Academic Path - Maher
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School
Grand Canyon University *
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Course
103
Subject
English
Date
Apr 3, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
4
Uploaded by SuperBarracuda1941
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Reflection: Academic Path
Glenn Ryan Maher Grand Canyon University
UNV 103: University Success
Instructor: Sue Small
April 1, 2024
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Academic background and your motivation for selecting and attending GCU
When I first attempted to go to university after high school, I was attending a university with a
sports scholarship in San Diego, CA just a couple of hours away from where I grew up in Los
Angeles. Before I attended the university, I spent a couple of years traveling with my ex-
fiancé. When we returned to the US, I decided to use my scholarship and attempt pursuing a
degree in psychology and get back into playing football. Throughout the two years I was
attending school, balancing a terribly busy life I struggled with keeping my gpa, fitness, work,
and relationship in good order. During early 2012, I discovered my ex-fiancé was cheating on
me with a coworker of mine. After this discovery I decided to drop out of school and pursue
another dream of mine which was to join the military and go into Special warfare. November
2012, I finally joined the military and embarked in the Special operations pipeline. I graduated
the pipeline in January 2014, and went straight to my first duty station and was introduced into
the world of Special Warfare and the clandestine missions of what my fireteam specialized in.
After traveling around the Pacific conducting clandestine missions, my team and I were then
stationed in Europe, where I went on even more missions, and multiple deployments. Upon
the return of my last deployment, I found myself wanting more of a mental challenge. With
the encouragement of my wife eagerly wanting me to slow down and be home more often, I
retrained into the Air Force Office of Special investigations. In this career field I was
immediately placed in charge of the Narcotics and Child Trafficking investigations in the
United Kingdom, based upon my previous work experience. After six short years of living in
Europe, I was then stationed at Hill AFB, UT where I was yet again placed in charge of a
section, primarily investigating Pedophilic Allegations that affected the Department of
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Defense. Whilst being stationed in Utah I found more time to work on myself, so I started with
mental health, and a kind suggestion from my wife. Working with my therapist help shed a
light on many things that I had kept locked up from childhood and things from Special
Warfare, this then led to me going into the medical evaluation board process and requiring me
to voluntarily separate from the military en lieu of medical retirement. Program of Study or Degree
I have chosen this degree path because I have struggled with addiction, have learned a lot
about myself through the rough days and the easy ones. Going through my own addiction
therapy, through civilian outlets, and unfortunately through what the military offered. I have
also attended combat veteran groups and through other members I have seen a similar struggle
with the lack of help while staying in Active Duty and receiving their “Addiction Therapy.” I
have always had a keen interest in the inner workings of the mind, and now have an eagerness
to help combat veterans in ways I was not helped and learn more on how I can continuously
overcome my addictions.
Future Goals or Plans
With this degree I plan to run support groups for combat veteran groups, hopefully work in the
military addiction therapy clinic, to make genuine changes. I also would like to join the private
practices of psychologists, or psychiatrists to assist them with their patients, whomever may
have issues with addiction or PTSD. I want to continuously help others through many diverse
types of therapy, and learn many more ways to help those going through whatever rough patch
they are in.
Success in Future Courses
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Everything this course has provided me with has given me a solid foundation to take on any future course. Holding myself accountable and my attention on my coursework is the most crucial element to my success on this educational journey. Even though this course is directed at a general understanding of
our future as students, and how to use the site where we will submit our course work, I still am finding topics of discussion and questions asked related to my degree. After completing this course, I will have more confidence going forward, not only with school but with my personal life as well.