Going in Harm’s Way: Learning About Our Veterans

A Veteran Defined “A veteran is someone, who at some point, has written a check to Uncle Sam that reads: “Payable in Full Up to the Amount of My Life, if Necessary, to Defend our Way of Life.” ( Thomas D. Segel )

Characteristics of our Student Veterans

Nontraditional students Patterns of service Combat Combat zone Noncombat zone

Characteristics of our Student Veterans Types of Veterans Recent service Direct transition from the military to college Currently receiving veteran’s benefits Prior service Several years in the work force Returning to upgrade skills or to change careers (VRAP) Retirees Completing college degree In transition to civilian career

What do Veterans bring to the Campus? Leadership Diversity Experience Maturity Resiliency Commitment

Transition Issues Safety and predictability of the environment Trust of others Mission orientation (school is the job, graduation is the mission Decision making skills (trained to make life or death decisions) Emotional control and response tactics: trained to be peacekeepers Need for camaraderie

8 Challenges for Veterans at Valencia Time to obtain benefits results in financial hardship May be dropped from a program for failing a single course (VRAP) Admissions requirements (may not yet qualify for program interested in pursuing) Courses taken while in the military don’t transfer

Challenges for Veterans at Valencia Newer veterans face the possibility of recall to active duty while enrolled Dealing with the Veterans’ Administration Cultural shift between military and college environment Higher rates of unemployment for vets and spouses than general population

Challenges for Veterans at Valencia Residency requirements Veterans often do not identify with the term “disabled.” Reluctant to seek help Unidentified PTSD or TBI No “home base” on campus No identified faculty and staff mentors

Bridging the Military Civilian Gap What images come to mind when you think about the military? Photo Courtesy of U.S. Army Photographer: SPC Jeffery Sandstrum 11

Points of Conflict Stupid speak: military civilian gap Hypervigilence: danger in the ordinary Mission orientation: faculty misperceptions Expectations of proper student behavior

Welcome Back from Deployment

What Can You Do? Thank our veterans for their sacrifice and service Exercise the mindful practice of diversity Avoid stereotyping, bridge the military civilian gap Value their maturity and experience as contributions to our student body Consider what you can do to support our student veterans

Military Civilian Gap Resources Pew Research Center Slideshow: War and Sacrifice in the Post-9/11 Era the-post-911-era/paul-taylor-slideshow/ the-post-911-era/paul-taylor-slideshow/ The Chairman III: Military, Civilian "Gap" After Draftless Decade of War, Gap Seen Between Military, Civilians

Support and Program Resources Unpacking the Transition from Military Service to Civilian Life (Webinar) VetCorps Programs in Washington Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP)

A Final Thought “The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.” - George Washington