Oliver Groom
Norwich taught me to be proactive in whatever I do in life and to heed all the lessons that accompany failure.
Tell us about yourself: your family, friends, interests, and hobbies
Born in 1997 in Scotland of English and Scots parents, I moved with my family to Lyons, New York, where I grew up. Studying history, especially military history, has always been central to my life. Through my interest in genealogy, I learned that I am descended from a range of military ancestors, including World War veterans and feudal knights, most notably William the Conqueror. My upbringing in the United States shaped my appreciation for the Anglo-American special relationship and its history. The study of the past also inspired my passion for writing, research, and hobbies, including travel, with memorable trips to Gettysburg, Saratoga, France, Scotland, England, and New Zealand, and playing strategy board games.
Q: "Please describe briefly your professional experience and current employment."
A: "Some of my more interesting, academic-related, previous work experiences include roles such as a transcriptionist of World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War interviews for the New York State Military Museum in Saratoga Springs; an assistant to administrative staff for the English and Humanities Department at my alma mater, Rogers State University (RSU), in Claremore, Oklahoma; and a substitute teacher for my high school in Lyons. Currently, I have been a service worker for my local McDonald's for over three years, and the company's tuition assistance program was a crucial factor in my decision to continue my higher education through Norwich."
Q: "What was your motivation for pursuing your degree?"
A: "After receiving my bachelor's degree in Military History in 2018, it was always my plan to continue my education. Between graduation and my enrollment at Norwich in 2023, I went through several career transitions and moved back to New York from Oklahoma. Those five years gave me perspective, and I returned to school with renewed commitment to becoming a professional historian."
Q: "What are your future professional plans?"
A: "I was recently fortunate to receive the 2025 "Dennis E. Showalter Research Fellowship" from Norwich, where, as part of the university's Military Writers' Symposium in October 2025, I will present research from my M.A. Thesis on Winston Churchill and his understanding of modern, industrialized, total war from his Victorian childhood to the end of the First World War. I also plan to continue my higher education as a Ph.D. candidate, potentially in the United Kingdom."
Q: "Why did you choose Norwich University Online?"
A: "My connection to Norwich began in 2014, when I was a high school junior searching for undergraduate military history programs. Though I chose a different path then, Norwich remained part of my academic journey. Its strength in military history was one of its most attractive qualities, but above all, I was drawn to the university's motto, "I Will Try," which has resonated with me throughout my graduate studies and beyond."
Q: "Did you have any uncertainties with choosing an online program? If applicable, what was the deciding factor in pursuing an online degree versus a traditional on-campus degree?"
A: "I had previous experience with online classes at Rogers State University, so the remote-learning aspect of Norwich's M.A. program was not entirely unfamiliar to me. Though I lived about five hours away from the Norwich campus, the convenience of pursuing my degree online and from home, combined with the incredible kindness and flexibility of the professors and support staff, made my final decision easier."
Q: "Prior to beginning your courses, what were some of your expectations for an online degree program, and how were those met or challenged based on your experience with Norwich?"
A: "The strict expectations of academic integrity from Norwich were nothing new to me, thanks to my undergraduate experience. The military history courses I took at RSU, and the lessons in critical thinking, methodical writing and research, and time management that I learned from them, effectively prepared me for the intensive rigor of Norwich's M.A. program."
Q: "What is one piece of advice you would give to future students enrolling in one of Norwich's online programs?"
Q: "Be kind to yourself when the going gets tough in a program like this. There will be moments when the work feels isolating. Building community with your classmates is essential to thriving as a master's candidate; some of my closest friends are people I met through Norwich, despite the online format."
Q: "What were your expectations before starting the program? How did your experience compare, and what aspects stood out most to you?"
A: "After graduating from Norwich and, eventually, earning my Ph.D., my ultimate career goal as a military historian is to teach at the university level, either as an adjunct or full-time professor."
Q: "What has been your biggest personal or professional success since starting your degree?"
A: "Passing my M.A. Thesis with distinction has been the highlight of my academic career. I owe that achievement to all the professors who helped sharpen my critical thinking, writing, and research skills, including my advisor, Dr. Mark Grotelueschen."
A: "Please tell us about a time in which you could put your knowledge gained in the classroom to work immediately at your job."
A: "Regarding my current job and my future career aspirations in the historical profession, Norwich taught me to be proactive in whatever I do in life and to heed all the lessons that accompany failure."
Q: "What aspects of your Norwich experience will you carry most strongly with you?"
A: "The lifelong connections I made throughout my Norwich experience with fellow students and professors alike will forever hold a special place in my heart. It is because of those connections that I have renewed self-confidence as a historian, writer, and educator."
Q: "Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your experiences at Norwich or the impact of Norwich on your life?"
A: "The twenty months I spent in Norwich's Master of Arts in Military History program left an indelible mark on my life, both academically and personally. The experience gave me a renewed sense of myself as a historian and a new sense of community among fellow academics, people I was fortunate to meet, learn alongside, and ultimately graduate with as part of the Norwich family."
