A MAGAZINE FOR THE MILITARY COMMUNITY | WINTER 2012 PHOENIX Help for Heroes A road to recovery Military medical innovations Plan for a successful transition Where’s Kilroy? LETTER FROM THE Executive Editor As I welcome you to the first edition of our newly redesigned Phoenix Patriot magazine, I do so with a deep sense of gratitude for the sacrifices you have made for our country. Having served in the U.S. Army for 28 I recently went through that transition, FAST FACTS years, I know first-hand the excitement, myself. In 2009, I retired from the U.S. chaos and fulfillment that define military Army Corps of Engineers after nearly life. Whether you are currently deployed, three decades of service. When I began GARLAND H. have proudly worn a uniform in the past my transition, I thought I was set because I WILLIAMS or are raising your family while a loved one have my Ph.D. While that certainly opened Colonel (Retired), Ph.D. serves, your contributions to our freedom doors for me, my retirement coincided BRANCH: have not gone unnoticed. with a period during which defense U.S. Army contractor jobs dried up pending federal Our call to support you budget approval. As often happens in life, YEARS OF At University of Phoenix, our appreciation that obstacle opened a new opportunity in MILITARY SERVICE: for your service is what drives us to do the University of Phoenix Military Division, 28 our very best to support members of a group I didn’t even know existed. the broader military community. This RETIRED: magazine is part of that effort. With it, we A team just for you 2009 strive to provide you with information that Today, I’m excited and proud to be part of HOMETOWN: is relevant to you and your unique lifestyle this team, which was created to address Atlanta, Georgia and hopefully, in some small way, will the unique needs that members of the improve your life. In the Phoenix Patriot, U.S. Armed Forces have in regard to higher we’ll highlight your accomplishments so education. We know that military learners your success may inspire others, and we’ll are at-risk students because of the nature also give you a reason to laugh, wherever of their jobs. At University of Phoenix, you are. we have graduation teams to guide them through the entire process, from the day A culture of evolution they enroll to the day they receive their Any member of the military knows that degrees. Though I have attended a lot of change is a defining characteristic of school in my day, I have never seen this this calling. In this edition of Phoenix kind of support for military students. It Patriot, we introduce a series of stories on is with great pride that I join this effort to transitioning from military to civilian life, help members of the military community something every member of the military achieve their dream of earning a degree, will face one day. paving the way for a better life after military service. Until next time, GARLAND WILLIAMS, Ph.D. USA2 PHOENIX COL (ret), Associate Winter 2012 Regional Vice President, Military phoenix.edu/military 3 CONTENTS Winter 2012 Features Profiles Staff PHOENIX PATRIOT is produced quarterly by the University of Phoenix 24 Help Military Relations Department. for Senior Vice President Arra Yerganian Heroes Associate Regional Vice Non-profit veteran organizations help President, Military Garland Williams returning service men and women ease Vice President back into civilian life. Kathleen Fern 8 28 Editorial Director Peter Burch Amir Johnson Jenifer King An Air Force veteran offers transition advice. A former Marine sets goals to achieve success. Senior Editor Sally Benford 16 Strategy Director Allison Don Military Medicine: Senior Writer A history of innovation Julie Wilson Department Writer Some of medicine’s newest discoveries Ken Jensen were initiated by a need for quick, life-saving Design treatments on the battlefield. We can thank PS Studio the U.S. Military for innovations that have Contributing Photographers Bruce Racine found their way into mainstream healthcare. Richard Maack University of Phoenix 34 42 Military Relations 4025 S. Riverpoint Parkway Aaron Saul Vickey Guiles Phoenix, AZ 85040 An F-16 pilot moves from the cockpit to This Army spouse is a woman of action. Contact us at the classroom. [email protected] P 800.795.2586 F 602.643.0552 or visit us at Departments Connections For Fun alumni.phoenix.edu Editorial Team 6 38 32 LETTERS HOME PRESIDENT’S LETTER TRIVIA A WWII message Dr. Pepicello’s welcome Do you know your military history? 12 40 46 HISTORY UNIVERSITY NEWS “IT” HAPPENS Our military past Scholarships and information A comic strip about life in the military Kathleen Fern Jenifer King Vice President Editorial Director 22 48 PLACES IN HISTORY JUST ASK The Battle of Gettysburg We answer your education questions 23 50 Former U.S. Marine Mason Poe (left and cover) BY THE NUMBERS PARTING SHOT hopes to inspire fellow veterans through the Sally Benford Allison Don Military fast facts A view from the flight deck Senior Editor Strategy Wounded Warriors Project Soldier Ride. Director 4 PHOENIX Winter 2012 © 2012 University of Phoenix, Inc. All rights reserved. phoenix.edu/military 5 LETTERS HOME World War II SOMEWHERE “ We called it ‘the bulge’ IN GERMANY February 19, 1945 and it was one of the From D-day until toughest campaigns the war in Europe ended in May, we’ve yet encountered.” 1945, American soldiers fought on the beaches, hills, fields and forests of France while the folks at home waited for news from their loved ones. Toward the end of 1944, it seemed the war was almost over. In fact, Gen. Eisenhower had privately bet a friend that the Germans would surrender by Christmas. But Hitler had other plans. On December 16, the German Army launched a counteroffensive that led to the war’s toughest European battle. For six weeks, American troops fought both the German Army and brutal winter weather, ultimately prevailing and setting the stage for victory in Europe. Paul Banks (left and above) was a captain in the 474th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion during World War II. The unit shot down enemy aircraft during the fighting at Utah Beach, Cherbourg, and the Ardennes Forest in Read the transcript of Banks’ letter at phoenixpatriotmagazine.com ONLINE EXTRAS Visit phoenixpatriotmagazine.com one of the war’s bloodiest conflicts: The Battle of the Bulge. The swastikas painted to see additional letters. on the side of the gun represent the enemy planes his unit shot down. 6 PHOENIX Winter 2012 phoenix.edu/military 7 Ready, Aim, FAST FACTS PETER BURCH MSN 2011 BRANCHES: U.S. Air Force, U.S. Air Force Reserves, U.S. Army Reserves ENLISTED: Retire 1975 RETIRED: PLAN FOR SUCCESSFUL TRANSITIONS 2009 YEARS OF MILITARY SERVICE: 34 By Julie Wilson TRANSITION TIMELINE: Started two In this edition of Phoenix Patriot, we introduce a series on how to years out make a successful transition from military to civilian life. According MILITARY HIGHLIGHTS: to Garland Williams, associate regional vice president of the Military Security police, Division at University of Phoenix, the key is starting to prepare two medical technician, flight nurse, ejection years or more before your desired retirement date. “You’ve got to systems technician think through how your valuable military experience can translate COMMENDATIONS: into a civilian career,” advises Williams, who retired from the U.S. Three Commendation Army in 2009 after 28 years of service. “It’s a tough job market out Medals, two Air there, and proper planning can make all the difference.” Force Meritorious Service Medals, two Bronze Stars for service in Desert ighteen to 24 months prior to retirement, military Storm and Desert personnel should give serious thought to what Shield they want to do after they get out. “This includes evaluating the job market and which industries CURRENT JOB: Eare hiring, as well as determining the skills and education Endoscopy nurse required to land the position you want,” Williams adds. On the following pages, Peter Burch, who served in the U.S. Air Force, Air Force Reserves and Army Reserves, shares his own story of retirement, including how he laid the 8 PHOENIX Winter 2012 phoenix.edu/military 9 TOP TRANSITION TIP: “You have to be really motivated and a good juggler. You have to prioritize what is important to you and have a strong family support system.” groundwork for a fruitful career after In 1981 when he joined the U.S. Air Force offering him a job if he would complete Burch has also had to adjust to living serving his country for more than Reserves, he trained to be a medical his master’s degree in nursing, which and working in a world that doesn’t three decades. technician, his first foray into healthcare. he decided to pursue at University of necessarily share in the strong work Charting a course for success A few years later, he became a registered Phoenix. “As soon as I was finished, I had a ethic that is a keystone of military life. When Peter Burch joined the U.S. Air Force nurse and was assigned as a flight nurse job waiting for me,” he adds. “[In the military,] we do the best that we in 1975, he did so out of a deep sense of for 12 years. He was deployed to serve can with our jobs, showing up on-time pride in his country and a desire to do in both Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Today, Burch knows he made the right or early,” he says.