Hi there,
Thanks for your post (and thank you for your service!).
Overall you likely have a strong profile for top schools, as long as you explain your story and reason for the MBA well in your essays, applications, and interviews.
Generally when coming from a military background, a few key points I like to remind applicants include:
-spend some time really brainstorming about the skills you've gained during your military time, specifically leadership, teamwork, people & project management skills
-also brainstorm specific examples of how you've developed and used those skills, to be ready to tell stories and anecdotes demonstrating those experiences and skills
-If you are able to do the 2 points above, military experience is appreciated and generally you DO have a lot of skills that would translate to management.
-You also want to ensure that you show that you've done some research, and that you know what you are getting into with the MBA, and that it's not just something you have chosen for lack of other alternatives. You want to show that you've put some thought into your next career steps, and that you KNOW you do NEED this degree and how it will help you!
From here on out, you will want to focus on the application factors that you CAN STILL CHANGE, specifically your application essays (and to a certain degree, recommendations and interview). Your application essays are going to be where you show the admissions committee who you are, why you want an MBA, what your goals are, and why THEIR program is best for you.
Start brainstorming now/in the coming months about all of those topics. Be sure that you have clear short and long term goals and can make a case for why you need the MBA for those goals. Research each of the schools you mentioned so you can cite specific reasons why the program is right for you.
If you would like to discuss further with a consultant, we do have free 30 min consults available (register at
https://www.mbamission.com/consult.php), and/or let us know here what other questions you have. Good luck!