Understanding & Supporting the Military Veteran Community NACADA REGION #1 THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016
Know the Language Relinquishing military jargon is difficult Try to remember these basic acronyms and lingo: Jargon VA BAH Roger Squared Away Tracking Lost in the Sauce SNAFU FUBAR Yes Ma am/sir MRE MOS/AFSC Translation Veteran Affairs (Not Veteran Services). Basic Allowance for Housing. I Got It. Message Received. Got It Together. I understand. I don t know what s going on. Situation Normal: All Fouled Up. Fu.. Messed Up Beyond All Recognition. You re Not Old Necessarily - Sign of Respect. Meal Ready To Eat Military Duty/Job TItle
ASBAT Attendees Should Be Able To 1. Name all 5 branches of America s Armed Forces 2. Identify No. 1 reason people enlist in the military 3. Identify at least 3 challenges Veterans face in higher education 4. Identify at least 3 contributions Veterans bring to the classroom 5. Understand the implications of an All-Volunteer force model 6. Identify 3 strategies to Support Veterans 7. Access latest data on Veterans
PART I WELCOME TO THE MILITARY
Challenge # 1 (IVMF Study) - #1 Motivator to Enlist New Career Opportunities 31% Sense of Purpose 36% Education Benefits 53 % Serve their Country 52% New Experiences/Travel/Adventure 49%
Military & Demographics Military consists of 1% (The other 1 percent) Member from 1 of 5 US Military Branches US Air Force US Army US Coast Guard US Marines US Navy Mostly Men Combat & Non-Combat Diverse Enlisted Not Officers
Overview of Veterans & Demographics
All Volunteer Force (IVMF) 1. WWII, Vietnam era vs. Desert Storm, Post 9/11 2. Professional fighting force since 1973 1. Enlistees only know the military 3. Pros-Cons of the professional fighting force 1. Cons 1. Less of exposure to broad spectrum of other careers and opportunities 2. Unclear career and educational pathways 3. Creates divide between military and civilian 2. Pros 1. Can be introduced into new careers including STEM fields 2. Military provides skills that prepares folks for college 3. Promotes further interest in education
Veterans Must Value Educational Opportunity Some Veterans tend to undervalue their own potential Because there wasn t a draft, they weren t serving next to pharmacists and car repair shop owners and artists and teachers and journalists and business owners. They were serving with other people who had served in the military, and so what that meant was they have far more limited conception of what they can do in the outside world when they got out. They think too often that because I know to use a gun, maybe I can be a security guard. -Eric Greitens, former Navy Seal and founder of The Mission Continues
Why people Leave the military IVMF Study Veteran educational benefits to pursue education Fulfill service requirement Retirement Loss of faith in leadership (military and/or political)
PART II TRANSITION & ASSIMILATION
Dispelling Veteran Misconceptions Some Veterans do not witness combat Some Veterans have not deployed During deployments - not all veterans fire weapons Doctor; payroll specialist; JAG; Nurses Not all Veterans have PTSD or TBI A Veteran with PTSD or TBI can still become a functioning, contributing citizen Just because a veteran didn t deploy, doesn t mean he/she doesn t struggle with transition back to civilian life A smaller percentage of Veterans have PTSD and or TBI
Challenge #2 - Transition Challenges - What is the #1 challenge following separation from the military? Skills Translation Navigating VA Admin or Benefits Getting a Job Getting Socialized to Civilian Culture Financial Struggles
Anecdote on Separating from the Military Although I felt isolated over the course of the last year of service due to my job position, I miss the brotherhood. In a lot of ways it was simpler and more straightforward than civilian life. Miss the security and dependability of military life. -IVMF Survey Respondent
PART III VETERANS IN EDUCATION
Post 9/11 GI Bill Most comprehensive educational benefit package for Veterans in U.S. history - 2008 Since 2014 more than 1,088,411 veterans have used the GI Bill educational benefit Veterans are eligible for entitlements ranging from 50 100% 36 months of tuition and fee coverage Monthly housing stipend Greater Boston $3,000 (if 100% eligibility) Annual book stipend - $1,000 (if 100% eligibility)
Motivations for Utilizing Educational Benefits IVMF Study Motivations for Education or Training Programs Career/job opportunities 86% Self Improvement and personal growth 71% Potential for making money/improve economic status 69% Professional advancement 56% Make use of benefits 51% Enjoy education and learning 50% Support family 46%
GUESS THAT NUMBER! Approximately how many dollars per year does it cost the VA to cover the education, training, licensing and credentialing? $12,000,000,000
PART IV THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE
3 Veteran Personalities Below the Radar Not looking for recognition Sits in the Rear of the Classroom Humble Veteran Student might talk about the Military Converses about experience but may withhold details Loud & Proud No qualms with displaying their military affiliation Speaks openly i.e. Flies Marine Corps and American Flags from the rear of pickup truck Status Identification Students are less likely to self identify during orientation or special programs Students are mostly proud of service and are comfortable sharing their military experience at schools For those not willing to share their Veteran identity: Others naïve, lack familiarity with military service Different maturity levels and worldliness experience Stigma, prejudice, bias (According to IVMF)
Challenge Question # 3 (IVMF Study) What do you think is the greatest challenge for Veterans actively pursuing education? A)Lack of Financial Resources B)Family Responsibilities C)Working Full-Time Job D)Age Differences E)Few Veteran Resources on Campus 32% 29% 32% 37% 26%
Challenges for Vets Other Problems Students Face When They Return To School (IVMF Study) Credits transferring Administering Veterans Benefits Military-Civilian gaps in understanding/opinions Struggling to holistically assimilate Health/Disability Issues Expiration of GI Bill Benefits
Veteran Struggles and Pitfalls Academic Barriers Math (Massasoit 75% in developmental) Writing, college discourse College expectations Academics Taking on too much too soon Discomfort with certain topics regarding war/politics Not asking for help Neglecting self care
Veteran Contributions to the Classroom Contributions Discipline Leadership Global view/perspective Resilient Goal setters Mission oriented Organized hierarchy Communication Team players
What Not To Do Force conversation Ask a student if he/she have ever used a weapon Force/Push them to speak about their experience Force/Push them to share their war/political perspective Let them get away with absences, missing homework, assignments because they are a Veteran Hold all students accountable They should be proactive! Pretend to know what its like to be in the military if you haven t served
PART V SUPPORTING THE VET
Collective Impact A Multi-Pillared Support System Supportive Administration Professor Relationships /Mentoring Advising/ Certifying Official Campus Resources Community Resources Outreach Practices Peer Support
How Do You Support Veterans? What are your priorities? 1) Graduation 2) Transfer 3) Employment
Online Orientation Pilot of 30 new Veteran Students (13 in person) LOTS of outreach & direction Students had to meet with me to register Some students treated it like a Computer Based Training (CBT) Most students found it useful and accommodating
Advising & Mentoring For Veterans Advising Dedicated Veterans official that understands Military culture and personalities Someone that understands Veterans Benefits Maximize the usage of Veterans Benefits (remember: limitation to 36 months Chapter 33) Understands access to other Veterans Benefits (Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment - Chapter 31) Know the military-veteran language Mentoring Build meaningful relationships with faculty, administration and staff Someone to help guide and traverse the higher ed. landscape Create an academic and professional pathway
Transfer Info Sessions
Veteran Affairs Certifying Official Accessible Accountable Patient Knowledgeable about VA Benefits Understand Veteran dependence on Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)
Cultivating Peer Support Within A Vet Friendly Campus Campus Veteran Center A space to meet other Veterans A space to separate from regular students VA work study students Recognize Veterans for their service & sacrifice through campus awareness Veterans Day, Memorial Day Faculty & staff community builders & trainings Market your Vet friendly offices Establish robust Veterans club
Get Students Outside of the Classroom Warrior breakfasts every 3 rd Thursday Delivered gifts to VA Mental Health Vet Togethers/Student Collaborations Trivia nights POW/MIA Plaque and Flag Love Your Country Ball MRE competition
Celebrate Their Academic Achievement Show up to induction ceremonies Identify their achievement with regalia Installed SALUTE Honor Society at University of New Haven Hosted our own induction ceremony for students achieving high academic merit
Network, Join or Build A Community of Resources MCC Veterans established a partnership with a local VFW Post Joined the Greater Boston Veteran Collaborative Cultivate relationships with community resources such as Brockton Vet Center, VA OEF/OIF Dept, and Home Base Program Mass General Hospital Host Vet-Togethers (IAVA) ADVISING CERTIFYING MENTORING TEACHING ADVOCATES CAMPUS RESOURCES VET CENTER ARC COMMUNITY VFW OEF/OIF VA FINANCIAL GI BILL CERTIFYING MEDICAL VA HOMEBASE VET CENTER OEF/OIF NGO FAMILY SPOUSE SIGNIFICANT OTHERS CAREER SUPPORT CAMPUS CENTERS SOCIAL SUPPORT PEERS VET CENTER
Supportive Administration Are Your Strongest Advocates With administrative support great strides can be made Hiring of Veteran Staff & Faculty Support with initiatives i.e. Creating a Veterans Center, hiring a dedicated Veteran advisor, certifying official
Kyle White Post 9/11 GI Bill Alumni and Medal of Honor Recipient College was a breeze. There was always a solution. If you have a problem, you can look in a book and find the answer. Other things in life aren t that easy especially in war.
Give Them the Tools & They Will Conquer
Brian J Smith Bsmith74@massasoit.mass.edu www.facebook.com/veteransservices 508-588-9100 ext. 1063
Sources N. Osborne, T. Arndt, K. Colmean, Life During College. The Veteran s Guide to Success. Conference Edition. College Transitioning Publishing, Feb 2015. H. Schultz, & R. Chandrasekaran, For Love of Country: What Our Veterans Can Teach Us About Citizenship, Heroism and Sacrifice Alfred A. Knopf, New York 2004. C. Zoli, R. Maury, & D. Fay, Missing Perspectives: Servicemembers Transition from Service to Civilian Life Data Driven Research to Enact the Promise of the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Institute for Veterans & Military Families, Syracuse University, November 2015) http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/ptsd-overview/basics/howcommon-is-ptsd.asp http://vets.syr.edu/research/highered/