By Keith Bordner
Nov. 5, Volume 47 Issue 2
Many resources are available to veterans upon exiting the active duty status.
One of the biggest challenges is knowing what is available for them in order to assist them throughout their transition to civilian life.
Nov. 11, marks Veterans Day, where we take the time to remember all who have served. After they have left service, veterans face many problems when re-entering civilian life, but what exactly are those challenges, and how can they overcome them?
“The adjustment to civilian life can be difficult on veterans in of itself,” said Britni Weaver, Armed Forces Veterans Association Faculty Advisor, “Here on campus we can assist with finding books, places to study, registering for classes, financial aid, and even someone to talk to about the multiple problems that veterans face each day.”
There are approximately 1,200 veterans registered to CCS as of the last year. Each of them will need assistance. This is what the Armed Forces Veterans Association is here for, a club on campus that is open to anyone who wants to reach out to veterans and active duty families alike.
“We want to increase theawareness and understanding of the problems that veterans experience in everyday life,” said Brinti Weaver, “It’s not a long way to achieve our goal, but more mindfulness is needed to get there.”
In some instances, veterans sometimes get “labeled” as being a “crazy Post Traumatic Stress Disorder case”. This is where more options come into play for veterans.
There are a few different people on campus that are available to talk to veteran students. Counselor Cindy Havko, and Greg Roth, a Philosophy Instructor who is a registered Veteran Friendly Contact.
“Being in class with younger students is difficult,” said Erica Matney, a Ground Radar Maintenance Technician Veteran, “Vets can see signs of disrespect towards instructors, and disruptiveness in class.”
The reason for this is a basic case of culture shock, is because veterans tend to still carry the same mentality into the civilian world. Veterans are simply used to providing their undivided attention to instructors at all cost, and have a different perspective than other students.
Veterans tend to flock together in cases like this, and exchange thoughts and ideas on what to do about this, as well as benefit issues.
“Sometimes veterans come in here frustrated with the differences in the enforcement of rules,” said Brandt Wurzer, Vet Core Navigator, “A lot of times they will just try to avoid those situations all together.”
There is also a media room located in the Veterans Core Center that veterans can use as a quiet room, located downstairs from the library. It is available from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.