Top MBA Connect

As US military operations wind down overseas, a large number of veterans will be transitioning into civilian life and looking for post-military work opportunities. For example, 68,000 US troops serving in Afghanistan are expected to return home to the US by December 2014 according to NBC News. While most veterans will be looking to work for other companies, many could be applying the skills they learned in the military to creating their own business.

Chris Darden has spent the last two years working at Homeland Security managing a $400 million IT project designed to reduce technological costs while also quickening response capabilities and coordination among Emergency Response Officials. He also serves on the West Virginia Air National Guard as a Navigator on the C-130H3 aircraft. He earned his MBA from the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College in 2010. In this interview, Darden discusses how his MBA and military background have helped him in his current position and provides advice for veterans who are considering getting an MBA.

Dr. Lawrence Carr is a Professor of Management Accounting at the Graduate College of Business at Babson College, one of the top business schools for entrepreneurship. He is the recipient the Kennedy Award for Teaching Excellence. He got his MBA from Union College after serving in the Vietnam War and holds the rank of Captain (Retired) in the US Navy. Before entering academia, Carr spent 18 years in the corporate workforce, most notably as the CEO of OSRAM (a division of Siemens). In this interview, he discusses the similarities between military culture and startup culture, and provides advice to veterans who are considering starting their own business.

Grant Moon is the founder and President of VA Loan Captain, a company that helps veterans use their VA Loan Benefits. Moon has an MBA from Babson and 14 years of experience as an Enlisted Soldier and Commissioned Officer in the US Army National Guard. While in the military, he received several accolades including a Bronze Star Medal, an Army Commendation Medal, and two Army Achievement medals. In this interview, he discusses how his military background and MBA helped him start VA Loan Captain.

Gino Marchetti is a Strategic Accounts Manager and Partner at Orion International, the nation’s largest military recruiting firm. He has a BS in Economics from the U.S. Naval Academy and an MBA in Finance from USC Marshall School of Business. Prior to joining Orion, he spent five years serving in the U.S. Navy as a Surface Warfare Officer. In this interview, he offers advice for veterans who are considering getting an MBA and explains why more companies are looking to hire military MBAs.

Not only there are more companies looking to employ military MBAs, but there are also significant benefits for veterans who get their MBA degree. Read on for expert information about the jobs available to military MBAs as well as advice on how to decide if an MBA is right for you.

I was/am a U.S. Army Officer and about to be a graduate of the Executive MBA program at London Business School (I am currently in transition out of the active duty Army, but will continue to serve in the reserves in Europe). My new role is as COO of a start-up called Carbon Voyage. Carbon Voyage, itself founded by an Australian/UK veteran, is all about making the transportation industry more efficient by providing a platform to meet extra supply capacity. This the story of how my experience as a military MBA has helped me land a job at a growing startup, including with lessons I learned that can help future military MBAs.

According to a U.S. News & World Report article by admissions expert Stacy Blackman, military veterans are good MBA candidates because their military experience has taught them leadership skills such as teamwork and respect. It's no surprise then that so many military MBAs have gone on to be successful CEOs of top companies.

In addition to G.I. bill money, active duty military and veterans apply to school-specific scholarships. Many business schools set up their scholarship program so that veterans are automatically considered for Military MBA scholarships. Read on for more information about the GI bill and examples of schools that provide military scholarships for MBAs.