 Education
Can Ease Military Transition
10/01/2009
Op-Ed by Col. Michael Angley, USAF
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.
About Col. Michael Angley
In addition to serving as a PR Officer for Henley-Putnam
University, Colonel Michael Angley is the award-winning
author of the Child Finder Trilogy (http://www.childfinder.us).
He retired from the Air Force in 2007 following a
25-year career as a Special Agent with the Office of
Special Investigations (OSI). Col Angley has an M.A. in
National Security Affairs from the U.S. Naval
Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA, and a B.A. in
Criminal Justice and Psychology from King's College,
Wilkes-Barre, PA. He is a former National Defense Fellow
and Adjunct Professor of International Relations at
Florida International University, Miami, FL, and is an
Honor Graduate of the Defense Language Institute's
Korean language program.
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 the Management of Personal Protection, a
Doctoral Degree Program in Strategic Security, 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. Henley-Putnam
University, which is committed to building a student and
alumni network that will serve its community, is an
accredited member of DETC (www.detc.org) and offers 125
courses taught by hands-on faculty members from renowned
organizations such as the CIA and FBI. For more
information on Henley-Putnam University, call
888.852.8746. |
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