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 You
One of the most striking examples comes from Chanda Chann, a Khmer Rouge survivor and military spouse who finished both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree at AMU. She credits her success to the university’s ability to accommodate her family’s frequent moves. As a young adult she completed a Bachelor of Business Administration and later an MBA, becoming the first in her family to earn a college degree.
Chanda notes that she could finish her coursework “anywhere” thanks to AMU’s online format. She not only graduated debt‑free but says that having a diploma “opened a lot of doors and built my confidence” to become a successful entrepreneur and property manager. Her story shows how an education that travels with you can unlock new professional paths.
Liberty Simmons offers another illustration. A full‑time television reporter and U.S. Navy Reserve officer, Liberty chose AMU because the program could handle her demanding career and military commitments, and noted that the University’s focus on “national security, law enforcement, and military” resonated with her service experience. She completed a capstone project on combating misinformation, a topic that now shapes her daily work in journalism and public affairs.
Liberty’s experience demonstrates how a university attuned to military life enables students to deepen their expertise without stepping away from service.
Balancing family obligations and coursework is a recurring theme. Chris Hassett earned his Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Management while serving, working, and raising children. He recalls that online classes allowed him to be “a student, an employee, and a parent” simultaneously, allowing him to become the first college graduate in his family. His story resonates with many military families who must wear multiple hats and still find time for education.
Another inspiring example comes from Annie De La Cruz, a daughter of Mexican immigrants who is married to a Navy servicemember. Annie set her sights on a degree that would allow her to have a meaningful impact in healthcare. Her journey was anything but easy: she relocated cross‑country multiple times, cared for a daughter with complex medical needs, and supported her husband’s military career while pursuing her own goals. To make it all work, she studied late at night or between medical appointments and took each assignment one at a time.
She leaned on her daughters for motivation and credits AMU faculty and staff with providing unwavering support, saying they “always told me whatever I need, they support me.”
Annie’s story illustrates how flexible online programs and a supportive community can empower military spouses to pursue their education dreams without sacrificing family responsibilities.
Strategies for Success
These stories reveal several strategies that help military spouses and families thrive academically:
- Choose programs designed for mobility. Look for universities with asynchronous coursework, monthly start dates and the ability to access classes from anywhere. Chanda and Liberty both highlight that being able to log in from wherever life took them was crucial.
- Lean on support networks. Advisors and faculty who understand military culture can make the difference when unexpected challenges arise. Students like Chris and Annie found that when life threw curveballs, advisor support and faculty engagement helped them stay on track.
- Leverage benefits and transfer credits. Utilizing GI Bill® benefits and transfer credit evaluations can reduce costs and the time it takes to earn a degree. Chris’s Army experience was applied toward his degree through the military transfer credit process, making his education more attainable.
- Turn coursework into real‑world impact. Liberty’s capstone on misinformation directly informs her work in public affairs and journalism, showing that academic projects can have practical value for both the student and the community.
A Call to Action for Military Families
Pursuing higher education while supporting a servicemember isn’t easy. However, the experiences of AMU students prove that an online degree can fit into the unique rhythm of military life. Whether you’re stationed overseas or moving across the country, flexible programs and dedicated support can help you build new skills, grow your career, and set an example for your loved ones. For military families, education isn’t just a personal achievement — it’s a portable foundation for resilience and opportunity.
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