Battlefish Academy at Paul Smith’s College: A Purpose-Driven Path for Transitioning Service Members & Veterans
At Paul Smith’s College, our commitment to transitioning service members and veterans runs deep. From dedicated campus resources to hands-on, career-ready programs, we honor the service of those who’ve worn the uniform by helping them chart a purposeful path forward.
Battlefish Academy is a proud part of that mission.
This unique program offers transitioning service members and veterans the opportunity to learn outside the traditional classroom—on the water, in the forest, and along the ridgelines of the Adirondacks. It’s where new skills are forged beside like-minded peers, and where knowledge gained through experience is recognized and built upon.
With a long-standing legacy of supporting those who serve, and a campus that doubles as classroom and proving ground, Paul Smith’s College is where your next chapter begins—grounded in purpose, community, and the grit that defines our community.
Small Business Certificate
The Battlefish Academy Small Business Certificate earns 16 college credits, seamlessly transferring into a two-year degree in Business Administration.
More than a credential—this is a stepping stone to owning and operating a business in a growing industry that values experience, independence, and a deep connection to the outdoors.
Battlefish Academy Small Business Certificate credits transfer into degree programs at Paul Smith’s College:
- A.S. Business Administration (60 credits)
- B.S. Outdoor Adventure Recreation (120 credits)
- B.S. Psychology (120 credits)
Summer 2026 Battlefish
| Course Code | Title | Credits | Format/Dates |
| MGT200 | Principles of Management | 3 | Online / May 4-22, 2026 |
| REC199 | Battlefish Foundations of Leadership | 4 | Hybrid / May 14-Jun 12 |
| MKT200 | Principles of Marketing | 3 | Online / Jun 15-Jul 3, 2026 |
| PSY110 | Organizational Behavior | 3 | Online / Jul 6-24, 2026 |
| MGT210 | Business Systems | 3 | Online / Jul 27-Aug 14, 2026 |
Battlefish Academy operates on a cohort-based model and requires a minimum number of registered participants to run. If minimum enrollment is not met, the course may be cancelled. In the event of cancellation, registered participants will be notified promptly and may defer their enrollment to a later offering or request a refund.
A National Model, Rooted in the Adirondacks
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Outdoor Guide Intensive
The Adirondacks demand awareness, resilience, and a deep respect for the land—qualities that come naturally to those who have served. Time spent in the backcountry, along the waterways, and in remote settings fosters not just expertise, but a connection to a landscape that has shaped generations.
The Adirondacks demand awareness, resilience, and a deep respect for the land—qualities that come naturally to those who have served. Time spent in the backcountry, along the waterways, and in remote settings fosters not just expertise, but a connection to a landscape that has shaped generations.
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Building a Business Around Experience
This hybrid program, supported by GI Bill funding, combines online coursework with an immersive, two-week Outdoor Guide Intensive that takes place in the Adirondacks—ensuring that participants not only refine their technical skills but develop the confidence to build careers in guiding and adventure tourism.
This hybrid program, supported by GI Bill funding, combines online coursework with an immersive, two-week Outdoor Guide Intensive that takes place in the Adirondacks—ensuring that participants not only refine their technical skills but develop the confidence to build careers in guiding and adventure tourism.
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Rooted in the Adirondacks
Battlefish Academy is more than a program—it’s an opportunity to turn experience and passion into a future in business ownership. Students will engage in a structured program that builds on their strengths while introducing new tools to succeed in the outdoor industry and beyond.
Battlefish Academy is more than a program—it’s an opportunity to turn experience and passion into a future in business ownership. Students will engage in a structured program that builds on their strengths while introducing new tools to succeed in the outdoor industry and beyond.
Your First Step Starts Here
For those ready to turn experience into expertise, ideas into action, and passion into a business, Battlefish Academy at Paul Smith’s College provides the foundation. Your next chapter starts here.
AJ is one of the most passionate and dedicated leaders I’ve worked with in the veteran transition space. His vision for Battlefish Academy is exactly what our service members need—a path that values their experience and empowers them to build meaningful careers on their own terms.
Craig McNamara
Transition Service Manager at Fort Drum
Battlefish Academy
AJ Beaudoin
Battlefish Academy
Director