Mission Planning for Your MBA Journey

As you have learned in the military planning for the mission is just as critical as the execution.  Many of the things will occur simultaneously and some will occur sequentially.  It will feel like a combined armed services operation.

In executing a mission, you receive the mission (Get into an MBA program and ...).  Now you must develop a tentative plan and start necessary movement.  Then you need to recon the schools and finalize your plan. Now let's move out.

Receive the Mission and Make a Tentative Plan

What are you trying to accomplish?  Who, what, where, when, why, how.  Although you may not have all the answers right now, as you go through the process, think about this. Why are you getting an MBA?  When will you attend? Who do you need to coordinate with or help you plan this out?  Where do you want to go?  How will you pay for the tuition? 

I don't want to overwhelm you.  The most important part of the mission is the what.  The others are important, but be clear on the what.  Now make a tentative plan.

Start Necessary Movement

I know you do not have all the answers.  You cannot wait for all the answers before you get into action and begin to coordinate the assault or movement.  What do you know?  What has to get done?  What resources are available?  Here are some:

• Register for GMAT - some military locations let you take the GMAT at your base/post.
  Note - when I was in the service I took the test for free at the education center on our post.  Check with them to see how you need to register for the test.
  MBA.com - GMAT resource - articles, online practice test software, and more
  MBA.com - Register for the Test (Check with your military education center on your base/post)
• Study for GMAT - I studied using a book.  I did not take a course but there are courses available.
  This score is very important.  From my view, schools ratings are affected by the median or mean score of their students.
  However, other experience, undergraduate performance, your interview and your essays are also very important.
  GMAT Official Guide 2025-2026 Bundle: Books
• Start thinking about/doing:
  • Who would recommend me?
  • Will I need Financial Aid?  Understand the FAFSA.
  • Visit the education center.

Recon

There are two types of reconnaissance.  Recon using a map and recon by being on the ground.

Map Recon

• Get information on schools you are interested in attending.  Make a list.
• You can search for schools or see a list of schools here.
• You can also get good information from books about MBA programs.
• Also, check out the school websites.
• As you make a list ask yourself, what is similar about these schools?  (location, class size, ranking, concentrations...)
• Search for information about the city the school is located in as well.

Ground Recon

You may want to wait until you are accepted.

Physically seeing the campus is also valuable, however, I know this is not always easy or cheap.

Before you go make a list of questions you want to answer.

If you do visit the school, schedule a campus tour, perhaps meet some of the students, maybe attend a class.

Recon the layout of the school, the environment, the safety, local schools if you have kids.

Human Intelligence

Talking to people about the school is very valuable.  Here are some ideas:

• Use a website like LinkedIn to find people who have graduated already and perhaps who were in the military.
• If/when you get an interview, this is a good time to ask thoughtful questions.  I emphasize thoughtful.

Complete the Plan

As you determine where you want to attend, when you want to apply etc, collect all the due dates for applications and for other forms like financial aid.

Another thing you need to consider and plan for is how you will separate from the service and the process involved.  This is beyond the scope of the website.  You don't want to be in a situation in which you plan on attending an MBA program and you never coordinated your discharge, or you coordinated your discharge too early because you decided you did not want to get an MBA for a few years.

Complete your plan as best you can.  Develop timelines.  Put due dates, set aside time to fill out essays.  This all takes time and planning.  The old saying, "Failing to plan is planning to fail" is very true.

Execute the Mission

Applying

Make sure you know the rules of the game.

Every school may be slightly different but make sure of the following:

• The due dates - when is the application due including interviews, test scores, recommendations and the like - there are often different deadlines for different rounds of acceptances
• As an example, take a look at University of Chicago's criteria.
• Note - some schools will only accept online applications.

Recommendations

Each school will probably require 2-3 recommendations.  If you are applying to 5 schools that means 10-15.

When I applied I asked 3 people for recommendations.  They filled out all 5 for me.  For your information, I asked a previous battalion XO, my current battalion XO and my old ROTC commandant who was not stationed near me.

I personally believe these make a huge difference so choose wisely and give them enough time.

Be clear with them on when you need them completed by.

Again, choose wisely.  I looked for people that believed in me and trusted me.

Resume

Yes you will probably have to send a resume.

You probably can find a format that suits your taste online or in Word.  There are also services available.  I did this myself.

Put things in civilian terms and avoid acronyms.

Essays

Most if not all applications will require multiple essays.

What are they looking for?  I am not completely sure, but this is what I think:

1. Can you write coherently?  Details matter like grammar and punctuation.
2. Interesting things about you that are not captured in the sterile application and numbers.
3. What are you bringing to the table.

The questions I wrote about were questions like If you could meet anyone living or dead who would you want to meet?  If you could visit any place, where would you go?  Describe a challenge you faced that significantly shaped the person you are today?

Interviewing

When you apply to an MBA program, an interview may be scheduled.

Prepare for the interview:

• See section on employment - great resources to translate your experience to civilian terms.
• I emphasized my leadership experience.  The responsibility I had leading is what I felt separated me from others.
• My advice is to wear your Class A uniform and not your battle dress uniform.  This is just my opinion from experience.
• Practice.
• So, tell me about yourself....Are you ready for that question?  How do you start?  How much detail?
• Don't start rambling.  Let's see I was born in 1983.  I played baseball in my backyard.....then when I was twelve, I bought a new glove.
• What do you want people to know about you.
• Be authentic.  Do not BS, do not embellish. Do not be stiff either.  Be yourself.