Why I Brought My Military Uniform with Me to Business School

Those early morning physical training sessions five days a week in the military were not a waste in the private sector. Instead, they built a habit and character trait that now becomes an advantage. Maintaining this fitness routine post-military provides more than just a beach body; recent research indicates it may lead to higher wages as well. Even if your health never directly impacts wages, the self-discipline and work ethic can shine through to potential employers in a positive way. Practicing healthy living can also help reduce stress and build the resilience and stamina needed for the challenges of the future. With long-winding career paths for many in today’s workforce, filled with ambiguity, every reasonable way to reduce stress is useful for a business leader!

As you can see in the interactive image, veterans tend to take jobs all over the country after business school. This should not come as a huge surprise. In their military careers, veterans have been deployed in locations far off the beaten path, and continuing on this same trend of serving based on the job – and not on the location – is nothing new for them.

While the functional training we received in the military is not very transferable for the MBA student, the leadership abilities are. Whether you are leading a military unit into harm’s way or guiding a team though the due diligence process for an investment with other business leaders, many of the same skills apply. Communicating and listening to others, leading by example, and treating all parties with respect matter. These skills were essential in the military, and they are still incredibly important in the private sector.

In the same way I learned from peers between classes in military schools, the most meaningful learning opportunities require in-person experiences and shared time together. The full-time in-class MBA experience provides both. The information you learn in the class at business school can potentially be obtained at a lower cost by buying the books, studying on your own, and watching the classes online. In reality, hours studying books will never be the same as the experience of learning from your peers both inside and outside of the classroom.

Just as the tasks in the military are never complete and there is never enough time, business school offers a reminder that we cannot do everything. From day one, endless mixers, social gatherings, and recruiting events beckon our time. Hundreds of classmates who each have an incredible story to tell and would be incredible additions to our network pass us by daily. However, you cannot get to know them all in a meaningful way, just like you can never prepare enough for that first combat patrol. We have to make tough decisions with our time and resources. We have to invest - thoughtfully - in the people and things that matter the most. Only then can we realize our potential as business leaders, and only then do we as veterans continue to make a difference in the lives of others.

A special thanks to Matthew Faw, Momchil Filev, and Walter Haas: You have each been wonderful editors in this writing process and more importantly dear friends, thanks for everything.

Ben Faw is an army veteran and served a year in northern Iraq. He is a graduate of army airborne and ranger schools. Right now Ben is in the summer incubator program at Harvard's Innovation Lab, and he formerly worked at RallyPoint Networks, LinkedIn, Tesla Motors, and UBS in their investment bank. Ben is a graduate of Harvard Business School and West Point. Follow: @btfaw, https://btfaw.tumblr.com