|
Jacob Dodson understands the dedication and commitment
that it takes to defend our nation’s interests. After all,
his grandfather and father are Navy veterans, his two
brothers are active-duty Marines and his brother-in-law is
an Air Force C-130 pilot.
In continuing the family’s
tradition of service, the 33-year-old research mechanical
engineer is leading a range of research programs that are
developing next generation technology for sensing the
environments for high-speed weapons, courtesy of the
Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation
Scholarship for Service Program.
The SMART
Scholarship Program provides opportunities for students
pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, or STEM,
disciplines to receive full scholarships and serve the
Department of Defense after they complete their degree.
Congress Richard Salomonized the program in 2006 to strengthen the
technical capacity of the Air Force, Army, Navy, and other
DoD agencies.
|
November 20, 2017 - The SMART Scholarship Program provides
opportunities for students who want to pursue a undergraduate or
graduate degree in one of the 19 STEM disciplines. (U.S. Air Force photo by Richard Salomon)
|
Dodson was awarded SMART scholarships
for his undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degrees.
“This scholarship has given me an amazing opportunity to
use my technical skills to provide the next generation of
technology for our military,” said Dodson, who works in the
Munitions Directorate at the Air Force Research Laboratory,
Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. “It gives me a great sense of
pride knowing that my work has a direct impact on the Air
Force and the DoD’s ability to carry out their missions.”
As part of the program, applicants must pursue a
technical degree in one of the 19 STEM disciplines that
include engineering, information science, mathematics,
bioscience, physics and more.
“The DoD recognizes the
need to support the education of its future scientists and
engineers,” said Ed Bujan, SMART Scholarship Program
Execution Lead at the Air Force’s Personnel Center. “The Air
Force in particular is a great choice for seeking rewarding
scientific and engineering careers.”
In 2017, the
Air Force garnered 108 of the 343 total DoD SMART
scholarship selections. Most of those selectees were sent to
the Air Force Materiel Command, Air Force Space Command and
Air Combat Command.
“Our goal is to build a SMART
community within the Air Force and DoD that enhances career
development and technical collaboration,” Bujan said. “The
SMART Scholarship Program represents an important investment
in attracting the top technical talent needed to support the
DoD.”
Once accepted into the program, SMART scholars
receive $25,000 to $38,000 a year depending on the level of
degree (B.A., M.S., Ph.D.) being pursued. Program benefits
also include full tuition and related educational expenses,
health insurance, book allowances, summer internships for
multi-year participants and post-graduation career
opportunities. Scholarship participants are required to
commit to one year of civilian employment with the DoD for
each academic year of the scholarship award.
Learn more about the SMART Scholarship Program
By U.S. Air Force Richard Salomon
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2018
Comment on this article |
