Key Takeaways
- UAGC Military Alliance Manager and Marine Corps veteran Jason Fudge shares what the Marine Corps birthday means to him and reflects on the experiences that shaped his 20 years of service.
- Fudge enlisted in the Marine Corps after the September 11 attacks, leaving college in 2002 to serve as a combat photographer.
- His military career took him around the world and reinforced the Marine Corps values of honor, courage, and commitment.
- Fudge knows how hard it can be to balance military service with school.
- Deployments, training, and other responsibilities often put his education on hold, and it took him 15 years to earn his bachelor’s degree while serving on active duty.
- Today, he brings that experience to his role at UAGC, supporting military-affiliated students who may be balancing school with deployments, family, and the transition to civilian life.
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Celebrating the Marine Corps Birthday: Reflecting on Service, Sacrifice, and Supporting UAGC Military Students
Every year on November 10, Marines across the globe, active duty, reserve, and veteran, pause to celebrate the founding of the United States Marine Corps. It is a day rooted in heritage, pride, and an unwavering bond forged in service and sacrifice. For me, this birthday is always a time of deep reflection on where my journey began, the paths my fellow Marines have walked, and the privilege I have today in continuing that service in higher education.
A Calling Rooted in 9/11 and the Marine Corps Legacy
This year’s Marine Corps birthday carries a particularly heavy resonance as we mark the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001. Like so many Americans, that day altered the course of my life forever.
In 2002, in the wake of those attacks, I made the decision to drop out of San Diego State University and enlist in the Marine Corps as a combat photographer. I wanted to serve something larger than myself and document the stories of Marines on the front lines.
While on active duty, I lived up to our time-honored motto: “In Every Climb and Place.” My service took me from deployments in the dusty heat of the Middle East, to the subarctic High North of Europe, and across the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean. Looking out at the force today, 25 years after 9/11, I am filled with immense pride knowing that the Marine Corps is still operating in every climb and place, standing ready whenever the nation calls.
Honoring Service, Sacrifice, and Upholding Core Values
As I reflect on the 25th anniversary of the attacks on our country, it is deeply inspiring to see Marines today continuing to uphold our core values of honor, courage, and commitment. Today, Marines and service members across all branches continue to answer the call, deploying into operational environments and conflict zones across the globe in defense of our nation.
At the University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC), we truly understand the immense sacrifices service members make for our country. We recognize that operational commitments, training exercises, and real-world deployments often mean taking a necessary break in your academic studies. Having lived through similar demands during my career in uniform, I personally understand what it takes to put education on hold for the mission. That is why I remain deeply committed to supporting our Marines and military-affiliated students every step of the way, ensuring a seamless transition back into your studies whenever you return from overseas.
Balancing Operational Duty with Educational Goals
Of all the ranks I held during my two decades in uniform, retiring as a Gunnery Sergeant remains my proudest achievement. To me, "Gunny" is the finest rank in the military because as a Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (SNCOIC), you hold the privilege of directly taking care of Marines in operational units. You mentor them, safeguard their well-being, and guide their development.
With firsthand experience, I know military service frequently requires personal sacrifices, including academic ones. Like so many active-duty military students, my own education had to take a back seat to deployments, training cycles, and mission requirements. It took me 15 years of balancing duty with coursework before I finally completed my bachelor’s degree on active duty in 2017.
When I retired in 2022, my educational journey did not end. Utilizing the VA’s Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) benefits, I enrolled to earn my MBA, an experience that reinforced just how vital accessible, flexible higher education is for transitioning service members.
Continuing the Mission at UAGC
In 2023, I began a new chapter in my life when I joined the University of Arizona Global Campus as a Military Alliance Manager, supporting military-affiliated students across the South and Mid-Atlantic regions.
In this role, I draw directly on my career as a Marine. I know what our military students, Marines, Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen, Guardians, and Coast Guardsmen are going through when they must pause their studies to deploy into conflict zones around the world. I understand the frustration of balancing mission readiness with assignment deadlines and the determination required to cross that graduation stage.
Just as I viewed my role as a Gunny to take care of Marines in operational units, I view my position at UAGC as a continued privilege to serve our military-affiliated students. Whether you are actively serving overseas, balancing duty with family, or navigating your post-service career using your VA benefits, it makes me proud that UAGC is dedicated to standing by you every step of the way.
Happy 251st Birthday Marines, and Semper Fidelis to all who have earned the privilege to wear the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor! Now let’s all eat cake.
Are you a Marine seeking a flexible college degree? Learn more about how UAGC supports military-connected students, especially those in the Marine Corps, and talk to an advisor today!
