in the Army and Army National Guard placed him in roles requiring coordination across agencies, teams and missions. In his final assignment, he led Joint Task Force North, aligning efforts across 18 federal…