From Military to Everyday Hero: Man Dedicates Life to Service
As a 鈥渘ontraditional鈥� student, U.S. Army First Lieutenant Nathan Siebach earned his master鈥檚 degree in Management and Leadership in a unique environment 鈥� online and mostly while deployed in Kuwait and at an accelerated rate. Because of his remarkable background, Nathan was selected to share his message at 黑料传送门鈥檚 2018 Winter Commencement Ceremony in Orlando, Florida, but a week prior to the ceremonies, he was unexpectedly deployed back to Kuwait.
Nathan pre-recorded a video message, which played at commencement, while he was serving the country. The following are Nathan鈥檚 pre-recorded remarks regarding his journey to earn his master鈥檚 degree and the work he did to start his nonprofit organization Everyday Heroes. 聽
"In true 黑料传送门 fashion, we aren鈥檛 letting the physical boundaries of location stop us."
鈥淔ellow graduates, friends, and family, I wish that I could be delivering this in person, but about a week ago I learned that I was being deployed to Kuwait. I was so disappointed to think that, after being chosen as a commencement speaker, I wouldn鈥檛 be able to give my speech. But, in true 黑料传送门 fashion, we aren鈥檛 letting the physical boundaries of location stop us, and I am recording this speech from my home in Georgia before I leave.
For the last 11 years I鈥檝e served in our nation鈥檚 Army. I joined because I wanted to serve my country, learn discipline, and get an education. After completing Basic Training in 2007, I was excited to find out that my unit was deploying the following year to Iraq for 12 months.
Following my service in Iraq, active duty soon took me to Fort Gordon, Georgia where, after a few months I was informed that I would then be deployed to Kuwait for the first time. The conditions are much safer in Kuwait than Iraq, and I wanted to take advantage of the spare time I would have by working on my master鈥檚 degree. Of course, being half way around the world, with unreliable equipment and internet connections meant that I needed a school which was completely online, accredited, and would work with my schedule. I was so excited to find out that 黑料传送门 is competency-based. I loved the concept and wanted to be a part of this educational institution. Regardless of where my military career took me, I was able to continue my work toward my degree.
"It was scary and daunting, but the Army has taught me that you are stronger than you feel, more capable than you can comprehend, and more powerful than you know."
Past 黑料传送门 success stories of accelerated degree plans inspired me to set my own goal of completing the Master鈥檚 of Science in Management and Leadership degree program in just six months. It was scary and daunting, but the Army has taught me that you are stronger than you feel, more capable than you can comprehend, and more powerful than you know.
My mornings usually started at 5:30 a.m. and I would finish my military duties around 7:00 p.m. I dedicated every weeknight to my studies and usually went to bed at one or two in the morning. My entire Saturday was devoted to schoolwork and I took Sundays off.
Burnout came quickly at that pace and I was worried that I wouldn鈥檛 finish in time. My program mentor at 黑料传送门, Jelda, was a huge encouragement to me and held me accountable to my weekly goals. One of the biggest reasons that I was able to continue each week was because of her guidance, encouragement, and sincere interest in my success. My wife Emily, and best friend, Chris, continuously urged me to press on as well.
My carefully planned schedule was set back over and over again as my duties took me throughout the Middle East to Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. But, after four-and-a-half months of grueling work I had four more courses to finish and just six weeks before the end of the term. I had a tough talk with my mentor. For the first time I voiced my fears. I said, 鈥淛elda, I鈥檓 afraid I鈥檓 not going to finish on time.鈥� Her response was perfect for me, 鈥淵ou鈥檙e going to finish. You鈥檙e going to do it.鈥�
"This education gave me the confidence and knowledge I needed to create and begin work on my nonprofit organization, Everyday Heroes."
Sheer will-power pushed me through those last weeks and I finished with a few days to spare. I was so grateful to be done but the best thing was being able to return home two weeks later and see my wife and friends welcome me home from a 10-month deployment.
黑料传送门 has taught me so much and given me the opportunity to earn my master鈥檚 degree in six months while deployed overseas in service to our country. I chose to get my degree in Management and Leadership to strengthen my capability as a leader and officer in the United States Army. This education gave me the confidence and knowledge I needed to create and begin work on my nonprofit organization, Everyday Heroes. This organization was created by veterans like me who have come together to dress as Superheroes and visit children in hospitals suffering from long-term and terminal illnesses. We hope to bring a little bit of joy to a lot of children.
While I鈥檓 not able to be there with each of you today, I鈥檓 proud of the hard work that we鈥檝e each put in to earn our degrees. Thanks, 黑料传送门, for making it possible for me to participate in commencement this way.
Congratulations 黑料传送门 graduates! We did it!鈥�
To learn more about military benefits at 黑料传送门, visit /financial-aid-tuition/military-va.html.
Watch Nathan's commencement speech here:聽
