Military Insider Fall 2026 Delta Edition
Welcome to the Fall D Term
Whether you are starting your first course or continuing the journey, we welcome you to the Fall D sub-term. As you begin your latest set of classes, we remain available to assist you with any needs that arise. Please utilize the tools and information on our webpage, and take advantage of the “Support Offices” listed under the Resources section of the page. Please reach out to us if you need support along the way!
Chaplains Charge
Word of the Day: Perseverance
Chaplain (MAJ) Brian Harvey, ARNG, Retired
Assistant Director, Center for Chaplaincy
As we move deeper into the semester, I have been reflecting on the unique challenges facing members of Liberty University’s military community. Many of you are balancing coursework with military service, careers, family responsibilities, and other demands on your time and energy. As I have prayed for you and reflected on these challenges, my thoughts have repeatedly returned to Hebrews 12:1-2:
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (NKJV).
The Christian life is often described as a journey, but this passage portrays it as a race. Not a sprint, but a long-distance race that demands endurance, focus, and commitment.
As I read these verses, one word stands out: perseverance.
For many of us, the start of the semester feels like the beginning of a race. We begin with enthusiasm, fresh goals, and a renewed sense of purpose. As the weeks pass, however, life’s demands begin to accumulate. Assignments, deadlines, work responsibilities, military obligations, family commitments, and unexpected challenges can leave us physically exhausted, emotionally drained, and spiritually distracted.
In moments like these, we often discover where we have placed our confidence: in ourselves or in Christ.
The writer of Hebrews gives us an important reminder. We are to run with endurance by “looking unto Jesus.” Our perseverance ultimately does not come from stronger willpower, better time management, or greater personal discipline. While those things matter, lasting spiritual resilience comes from keeping our eyes fixed on Christ.
Throughout my years as an Army Chaplain, I learned that resilience is not reserved for the strongest, the most accomplished, or those who appear to have everything together. In fact, some of the most powerful examples of faith I witnessed came from individuals walking through profound hardship. What sustained them was not simply determination, but a dependence upon God that enabled them to keep taking the next faithful step. The same principle applies to our walk with Christ. When our attention becomes consumed by circumstances, it is easy to lose heart. But when we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, we are reminded that our hope rests not in our own strength, but in His faithfulness.
The reality is that perseverance is rarely developed when life is easy. More often, it is forged through difficulty. God often uses challenging seasons to strengthen our faith, deepen our dependence upon Him, and shape us into the people He has called us to become. While we would seldom choose those seasons for ourselves, they are often where we experience God’s faithfulness most clearly.
Perhaps this semester has been more difficult than you expected. Maybe you are facing challenges in your studies, at work, within your family, or in your military service. Perhaps you feel weary and wonder whether you have the strength to keep moving forward. If so, remember that Hebrews 12 is not a call to try harder. It is a call to look to JESUS. He is the source of our hope, our strength, and our endurance.
As a retired Army Chaplain, I have learned repeatedly that those who persevere in the faith are not those who never struggle. They are those who keep turning to Christ in the midst of their struggles. Every step may not be easy, but every step can be taken in His strength.
My challenge to you this week is simple: take a few moments to evaluate where your focus has been. Have your eyes become fixed on deadlines, difficulties, worries, or circumstances? Or are they fixed on Christ? Spend time in God’s Word, bring your concerns before Him in prayer, and ask Him to renew your strength for the race He has set before you.
My prayer for each member of the Liberty University military community is that you will keep your eyes fixed on Jesus as you continue the race before you. The semester is not yet over, and obstacles may still lie ahead. Yet when Christ is your focus, you can move forward with confidence and hope. The One who authored your faith remains faithful to sustain it, and He will provide the strength you need not only to endure, but to persevere faithfully until the finish.
Naval ROTC Crosstown
The Naval Service Training Command (NSTC) has authorized Liberty University as a crosstown affiliate for the Naval Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (NROTC), partnering with the host unit at the University of Virginia. Liberty’s first class of NROTC midshipmen will begin in spring 2027, opening a new pathway for students to prepare for service as commissioned officers in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.
Participants will receive military and leadership training while pursuing their chosen degree programs, with scholarship opportunities available to eligible students. Joining Liberty’s established Army and Air Force ROTC programs, NROTC expands the university’s commitment to developing future military leaders. Read the full story on the News Office webpage.
Military Appreciation Month Is November
November is Military Appreciation Month at Liberty University! This is a time we set aside to honor the service members, veterans, and military families, for what they have done and continue to do for our nation. For those who are within driving distance, you are welcome to attend our events in person. For those around the country and the world, we have opportunities for you to connect virtually, as well. For more information, please visit the Military Appreciation Month webpage.
Resource Highlight: 50strong
If you’re looking for a job, a career mentor, job fairs, and more, you should consider taking advantage of 50strong. Liberty University is an official 50strong education partner, connecting our military community with resources to support career exploration and preparation. Through 50strong, you can discover virtual career networking events that connect veterans with employers seeking the unique skills, leadership experience, and work ethic developed through military service. They also facilitate career mentoring with those in the industry to help with the search for civilian employment.
Whether you’re preparing to transition from military service, exploring a new career, or planning your next step while earning your degree, visit www.50-strong.us/ to learn more and find an opportunity to get connected!
Benefit Highlight: The Health Professional Scholarship Program
Students pursuing a career in health care may be able to fund their education while preparing to serve our nation’s veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Professional Scholarship Program (HPSP). The program covers 100% of tuition after the scholarship award, eligible fees, and a monthly stipend in exchange for a commitment to work full time as a civilian VA health care professional after completing the required education and licensure.
Opportunities include nursing, medicine, psychology, social work, and other qualifying fields, with eligibility and service commitments varying by program. The next application cycle is projected to open in January 2027. To explore program requirements and application information, visit Liberty’s Military Scholarships and Resources webpage, find “Veterans Affairs Health Careers Scholarships” under “Outside Military Scholarships,” and select HPSP.
Alumni Spotlight: Nii Anyetei Akofio-Sowah
Active Duty Army Veteran
Liberty University is blessed to have many military-affiliated alumni who have a deep understanding of what each of our service members, veterans, and military families face every single day. There are many stories we could share of individuals on similar journeys as your own. One such testimony is from one of our 2026 graduates, and Active Duty Army soldier, Nii Anyetei Akofio-Sowah. In his own words,
“My journey to graduation has not been a straight road. Eighteen years in the Army as a Combat Engineer, plus duty assignments, field time, and ministry responsibilities there were seasons where finishing a degree felt out of reach. I stopped more than once. The Army, family, and church have a way of filling every gap you think you have. But God had a plan I could not see from where I stood.
Liberty University’s School of Divinity offered a program that fit my life and my calling. I finished this degree while stationed at Fort Leonard Wood leading Wednesday night Bible studies, volunteering as a hospital chaplain, and keeping up with military coursework alongside it all. There were late nights. Early mornings. Moments, I nearly walked away from it. But every assignment drove me deeper into Scripture and sharpened me for the ministry I am already doing. This graduation is not the finish line. It is the foundation I build on next.”
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.
