Bill Bailey

Bachelor of Arts in Intelligence Studies

After nearly 10 years in the Marine Corps, in a career that took him around the world serving in various intelligence-related jobs — Bill Bailey is happy to be in civvies. He now serves as a business continuity planner for a telecommunications company.

After leaving the military and attending job fairs, Bailey heard over and over again about the importance of having a four-year degree. He found the thought of going to college intimidating, but after researching degree program options he began to change his mind.

“I found that I could earn a degree in intelligence, and that made sense to me. I’d been worried that I’d have to start all over – learn something entirely new from the ground up,” he says.

“The intelligence studies program at APU was comprehensive and the professors had the right experience. I was impressed,” says Bailey. “And the transition from real world (Intelligence) operations to the classroom was smooth. I was able to utilize my past as well as some of the missions I had done to create some very in-depth theory based papers.”

He enrolled at APU about a year after leaving the Corps and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Intelligence Studies in February 2009, focusing on Intelligence Analysis. Bailey’s studies at American Public University helped prepare him for his current job.

“I work on a government contract providing best practices and consultation services in the field of emergency management,” says Bailey.

Bailey credits support from his mother and dad for his lifelong success in the Marine Corps and his educational pursuits.

“Dad was a Navy man, a gunner’s mate on a destroyer and a Vietnam vet. My mother split her time between jobs and raising children, of which I feel she did a wonderful job,” says Bailey. “The motivation I got from my family for my school endeavors was paramount in my succeeding.”

Bailey chose to earn his degree, in part, to boost his income — and as a stepping stone to a career in intelligence.

“Operating in the intelligence world while an active duty Marine was the best experience of my life, and I still feel the residual effects of it in my daily life,” says Bailey. “I would like to get back into the Intelligence field in the near future.”

Bailey had previously studied at another well-known online university for several semesters, but had not been happy with the curriculum or the class structure. One of his coworkers was enrolled at APU and suggested he try it.

Bailey well remembers the advice of his last Marine Corps commanding officer, who had a great impact on his professional and educational path.

“His last words to me were, ‘I think a degree is very important and I respect your decision to leave the military and finish school. I encourage you to explore every opportunity. One last thing, you are a highly trained individual, don’t take the first job that comes along.’ I did not know him that well, but it all made sense and I have been applying that advice for over three years now,” Bailey says.

“The Marine Corps gave me the confidence to succeed, American Public University gave me the ability.

“I would also like to take this time to thank the founder (Jim Etter, retired Marine Corps officer) of the school, he spoke at the graduation ceremony,” says Bailey. “I had no idea what it took to get the school started or why he endured. I am thankful for his determination and support in offering this level of education to the leathernecks out there as well as the rest of the military. Thank you to the school, the personnel, and anyone else involved that made it all possible.”

Fast Facts:
Residence: Alexandria, Va.
Family: Parents and five siblings.
Occupation: Business continuity planner for telecommunications company.
Career goal: Working in Intelligence. Looking ahead, someday would like to become a self-employed entrepreneur.