If you ask anyone who’s served in uniform what Veterans Day means to them, you’ll likely get a variety of responses invoking service, sacrifice, duty, obligation and honor.

After a total of 22 years of active duty and National Guard service, my response would also include the word “appreciation” related to educational benefits. Those benefits enabled me to earn my doctorate from North Carolina State University and launch my academic career.

Rather than fully transitioning into civilian life upon leaving active duty, many service members choose to join the National Guard, allowing them to continue serving their country part-time while pursuing a non-military career.

The North Carolina National Guard comprises approximately 10,000 citizen soldiers and airmen sworn to protect the Constitut

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