@tiarawalz – Congrats on getting selected for a PhD program.  I’m finishing up my dissertation this year and can say that while it is a huge commitment, it is also very rewarding.

If I could offer one piece of advise it would be to not worry about “losing touch”.  I shared this same fear, but thankfully had some great mentors that encouraged me to really step away.  That, in turn, forced me connect to connect more with civilians and different populations I would have missed if I kept routinely stepping back to military relationships.  The more you advance, the more you will interact with non-military personnel and organizations.  Developing your skills and competencies working with these entities will make your life easier in the future.  //JD