The MBA Experience: after the Military

SEPTEMBER 22, 2014

“Military applicants tend to blow other candidates out of the water, figuratively speaking, because they have a wealth of experience to draw from at a very young age.”

The values, insights, and perspectives that men and women in uniform bring to MBA programs is something that heightens the entire learning experience—not only for the students of business MBA programs—but also for the professors, mentors, and instructors.

An MBA for military members and military veterans can be helpful in countless ways. If you’re on the fence about whether or not an MBA can help you, the answer is “yes” if:

You will be transitioning out of the military and are interested in engaging the corporate world.
You are a current reservist with business career goals.
You are looking to engage in your professional life after your service in the military.
You want to return to the military after you complete your MBA program.

If you are a member of the military, the key to success in your MBA courses will be to use the skills you already have to develop the skills you need for the business world. You need a program that gives you the knowledge and tools to lead people, make critical decisions, and move up the corporate ladder, in much the same way as you moved up the military ranks.

You’ve Got What It Takes

Military candidates are ideal for an MBA or entrepreneurship program. They’ve already learned how to make tough decisions, generally have the charisma to inspire and lead, and possess the foundations of determination and perseverance needed to be successful in any MBA degree program.

Stacy Blackman, author of The MBA Application Roadmap: The Essential Guide to Getting Into a Top Business School, explains: “Military applicants tend to blow other candidates out of the water, figuratively speaking, because they have a wealth of experience to draw from at a very young age. While many b-school hopefuls can only speak to sitting in cubicles, crunching numbers for the boss, these veteran applicants have had to deal with highly stressful situations, think on their feet, make ethical decisions, and lead important projects.”

Learning More Than Just How to Make Money

Anyone with ties to the military who is considering enrolling in a business MBA program or starting their own business should carefully consider the programs and institutions available to them. The ultimate goal of students should be to finish their entrepreneur courses with an arsenal of tools, knowledge, inspiration, and skills to reach success and start (and lead) their own businesses. This all comes by way of doing—not sitting in a lethargic, energy-drained lecture hall for hours on end.

Funding Solutions and Tuition Programs

A funding increase in the Post-9/11 GI Bill, as well as the launch of the Yellow Ribbon Program, have helped make a dent in tuition costs for military MBA students, which can be prohibitively expensive for veterans lacking a sufficient income. The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides financial assistance for housing and tuition to those who have served in our military with at least ninety days of aggregate service after September 10, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after thirty days. Students must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

The Yellow Ribbon Program allows US universities to voluntarily enter into an agreement with the Department of Veterans Affairs to fund tuition expenses that exceed the highest public, in-state undergraduate tuition rate. The institution can contribute up to 50 percent of those expenses, and the government will match the same amount. In addition to these two programs, there are also others to help defray tuition costs for military MBA students, so do your research.

Are You In?

MBA programs are always seeking out creative, innovative thinkers. With their military background, men and women in uniform tend to make valuable students. Qualities such as time management skills, leadership experience, and an ability to make critical decisions on the fly, make them the type of students who are not only respected, but coveted for the knowledge and experience they bring to the classroom. If you have a background in the military and have an interest in business, you’re the kind of student a business MBA program is looking to find.