By Bradley Hood
Contributor, In Military Education
When I first began courses at Rutgers University as a traditional student, I had no idea that in only a year I would enlist into the Marine Corps, and that I would eventually transfer to American Military University. In my mind, college was going to entail many long days of tedious classroom hours, and end after four years with an overly dramatic ceremony in black robes. It was easy for me to see – I only had a few more years before I would step onto the stage, shake some old dean’s hand, and I would be done with it.
It is actually quite amazing now, looking back on that expectation of mine, and realizing how clueless I was to the rapid changes in my life that began the summer before my Sophomore year. I entered the Delayed Entry Program only a couple months before my boot camp date in May, but it was only when I was on the plane headed to Parris Island, South Carolina that it occurred to me how much my life was about to change. I have since completed 5 years as an enlisted Marine, transferred to and completed a BA at AMU, begun an MA at Norwich, and commissioned as an officer in the Marine Corps. The one constant that remained from my original expectations was that I was to graduate from college.
AMU provided me with a choice to attend the yearly commencement ceremony at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention center, which occurred this past weekend. As I was sure that my family would love to see my walk, I decided to RSVP with a yes for the ceremony. I was also an active member in student organizations, particularly Pi Gamma Mu (PGM) where I was the VP of Communications, and soon found out that commencement was preceded by a full days worth of activities. All the student organizations at APU/AMU were holding meetings, and there were opportunities to get involved in volunteer service projects or help out at the meetings themselves. PGM was participating by hosting a membership induction, presentation of chapter awards, all broadcast by teleconference (PGM’s usual method of conducting meetings, supplemented by social media outreach). Naturally I became involved in this, and as a recently inducted University Ambassador, I participated in several other activities throughout the day preceding commencement itself, which was all topped off by a classy and enjoyable reception in the evening, complements of the university.
Commencement far exceeded my expectations. The ceremony itself was well done and included memorable, charismatic speakers. The graduates to my right and left were both Military History majors, as we graduated by program, and many of those in my program had served or are still serving in the military. The average student seemed to be older than those at Rutgers, and I found myself meeting and becoming fast friends with many graduates – veteran and civilian alike. What really made commencement unique was not how an online university managed to coordinate so many events for graduates from all over the world in such an exemplary manner, but how an online university pulled together such diverse and interesting people, a student body unlike that found at any traditional school, to meet in person. I feel connected to the students and graduates I met at commencement in a way that would be extremely difficult to replicate at a traditional college.
APU/AMU’s greatest strength is not its affordable, flexible education. It is not the expert professors or the accommodating and professional staff. The most profound strength of this institution is in it’s student body: one that is filled with experienced, diverse, and unique individuals of every age and walk of life. Veterans, who so often find themselves isolated at traditional schools, are provided an environment far more understanding of their service and mindset, and APU/AMU actually provides many veterans with a rare chance to connect. It is my hope and desire to see this school continue to succeed, and for many more graduates, especially those with a military background, to have similar experiences to my own.
Editor’s Note: Congratulations to Bradley and all the servicemembers who participated in the 2013 Commencement Ceremony, held on June 15th.
Bio:
Bradley Hood is a Marine Corps Second Lieutenant in IRR status with 5 years of prior enlisted experience. He is a recent graduate of American Military University, and currently is working towards a Master’s degree in Military History through Norwich. Bradley lives with his beautiful wife in historic NJ.
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