Center for Global Affairs Student Spotlight: MS in Global Security, Conflict, and Cybercrime Student and US Navy Veteran Chad Shroy

Chad Shroy is a student in the MS in Global Security, Conflict, and Cybercrime program at the NYU SPS Center for Global Affairs (CGA). Prior to enrolling at NYU SPS, Shroy served as an intelligence officer in the US Navy for a decade. To commemorate Veterans Day and celebrate his service to our country, we chatted with him about his experiences, both in the military and as a veteran returning to the classroom.

Tell us a bit about your time in the military.
I was in the Navy for 10 years as an intelligence officer. My time really embodied the old phrase, "Join the Navy, see the world." Through that time, I lived in Japan, Bahrain, and the UK, sailed across the Pacific Ocean and south of Australia, visited over 30 other countries, and made friends worldwide that I keep in touch with to this day.

Was your decision to pursue the MS in Global Security, Conflict, and Cybercrime at CGA influenced or informed by your military service? If so, how?
So much of the language around cybersecurity is taken from the military—and even more so military intelligence. This was appealing to me from the very beginning. The many similarities have made my transition to the classroom easier.

Were you able to take advantage of Yellow Ribbon benefits or any other programs geared toward veterans?
Yes, I have taken advantage of the GI Bill as well as the Yellow Ribbon Program, and it is something that I would absolutely recommend to anyone transitioning out of the service.

As a veteran, in what ways do you think your experience at CGA differs from that of your fellow students?
Having served for the last 10 years, I find myself on the older side of my classmates, which means that I've had a little more experience in the work environment and at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels of thinking. However, an incredibly positive thing is that CGA is composed of an internationally minded core of students and I've found myself right at home.

What makes you most proud about attending NYU SPS? Would you recommend NYU SPS to other veterans returning to school or looking to pursue a degree?
NYU SPS has been a wonderful school with world-class professors. The NYU network is incredible and would be a benefit to any veteran thinking about heading this way!