How they got here and what they bring with them George “Bill” Ayers, PhD, LCSW

America’s Veterans Represent less than 1% of the total US population Age range for recently discharged veterans: Within the enlisted ranks, they are 99 (+) high school graduates. About ½ have some college. About half are married (veteran spouses should be acknowledged and included in all institutional-sponsored activities for veterans) Most importantly, they all have funding for a four-year college program.

How are they different internally? 1. By branch of service 2. Whether or not they deployed 3. Combat exposure ○ Veterans who have been exposed to some level of combat are probably less than 30% of the total number of veterans. The percentage will vary from institution to institution based to some extent on geography and based on programs the institution offers.

The meaning of combat exposure  Please refer to handout  West, F. J. (2014). One million steps: A marine platoon at war. New York, NY: Random House.

What do Vets bring to the classroom? They are fully socialized into functioning as a member of a team. They have a highly-developed sense of responsibility They have a respect for authority Problem solving skills Leadership skills They’ve been exposed to different cultures They have a respect for diversity

Institutional responsibilities to veterans Top-down support for veterans programs Training for faculty and staff regarding military culture and veterans issues Recognition of medical issues unique to veterans ○ PTSD (VA estimates that up to 20% of veterans with combat exposure have PTSD) ○ TBI (this is the signature injury of the War on Terror) ○ Institutions must assure that the ADA advocate has a thorough understanding of veterans medical issues Partnership with the Veterans Administration ○ Work Study students ○ Certifying officers Institutional support ○ Recognition of veteran student organizations, provision of meeting spaces Online institutions, or institutions with relatively small numbers of veterans could create chat rooms or virtual gathering places for their students.