The military decision-making process isn’t something most MBA students learn in strategy class, but for Army veteran and Texas McCombs Full-Time MBA student Nikki Legha, it’s become her go-to framework for tackling everything from real estate case competitions to career pivots.

Her approach to a recent class challenge illustrates how military frameworks translate directly to business problem-solving: “We were given a challenge from a developer, had to conduct research, come up with the best use for the site and run the pro forma, and then ultimately present it for approval.” What her classmates might see as a complex case study, she recognizes as a familiar seven-step process she’s executed countless times in uniform.

This kind of systematic thinking represents exactly what makes veterans valuable in MBA programs—and why choosing between full-time and professional programs requires understanding what you want to achieve beyond the degree itself.

The Full Immersion Decision

After managing multi-million-dollar projects and leading cross-functional teams in high-stakes military environments, Legha could have easily chosen a professional MBA program that would allow her to continue working. Instead, she deliberately chose full-time immersion.

“When I decided to go back to school and get my MBA, I was also going through an extremely challenging time in my personal life,” she explains. “I took some time to reflect on what I wanted out of it, and I wanted to fully immerse myself in school.”

The decision wasn’t just about education; it was about transformation. “Not only was going back full time a good reset post military, but it also helped me focus on what is next. I feel like if I did a part time program, I would not gain the perspective shift and growth I was seeking.”

Military Discipline Meets Academic Rigor

The transition from military structure to business school might seem like moving from rigid hierarchy to academic flexibility, but Legha found ways to maintain the disciplinary foundation that served her in uniform. Her approach centers on non-negotiable daily anchors.

“We are very regimented in the military. There is a process for everything, and some events are non-negotiable,” she notes. “I had a commander once say that the only thing certain about our day is that we are going to PT in the morning and be at formation in the motor pool on Monday.”

She’s adapted this principle for civilian life: “I start my day with a workout, and it prepares me mentally for whatever the day might throw at me.” This kind of structural thinking, identifying non-negotiable foundations and building flexibility around them, offers a practical model for any MBA student managing competing priorities.

The Texas Advantage for Veterans

What drew Legha to McCombs wasn’t just academic reputation; it was the comprehensive military-friendly ecosystem that UT Austin has built. Texas offers some of the most generous veteran benefits in the nation, making quality education accessible for those who served.

The Hazlewood Exemption provides tuition exemption for veterans and their dependents at Texas public universities, while non-resident tuition waivers ensure that veterans from other states can attend without the typical out-of-state premium. All veterans applying to McCombs are automatically considered for merit-based recruiting scholarships.

But the financial support represents just one piece of a larger veteran-focused community. The Texas Veterans in Business (TViB) organization serves as the primary military-focused MBA student organization at McCombs, providing networking, mentorship, and career development opportunities specifically tailored for veterans transitioning to civilian business careers.

Building Community Through Shared Experience

TViB creates what Legha describes as crucial peer connection among veterans who understand the unique challenges of military-to-civilian transition. The organization facilitates formal and informal networks that extend beyond McCombs to include similar veteran groups at other business schools, creating a broader ecosystem of support and opportunity.

“I think one of the biggest misconceptions is that we lack technical skills straight out of the military. While that might be partially true in some cases, we are quick learners,” Legha explains. “We have been trained to change jobs on short notice, learn new systems, and execute at full speed. We are some of the most adaptable people in a company.”

The UT Austin Student Veteran Services office provides additional campus-wide support, assisting with VA benefits navigation, academic accommodations, and wellness resources. This comprehensive approach ensures veterans have access to both military-specific community and broader university resources.

Redefining High-Pressure Situations

One of the most significant advantages veterans bring to MBA programs is perspective on what actually constitutes a high-pressure situation. While classmates might stress over case presentations or recruiting deadlines, Legha maintains a different baseline.

“I think the military provides a different perspective for what constitutes high-pressure,” she explains. “I think it takes a lot more on the table to shake me compared to some classmates.”

This perspective proves valuable in business environments where “decisions can make an impact on the company’s bottom line, but a decision needs to be made quickly.” Military experience in making consequential decisions under pressure translates directly to corporate leadership situations.

The Soft Skills Advantage

For veterans considering MBA programs, Legha offers straightforward advice about leveraging military experience: “We have several soft skills that are not necessarily taught in the classroom, or that our teams will have in a business setting. Our leadership, adaptability, and resilience make us more marketable than we initially think.”

Her perspective emphasizes the teachable versus innate skill distinction: “You can learn the hard skills; the soft skills are what sets you apart.”

McCombs programming specifically emphasizes translating military experience into business competencies, with panels, company visits, and veteran-focused recruitment events that connect students with employers who value military leadership and teamwork.

The Complete Support System

The combination of generous state benefits, comprehensive university veteran services, and dedicated military community makes Texas McCombs particularly attractive for veterans considering MBA programs. The financial accessibility removes barriers, while TViB and campus-wide veteran resources ensure academic and professional success.

Legha’s experience demonstrates how the right institutional support can enable complete career transformation. The MBA provides the framework to translate proven military capabilities into civilian business success, while the veteran-friendly ecosystem at UT Austin ensures that transition happens within a community of peers who understand the journey.

Whether pursuing career acceleration or complete reinvention, veterans at McCombs benefit from both the academic rigor of a top-tier MBA program and the practical support of one of the nation’s most comprehensive military-friendly university systems.