Tiffany DeVann, host of the Higher Education Access Corner, interviewed Dana Neely, an education outreach specialist with the attorney general's office and a Navy veteran, about what students and families should know when considering military service as a path to training, education and paid work.

Neely, who served aboard the USS Enterprise from 2001 to 2007 as a nuclear operator, said many young people enlist because they are out of options financially or lack direction in college. "Start with the end in mind," he advised, saying recruits should decide what skills or credentials they want before choosing a branch or occupational specialty. "Max out your ASVAB score as much as possible," he said, because higher scores expand the jobs and branches available to recruits.

Neely described nuclear training as academically intense — "8 hours a day in a classroom and usually 5 hours at night studying" — and said deployments can be difficult for families. He emphasized the long-term gains: training, discipline, and job skills, plus "friendship, the bonds, the camaraderie." To illustrate government investment in training, Neely said the Navy's training for some roles cost "between 500 and 1,200,000" per individual; he presented that figure as an approximate estimate.

On benefits, Neely recommended the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) as a primary route for veterans who return to school. He said Chapter 33 commonly covers tuition up to the in-state rate and provides a housing allowance and a books stipend, though he did not specify precise stipend timing or amounts in the interview. He also mentioned state-level military education programs and directed listeners to official sources such as va.gov and military1source.mil for current, authoritative benefit details.

Neely urged prospective recruits to talk with service recruiters about job options and entry requirements, collect medical and dental records in advance, and prepare physically and mentally for boot camp. He highlighted the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), which he described as a joint effort with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Labor that provides resume and interview preparation in the months before separation.

The episode also addressed misconceptions: Neely said recruits do have some influence over assignments through "dream sheets" but that the service assigns personnel based on needs; he noted policy changes that affected women's service in submarines (officer service beginning in 2011, enlisted in 2016). He closed with practical advice for parents and students — "be patient," "do your research," and "get your records together" — and DeVann thanked Neely for the conversation.

The host and guest recommended official government resources for up-to-date benefit details and guidance. The episode closes with Neely encouraging students to retake the ASVAB if needed and to consult recruiters and TAP services before making commitments.