By John Robert Morton, Student and Alumni Affairs Liaison, and Jeff Harstad, AMU Graduate
During high school, Jeff Harstad was already interested in joining the military. His original plan was to pursue education first and then enter as an officer, but the events of September 11, 2001, changed that plan. He enlisted the very next day, and his decision set the course for everything that followed.
Jeff began his service by enlisting in the U.S. Army as an infantryman. Instead of taking a large enlistment bonus, Jeff chose to invest in his future education and fully maximize the GI Bill benefits.
“I gained real-world experience first and then pursued my education after being honorably discharged from the Army. That path gave me a different perspective. Instead of learning theory first, I could connect my academic work to my real-world experience, which made it more meaningful and focused,” Jeff says.
Jeff may not have pursued the traditional route to higher education, but it shaped both his career and approach to learning. This path also reinforced his continued interest in military and national security work, which still drives him today.
Meeting Career Path and Education Challenges
After an honorable discharge, Jeff transitioned into law enforcement and was hired by the Sioux City Police Department in 2008. He began as a patrol officer, working overnight shifts. Later, Jeff became a certified Drug Recognition Expert and joined a special unit focused on impaired driving enforcement.
With a promotion to detective, he spent the final five years of his law enforcement career specializing in digital forensics. Jeff worked with computers, surveillance systems, cell phones and other electronic devices.
He also became a full-time college student for well over a decade, while working full-time and raising a family.
“I’ve always approached life with a mindset of planning for the next challenge or career trajectory, so I made a point to take full advantage of every opportunity available to me. That included both the GI Bill and the Department of Veterans Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program, which I utilized after being wounded in combat,” he says.
Jeff’s academic path has been broad and intentional. It has given him the foundation to move easily between different disciplines and take on increasingly complex problems.
Over time, he earned several degrees:
- Associate of Applied Science in Technical Studies from Western Iowa Tech Community College
- Associate of Arts in Arts and Sciences from Western Iowa Tech Community College
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from Bellevue University
- Bachelor of Science in Physics (with minors in Mathematics and German) from the University of South Dakota
In 2019, Jeff retired from law enforcement and shifted his focus toward more technical and research-oriented work. While completing his physics degree at the University of South Dakota, he worked as a physics laboratory technician and research assistant, supporting work with electronics and scientific instrumentation.
During that time, he also worked as a German research assistant, translating pre-World War I documents and books for a preservation project in partnership with a local library.
Pursuing a Master’s in Space Studies
“My education has been guided by curiosity and a continuous drive to grow, adapt, and take on new challenges,” Jeff says. Later, he wanted to pursue a master’s in space studies and chose AMU.
“The ability to complete the program online was a major factor, especially while I was balancing a career and family. I already had a well-paying job and wasn’t in a position to relocate, so an online school made sense,” Jeff adds.
He also liked that AMU has a strong reputation for supporting military and veteran students. “The University made a genuine effort to accommodate the unique challenges that come with military service, which was important to me,” he notes.
Finally, his program aligned with his long-term interest in the military and national security fields.
“Overall, I had a very positive experience at AMU and gained a great deal from the program. While I certainly value face-to-face interaction with professors and classmates, that isn’t always realistic, depending on your life circumstances.
“The online format makes it possible for people to continue their education and develop meaningful skills regardless of location. Like anything, there are tradeoffs. But for me, flexibility and accessibility made it a worthwhile and effective experience,” he says.
Writing a Book about His Military Experiences
After completing his graduate studies at AMU, Jeff spent time living in Germany before returning to the United States. He briefly worked for the federal government and later turned his attention to completing a long-standing personal project, “Mirage in the Sand: Reflections of a Grunt in the Early Days of GWOT.”
The book draws from Jeff’s experiences as an infantryman during the early years of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). It is an unfiltered look at life on the ground. It captures the harsh realities of combat, includes the gallows humor that comes with it and provides a thoroughly accurate account of that time.
“My book became a way to preserve not only my own experiences, but also the stories of the men I served alongside and the broader context of that period. It has been well received and earned recognition as a Top New Release on Amazon,” Jeff explains.
More recently, Jeff remains focused on writing and the publication of his book. Creating it gave him the opportunity to reflect on his military experiences and place them in a broader context.
“My book explores leadership, military culture, and the harsh realities of combat, both during and after deployments,” he says. “I’ve seen firsthand how critical this work is, and I want to continue contributing in a way that has a real impact.”
Advice to Future Students
Jeff has some advice for the younger generation of servicemembers, law enforcement officers and writers.
Experience, consistency and interest are first on his list. “Take the time to figure out what you’re interested in. This advice applies to every profession. Be consistent enough that people start to recognize you, your work ethic and your level of interest.”
Second, character matters more than skillsets. “I’m far less interested in your current skill set or how impressive your résumé looks. Skills can be taught. Character cannot. What matters more is your work ethic, your curiosity and your reliability.”
Finally, focus on your education and expansion. “Never stop learning. You might specialize in one area, and that’s fine, but expanding your knowledge into other fields gives you a completely different perspective on problems.
“Sometimes the best solutions come from ideas outside your primary discipline. The more you can connect to different areas of expertise, the more valuable and effective you become.”
About the Author
John Robert Morton is a Student & Alumni Affairs Liaison and has been with the University for 16 years. His bachelor’s degree in European history is from Troy University in Troy, Alabama. He also completed master’s degrees in political science and sports management from American Military University. As a liaison, John Robert enjoys helping students and alumni achieve their personal and professional goals.
About Our Department
The AMU and APU Alumni Affairs Office is dedicated to sustaining lifelong relationships with university alumni by providing engaging opportunities to stay involved and connected. We work closely with various stakeholders to strengthen the alumni experience and offer numerous benefits, services, activities, and events throughout the year.
As a team, the Alumni Affairs team works to build and sustain relationships with alumni along their personal and professional journeys. We actively look for ways to recognize and showcase alumni, telling their stories to motivate and encourage students to pursue their goals.
If you are an alumni community member and looking for ways to remain actively involved, please get in touch with alumni@apus.edu and speak with a team member.
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