photo by clc and bsu student jason sather veterans in the classroom serving people not politics...
TRANSCRIPT
Photo by CLC and BSU Student Jason Sather
Veterans in the ClassroomServing People Not Politics
Steve Frantz – System Director of Student Life, Office of the ChancellorDon Pfeffer - Director, MDVA Higher Education Veterans ProgramsCPT Daniel Price – MN ARNG Military Liaison to the Office of the ChancellorJennifer Parta Arno - Counselor, Higher Education Veterans Programs
To Develop an Understanding of HOW To Assist
Military Members and Their Families“Return Home”
Jennifer Parta ArnoDon Pfeffer
Steve FrantzCPT Dan Price
Video - ”Remember Me”
Photo: MN National Guard
A Comprehensive Program of the State of Minnesota
BEFORE, DURING and AFTER Deployment
To ensure ALL Military Members
“Return Home”
What is REINTEGRATION?
1st Brigade Combat Team34th “Red Bull”
Infantry Division (1/34 BCT)Soldiers Home of Record
25 AND UNDER
26- 75
76 AND UP
Minnesota: 450,000 Veterans 47,000 Disabled 20,000 Minnesotans deployed; 9/01-10/07 9,700 Active Duty Military
7,000 National Guard Members (Army and Air)
2,300 Army Reserve Members
700 Air Force Reserve
200 Marine Corp Reserve
50 Naval Reserve
Each person impacts at least 60 other people
DOD Data
By the Numbers
Pre-Deployment
Getting Orders to Leave
Separating from Significant Others
Getting Your “Affairs in Order”
Deployment From “Citizen to Warrior”
Training to Survive
Using Training to Survive
Returning HomeFrom “Warrior to Citizen”
Rebuilding Relationships
Reentering the World of Work/Education
All “Stages of Grief” Apply Separation Process is Individual Shadow of Injury/Death… Change in Hopes
and Dreams
…Resolution
Photo: MN National Guard
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Six Months Of Training and Twelve Months of Combat - Individuals Move From:
SECURITY INSECURITY SAFETY DANGER ORDER CHAOS LAW
LAWLESSNESS COMFORT
DISCOMFORT TRUST MISTRUST COOPERATION SURVIVAL ‘US’ ‘ME’
InsecurityDanger
ChaosLawlessness
Mistrust Survival
How does it feel?
Re-occurring grief
Constant fear/concern Increased responsibilities Anger/Resentment Increased difficulties:
Lack of focusChange in priorities“Short Fuse”
What readjustment
issues might these individualsface?
Photo: Sgt. Lynette Hoke, MN National Guard Public Affairs
300 Hrs From Combat
INSECURITY SECURITY
DANGER SAFETY
CHAOS ORDER
LAWLESSNESS LAW
DISCOMFORT COMFORT
MISTRUST TRUST
SURVIVAL COOPERATION
‘ME’ ‘US’
“Warrior to Soldier to Citizen”
Photo: Sgt. Lynette Hoke, MN National Guard Public Affairs
Control Issues Household Management
ParentingBudgeting
Relationship IssuesLiving with a “Stranger”Inability to Work/Attend CollegeHow does everyone “Fit In”
“Self Worth” Issues
Emotional/Physical Health IssuesAnger issuesGuilt
Financial Issues
Redefining Myself
Overcome Alienation from Overcome Alienation from Family and SocietyFamily and Society
Move from Simplicity to Move from Simplicity to ComplexityComplexity
Replace War with Another Replace War with Another HighHigh
Move Beyond War and Move Beyond War and Find Meaning in LifeFind Meaning in Life
Come to Peace w/Self, Come to Peace w/Self, Spirituality and OthersSpirituality and Others
How does this affect How does this affect attending college?attending college?
Redefining Myself
Overcome Alienation from Overcome Alienation from Family and SocietyFamily and Society
Move from Simplicity to Move from Simplicity to ComplexityComplexity
Replace War with Another Replace War with Another HighHigh
Move Beyond War and Move Beyond War and Find Meaning in LifeFind Meaning in Life
Come to Peace w/Self, Come to Peace w/Self, Spirituality and OthersSpirituality and Others
How does this affect How does this affect attending college?attending college?
Move from:“I don’t want to go back home to the same life I had before I deployed. Who am I and what do I want to do with my life?”
To:“I’ll be OK. I’ve found a new career path. Working on my college degree has given me a new dream with new hope.”
1. Hopes and Dreams
Move from:“I feel like I don’t fit. No one can really understand unless they were there.”
To:“I’m OK. I’ve found some friends. I can use what I’ve learned as a leader.”
2. Overcome Alienation from Family and Society
Move from:“College is chaos. I can’t do this. Life here is too complicated. Too many choices.”
To:“With some help, I can find my way through this. ”
3. Move from Simplicity to Complexity
Move from:“This is boring. I need adventure. Let’s go do something exciting.”
To:“I’m excited about my classes, and it’s a lot less dangerous.”
4. Replace war with Another High
Move from:“After what I’ve been through, this is meaningless drivel.”
To:“I’ve always wanted to be in college and now I’m here.
5. Move beyond war and Find meaning in life
Move from:“I don’t know what any of this means. Why me? How can I live with what I saw/did/didn’t do?”
To:“I need to move on. I’ve found some forgiveness. I’ll never forget - but I can move on.”
6. Find peace with self, my spirituality and others
“Landing on your campus,
but not staying…”
What have we learned?
Why Veterans struggle in College?
Do not feel welcome
Overwhelmed – need to get away
Too many time conflicts
“Civilians don’t understand me”
Lack of transfer credit
Why Veterans struggle in College?
Want to be with others who speak “my language”
Lack of personal support
Too much “Confusion”
“Unfriendly” policies and procedures
Lack of Funds/Benefits slow to arrive
When and Why family members struggle in College –
DURING ALL PHASES
Lack of personal support
Too much “things” to keep going
“Unfriendly” policies and procedures
Lack of Funds/Benefits slow to arrive
Overwhelmed – too much responsibility
When and Why family members struggle in College –
DURING ALL PHASES
Not enough time
“Others don’t understand”
No time to focus on studies
“Surviving” has a higher priority
4 Basic NeedsThe need for Safety and Security The need for a certain amount of Power Over
Our Environment The Sense of Identity Fundamental Need to Belong
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Veterans unique mental health and academic needs.In a classroom setting the following are
some items faculty may observe:
Veterans may sit next to doorLoud noises can be disturbing to themUnusual items may cause anxiety
-backpacks, crumpled bags, etc.
Hyper vigilance
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Unique Mental Health NeedsVeterans may return with
depressionanxiety readjustment & relationship issueshigh risk behaviors - chemical &
substance abuse, etc. an increased risk of suicidal tendenciesstress reactions
Just as you would with any other student, if you are concerned about an individual it is important to refer them to campus resources.
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Isolating behaviorsExcessive irritabilityInability to relate to peers & develop friendshipsExcessive absencesWithdrawn behaviorsDepressive behaviors & commentsHyper vigilance & anxietyResentmentLack of focusSelf-esteem & self-worth issues
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Talk to the veteran. They may or may not be readyto talk about their experiences yet, but they all have astory to tell.
Being friendly and talking goes a long way toward gaining trust. Trust is something that veterans have a hard time giving to people when they return.
DO NOT be afraid of the veteran. Getting to know them and being able to identify issues in the early stages willnot only help the but may make the veteran feelwanted and welcome.
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Each veteran is an individual. They may have seen heavy combat or sat in an office.
DO NOT assume that you know a military person’s politics or beliefs.
There are many reasons that people are in the military and almost NONE of them are political.
Politics have no bearing in the military. You do what you are told regardless of political affiliation.
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o Veterans are accustomed to being successful,they may also be too proud to ask for help
o Let them know you can see they are struggling
o Offer assistance but realize the issues may be unrelated to being a veteran
o Open communication and genuine concern for theirwell-being goes back to “trust”
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are many resources available.
Faculty should hold the veteran to the same standard as the rest of the students. Yes, they have been to a combat zone. Yes, some of them might have seen heavy combat. The military holds them all to a high standard. The staff and faculty should too.
oVeterans know pressureoVeterans know and expect a challenge oVeterans will excel and exceed standards
Suggestions from a Veteran:
What can faculty and campuses do to assist veterans to succeed?
Welcoming campus environment
“Space” to gather - with others with similar experiences
Accurate and timely information – “in appropriate amounts”
“Safe” campus environment
Someone to “interpret” - “when needed”
What can faculty do to assist veterans to succeed?
Find out if you have a Veterans Resource Center on campus and where it is – announce this resource in class
Know the Regional Coordinator for your college – great referral
Are there any veterans clubs or organizations on your campus?
Find out if there are any Veterans activities happening on campus – share information – attend
What campuses can to do to assist family members succeed?
“Safe” campus environment
Accurate and timely information
“Understanding” about deadlines
Assistance with setting new priorities/timelines
What campuses can to do to assist family members succeed?
A space/time to gather with others with the same experiences
Someone to “interpret” for them - “when needed”
Defer tuition & fees
Some “Time Off”
Family Activities
Family Nights
Equipment/Automotive Repair Days
Communicating to Iraq
Family Photos/Open House
MSCTC Fergus Falls Central Lakes College
Veterans Friendly Campuses:
Laws and Policies Higher Education Fairness Protections Higher Education Veterans
Assistance Minnesota GI Bill
Application fee waiver Residency policy Tuition deferral policy Credit for prior learning policy ACE Guidelines Deployment policy
Mission:Help colleges assist veterans, military members and their families to:
Start CollegeStay in CollegeGraduate from College
**Regional Coordinators**MyMilitaryEducation.org
MyMilitaryEducation.org
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DO Provide support and structure Recognize service and sacrifice Expect good performance, but remember it
takes time to readjust
DO NOT Assume the worst Label with PTSD (6 to 9 % of Combat Vets
may get PTSD) Isolate or make them stand out from their
peers Make them a spokesperson for “war”
or the military
Steve Frantz: [email protected]
Don Pfeffer: [email protected]
CPT Dan Price: [email protected]
Jennifer Parta Arno: [email protected]