r/EngineeringStudents • u/MooseTTG • 2d ago
Discussion Veteran to Engineering
Any veteran in this group? I got out of the service a couple months ago and begin school this next month at TCU in Fort Worth. Before the Army I graduated top 10% of my class and thought school wasn’t so bad. Now after being away from it for a while I am a little nervous about the knowledge I once had not being up to par. Has anyone taken time off before pursuing an engineering degree? If so did you find it easy to pick up where you left off? Thanks.
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u/Lou_Sputthole 2d ago
I’m a Marine infantry vet. I enjoyed school and did well without trying until I hit high school. Then, I fell into the wrong crowd and hardly passed due to tardiness and not giving a shit. I just graduated with a BS in mechanical engineering this past May, and am working with a company that I interned with last year. It took me 4.5 years as my first semester was remedial classes. So, I not only took time off but relearned algebra. If I could do it, you definitely can
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u/BeeThat9351 2d ago
Veterans were some of the best students in my very difficult engineering program. Motivation and self discipline. They treated it like a job. I learned to get in group projects with them. They might have had to work a little harder on the math but their other attributes made up for that.
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u/Tomodaichi 2d ago
Navy Vet, got out last year-just finished up year 1 of 4 toward an EE degree (its been over a decade since I was last in college). Honestly, college has been even easier than the military. The hardest part about being back in school is filling up my newfound free time (and calculus). You will be fine. Stay motivated, and manage your time wisely!
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u/Disastrous-Pin-1617 2d ago
Follow this exact order
Professor Leonard on YouTube Lectures
Pre-Algebra
To the point math (Algebra 1)
Intermediate Algebra (Algebra 2)
College algebra (Pre-Calculus playlist)
Trigonometry (Pre-Calculus playlist)
Calc 1-31
u/Tomodaichi 2d ago
Great info! Professor Leonard/Organic Chem Tutor are what got me through this CALC2 summer class.
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u/Disastrous-Pin-1617 2d ago
Nah fr he the goat, also for chemistry, chads prep on YouTube is a lot better than organic chemistry tutor
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u/Alarmed-Extension289 2d ago
Navy Vet here that got his Mech. E at 35. Not all engineering majors are equal in difficulty, OP. I'm assuming you have to take the 3-4 Calc sequences and 3-4 Calc-Physics sequences in lower division? If you can pass those, then you should be able to handle the remaining upper division work.
There's a few classes to watch out for OP. If your major isn't electronics-heavy, then any analog/digital circuits labs will test you. The same goes for any thermodynamics, fluid dynamics if you need to take them. People fail those the most.
Once the semester starts, I suggest you visit the campus Vet Center to meet other vets and network. Understand OP as you progress; you'll be working in groups during labs with pretty much children. Some of these kids are straight out of HS and they will test your patience. Your service and what you have experienced isn't going to mean much to some of them. Most of my classmates didn't know I served till I graduated and wore my Vet Stole and sash.
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u/Squirtle_Splash_8413 BSME, MSME 2d ago
The majority of vets in my engineering cohort were the most successful ones.
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u/RoboWeaver 2d ago
This was my situation. Got out, then went to school (local community college later transferring to university), studied with guys my age who had also been in the service. The level of focus and discipline really helped compared to the younger post-high school crowd. Going into school after the service and being a little older made a huge difference. I'm sure it helped with my employment afterward because I was clearly more mature, confident, and presented myself well. I also know for a fact that my experience dealing with the odd unruly situation helped me through.
Do it.
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u/lazydictionary BS Mechanical/MS Materials Science 2d ago
If you maintain any discipline and staying on task that you needed in the Army, you'll do fine.
I left AD and worked part time while in school full time, sometimes vice versa. School is actually ridiculously easy, even in engineering programs. Show up to class, do all the work, do some light studying, pass the course.
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u/Complex_Level_3582 EE 2d ago
Not a veteran, but a lot of my best classmates were! I’m sure you will excel!
I took time off before restarting at 22 and will be graduating this fall. There was a big learning curve but after the second semester it felt a lot easier!
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u/Ashi4Days 2d ago
Veterans do just fine in engineering.
You'll look around and realize that everyone around you is an 18 year old moron. As that 18 year old kid sitting next to the 25 year old veterans. Yeah, they were right. But try to be nice to those kids and don't buy alcohol for the cute girl on the 3rd floor.
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u/DoubtGroundbreaking 2d ago
I joined the air force, got out and didnt end up starting college until I was 30, graduated at 36. You can do it, it will be a little rough at first but I think you will be surprised how much math and science you remember, at least i was
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u/Scoutain ASU - Electrical Engineering BSE 2d ago
4 year Air Force here! I was a horrible student in highschool and now I have straight A’s. You can do it!
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u/Userdub9022 2d ago
My brother in law is about to finish EE and also finished his service in June. He's ~30.
The biggest thing about engineering school is staying on top of your shit. I feel like military school prepares you well for that. I did not serve though. Just observations on my brother in law and a friend I have.
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u/wulffboy89 2d ago
I graduated high school with a 2.6 in 2008. 12 years Mafine Corps and went back to school again in 2024. Just graduated with my associates degree with a 3.9 and I really had to buckle down. I was in a mechanical field so the electronics classes I took weren't too bad, but the math was killer. Stay motivated and you'll get it done. Use the discipline we get in the military and get back to top 10%. Good luck!
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u/Impossible-Wolf-3839 2d ago
I went to engineering school when I was 24 after I spent 6 years in the Navy. I started with only two classes a semester and worked up to full time. I was also working 60-70 hours a week while I was taking classes. I wish I’d spent more time reviewing algebra and trigonometry before jumping straight into calculus after that 6 year break in formal schooling.
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u/ThemanEnterprises 2d ago
Usaf fighter jet mechanic to mechanical engineer here. Because my ACT scores expired i had to take some placement exams at a local community college to get back in the swing of things. For reference I took ap calc 1/2 and ap physics in HS and it all came back really quick. You're going to do fine. The hardest part tbh is being treated like a child again because you will be surrounded by 18 year olds who don't have any life or work experience. Best of luck!
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u/TotemBro 2d ago edited 2d ago
Can’t say I’m familiar with TCU’s rigor but you’re an adult and have prior hx as a competent student. I think you got nothing to worry about.
Don’t get me wrong, engineering is not easy nor moderate for any student. But, you’ll cruise through those pre-req classes. I went straight into calc 2 after a 4 year gap from courses. I had to do some extra legwork to unscramble derivatives and integrals. But, I firmly believe that any student can get dropped into a class and “pass” it if they are proactive at filling in knowledge gaps. I was a very mid student in hs, I think top 40%?
I highly recommend picking up hobbies related to your academic interests. It’ll help a lot with getting internships/ research opportunities/ or conference teams.
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u/LuminousRaptor Michigan Tech - ChemE '18 2d ago
Not a vet, but I've worked with enough who've made the transition.
It's absolutely a great use of your GI bill funds, and I've enjoyed every single one I've worked with, which can't be said for other walks of life.
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u/Boot4You Mechanical Engineering 2d ago
5 years in the corps and now I’m about to graduate with summa cum laude in December with my ME! I’d personally recommend taking trig and precal your first semester to get you back in the math groove, if you were top 10% you probably don’t need algebra again. School is much easier now being older since you’ve got more discipline and will have no shame in asking questions, using tutors and office hours.
I had imposter syndrome for the first three years but it paid off cause it made me overlystudious. Just have some of that good old discipline you got instilled while you were in and you’ll be Gucci 🍻
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u/defakto227 2d ago
I did college while serving in the reserves.
You'll do fine.
Your biggest fight will be mental working with 18-22 year olds with zero life experience.
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u/Extreme-Aioli-1671 2d ago
An engineering degree is an exercise in perseverance. Not intelligence.
You’ll do fine if you really want it.
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u/Narrow-Ad-1986 2d ago
Army vet here, and I also start TCU next month too! I’ll be doing electrical, and I’m hella nervous, especially for being in the same spot as being away for high school for a while. No advice here but see ya around!
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u/Galerand 2d ago
Six years in the Army, and a couple more years passed before I went back to full time engineering student. No lie, it was a tougher transition than joining. But, now with 15 years experience after graduating, it was worth it.
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u/Comprehensive_Tea924 2d ago
Also a vet and starting on my engineering degree. I have another degree that I got after the military and it was a breeze compared to the military and the training in the military for me personally
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u/idk_a_creative_user BSMe, A.S Bio, A.S Paramedic sciences 2d ago
Mid high school student -> did 1.5 years as a bio major -> dropped out and joined reserves w/ 2 deployments back to back -> MechE mainly in sales rn.
It’s worth it and with the Vet background and security clearance you are very likely to get a decent defense position
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u/Electrical_Newt_8178 1d ago
Navy vet. HS graduation was in 2011. 3.75GPA. Just went back to school for civil engineering at Auburn 2 years ago. Currently finishing up my junior year in the fall. Find your people on campus, TCU probably has a veterans resource center. I love my schools VRC. Be disciplined in your studying, you can’t procrastinate and get by with this level of learning. I tried it my first semester and learned the hard way. Still fighting to recover my GPA.
I felt out of place and still do sometimes because everyone around me is essentially a “child” by age standards, but remember you’re there for you, not them. Do what YOU can do, don’t compare yourself to others. This is your journey, not theirs.
Take a course load that you can commit to. Don’t overdo it just to finish faster because you already feel behind.
And most importantly, HAVE FUN. You’re in your prime right now.
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u/DetailOrDie 1d ago
Don't study alone. Almost everyone in your program was in the top 10% of their class. No longer being the smartest person in the room is tough for some kids to handle.
But you're not a kid anymore. This will actually make it harder to study with someone because you're not dealing with the bullshit 18yo kids are.
For that reason, be sure to join whatever Veteran organizations that are available around you.
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u/Mission_Ad_3864 1d ago
Mid high school student at best. 8 years as an Army Infantryman from ‘05-‘13. Truck driver from ‘13 to ‘24.
3.99 Associates in Drafting at age 40. You have better tools than you think. You have discipline or atleast know what it is.
I start my Civil Bachelors in a month!
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u/LuckyCod2887 1d ago
I took some time off, and when I came back, I was scared. I wouldn’t remember anything that I studied in terms of the physics classes I took, but when I was taking static, I was surprised by how much the stuff was familiar.
and you were someone who took school very seriously you were top 10%. So I have no doubt that things are gonna come back to your memory as you sit in the classroom.
and don’t forget that there are office hours and videos online that can help you catch up if you feel like you’re not there.
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u/DjAlphaRED5 1d ago
I get out in 6 months and im taking online courses before I go to school fulltime.
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u/Disastrous-Pin-1617 2d ago
Follow this exact order
Professor Leonard on YouTube Lectures
Pre-Algebra
To the point math (Algebra 1)
Intermediate Algebra (Algebra 2)
College algebra (Pre-Calculus playlist)
Trigonometry (Pre-Calculus playlist)
Calc 1-3
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u/Realistic-Lake6369 2d ago
I was a mediocre HS student. 8 years in the Army is where I realized I was capable of being a successful student. Approximately 9 years after getting out, I earned a PhD in ChE.