Air Force Veteran Finds New Mission in Environmental Science at George Mason University
In George Mason University’s College of Science—where nearly 16 percent of students are connected to the military—Air Force veteran Rylee Ledoux is using her public health experience and passion for the environment to support fellow veterans and pursue a future in environmental science. A former Air Force public health technician, she now serves as Senior Military Transition Coordinator in Mason’s Office of Military Services while completing her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science.
After graduating high school, Ledoux joined the military after seeing her sister’s experience in the Army and the opportunities it offered to see the world. “The Air Force felt like a good way to learn, grow, and set myself up for something meaningful,” she said.
That decision led her to Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas, where she rotated through several areas of public health, including occupational health, deployment medicine, and communicable disease.
Then COVID-19 hit.
“Overnight the workload exploded,” she recalled. “I was assigned to a mission in Washington, D.C. for COVID operations, and that set the tone for the rest of my Air Force experience. I spent the remainder of my service in communicable disease, and it shaped a lot of how I see public health and the environment today.”
That experience became the foundation for Ledoux’s next chapter after completing four years in the Air Force. Drawn to the intersection of science and policy, she chose George Mason University for its strong environmental programs, proximity to Washington, D.C., and reputation as a leading research institution.
“Working in communicable disease shows you really quickly how connected environmental health is to human health,” she said. “I wanted to study the root causes instead of only reacting to symptoms.
“A background in environmental and ecological science is a good fit for anyone, but especially for military members,” she added. “You spend so much time working outdoors, moving between duty stations, and adapting to different environments that it naturally builds an interest in how systems function. Studying the environment also encourages a stronger sense of responsibility for your surroundings and the impact of your actions, which lines up well with military values.”
Now, as part of Environmental Science and Policy Professor Changwoo Ahn’s wetland ecology lab, Ledoux is learning to design and conduct research focused on restoration and ecosystem resilience. “I’m learning how to be precise in the field and how to understand ecological systems in a more meaningful way,” she said. “My goal after my master’s is to become a wetland ecologist and hopefully do restoration work.”
Ledoux will graduate this fall with her bachelor’s degree and, through Mason’s Bachelor’s-to-Accelerated-Master’s pathway, will continue into the Environmental Science and Policy master’s program, on track to finish in 2027.
Her commitment to community extends beyond the lab. She serves on the College of Science Dean’s Student Advisory Council and, through her work in the Office of Military Services, supports military-affiliated students as they transition to academic life.
“My biggest advice is to ask questions early and reach out to the Office of Military Services,” she said. “Community is everything at George Mason, especially for veterans. Once you lean into that community and participate in it, it gives you support, connection, and direction.”
That same sense of community and curiosity continues to guide her own journey. Beyond academics, Ledoux encourages others to embrace opportunities like studying abroad, something she has experienced firsthand in Nepal and New Zealand.
“Seeing different cultures and ecosystems changed how I think about the world and my work,” she said. “I always tell people to take any chance they have to study abroad because it genuinely broadens you.”
Looking back, Ledoux credits her military service with shaping both her resilience and sense of purpose. “It grounded me,” she said. “It taught me how to manage tough situations without losing focus. It was challenging, but it made me more disciplined, resilient, and goal oriented. I’m a better person because of it.”
