Veteran Spotlight: Arthur Jaramillo - Master’s Degree earned with GI Bill allows Kentuckian to help fellow veterans
August 13, 2026
Kentucky veterans bring valuable experience and skills to the workforce and their communities after military service. This series explores how higher education opens the doors for veterans to access even more life-changing opportunities.
After earning his bachelor’s degree in political science from Middle Tennessee State University and serving five years as a Minuteman III missile combat officer in the U.S. Air Force, Arthur Jaramillo expected his leadership experience and skills to translate easily into civilian employment. Instead, he found that making the transition to a career was more difficult than he anticipated. The following interview shares Jaramillo’s story.
Q: What sparked your interest in going back to school after the military?
A: I had earned educational benefits through the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and I simply didn't want to let them go to waste. “What I expected to be an opportunity for personal growth ended up changing the direction of my life.”
Q: What has your career in the public sector been like?
A: Even though I had a bachelor's degree and four years of leadership experience as an Air Force officer, I found myself underemployed. The first jobs I could find were entry-level warehouse positions. It wasn't that I lacked the skills to succeed; the challenge was translating my military experience into terms civilian employers could understand. That experience gave me a unique appreciation for what many veterans face, and when I became a Local Veterans' Employment Representative, “I wasn't just helping veterans find jobs, I was helping them recognize the value of the skills they already possessed.”
Q: How did going back to college help you succeed in your post-military career?
A: In addition to academics, I received training in counseling, leadership, conflict resolution, public speaking, teaching, and pastoral care. Those are skills I use every day, whether I'm meeting with employers or serving my congregation. “I originally pursued my degree because I didn't want to waste the benefits I'd earned. I never imagined it would prepare me for both ministry and a career in public service.”
Q: What advice do you have for veterans considering a similar path?
A: If you have earned education benefits through your military service, use them. That doesn't necessarily mean a traditional four-year university, it might be a trade school, certification, apprenticeship, community college, or graduate degree. “When you invest in something you genuinely enjoy, you are much more likely to find not just a job, but a career that brings purpose and fulfillment.” And don't be afraid to ask for help. Organizations like the Jobs for Veterans State Grant (JVSG) Program and veteran advisors at colleges and universities exist because people genuinely want to help veterans succeed.
Do you know a Kentucky veteran with a similar story that you’d like to share? Reach out to Jan Goldman in CPE’s Workforce & Economic Development unit if you'd like to nominate a veteran to be featured.
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