U.S. Air Force Sergeant Uses Business Degree to Level Up
By Gerry Volcy
I was a senior master sergeant in the U.S. Air Force when I met Stuart Allison, a Bellevue University student, while deployed in Africa.
A few years later, we connected again in Ramstein Air Base, Germany. I told Allison that I would be moving to Offutt Air Force Base just south of Omaha, Nebraska.
He then fervently recommended I attend Bellevue University. He had me enrolled by the time I in-processed at the base.
I started classes in January 2022 at Offutt Air Base and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business in June 2023.
I chose that field since it’s aligned with my current career path in the military. I’ve been doing financial management for 20 years in the Air Force.
One of the things that stood out about Bellevue University was the way it cares for the military. In fact, the university offers numerous resources for service members, including the Military Veteran Services Center and military credit transfer.
One of my instructors, Scott Kizzire, continuously motivated me to push through, even though my military responsibilities were increasing. The non-threatening climate that promotes education is what I enjoyed the most.
I also appreciated the people I met at Bellevue University so much so that I invited some of them, including my student advisor, to my promotion release ceremony in December 2023.
Only 1 percent achieve this rank of chief master sergeant, and that’s congressionally mandated. My actual promotion ceremony is on March 29, 2024. To honor Bellevue University, I’ve chosen to have my ceremony in the Symposium Room.
As a result of this promotion, I was selected to be the senior enlisted leader of the 320th Training Squadron.
I am originally from Port-au-Prince, Haiti and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 2003 because of all the opportunities it offered.
What a ride it has been. I also got my citizenship while in the Air Force, which was also a goal of mine.
One of the things that stood out about Bellevue University was the way it cares for the military.
Some of my career highlights include deploying multiple times as an interpreter (mostly in France and Africa), co-writing the Defense Language Proficiency Test for the Department of Defense and the National Security Agency, and serving as a master military training instructor, as well as a command chief executive assistant.
The very best one is that I successfully advocated for a subordinate to be allowed to travel home to see his child being born while he was attending basic training.
In the future, I hope to pursue an advanced degree at Bellevue University, but I am holding off for the time being because my wife, Yeleen - who’s also in the military, pursues her own bachelor’s degree in business. Because we have a child, we’re taking turns with our education pursuits.
I’m forever grateful for Bellevue University and its staff. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the care and educational nurturing I have experienced here.
These are Gerry Volcy’s personal views and not endorsed by the Department of Defense or the United States Air Force.