Adam Belbeck, Cleary’s new veteran coordinator and military academic services specialist, landed the right job at the right time and in the right place.
He tried a few different paths before emerging into university veteran services.
A graduate of Ferndale High School, the hockey star earned a hockey scholarship to Lake Superior State University, a college known for its exceptional hockey program. One year later, he dropped out of school and was living in a tent in the backyard of his girlfriend’s home.
Homeless and penniless, Belbeck decided to join the military. “At least I would have a place to live, and I would learn a trade,” he rationalized. Without much thought or research, he chose the Marine Corps. “They were the toughest, and that is where I wanted to be,” he says. Three weeks later, he was on a bus to South Carolina for 18 weeks of boot camp.
He was deployed twice to Iraq and also served in Germany, Japan and Haiti after its earthquake. His profession was food service specialist; “I was a cook.”
Once again, his career path took another turn; this one unexpectedly. Belbeck was diagnosed with cancer and, after five years in the military, he was medically retired.
Leaving with his culinary skills, he began a career in restaurant management and then moved into supermarket store management before COVID hit.
This was a signal to Belbeck that it was time to pause his career and figure out what he really wanted to do with his life. He completed his bachelor’s degree and two master’s degrees – one from Purdue University in Higher Education Administration, and one from Grand Canyon University in Communications and Media Studies.
His passion for script writing ignited, and he started his own script writing business nine years ago. Even though he still operates this business, Belbeck continued to feel drawn back to the military world. “I wanted to serve this very special population of men and women who were transitioning from military life to civilian life; it’s a rocky transition; it’s not easy for the nonmilitary to understand, and I felt I could help smooth the transition.”
Belbeck first applied for an academic advisor position at Cleary, but instead, he was offered the job of veteran coordinator and military academic services specialist.
“This is exactly where I should be,” he asserts. He works with approximately 200 Cleary student veterans or active members of the military, and “I try to touch base with every single one of them. They know they can reach me anytime by phone, text or email. Each individual is important; each one has a place in the world outside the military, and I am here to help them find that place and celebrate their new-found role as a civilian.
“Cleary and Livingston County provide a wealth of resources for veterans,” he says. ”With these resources they can create their new life, and I am proud to help them achieve it.”
Cleary University offers accelerated degree programs for veterans, crediting school and military experience.
VetFest, at Cleary University’s Lake Trust Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 8, is a great opportunity to explore the vast resources offered in the region for members of the military and their families. Visit www.vetlifetoday.org/vet-fest.
July 25, 2026 is Hire a Veteran Day. You can do your part by considering a veteran for a position in your company.
