Going in Harm’s Way:

Preview:

DESCRIPTION

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 ) . - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Citation preview

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

Characteristics of our Student Veterans

Nontraditional students Patterns of service

Combat Combat zone Noncombat zone

Characteristics of our Student VeteransTypes 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 IssuesSafety and predictability of the environmentTrust of othersMission orientation (school is the job,

graduation is the missionDecision making skills (trained to make life or

death decisions)Emotional control and response tactics:

trained to be peacekeepersNeed for camaraderie

8

Challenges for Veterans at ValenciaTime to obtain benefits results in

financial hardshipMay 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 ValenciaResidency requirementsVeterans often do not identify with the term “disabled.”Reluctant to seek helpUnidentified PTSD or TBI

No “home base” on campusNo identified faculty and staff mentors

Bridging the Military Civilian GapWhat images come to mind when

you think about the military?

Photo Courtesy of U.S. ArmyPhotographer: 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 ResourcesPew Research Center

Slideshow: War and Sacrifice in the Post-9/11 Erahttp://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2011/10/05/war-and-s

acrifice-in-the-post-911-era/paul-taylor-slideshow/http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/files/2011/10/veterans

-report.pdf

The Chairman III: Military, Civilian "Gap" http://youtu.be/j4PBmw0iAMQ

After Draftless Decade of War, Gap Seen Between Military, Civilians http://youtu.be/nfvb701Houk

Support and Program ResourcesUnpacking the Transition from Military

Service to Civilian Life (Webinar) http://youtu.be/K5oowanIkFU

VetCorps Programs in Washington http://youtu.be/ISND5aZ6B9k

Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP)http://benefits.va.gov/vow/education.htm

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

Recommended