Military Transition

[ondeau]

[Disclaimer 1:] I already posted this in the Social Science forum, and application forum. I am in no way trying to litter the site, I am just unfamiliar with the layout of the forum and decided this is probably a more appropriate section for my post.

[Disclaimer 2:] I apologize if I missed a required introduction format. I searched around the forum to see if there was a template for intros but did not find one. Second, I did a search to see if there were already discussions related to this post. Again, did not see much. However, I am on an iPhone. If someone knows of something in relation to this post, I will direct myself there.

...

I am a U.S. Army Ranger looking to transition away from the Military and into grad school within the next few years (2017-18?). I initially wanted to apply to an IR Program after undergrad, but probably would have settled for a program as I didn't have work experience. Instead, I decided to commission as an Army Officer and pursue special operations.

I went to Michigan State for undergrad where I got a 3.6 in economics. I have no yet taken the GRE, pretty much due to optempo, but plan on it within the year.

I want to pursue a Master's in IR. Having said this, what should I be thinking about as a potential applicant? What should I do to prepare? I know the "am I competitive?" question is often overused here, but how does my work experience set me apart, if at all?

Goal sheet would be JHU, Georgetown, Princeton, Columbia, etc... Looking to focus on counter insurgency/global security.

Thank you for the insight. I've been lurking around in the shadows on this forum enough. I look forward to helping however possible.

RLTW

[MJA87]

Your work experience will make you unique and your GPA is serviceable, so you've got a good foundation.

 

In the time between now and when you apply I would study your ass off for the GRE and try to knock it out of the park, as well as gain as much experience possible with a foreign language. If you bring your experience, GPA, a 160/160/5 GRE, and near fluency in a strategic language, you'll be a very competitive candidate.

[Gov2School]

You might consider reaching out to the schools you're most interested in and asking if they can put you in touch with current vets who are attending their programs or alums who were also vets, as they are probably the best positioned to give you advice. When I visited the schools you listed during accepted students week there were almost always veterans or current officers on the student panels and they seemed really eager to talk to other military folks who were applying/interested in the programs. You could also try looking at the alumni or student profiles on the school websites, and if you see a vet that you want to connect with, ask the school if they could put you in touch or see if you can connect with the person directly on LinkedIn.

[WhatAmIDoingNow]

Reaching out to schools of interest regarding veteran student benefits too.  There may be additional funding, discounts, and internship opportunities available.  If they don't know, find someone at the school who would.  Also, do not take an answer of "we don't" unless it comes from a university staff manager.  I got screwed over on my first semester tuition because student workers told me there wasn't a benefit that was available. 

[Guest SIPA_MPA18]

OP,

Just thought I'd share my perspective with you as I'm in the same boat. I'm applying for the Fall 2016 cycle so in a year I'll have some more definitive advice. I'm an active duty officer as well, went from a 13A to a 38A and will have over 8 years in when its time to matriculate (though I'll likely be out at that point).

Our backgrounds uniquely qualify us to speak on a pragmatic level about the view of the US by foreign cultures as a result of our foreign policy. There are many applicants who experience US foreign policy in a completely different, (but equally valid) manner than we do. This is probably too simplistic and not all-inclusive, but this is how I categorize people when it comes to foreign policy experience 1: US citizens reading/writing about/watching US foreign policy. 2: International citizens reading/writing about/watching US foreign policy. 3: International citizens having first-hand knowledge/experience working with US foreign policy actors. 4: US citizens working for NGOs or State Dept/USAID contractors carrying out foreign policy. 5: US diplomats/USAID workers carrying out foreign policy. 6: US military carrying out foreign policy.

As an 11A in the Regiment, you probably have a lot of Direct Action experience but maybe not so much of the soft power experience. I've never been in Reigment so I can't say with any first hand knowledge whether that's true. I don't know you or your operational background so I could be very wrong here. Your direct action resume is probably extremely qualified to get you a security contractor job, but how will it relate to academia?

When you are trying to distinguish yourself and your experiences, make sure that you relate your individual, intimate experiences with different cultures and systems to the overall big picture. How does your training and deployment experience enhance your ability to understand high-level foreign policy analysis and communicate it in a clear, concise manner? How does your experience make you a patient, culturally-aware but calculated leader that knows first hand the benefit of targeted intelligence and efficient decision making? MDMP is structured to cover all the bases and ensure a holistic, thorough plan is carried out but we both know that it doesn't happen the way it does in the schoolhouse. That MDMP experience is extremely valuable because you've seen what it takes to plan and execute tactical operations and possibly at the operational and strategic levels of war too.

What are the perceptions of your operations by the local populace? What are the effects on the local populace? How does the intended (and actual) end state of any given operation or mission relate to our foreign policy in that country/region?

Those are the questions that we can answer with our experience that will distinguish us. It's a lot to capture but being able to do so concisely will be very attractive to an admissions officer or future employer.

I hope my perspective helps you think about your SOPs (the grad school definition of SOPs haha) in a constructive manner. PM me if you want to chat more.