Individual Growth

In the Military, there’s no shortage of experiences that can strengthen self-esteem.

Staff Sgt. Jada Madson understands the responsibility of being a section chief in the U.S. Army and her individual impact on the overall mission. It’s on Jada and her team to work together to protect fellow Soldiers on the ground.

She credits the Military for giving her the opportunity to grow and gain the confidence to take on those responsibilities and be more vocal — both in and out of uniform. “The increased responsibilities that I’ve gained in the Army broke me out of my shell,” she says. “I’m not afraid to speak my mind anymore.” Getting to learn a variety of skills is just one of the reasons Jada enjoys being in the Military. Another is the impact she’s had on her team and the satisfaction she gets from being a mentor and seeing her crew succeed. “It makes me feel so good when somebody that I supervised advances in their career because of my training,” she says.

Learning doesn’t just happen from a textbook. Discover how these service members have enriched their lives and expanded their knowledge through secondary education and on-the-job experiences.

Marissa is taking advantage of a tuition waiver provided by the Connecticut National Guard Bureau for all state colleges, meaning her higher education isn’t costing her anything. She’s also taking advantage of the Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR), which provides a stipend to pay for her textbooks as well. Marissa says the ability to focus on her academics and her military career without the financial burden is invaluable.

“The benefit of getting to go to school [with the help of financial assistance from the Military] made me a better person,” she says. “I can focus solely on doing my best work, both in my job and at school, without having to worry about debt or student loans.”

Leadership doesn’t just mean directing those under your command, it also means mentorship and ensuring others have the skills they need to become capable leaders, too.

As far as responsibilities go, Capt. Perez is keenly aware of the influence he has on his Marines. “Being a leader is more than telling my Marines what to do. It’s about mentoring and helping them figure out what’s right for them, educating them on what’s about to come. And then continuing to talk to and mentor them — you’re a leader for life.”

Capt. Perez strives to make a positive impact on the lives of his Marines by giving them purpose and encouraging them in various aspects of their lives, whether that’s making certain they complete their professional training and certifications or that they sign up for their educational benefits.

Every service branch offers the chance to hone one’s ability to respond in the best possible way to high-stakes scenarios.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Anthony Pappaly spent his first two years in the Coast Guard on a patrol boat. He balanced deck maintenance, navigation and rescue swimming with other daily tasks. “During that time, I definitely gained a lot of confidence in my abilities to stay calm during challenging situations,” he says.

That skill has been a huge benefit for Anthony’s current job: public affairs specialist. “Each day is different. One day I’m working on social media campaigns in the office, the next I’m creating a video on boating safety,” he says.

Collaboration and connection with fellow service members are key components of a successful, rewarding life in the Military.

Networking is an integral part of Air Force Reserve Tech. Sgt. Juntranek Powell’s human resources role. “My job is about taking care of our unit’s members,” she says, “so I get to meet a lot of people and learn about the work they do.” These relationships were incredibly valuable for her career path. “I was considered for and got a particular role because I had networked with the supervisor and she liked my work ethic,” she says.

Working collaboratively and with respect for fellow service members are core, critical components of what makes the Military function effectively.

Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Marissa Airoldi works on a team that repairs and maintains fuel systems for cargo planes and fighter jets. “We are constantly working together in this job. One person reads the step-by-step orders, one person makes the necessary repairs and the other monitors the fuel levels.” Marissa’s training taught her team-building skills to prepare her for this collaborative environment.

Service is a serious commitment, but it also offers the flexibility to balance work, education and family in equal measure.

While serving part time in the Army National Guard, Spc. Chris Mendell is also a full-time student at Columbia University. Though his schedule is busy, from playing club hockey to analyzing intelligence and studying neuroscience, Chris has developed ways to manage his time effectively. “In the Military, I learned about this tool called backward planning, which allows me to organize my daily schedule in a way that works for me,” he says.