Making 36 Months Count: Planning a Bachelor's and Master's on the GI Bill
Ryan Gunning on planning a bachelor's and master's around 36 months of Post-9/11 GI Bill entitlement, plus Yellow Ribbon and the Rogers STEM Scholarship.
Education & Jacksonville
Ryan Gunning: Marine Corps to the University of Alabama
How Ryan Gunning turned military experience into two degrees in operations management, and brought it home to Jacksonville.
Tuscaloosa and The University of Alabama
Ryan Gunning served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2014 to 2018 as an Airborne and Air Delivery Specialist. After completing his service in 2018, Ryan enrolled at The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. The transition from military life to a college campus is significant, and he connected with other veterans making the same move.
He earned a bachelor's degree in operations management with a minor in supply chain management (Bachelor of Science in Commerce & Business Administration), then completed an accelerated master's degree in operations management, graduating with his Master of Science in June 2025. Throughout his undergraduate studies, Ryan was named repeatedly to The University of Alabama President's List and Dean's List. He earned President's List recognition (4.0 / all A's) for fall 2018, spring 2019, fall 2022, and spring 2023, and Dean's List recognition for summer 2019, fall 2023, and spring 2024. Early University of Alabama notices list him from Orange, CT; later notices list Tuscaloosa, AL—both accurate for those periods. More on Ryan's years in Tuscaloosa. See also Patch coverage of his fall 2018 President's List honor.
Every term is listed with its sources in Ryan Gunning's University of Alabama academic honors on the press page.
In the news
UA MeritPages
Ryan Gunning of Tuscaloosa Awarded Degree from UAThe University of Alabama recognized Ryan Gunning's degree on MeritPages · June 9, 2025 · B.S. in Commerce & Business Administration and M.S.
UA MeritPages
Ryan Gunning's University of Alabama honors on MeritPagesPresident's List four times and Dean's List three times at The University of Alabama
Why operations management fits veterans
Ryan believes operations management is an outstanding degree for veterans because it translates military experience directly into the classroom. Planning, logistics, supply chains, and getting people and equipment where they need to be are things many service members already know firsthand.
He also recommends that student veterans take internships and student worker positions. They build a resume while you study and make the move into a civilian career much smoother.
Serving on campus
Ryan served as a board member of the University of Alabama Campus Veterans Association, which helps put on community events such as Operation Iron Ruck, and he advocated for student veterans who were not receiving the educational benefits they had earned.
Home in Jacksonville
Today Ryan lives in Jacksonville, Florida, a great military town close to the water. He spends as much time as he can fishing and diving, and builds The Calm Seas Project so more veterans and first responders can get out there too. More on Ryan in Jacksonville. Read From the University of Alabama to Jacksonville.
Veteran Transition
Advice for veterans heading to school
Ryan writes about the Post-9/11 GI Bill, VR&E, Pell Grants, VA work-study, and internships.
From the Marine Corps to College: Use Your Benefits and Build Your Resume
Ryan Gunning, Marine Corps veteran and University of Alabama graduate, on the Post-9/11 GI Bill, VR&E, Pell Grants, VA work-study, and why internships matter.