Q&A With a U.S. Army Soldier: My Journey as an Online Student

Alan E. Thomas Jr. is a big deal.

With 2 1/2 decades of military experience, he is currently a senior enlisted advisor for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Expeditionary District. His team is in charge of over a billion dollars’ worth of engineering, construction and management.

As a highly accomplished and celebrated service member who wanted to take the next step in his career, he decided to move forward with a bachelor’s degree in professional studies from Purdue Global. In this Q&A, learn about his inspiring journey and how his degree takes him one step further as a determined, thoughtful leader.

Q: Who inspired you to continue your education?

A: I always wanted to follow in the footsteps of my grandfather, who fought in World War II.  He taught me that you create your own destiny with drive and determination to push through. After his storied career in the military, he went on to earn his PhD in child psychology. 

My grandfather always told me that education is a gateway to prosperity. And that’s one of the things I do every day — lead soldiers toward education.

Alan E. Thomas Jr.’s grandfather served in the U.S. military during World War II and is one of Alan’s biggest inspirations. (Photo provided)

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

Q: Why did you pick Purdue Global?

A: With the Purdue Global name, you know you’re being backed by a university that has a history of support and education. Purdue Global advisors ensure that if you have any issues, they can help you work through it. There’s also a robust technical department, and if you are uncomfortable with technology, you have support.

Q: How did you know it was the right moment to start taking classes with Purdue Global? Did anything about going back to school as an adult give you pause?

A: I graduated from high school in 2000 and then graduated from Purdue Global in 2023. That’s a big gap! Getting older presents some challenges: you have kids; you have a family; you have a career; and now you’re looking for that next step.

But in my career, I found myself moving from combat operations to strategic operations. Purdue Global provided me with an opportunity to keep advancing. It gave me the ability to learn and prepare myself for those strategic opportunities that I now get to be a part of — everything from global operations to global management.

My degree, professional studies with a concentration in leadership, allows me to have the leadership ability and characteristics to lead organizations small and large.

Q: What made you choose your degree program?

A: One of the reasons this degree program caught my attention was that leadership is instilled in me as a person with over 20 years of military experience. So now I have not only a passion for leading, but I also have the skills for it as well.

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

Q: What was your experience as a student serving in the military?

A: The values you learn in the Army are loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage. Purdue Global upholds those same values, and that familiarity allows military students to feel very comfortable. I would encourage any type of service member to give Purdue Global a chance. It’s an opportunity to be a part of an organization that shares the same values you have as a member of the military.

Q: What was it like to celebrate your graduation in person?

A: I can still remember walking the stage and hearing my name. I remember feeling the immense pride of being an example for my family and knowing that this is a true comeback. This is an opportunity to move on. This isn’t the end. It’s the beginning of a new chapter that still has yet to be written.

Alan E. Thomas Jr. happily celebrated his Purdue Global graduation with his family at Purdue’s West Lafayette location. (Photo provided)

Q: What impact has this experience had on your two daughters, Carolyn and Morgan?

A: As kids, we always have heroes, right? Then as we get older, sometimes we forget how important it is having heroes to look up to. And I think a lot of times parents can be those heroes to their kids.

As a soldier, I know my daughters look at me as a hero. What I’m trying to do is provide them with the blueprint for continuing their education. I want them to continue to grow into the best versions of themselves. They both want to excel past all their dad’s achievements, and I think that’s awesome.

Q: How has this degree benefited you in your current position?

A: I am now the first National Guard soldier to hold the senior enlisted advisor position for the Corps of Engineers. Being the first non-active-duty soldier to hold a position like this is a great honor, and it feels good to be confident taking this opportunity. Because of Purdue Global, I have the credentials to take on executive-level positions and be a senior leader for my country and in my community.

Q: How do you see your degree helping you move forward?

A: As I transition to the civilian world, I am looking at different opportunities. I could work with government contracting or with state departments. I could even go into Congress or some sort of political arena. Purdue Global has given me that opportunity with these credentials.

Q: How do you feel this degree has made things possible for you?

A: A lot of times as soldiers we feel we might have missed our opportunity to earn a degree. And Purdue Global opens those doors we once thought were closed. Now we can be in the driver’s seat of our lives and careers. Now we can make every day a little bit better than yesterday.

Grow Your Military Career With Purdue Global

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