Photo by CLC and BSU Student Jason Sather Veterans in the Classroom Serving People Not Politics Steve Frantz – System Director of Student Life, Office of the Chancellor Don Pfeffer - Director, MDVA Higher Education Veterans Programs CPT Daniel Price – MN ARNG Military Liaison to the Office of the Chancellor Jennifer Parta Arno - Counselor, Higher Education Veterans Programs

To Develop an Understanding of HOW To Assist Military Members and Their Families “Return Home” Jennifer Parta Arno Don Pfeffer Steve Frantz CPT 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?

1 st Brigade Combat Team 34 th “Red Bull” Infantry Division (1/34 BCT) Soldiers Home of Record 25 AND UNDER 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 Home From “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

9 Six Months Of Training and Twelve Months of Combat - Individuals Move From: SECURITYINSECURITY SAFETY DANGER ORDERCHAOS LAWLAWLESSNESS COMFORTDISCOMFORT TRUSTMISTRUST COOPERATIONSURVIVAL ‘US’ ‘ME’

Insecurity Danger Chaos Lawlessness Mistrust Survival How does it feel?

Re-occurring grief Constant fear/concern Increased responsibilities Anger/Resentment Increased difficulties: Lack of focus Change in priorities “Short Fuse”

What readjustment issues might these individuals face? 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 Parenting Budgeting Relationship Issues Living with a “Stranger” Inability to Work/Attend College How does everyone “Fit In” “Self Worth” Issues Emotional/Physical Health Issues Anger issues Guilt Financial Issues

Redefining Myself Overcome Alienation from Family and Society Move from Simplicity to Complexity Replace War with Another High Move Beyond War and Find Meaning in Life Come to Peace w/Self, Spirituality and Others How does this affect attending college? Redefining Myself Overcome Alienation from Family and Society Move from Simplicity to Complexity Replace War with Another High Move Beyond War and Find Meaning in Life Come to Peace w/Self, Spirituality and Others How does this affect 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 Needs The need for Safety and Security The need for a certain amount of Power Over Our Environment The Sense of Identity Fundamental Need to Belong 29

30 Veterans unique mental health and academic needs. In a classroom setting the following are some items faculty may observe: Veterans may sit next to door Loud noises can be disturbing to them Unusual items may cause anxiety -backpacks, crumpled bags, etc. Hyper vigilance

31 Unique Mental Health Needs Veterans may return with depression anxiety readjustment & relationship issues high risk behaviors - chemical & substance abuse, etc. an increased risk of suicidal tendencies stress 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.

32 Isolating behaviors Excessive irritability Inability to relate to peers & develop friendships Excessive absences Withdrawn behaviors Depressive behaviors & comments Hyper vigilance & anxiety Resentment Lack of focus Self-esteem & self-worth issues

33 Talk to the veteran. They may or may not be ready to talk about their experiences yet, but they all have a story 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 will not only help the but may make the veteran feel wanted and welcome.

34 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.

35 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 their well-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. o Veterans know pressure o Veterans know and expect a challenge o Veterans 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 College Stay in College Graduate from College **Regional Coordinators **MyMilitaryEducation.org

MyMilitaryEducation.org

45 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:  Don Pfeffer:  CPT Dan Price:  Jennifer Parta Arno: