Becoming a Citizen of the World

PROVO, Utah – May 15, 2022 – Some say constantly moving is a downside of being in the United States Army, but for Lieutenant Colonel Seth Miller, moving around the world is one of the most wonderful gifts his military service has given him. His time in the army has allowed him to experience people and places that his younger self never imagined.

Currently assigned as the department chair for the military science program at the BYU Marriott School of Business, Miller enjoys being back in his home state, having grown up in Ogden, Utah. A father of five, Miller says his oldest son, who is in the eighth grade this year, has only gone to the same school in back-to-back years once. While many parents would complain, Miller cherishes this opportunity for his children. “Living in so many different places has been fantastic and incredibly developmental for me and my family,” he says. “I love being able to show my children the world and give them unique experiences.”

Miller did not join the military until a few years after his graduation from Weber State University in 2001. He had received his degree in communications and was unsatisfied with the job market at the time. “I wanted a career that would be able to support a family,” he says. “I had a few military examples in my life, including two of my best friends, so I decided to join.” In 2003, Miller enrolled in Officer Candidate School, which is open to anyone with a bachelor’s degree and prepares individuals to become commissioned officers in the army.

Since joining the army, Miller has lived in five different states within the United States and four different countries overseas. While Miller appreciates all of the locations he has lived, he says that South Korea was one of his personal favorites. “Seoul is a cosmopolitan area that makes you feel like you are a citizen of the world,” he says. “I had so much fun experiencing the culture, language, food, and everything South Korea had to offer.”

After 10 years serving in the army, Miller decided to return to school and earn his master’s degree. “Returning to school after so long was not an easy decision, not to mention the cost of earning a master’s degree, but I knew I needed to do it if I wanted to be a lieutenant colonel,” he says. Miller graduated from American Military University in 2017 with his master’s degree in intelligence studies. “At my graduation, I felt such a sense of pride that my kids were able to watch the televised commencement and see their dad set a good example and receive a higher education,” he says.

With his new degree in hand, Miller was assigned to work in human resources at Fort Knox in Kentucky and experienced a behind-the-scenes view of how the army assigns positions for its half a million members.

Another position made possible because of his master’s degree is Miller’s current position at BYU Marriott, which he started in 2020. While COVID-19 has been a constant focus that Miller likens to “carrying an unwanted item through the battlespace,” he also strives to further the department through heightened recruiting efforts and a focus on preparing cadets to commission into the army.

“If I keep my finger on the pulse of each cadet’s training and what they still need in order to graduate and commission, then the process will be a lot smoother with fewer surprises,” Miller says. “I believe my cadets deserve that, and I feel a sense of pride seeing them achieve their goals.”

Miller has thoroughly enjoyed his career and appreciates all the army has given him. “The army has a remarkable ability to take a kid from northern Utah, pluck him out of his ecosystem, and allow him to experience the world,” he says. “For that, I will always be grateful.”