Understanding ‘Military’ in an Educational Setting UCA Basic Training

1. Understanding ‘Military’ in an Educational SettingUCABasic Training Charlotte Strickland University of Central Arkansas Diversity Series 2014-15

2. The Military in Higher EducationService Members • Active Duty • Reserves, National Guard • ROTC (Military Science) cadets • Veteran • Military family members

3. Military Definitions GWOT = Global War on Terrorism • Over 2.6 million personnel have fought in Iraq / Afghan • 57% are under age 30 OEF = Operation Enduring Freedom • Response to 9/11, began 7 OCT 2001 • Large theatre of operations / Afghanistan OIF = Operation Iraqi Freedom • Began 20 MAR 2003 • Multinational operation fought entirely in Iraq

4. The Military in Higher Education • Many join military with ultimate goal of college • Many in military more worldly/experienced/mature and realize value of furthering their education • College is a buffer between structured military life and civilian world • Two GI Bills make college affordable

5. Financing Education for Military • GI Bill (1944) - law that provided a range of benefits for returning World War II veterans who had been on active duty during war years for at least 90 days and had not been dishonorably discharged; combat not required. Benefits included cash payments of tuition/living expenses to attend college. It made college accessible for over 2 million veterans in the 10 years following the end of World War II. In 1985, a bill sponsored by Congressman "Sonny" Montgomery expanded the G.I. Bill. (MGIB). • Post 9/11 GI Bill – Congress approved 2008, began 2009. The bill provides education benefits (tuition/fees, housing allowance) for service members who have served on active duty for 90 or more days since Sept.10, 2001.Partially transferrable to dependents. • Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program • Yellow Ribbon Program

6. Veteran National Data * Approximate Veterans in U.S.: 22 million* Male/Female: 19.7 million males, 2.3 million females* Age Ranges: 18-85+ (3 million between 25-35)* Conflicts: WW2-current 2.2 million joined after 9/11 More than 2.6 million U.S. troops veterans of Iraq/Afghanistan*UtilizingGI Bill: 3.5 million

7. Service MembersDiversity • Age – traditional and non-traditional • Gender • Sexual Orientation • Race • Disabilities, PTSD, TBI • Military branch • Military role: frontline/medic/fuel handler/paperwork, etc. • Attention

8. Group Discussion • What images or thoughts come to mind when you hear the word military or veteran? • Is there a specific gender you think of? • Race? Ethnicity? • Political affiliation? Age? • Are there any emotions associated with these images/thoughts? • Where do these images and/or thoughts concerning the military or veterans come from?

10. Transitional Issues • Disoriented – transition from military to college • Loss of identity and work-related friendships • Feel alienated from rest of the country, isolated • Loss of close colleagues; haunted by memories • Difficulty relating to younger college students • Family issues & responsibilities • Cognitive difficulties and/or fears • Stereotypes • Boredom with everyday life • Academic & Administrative Staff understanding • Prejudice against military • Impatience with disrespect of authority; unruliness • Milyissu

11. What Service Members may experience in your class/office • Discomfort with unfamiliar people or surroundings • The need to sit away from windows or in the back of the class, and a reluctance to speak in class • Sensitivity to war references and/or discussions or assignments on war; discomfort when put on spot • A need for increased encouragement, guidance, understanding • Physical issues due to injury/chronic pain • Non-visible injuries including but not limited to hearing, head injury, PTSD, which may impact communications • Reluctance to ask for assistance • Urgency to receive VA calls, appear at VA appointments

12. How can We assist? • Referrals - UCA Veteran Office, UCA Veteran Resource Center, Counseling Center, Office Disability Resources • Mindful - Words/assumptions/environment • Identity - Military/Veteran status is only part of a student’s identity Service Members bring a wealth of life & work experience to the classroom/office and contribute to the diverse richness of the University! Sincere Honest Present-Minded

13. UCA Veteran Services UCA Veteran Services David Williams: Veteran Services CoordinatorBernard Hall, Suite 004-AUniversity of Central ArkansasConway, AR 72035501-852-2999veteranservices@uca.edu http://uca.edu/veteranservices UCA Student Veterans’ Resource Center Room 206D, Old Main Building Hours M-F, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Phone: 450-3353 UCAstudentvets@gmail.com Coming soon…..the Student Veteran Association UCA registered student organization

14. “ I don’t need to be recognized for being in the military. You don’t have to look at me and say, ‘he’s a veteran,’ and I don’t need special preference. But in the same breath, I am appreciative of teachers and staff who say, ’yeah this is a veteran and they are not a traditional student and they require special attention.’ Academically we’re different, financially we’re different, in so many ways, we’re different.” ---- Scott Ury