Tuscaloosa holds a big chapter of my life. After four years in the U.S. Marine Corps, I moved to Tuscaloosa and enrolled at The University of Alabama, where I earned a degree in operations management and then an accelerated master's in operations management. Today I live in Jacksonville, FL, but a lot of who I am was shaped on that campus. For the full story of those years, see my Ryan Gunning in Tuscaloosa page.
Before Tuscaloosa: four years in the Marine Corps
I served in the Marine Corps from 2014 to 2018. I graduated from Airborne School in 2015 and SERE school in 2016, and I deployed to Africa in 2016 and to the Middle East in 2017 and 2018. I spent four years with Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) as an Airborne and Air Delivery Sergeant, supporting 900 Raiders. I was also awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for life-saving actions. You can read more on my About page and my Marine Corps service page.
Ryan Gunning at The University of Alabama
At Alabama I studied operations management with a minor in supply chain management, and then continued into the accelerated master's program in operations management. Along the way I earned a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. Moving from the Corps to a college classroom is a real adjustment, and Tuscaloosa turned out to be a great place to make it. My full academic background is on my Education page.
President's List and Dean's List honors
I worked hard to earn my grades, and The University of Alabama recognized that work several times:
- President's List (4.0): fall 2018, spring 2019, fall 2022, and spring 2023
- Dean's List: summer 2019, fall 2023, and spring 2024
Those honors are listed on my Tuscaloosa page along with links to verify them.
Why operations management is an outstanding degree for veterans
I think operations management is one of the best degrees a veteran can choose, because it carries the lessons you learned in the military into the classroom. Planning, logistics, moving people and equipment where they need to be, and keeping a process running under pressure are things many of us already did in uniform. In operations management you study the theory behind work you've already done, and that gives you a real head start.
My advice for student veterans
Your degree is only part of what gets you hired. Build your resume while you're in school with internships and student worker programs. They give you real experience to talk about in interviews, people who can speak to your work, and a sense of which careers fit you. Start looking early, and treat that experience as part of your education rather than something extra. I wrote more about using your benefits and building your resume in From the Marine Corps to College and Making 36 Months Count.
From Tuscaloosa to Jacksonville
I now call Jacksonville, FL home, where I run The Calm Seas Project. I still carry the lessons from my Tuscaloosa years with me, and I'm proud to be a University of Alabama graduate. If you're a Marine or veteran thinking about going back to school, I hope my story helps.
