Chad Weinburger joined the U.S. Navy 17 years ago on a whim, surprising his family when he enlisted shortly after his 18th birthday. His motivation? Simply to serve his country. “I am going to stick around as long as they allow me to serve.”
Most Americans would consider Chad and others like him to be heroes. Chad doesn’t quite see it that way. “In no way, shape, or form is that accurate about me. I look at other service members like they are heroes. The caliber of 18-20 year olds that are entering the service today is amazing. We are an all-volunteer force. Along with our veteran population, anyone that is willing to volunteer their service to their country is a hero in my 
opinion. Heroes in service to our country extends to and includes our police force, first responders, and school teachers as well.”
Currently, Chad is pursuing his DBA at CSU and also holds a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts with a focus on administration and management and a master’s degree in organizational management. When asked how he plans to use his military experience and extensive education moving forward, his goal is to “continue serving and facilitate success for other Sailors in achieving their personal goals and aligning those with the Navy’s mission. Practical application of process improvement strategies have allowed me to perform well and help other Sailors.”
According to Chad, the most valuable lesson he has learned throughout his military career is preparation. “Service members face a lot of unique demands and constraints that civilians do not. Planning and preparation allows service members to prioritize in order to meet work, family, and school responsibilities.”
It’s no secret that it takes a great amount of preparation and commitment to pursue an education online. There are so many things in life that can arise without a moment’s notice and derail anyone’s ability to move forward with their educational pursuits. Chad admits to using nearly every service offered to him in order to be successful. Some of these services include the Online Library, the Success Center, Career Services, and the Help Desk. “I think the important thing about online education is establishing relationships; even it is only through emails. My advice would be to go for it; however, know how to prioritize appropriately in order to ensure your success.”
As we get closer to the Memorial Day holiday, let us not forget the brave men and women who have served our country, sacrificing their lives and their families to uphold our most precious freedoms. Take a moment to thank a service member or veteran; your continued support goes a long way.
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