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Serving those who served: School of Aviation lifts up student veterans, service members

Excellence, integrity and leadership are pillars in both the United States Armed Forces and the Auburn University School of Aviation. When those who have served in one come to learn at the other, Auburn ensures they have everything they need to succeed.

The School of Aviation is led by expert faculty who personally know the challenges and benefits of serving the country – nearly two-thirds of Aviation faculty members have served in the Air Force, Navy and Air National Guard.

School of Aviation Director James Birdsong, himself a U.S. Air Force veteran, said that experience deeply influences the program.

“Leadership, teamwork, discipline, problem-solving skills, decision-making under stress and an unwavering commitment to safety are all second nature and crucial in aviation,” Birdsong said. “Many have spent years mentoring junior personnel, which translates into a strong dedication to guiding our students and providing the support they need to succeed both academically and professionally."

Clay Buchanan is a senior studying professional flight and business management with a minor in human resources. Prior to coming to Auburn, he served for four years in the Marine Corps as a rifleman.

His military career tasked him with global operations and risk management, which he said primed him to succeed in Aviation’s rigorous flight program.

“I learned a lot of things in the Marine Corps and the military in general,” Buchanan said. “I've learned how to become a leader. I've learned how to deal with different people in different situations and handle controversy and adversity. That background gave me the ideas to come to Auburn and be able to succeed in a very challenging major because aviation is a huge challenge.”

Buchanan has always been an Auburn fan but didn’t know he wanted to be a pilot until he fell in love with the sky during his introductory flight. Despite being new to aviation, veteran faculty and aviators created an environment where everyone helps everyone succeed.

He also found community through the Veterans Resource Center (VRC), where he works and which houses the Auburn Student Veterans Association (ASVA). Buchanan said the VRC and ASVA help its members transition to student life.

“The VRC is more than just a place where they process your paperwork. That is where I found my group of people, that camaraderie that we lose when we get out of the military,” Buchanan said. “Getting out of the military, you feel like you’re isolated. When you go to the VRC, you find yourself home again.”

Rex Fowler ’25 is a certified flight instructor (CFI) at Auburn and third-generation National Guard. He chose Auburn for its proximity to the Air National Guard’s 187^th fighter wing in Montgomery.

His dream has always been to serve in the military as a pilot, and Auburn’s constant improvement and support for service members resonated with him.

“Auburn's just an overall a good program with a high success rate. They make you a good and safe pilot,” Fowler said. “New changes have helped improve the program, make student life better, help make the program more enjoyable, less stressful, and help people get through it a lot quicker. That's helped me with my ultimate goal of becoming a fighter pilot in the Guard.”

For the past five years, Fowler has served in the Air National Guard, balancing his studies with service. When he was temporarily assigned to Guam over the summer, Auburn Aviation allowed flexibility in his schedule.

This fall, he’s using everything he’s learned about leadership and discipline to teach new students how to fly.

“Anybody that comes to Auburn can expect to have a high workload, but it's a really rewarding experience meeting these expectations and realize what you've done and can move on to the next step," Fowler said.

More than 500 student veterans attend Auburn and hold an average GPA well above the national average. The majority of student veterans and active duty military personnel on campus are full-time students, but nine of ten do not receive full tuition coverage.

VRC Coordinator Maryshay Ray, who helps students use their VA benefits for the professional flight program, said veterans and military-affiliated students are essential to Auburn’s mission.

“Our student veterans and military-affiliated students bring a spirit of discipline, service and teamwork that elevates everyone around them,” Ray said. “In the School of Aviation, that translates into precision, safety and leadership both in and out of the flight deck. They’re not just earning ratings; they’re building community, mentoring their peers and modeling resilience that reflects Auburn’s culture of excellence and care.”

In addition to helping students use their VA benefits, the VRC connects students with tutoring and career guidance. Their special events include Operation Iron Ruck, which raises awareness for veteran suicide prevention, and the ASVA Scholarship Gala, which fundraises for students with financial need.

From donating food to volunteering in the office, there are several ways anyone can help support Auburn’s student military population.

“The best way our Auburn community can support this mission is through advocacy in action, by engaging with our veterans, showing up to events, listening to their experiences and investing in the tools and programs that help them thrive,” Ray said. “When we stand beside our veterans, we don’t just honor their service; we amplify their potential and help them continue to soar.”

The Auburn Student Veterans Association is always accepting new members and was recently named Auburn’s Most Exceptional Student Organization at the 2025 Involvement Awards. Learn more and join the ASVA at their website or follow ASVA on Instagram.

Tags: Aviation Students Alumni