When Draven Summers looks back on his six years in the United States Air Force, he remembers the constant motion and working on aircraft across the world. Life moves a little slower these days—as slow as it can for a full-time student, full-time employee and new homeowner. 

“Alabama feels very slow-paced compared to all that,” he said with a laugh. “But I’m enjoying it.”

Now a junior computer science major at Troy University through TROY Online, the Gulf Shores native is navigating a different kind of flight path, one that’s leading him from military service to a future in aerospace technology.

After high school, Summers attended Berry College in Rome, Georgia on a football scholarship before deciding to enlist in the Air Force. He spent three years in Japan with shorter stints in Alaska, Qatar, Jordan and beyond over his years of service.

“It’s done me well,” he said. “But school is ultimately what I wanted.”

After leaving the service, he spent time in Seattle, Washington working for Blue Origin where he helped build 26 aircraft and contributed to the launch of the New Glenn rocket. Today, he’s a nightshift supervisor at Lockheed Martin while also serving as a student worker for TROY for Troops, the University’s resource center for military-affiliated students.

“I help with scholarships and getting veterans what they need,” he said. “Whether they’re just coming in or are dependents trying to find resources, it’s hard for everyone in some shape, form or fashion. I try to go beyond basic help and create relationships with people. That’s the most fulfilling part, making people feel like they’re not alone and not feeling alone myself. I get to show recent veterans that it’s okay to joke, it’s okay to smile. It’s nice to be there for them.”

While returning to civilian life has had its challenges, Summers said he’s learning to find balance in his new rhythm.

“Initially I loved returning to civilian life, and I still do in a lot of ways, but it’s been tough,” he said. “I feel the need to be constantly busy—I go to school full time, I work full time, I just bought a house. I’m used to a high workload, so that’s been an adjustment.”

The decision to continue his education at TROY was an easy one, he said. The proximity to home, despite being an online student, and the benefits for veterans drew him in. 

“TROY has a lot of benefits for veterans, mainly the AU-ABC Program,” he said. “It took my associates in aircraft maintenance technology and transferred it to a computer science degree, specifically applied computer science for me, and a minor in military studies.”

The AU-ABC Program—Air University Associate to Baccalaureate Cooperative—helps enlisted Airmen and Guardians turn their Community College of the Air Force degrees into bachelor’s degrees. For Summers, it offered a clear path toward his goals.

“The transition to TROY was very smooth, and so was the whole process of starting online classes,” he said. “Being an older college student at 26 has also been an adjustment. I’m the oldest one here, but the youngest one at work, so it’s been hard to figure out my footing and where I fit in. But the interactions with the faculty at TROY have made me feel like I belong.”

For his next steps, Summers hopes to pursue a master’s degree in space systems from Embry-Riddle and one day work for NASA in Cape Canaveral, Florida or Huntsville, Alabama, or maybe return to Blue Origin.

“I think that’s the next logical transition for me,” he said. “There’s a lot of aerospace and space opportunities in this field. I personally want to go more into the space field—I feel like there’s a higher calling there.”

As he reflects on his own journey, Summers has a few words of advice for other veterans making the transition to student or civilian life:

“Create a routine that takes care of you,” he said. “What you’re doing is important, but make sure you’re taking care of yourself in the short term. Have a set time to get up, to eat, to be active. But you’re still young, so enjoy that, too. Don’t get caught up in doing things just because they’re required. Find something you enjoy and worry about the requirements later.”