From Fighter Jets to Financial Statements

Trading the Ocean for the Mountains

Katie grew up in California and spent five years in the Navy as an aviation electrician’s mate. She worked on aircraft batteries, advanced to petty officer second class, and learned how to operate in high pressure, highly structured environments. During her service, she met her husband Josh, who was also in the Navy.

When Josh completed his contract, he left the service first. Katie followed when her enlistment ended. They were ready to build a life outside the military, but they wanted something very different from coastal bases and shipyards.

They chose Montana almost on a whim. For Katie, who loved the outdoors and grew up hiking in places like Yosemite, the move made sense. The University of Montana offered a fresh start, a strong veteran community, and a campus that felt grounded rather than overwhelming.

The Class That Changed Everything

Katie did not arrive in Montana planning to become an accountant. She enrolled at the University of Montana with the intention of studying wildlife biology. It felt familiar and aligned with her love for the outdoors.

That plan changed because of a casual suggestion. Another student veteran recommended a nonprofit administration minor. That minor required one accounting course.

That single class flipped the script. For the first time since leaving the Navy, something clicked. Accounting had rules. Structure. Clear outcomes. It rewarded discipline and attention to detail. It felt familiar in a way she did not expect.

When the Major Follows the Momentum

After that class, Katie did not hedge. She switched her major to accounting in the University of Montana’s College of Business.

The transition made sense. In the Navy, she worked within systems, followed procedures, and solved technical problems under pressure. Accounting offered the same mental framework, just applied to financial data instead of aircraft.

The College of Business helped accelerate the shift. Advisors and the Student Success Center worked with her to translate military experience into business language. Resume workshops, firm networking events, and classroom visits from accounting professionals helped her see the breadth of careers available in the field.

How Community Made the Transition Work

Moving from military life to full time student life was not seamless. The structure was looser. The expectations were different. The sense of mission took time to rebuild.

Two campus groups made the difference. The Military and Veteran Services Office and the Student Veterans Organization gave Katie a built in support system. She was surrounded by people who understood military culture, accountability, and the drive to perform.

That community helped her stay focused. She earned straight A’s and graduated in December. Strong academics paired with networking through the business school led to an internship and then a full time offer from Eide Bailly, an international public accounting firm with operations in Montana.

Katie says audit work feels familiar. It is team oriented, deadline driven, and problem focused. In many ways, it mirrors the collaborative environment she thrived in during her Navy career.

What This Means for Accounting Firms and Veterans

Katie’s story highlights something the accounting profession is starting to recognize. Veterans bring discipline, systems thinking, and comfort with responsibility. Those traits translate directly into audit, tax, and advisory roles.

For firms struggling to find reliable talent, veteran pipelines are an underused advantage. For universities, structured support can turn military experience into professional momentum.

Accounting may not be the first career veterans consider. But for many, it fits better than expected.

Conclusion

Katie Martin’s path from Navy aviation electrician to public accountant is not an accident. It is the result of transferable skills, the right exposure, and strong institutional support. As demand for disciplined, process minded professionals continues to grow, expect more firms and schools to build intentional pathways like this. The talent is already there. It just needs a clear on ramp.