As Veterans Day approaches, many Americans are taking time to recognize those who have served. But for veterans transitioning out of the military, the next chapter can come with its own challenges, including finding a new sense of purpose.
At Houston Christian University, a program dedicated to veterans and military families is helping students navigate that transition through education, mentorship and support.
For Darryl Smith, a 25-and-a-half-year Navy veteran, returning to the classroom became a way to rediscover his identity after leaving the service.
“When I took the uniform off, I kind of lost that identity. I lost that purpose,” Smith told Houston Life.
Smith said faith has always been important to him, so he began looking for an opportunity to grow both academically and spiritually. That search led him to Houston Christian University.
He graduated in 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in theological studies and is now pursuing a Master of Divinity, with two semesters remaining.
Although he hasn’t decided exactly what comes next, Smith said he knows his next chapter will involve helping others.
“One thing I do know is it’s going to be centered around some type of service,” Smith said. “If I can find something where ministry can meet public service, that’ll be my sweet spot.”
Cody Harrington, director of Veteran and Military Affairs at Houston Christian University, understands the challenges of transitioning out of the military firsthand.
Harrington served in the U.S. Army during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars from 2004 to 2012. After his second deployment to Afghanistan, he was seriously injured when his unit was struck by a roadside bomb.
Following his recovery, Harrington decided to leave military service but wanted to continue serving others.
Now, he works to help other veterans find their footing as they move into civilian life.
Harrington said leaving the military often means leaving behind a close-knit community, a team and the structure that shaped daily life. His goal is to make sure veterans don’t have to navigate that transition alone.
He also believes veterans bring valuable skills into the classroom, including discipline, teamwork, time management and the ability to work toward a common goal.
Those experiences, he said, can translate into academic success and future opportunities throughout the Houston community.
Houston Christian University’s Veteran and Military Affairs office offers several resources to help students succeed, including free counseling through the Gideon Counseling Center, tutoring and academic success coaching.
Harrington said the team is made up of former military members and military spouses who understand many of the challenges students face.
The support also extends beyond veterans to their spouses and dependents.
Harrington said roughly half of the students served through the program are veterans, while the other half are their dependents.
The goal, he said, is to support the entire military family rather than simply process education benefits.
For veterans who may be hesitant about returning to school, Harrington encourages them to take that first step and recognize that their best years may still be ahead.
“You served your country. So you’ve accomplished something significant already,” Harrington said. “Don’t convince yourself that the best years of your life are behind you because you have so much more that you can do.”
His advice: Make a plan, move forward and don’t be afraid to pursue what’s next.
