Active duty Staff Sergeant Samuel Butler, 24, joined the Air Force in 2015. Originally from Portland, Oregon, he and wife Carol are stationed at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico.
Butler enlisted just as his grandfather, father and uncle did before him. Based on their experiences, he knew it would be a worthwhile decision.
Air Force Staff Sergeant Samuel Butler“It was clear they all enjoyed their service, and they gained valuable professional skills that have helped them throughout life,” he said.
Similarly, Butler recognized service as both an opportunity to excel and a path to further his education. Today, he is earning his bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity and information assurance from Western Governor’s University.
To offset costs, Butler searched for aid and discovered the VFW “Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship.”
“I am extremely grateful to everyone at the VFW who organizes this program, as well as those who provide the funding to make it possible,” he said. “My wife is also pursuing her education, but she has very limited financial aid opportunities. The scholarship came at a critical time and covered my costs, which enabled me to help her.”
Butler plans to work for a government agency or contractor to maintain and secure computer networks, hoping to turn a passion into a profession.
“I.T., specifically, cybersecurity is in high demand,” he said. “I enjoy computers and electronics as a hobby, and I hope to integrate those interests into a career.”
He urges other veterans to push themselves to realize their full potential.
“It’s easy to become comfortable and fall into a groove where you stick to what you know and avoid change instead of pushing yourself to become better professionally,” he said. “But military members have access to a wealth of educational benefits. It’d be wasteful not to take advantage of them. If school is key to your future goals, I encourage you to take swift action and avoid getting too comfortable.”
Learn more about the VFW's "Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship."