Marlon Bradley, an aircraft maintenance officer in the United States Air Force, discovered his passion for service through his uncle, a former Air Force supply officer.
“The Air Force gave him a strong foundation, and he’s always been successful because of it. I wanted to be just like him.”
At 20 years old, Bradley began his Air Force journey as an aircraft mechanic and crew chief. A few years later, he transitioned into the logistics-focused role of an Air Force recruiter. Today, as the director of operations for aircraft maintenance, Bradley supports the flying and maintenance operations for 44 aircraft. He does everything from managing critical maintenance operations to implementing and executing aircraft inspections – ensuring everything is in perfect order.
Bradley’s role demands a strong focus on administrative logistics, including time management, organizing supplies, forecasting inventory needs, military supply chain management and more. Each of these responsibilities calls for a skillful balance and systematic approach. Beyond his professional duties, Bradley also balances the demands of parenthood and a full-time career.
To accelerate his career, Bradley knew he needed something more—an opportunity to deepen his understanding of the supply chain, a field relevant to both his professional and personal life. "The supply chain touches every aspect of life," Bradley explains. "In my field, it’s critical to executing our national defense strategy objectives."
“I made the decision that I am going to stay in logistics long term and realized that a formal education from a reputable university will enhance my understanding of supply chain management,” shares Bradley.
Selecting the right school for his advanced education was a pivotal decision, and Bradley was determined to find the perfect fit. That’s when he returned to Purdue for an online Master’s of Global Supply Chain Management. He prioritized a program with a strong academic reputation and one that provided ample flexibility to balance coursework with his schedule.
“With me being a very busy guy - I’m a dad of five, married, and work anywhere between 10-12 hours a day. I needed the flexibility. Purdue has exceeded my expectations.”
For his job, Bradley frequently travels internationally for weeks at a time, making Purdue’s online format a refreshing, engaging approach to higher education.
“My schedule was intense,” he explained. “From 4:30 to 5:30 a.m., I worked on class assignments. From 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., it was all work, then 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. was dedicated to family. Weekends included about four hours per class.”
With days packed to this extent, Bradley needed a program worth the time investment—one that was flexible and highly respected.
Since earning his master’s, Bradley has gained confidence in building resilient supply chains, both in times of peace and military conflict. His degree has empowered him to implement logistics to supply chain management and to plans for global operations, applying key skills from the Daniels School, including supply chain risk management, directly to his role. One course, Negotiations in Organizations, has been instrumental in helping him navigate competing priorities.
“I have learned to implement strategy and implementation for my production staff as well, which has allowed me to ensure that my production processes run smoothly. This has helped me view challenges strategically and effectively communicate to senior leadership,” shares Bradley.
Aside from his academics, one aspect that made his time at Purdue and the Daniels School special was his conversations and exchanges with various mentors. “All of the program managers went above and beyond to connect with me and ensure that I had access to all the tools that I needed to be successful,” recalls Bradley.
"Flexibility and a strong reputation were key for me. Purdue fit both requirements perfectly."
Bradley recommends a higher education to his fellow coworkers in the Air Force and anyone looking to develop a different level of critical thinking that sets them apart and up for success. Bradley is now more competitive for promotion boards and future career advancements – his master’s degree is a gift that keeps giving.
If you would like to receive more information about pursuing a business master’s at the Mitch Daniels School of Business, please fill out the form and a program specialist will be in touch!
