Brian graduated in 1992 from Saint Michael’s College in Colchester, Vermont, with a BS in business administration. He was commissioned after completing Officers Candidate School in 1995 and then attended the Navy Supply Corps School in Athens, Georgia. Brian served as the supply officer aboard the USS PONCE (LPD 15) and as the principle assistant for logistics and assistant supply officer aboard the USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN 74), among other sea duty assignments. His shore tours have included work in Philadelphia and Naples, Italy. Most recently, Brian served in the Strategic Plans Office at Headquarters, Defense Logistics Agency Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
In 2007, Brian earned his MBA with a double major in supply chain management and human resource management from the Broad Graduate School of Management at Michigan State. He says the bonds that he forged both inside the classroom and through participation in many extracurricular events are the cornerstone of some of his most lasting friendships.
Why did you choose to get an MBA?
It’s part of the normal career progression for naval supply officers. The benefit of both the MBA and attending a civilian school is total immersion in the concepts and practices used in businesses outside the defense industrial base. The MBA focus at my school is to build strong team players who can think analytically—to create self-motivated professionals who are equally gifted at solving problems alone or in a group setting.
Why did you choose to attend a school that requires the GMAT?
The Navy program that supported my MBA requires participants to attend a top-ranked business school, and the GMAT is mandatory at all the schools I was looking to attend.
What was your experience with the GMAT exam like?
I found the exam difficult due to the length of time that had passed since I finished college—nearly 15 years. Although my job is quantitative, I found it challenging to go back and re-learn certain skills I haven’t used in a while. But, the GMAT is manageable if you prepare and use the practice exams.
How did it compare with exams you have taken as part of your military training?
The GMAT was much different. Military exams are focused on job specifics and don’t resemble the academics and structure of the GMAT.
How was your transition from the military into the school environment?
I found it easy. I was serving aboard an amphibious transport directly prior to attending Michigan State. So graduate school was a welcome rest from the demands of being underway seven days a week—and sometimes being away from home for months at a time.
How did your military background help you with the rigors of school?
The military is a team-centric entity. The ability to adapt to people of all backgrounds and evolve as a cohesive unit is essential to becoming and maintaining a dynamic fighting force. So the team-focused group learning environment at my school was no different than the environments I have faced throughout my military career.
How will your military background broaden your career options or advance your military career?
For one thing, my military background has been diverse in assignment and geographic location. That’s important because the business environment is truly global in nature. So to be successful, it’s not only imperative that you have the acumen to execute a complex business strategy. You must also be able to adapt to different people and cultures as well.
Plus, the military develops individuals who can work equally well alone or in a team-based organization. And the military creates an atmosphere … fosters a mindset … where success is the only possible outcome, regardless of the time or sacrifice required.
