John Didier

Q: “Tell us about yourself.”
A: “To keep it short, I joined the army right after high school back in 2011. I have had the opportunity to visit many different areas of the world. I am married with 3 amazing children who have been my greatest motivators every step of the way. I lived and breathed the Army for the last 13 years, from starting off as a fire support specialist in the field artillery to dropping a selection packet and exploring the special operations side of the house as a psychological operations specialist for the last seven years. I am currently on the trail as a Drill Sergeant at Fort Jackson, SC.”

Q: “What was your motivation for pursuing your degree?”
A: “My wife was my biggest motivator and motivation. Initially, going to college was simply a thought, though over time, my wife knew that I would be able to manage the work, college, and family ratio. It was difficult, but she backed me every step of the way.”

Q: “What are your future professional plans?”
A: “After obtaining my bachelor's and master's degrees from Norwich, I recently dropped an Officer Candidate School packet to hopefully transition from enlisted to officer. In the same instance, I am looking at going back to Norwich for a second bachelor's in cybersecurity.” 

Q: Why did you choose Norwich?”
A: “The prestige and heritage of Norwich stood out. It is the oldest of the six senior military colleges in the U.S. and is known as the ‘Birthplace of ROTC.’ Plus, having a vast majority of its professors either being active duty or retired military truly helps those who are still in the military.”

Q: “Prior to beginning your courses, what were some of your expectations for an online degree program?”
A: “I was under the impression that the classwork would be challenging and difficult. I met them head-on and, with the aid of the professors, overcame them.”

Q: “What is one piece of advice you would give to future students enrolling in one of Norwich's online programs?”
A: “Be prepared, do not procrastinate, and time management is the key to success.”

Q: “What has been your biggest personal or professional success since starting your degree?”
A: “Understanding that nothing is impossible and to think outside of the box.”

Q:” Please tell us about a time when you could put your knowledge gained in the classroom to work immediately at your job.”
A: “Most of my deployments have been to the Middle East, so taking what I’ve studied and learned with real-world experience and applications to further progress development strategies within my profession.”

Q: “What aspects of your Norwich experience will you carry most strongly with you?”
A: “The engagements and backgrounds of the people I’ve developed bonds with.”
 

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