With so many service men and women returning home from active duty, it is a time of transition and decision-making for young heroes in this country. Throughout my 25-year USAF career, I’ve seen thousands of airmen go through this transition and face the unique challenge of re-entering the civilian workforce. When I retired, I made this transition myself and witnessed first-hand the uncertainty and anxiety inherent in leaving behind the comfort and security of a military career. Whether you are retiring with 20+ years of service, or leaving after your first hitch, this transition can be daunting.

Arguably, the top three challenges military members face when they hang up the uniform one last time are: understanding the private-sector culture, translating military experiences into civilian terms, and possessing the right education to land that perfect job. The various installation Transition Assistance Program offices do a great job in preparing troops for the first two challenges, but oftentimes education is overlooked in the process.

With the recent passage of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, there are now more education benefits available for service members than ever before. Eligibility begins for veterans with as few as 90 days of service after September 10, 2001, and quickly “maxes out” with 36 months of service. Tuition, books, and fees are covered within certain program caps, and in many situations vets are entitled to a monthly housing stipend and a relocation allowance. For military members willing to extend their service a little longer, these benefits may now be transferrable to dependent spouses and children.

While the unfortunate events of 9/11 brought about this new GI Bill, they also ushered in a new focus on strategic security. The United States restructured major components of the intelligence and law enforcement communities (IC & LE), resulting in significant job growth in these arenas. Along with these new jobs has come a greater demand for a more professional, better-trained workforce.

This is an exceptional moment for former service members interested in careers in strategic security. If the new GI Bill provides the financial means, institutions across the country have delivered with accessible and exemplary degree programs in the field. Further, online degree programs – completely unavailable when I left active duty – offer an important alternative for military members with challenging schedules and deployments. Financial resources, greater demand for security professionals, and reputable online degree options have coalesced to provide unprecedented opportunity.

When I retired and struggled with what I wanted to do next, the more I realized it was right in front of me – helping military professionals make the transition by finding education programs that prepare them for challenging strategic security careers. As a Public Relations Officer for Henley-Putnam University – a 100% online university focused exclusively on strategic security, with a cadre of staff and faculty who have considerable military, IC, and LE experience – I’m committed to doing just that.

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About Henley-Putnam University
Founded in August 2001, Henley-Putnam University is a leading educational institution in the field of Strategic Security. The University offers accredited online Bachelor, Master of Science Degrees in Intelligence Management, Terrorism and Counterterrorism Studies, and more. , and most recently added new Certificate Programs. Henley-Putnam prepares law enforcement, military, intelligence community, and private industry professionals with the network, skills, and insights to advance in their careers and protect the future. For more information on Henley-Putnam University, call 888.852.8746.