Air Force veteran finds new mission in environmental science

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In George Mason University's College of Science-where nearly 16% 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 the senior military transition coordinator in Mason's Office of Military Serviceswhile completing her bachelor of sciencein environmental science and policy.

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.

Ledoux worked in several public health sectors in the US Army. Photo provided

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 for its strong environmental programs, proximity to the nation's capital, 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."

Now, as part of Environmental Science and Policy professor ChangwooAhn'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 works in the wetland ecology lab and hopes to do restoration work in her career. Photo provided

Ledoux will graduate this fall with her bachelor's degree and, through George Mason's Bachelor's-to-Accelerated-Master's pathway, will continue into the environmental science and policy master's program.

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 for veterans 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. She has participated programs in both 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 your horizons."

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."