Understanding the Military & Veteran Community Culture

Transcription

1 Understanding the Military & Veteran Community Culture Higher Education Veterans Program, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, Veterans Re-Entry Education Program Prepared by Bruce Holzschuh Veterans & Military Student Services Coordinator Metropolitan State University

2 Program Objective: Establish that the Military and Veteran population is a unique and separate cultural identity, and that cultural identity is just as different as it is between any other cultural subset of people. Once this is established, we hope to portray the importance our classroom atmospheres are in the success or failures of this cultural subset of people.

3 Disclaimer: Military experience is unique to each individual; and varies by branch, by years served, and where you serve This is by no means intended to cover every aspect of military experiences; this is a generalization that will fit a larger percentage of the veteran and military population.

4 Culture Defined by Shiraev & Levy (2010): A set of Attitudes, Behaviors, and Symbols shared by a large group of people and usually communicated from one generation to the next. Attitudes include beliefs (political, ideological, religious, moral, etc.), values, general knowledge (empirical & theoretical), opinions, superstitions, and stereotypes. Behaviors include a wide variety of norms, roles, customs, traditions, habits, practices, and fashions. Symbols may have the form of a material object, a color, a sound, a slogan, a building, or anything else. People attach specific meanings to symbols and pass them from generation to generation. (pg. 3 & 4)

5 Where a New Identity Starts: Boot Camp Forced Assimilation (Uniform, head shaved, marching, drilling, physical requirements, running in formation, etc.) Typical age 18 or 19 Live & breathe as a team (intensified peer pressure) Individualism is not condoned Sacrifice for the greater good Following orders

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7 Attitudes: Military vs. Civilian Cohesion Willingness to perform a mission & to fight Attention to Detail Disciplined Honor Duty Team Focused Esprit de corps Loyalty

8 Behaviors: Military vs. Civilian Instinctual attention to detail Reliance on the unit or team Professional function Management of violence (Snider, 1999) Heroic Traditions Norm: Advancing technologically Strategic approaches

9 Symbols: Military vs. Civilian The Salute The Uniform The American Flag Military Service Flags Posture Formation Uniform Insignia Paying Tribute & Honoring those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice Ceremonies

10 Language: Military vs. Civilian Acronyms Cadence Rank & Grade System Unspoken Language Non-Verbal Communication Terminology

11 Challenges Faced by Military & Veteran Students in the Classroom Learning: Practical vs. Theoretical Constant training Repetition until it is instinct Almost always hands-on training Learn to work under extreme pressure Learn by doing Must know how to do it blindfolded Understanding your training might lead to someone s life depending on you and your skills

12 Challenges Faced by Military & Veteran Students in the Classroom Hierarchy vs. Equality There is a chain of command to follow There is no perceived or state of equality Not a democracy Nothing is up for discussion Must obey any lawful order given by a superior without question Required to suppress your own personal feelings, beliefs, and values

13 Challenges Faced by Military & Veteran Students in the Classroom Focus on the Team/Group vs. Individual Mission focused Part of a team Group focus Rely on others in life and death situations Bonds with other team & squad members Members stay connected with their unit/family years after their service ends

14 Challenges Faced by Military & Veteran Students in the Classroom Military Life vs. Civilian Life Less Complicated Intense basic training Technical School Military Job Rank Focused Very little personal decisions to make Schedule is planned for you Following orders

15 Challenges Faced by Military & Veteran Students in the Classroom The Adrenaline Rush vs. Mundane/Boring Living life on the edge Exciting & exhilarating Travel around the world Invincible Exposure to intense combat situations Being a part of an elite team Nightly news appearances

16 Veteran Perspectives of Civilian College Students: They don t understand me I can t trust them They complain about insignificant things They act like things are bigger than they really are What do they know about sacrifice? What do they know about discipline? What do they know about anything greater than themselves?

17 First Year Veteran Drop-Out Rate: Veterans transitioning to civilian life and into the classroom. Academically they are capable, they train their entire time in the military Training often involved some of the most high-tech sophisticated equipment in the world Training is as academically challenging as most coursework (hands-on/repetitive vs theoretical)

18 Action Items: What can we do to help? According to Elizabeth O Herrin, former Associate Director, American Counsel on Education (2011): Create a peer mentorship program for veterans Establish specific points of contact for veteran students to utilize Have resources readily available in your classrooms Investigate the possibility of creating veteranspecific learning communities on campus Bring understanding of the need for various learning methods and try to be flexible (There are also Campus Wide initiatives that you can start as well such as a veterans student organization or a dedicated center for veterans.)

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20 What are their challenges? Military vs. Civilian Life. We are raised as civilians, then we volunteer to serve for a time in the military. The average age of first enlistment is age 19. Then after a period of military service, 4, 6, 20+ years, we return to the civilian world as a military veteran. The military experience is so life changing, even without having combat experience, that you come back different than you were when you went in. The majority of veterans find that transition from military service back to civilian life to be very challenging. Becoming a university student is an additional challenge.

21 MnSCU Military-Friendly Policies The following veteran and service member-friendly policies reflect the spirit of the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Corporate Status awarded to Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and its Servicemembers Opportunity College campuses. Application fee waiver The application fee waiver memorandum directs member institutions to waive application fees for active duty military servicemembers deployed overseas. Many institutions will also waive application fees for veterans; check with your campus of interest for more information. Call to active duty policy Special provisions are available to military personnel called to active duty while attending college. Options include: (1) Full refund of tuition; (2) grade of incomplete with opportunity to complete coursework through independent study or by retaking the course at no charge; or (3) grade of C or better if warranted by coursework completed prior to departure.

22 Deferral policy for tuition, fees, and books Consistent with Minnesota State Statute , students who are eligible and have applied for but not yet received veterans benefits are exempt from being charged a late fee. The law says: A state college or university may not assess late fees or other late charges for veterans who are eligible to receive federal or state educational assistance and who have applied for that assistance but not yet received it, nor may they prevent these students from registering for a subsequent term because of outstanding tuition charges that arise from delayed federal or state payments. Credit for prior learning Minnesota State Colleges and Universities will consider prior learning attained in non-credit or experiential settings such as the military. Credit will be awarded for prior learning that is assessed as college-level learning as it applies to your chosen program and degree.

23 In-state tuition rates Active duty military in Minnesota, veterans, and their spouses and dependent children pay tuition at the Minnesota in-state resident rate. Transfer credit for military education Minnesota State Colleges and Universities considers academic credit earned at accredited public, private and military colleges and will award transfer credit when courses from the accredited provider apply to your chosen program and degree.

24 MN State Laws Minnesota state statutes for veterans and servicemembers inform the policymaking for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. The statutes of most interest to veterans and servicemembers are as follows: Minnesota Higher Education Veterans Assistance Program Minnesota State Statute directs the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs and Minnesota s public colleges and universities to collaborate on establishing the Higher Education Veterans Program. Minnesota State Higher Education Fairness Minnesota State Statute guides all Minnesota State Colleges and Universities in developing veteran and military-friendly policies on courses, tuition rates and delayed payments.

25 Minnesota State Protections for Veterans and Military Personnel Minnesota State Statute specifies the minimum protections that public colleges and universities must provide to active duty military and veterans with a service-connected disability or related medical treatment when course participation is disrupted. These individuals may: (1) Withdraw and have tuition refunded, request an incomplete and finish coursework through independent study or by re-enrolling at a future date at no charge, or receive a grade of C or better if warranted by coursework completed prior to departure. (2) Receive a refund for room, board and fees while absent and attending to active duty or serviceconnected disabilities. (3) Re-admit and re-enroll in good standing without penalty when proper documentation is provided

26 Veteran Friendly Campuses: Laws and Policies MnSCU Policies Military Service and Disabled Veterans Tuition and Fees 3.35 Credit for Prior Learning 3.21 Undergraduate Course Credit Transfer 2.2 State Residency Application Fee Waiver (veterans, current military, & dependents) MN State Statutes Protections Higher Education Fairness Higher Education Veterans Assistance Program Minnesota GI Bill Program

27 Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) was created in 1972 to provide educational opportunities to servicemembers who, because they frequently moved from place to place, had trouble completing college degrees. SOC functions in cooperation with 15 higher education associations, the Department of Defense, and Active and Reserve Components of the Military Services to expand and improve voluntary postsecondary education opportunities for servicemembers worldwide. SOC is funded by the Department of Defense (DoD) through a contract with the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU). The contract is managed for DoD by the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES). The Veteran Services Office invites you to visit the SOC website for more information at

28 Military Friendly Door Stickers The Military-Friendly Door Sticker Campaign is a voluntary network of faculty, administrators, and staff through MnSCU who agree to support servicemembers, veterans and their families. Support is represented by placing a Military- Friendly door sticker in your office or workspace that is a visible symbol of support and understanding for servicemembers, veterans and their families.

29 The campaign goal is to raise awareness and promote best practices for working with students who are veterans/service members. The campaign shares key information related to state laws protecting students who are veterans and identifies effective customer service and instructional strategies for working with student veterans.

30 According to Peter Schmidt, Dean at Edmonds Community College in Washington, who helped create Washington state s best practices to welcome veterans to campus:

31 The key variables for a veteran s success on a college campus include relationships, social support, and having alternatives on campus when problems arise. College employees, who are aware of the challenges experienced by veterans as they reintegrate into civilian life and the higher education arena, will play a major role in their personal homecoming and academic success. Employees who show empathy for a veteran s situation are customer friendly, helpful, and represent the best academic leaders in our state.

32 At the conclusion of today s training, you will receive a Military Friendly Door sticker For additional information contact Bruce Holzschuh, Veterans Coordinator, Metro State University, Founder s Hall 201 B.

33 What services do they need? Identify as early as possible. Ideally at preadmission. Ask the question, have you served in the military? Encourage potential students to connect with MDVA Regional Coordinator or campus veterans rep to discuss benefits Continue to educate the university Raise awareness of their issues and challenges Advocate on their behalf Be understanding when they are facing challenges

34 What concerns do you have? Do you have observations that you would like to share?

35 Questions?