Its program director, James Bogle, has served in the Army and the office of the US secretary of defense. He says that the MBV program is a traditional business education with an emphasis on assisting vets with the transition from the structure and rigor of military life into civilian life, which includes building upon the skills they already learned. USC has been developing relationships with companies that have embraced MBV graduates, including the Walt Disney Company.

We asked three MBV students what leadership lessons they learned serving in the military that have prepared them for the corporate world. Here's what they said.

Confidence

You can only become a military officer if you are incredibly sure of yourself, says Jennifer Baker, who served as staff sergeant in the US Army's 82nd Airborne Division. "Remaining calm under pressure will ensure your coworkers follow your lead and remain calm as well, which will keep morale and motivation high," she says.

Dedication

"When faced with problems, you must be persistent until a solution is created; you cannot quit when the answer isn't obvious," Baker says. Her time in the Army taught her that a team is as dedicated as its leader, and this requires "getting your hands dirty every once in awhile."

The Ability to Follow

The military is, of course, regimented, and Baker finds that this dedication to following orders develops better leaders. It's a skill that translates well to the corporate world, keeping managers humble and adverse to micromanaging.

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