Advising Veteran StudentsAdvising Veteran StudentsSteve Johnson Steve Johnson

Academic Advisor/Instructor/VeteranAcademic Advisor/Instructor/Veteran

Linda SkabelundLinda SkabelundMath/Statistics Academic AdvisorMath/Statistics Academic Advisor

Utah State University (USU)Utah State University (USU)Logan, UTLogan, UT

Steve.Johnson@usu.eduSteve.Johnson@usu.eduLinda.Skabelund@usu.eduLinda.Skabelund@usu.edu

2011 NACADA National Conference2011 NACADA National Conference

ObjectivesObjectives

Opportunities Advising Student VeteransOpportunities Advising Student Veterans

Advising related to veteran benefits Advising related to veteran benefits

Veteran advantages and challenges in Veteran advantages and challenges in higher educationhigher education

Education-related PTSD and TBI issuesEducation-related PTSD and TBI issues

Helpful tips in advising veteransHelpful tips in advising veterans

Why Work with VeteransWhy Work with Veterans

• Personal ReasonsPersonal Reasons• FamilyFamily• FriendsFriends• WorkWork

• Professional ObservationsProfessional Observations• ExperiencesExperiences• Advising vs. CounsellingAdvising vs. Counselling

• 20% 20% Are female veteransAre female veterans• 80% 80% Are male veteransAre male veterans• 50-60% 50-60% Are married veteransAre married veterans• 50% 50% Have childrenHave children• 45%45% Under 30 - people of colorUnder 30 - people of color• 95%95% Have high school diplomaHave high school diploma

Who Are We Talking About?Who Are We Talking About?

What is it like to be deployedWhat is it like to be deployed??

Challenges of DeploymentsChallenges of Deployments• Harsh living conditionsHarsh living conditions– 130 °F ~ 130 °F ~ – Unrelenting noiseUnrelenting noise– Lack of privacyLack of privacy

Challenges of DeploymentsChallenges of Deployments• Separation from familySeparation from family– Problems related to communicationProblems related to communication

• Long and multiple deploymentsLong and multiple deployments• Prolonged exposure to stress hormonesProlonged exposure to stress hormones• Sexual harassment/military sexual traumaSexual harassment/military sexual trauma

War-Zone StressWar-Zone Stress• Urban combat with no clear front lineUrban combat with no clear front line• Constant threat of being attackedConstant threat of being attacked• Ambiguous, unknown civilian threatsAmbiguous, unknown civilian threats• Challenge of fighting “fair” (ROE)Challenge of fighting “fair” (ROE)

Combat Experiences Combat Experiences (Mental Health Advisory Team)(Mental Health Advisory Team)

• Being attacked/ambushed Being attacked/ambushed 52%52%• Receiving small arms fire Receiving small arms fire 58%58%• IED/Booby trap exploded near you IED/Booby trap exploded near you 49%49%• Seeing dead bodies/human remains Seeing dead bodies/human remains 60%60%• Shooting/directing fire at the enemy Shooting/directing fire at the enemy 36%36%• Receiving artillery, rocket, mortar fire Receiving artillery, rocket, mortar fire 78%78%• Knowing one seriously injured/killed Knowing one seriously injured/killed 72%72%• Directly responsible for an enemy Directly responsible for an enemy

combatant death combatant death 13%13%

Potential Psychological Vet Potential Psychological Vet Challenges on CampusChallenges on Campus

• Substance abuse/dependenceSubstance abuse/dependence• Depression/suicideDepression/suicide• AnxietyAnxiety• Reintegration issuesReintegration issues• PTSD - combat stress*PTSD - combat stress*• Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)*Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)*

* * TBI and PTSD are not veteran-specific injuries. Conflicts overseas have pushed these invisible injuries into the spotlight

Veteran StatisticsVeteran Statistics

1.86+ Million deployed since 9/111.86+ Million deployed since 9/11- 288,952+ veterans on US campuses- 288,952+ veterans on US campuses

Where current veterans attend:Where current veterans attend:• 38%38% Community collegesCommunity colleges• 36%36% 4-year public institutions4-year public institutions• 19%19% For-profit inst. (online/distance)For-profit inst. (online/distance)• 6%6% Private institutionsPrivate institutions• 1%1% UndeterminedUndetermined

(Top institution: U of Phoenix – online)(Top institution: U of Phoenix – online)

GI Bill Monthly ComparisonsGI Bill Monthly ComparisonsMontgomery GI Bill Chapter 30 (3 Year Minimum Service)

1606 - Army/National Guard(Not Active Service)

Full Time $1,426 Full Time $337

3/4 Time $1,069 3/4 Time $252

1/2 Time $713 1/2 Time $167

Less than 1/2 *$713 Less than 1/2 $84 1/4 Time or Less *$357

Dependents Educ Assistance (DEA) Chapter 35

1607 - Active Duty Reserves(REAP)

Full Time $936 Full Time(2+ Yrs) $1,1413/4 Time $702 3/4 Time $856 1/2 Time $466 1/2 Time $570Less than 1/2 *$466 Less than 1/2 *$570 1/4 Time or Less *$234 1/4 Time or Less *$285

*Cannot exceed Tuition & Fees  

Buy Up - $150/mo sliding scale

Post 9/11 GI Bill Percentage Post 9/11 GI Bill Percentage Payout InformationPayout Information

Post 9/11 GI Bill Ch.33Post 9/11 GI Bill Ch.33Tuition & Fees are paid based on service time. An individual Tuition & Fees are paid based on service time. An individual also receives BAH based on school zip code.also receives BAH based on school zip code.

Active Duty Service Active Duty Service Percentage Breakdown Percentage Breakdown 36 Months36 Months 100%*100%*

30 Months30 Months 90%90%

24 Months24 Months 80%80%

18 Months18 Months 70%70%

12 Months12 Months 60%60%

6 Months6 Months 50%50%

90 Days90 Days 40%40% *Minimum of 30 days continuous service and discharged *Minimum of 30 days continuous service and discharged w/service related disability may also receive maximum benefit.w/service related disability may also receive maximum benefit.

ComparisonsComparisonsPublic University / In-State Tuition and FeesPublic University / In-State Tuition and Fees

ProgramProgram Post 9/11 GIBPost 9/11 GIB MGIBMGIBHighest in-state tuitionHighest in-state tuition *$5,800 *$5,800 N/AN/A

Tuition & Fees Charged by UniversityTuition & Fees Charged by University $4,000 $4,000 $4,000 $4,000

VA pays on Veteran’s BehalfVA pays on Veteran’s Behalf $4,000 $4,000 $0 $0

Housing allowance ($1000/month)Housing allowance ($1000/month) $4,000 $4,000 N/AN/A

MGIB monthly rate ($1321/month)MGIB monthly rate ($1321/month) N/AN/A $5,284 $5,284

Books and suppliesBooks and supplies $500 $500 N/AN/A

MGIB $600 buy-in - $150/4 monthsMGIB $600 buy-in - $150/4 months N/AN/A $600 $600

Benefit paid Directly to VeteranBenefit paid Directly to Veteran $4,500 $4,500 $5,884 $5,884

Tuition & Fees paid by VeteranTuition & Fees paid by Veteran $0 $0 $4,000 $4,000

Net Paid to VeteranNet Paid to Veteran $4,500 $4,500 $1,884 $1,884

* Amount depends on the state involved

UG Equivalent Credit HoursUG Equivalent Credit Hours

• 12 Credit Hrs 12 Credit Hrs = = full timefull time

• 9 Credit Hrs 9 Credit Hrs = = 3/4 time3/4 time

• 6 Credit Hrs 6 Credit Hrs = = 1/2 time1/2 time

Helping VeteransHelping Veterans• Growing drop-out rate. Veterans graduate Growing drop-out rate. Veterans graduate

at 1/10 rate of other students at 1/10 rate of other students

• Advising depends on benefit plan optionsAdvising depends on benefit plan options

• Majority of new people join Armed Services Majority of new people join Armed Services to get an educationto get an education

• Less than 10% of eligible veterans use all Less than 10% of eligible veterans use all their educational assistance their educational assistance

• About 6% of the new GI Bill use all entitled About 6% of the new GI Bill use all entitled benefit hoursbenefit hours

• Student veteran concerns - save time and Student veteran concerns - save time and moneymoney

Cognitive Processing Therapy Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)(CPT)

Brief Video ClipBrief Video Clip

What is PTSD? **What is PTSD? **(Posttraumatic Stress Disorder)(Posttraumatic Stress Disorder)

• Normal Normal reactionsreactions to abnormally stressful to abnormally stressful events ---> events ---> usually goes away usually goes away (+50% of us go thru some type of trauma)(+50% of us go thru some type of trauma)

• ** Prolonged ** Prolonged reactionsreactions after a severe after a severe traumatic event ---> traumatic event ---> doesn’t go awaydoesn’t go away

PTSD FactsPTSD Facts(Based on the U.S. Population)(Based on the U.S. Population)

• 7-8% of us will have PTSD in our lives7-8% of us will have PTSD in our lives

• 5.2 million adults have PTSD per year 5.2 million adults have PTSD per year (more experience trauma)(more experience trauma)

• About 10% of women develop PTSDAbout 10% of women develop PTSD

• About 5% of men develop PTSDAbout 5% of men develop PTSD

Experts Estimate PTSD Experts Estimate PTSD Occurs in:Occurs in:

• 11-20% of Vets in Iraq/Afghanistan Wars11-20% of Vets in Iraq/Afghanistan Wars

• 10% of Gulf War (Desert Storm) Vets10% of Gulf War (Desert Storm) Vets

• 30% of Vietnam Veterans30% of Vietnam Veterans

Symptoms of PTSDSymptoms of PTSD

• Persistent re-experiencing of the event:Persistent re-experiencing of the event:– Intrusive recollections (flashbacks)Intrusive recollections (flashbacks)–NightmaresNightmares

• Avoidance of trauma-associated stimuliAvoidance of trauma-associated stimuli– Feeling of detachmentFeeling of detachment–Avoid things that remind themAvoid things that remind them

• Persistent symptoms of increased arousalPersistent symptoms of increased arousal–Hyper-vigilanceHyper-vigilance– Exaggerated startle responseExaggerated startle response–Difficulty concentrating, sleepingDifficulty concentrating, sleeping– IrritabilityIrritability

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (M-TBI) (M-TBI)

• Defined as a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the functioning of the brain

• Signature wound for current wars• Main cause for Veterans

- Blasts, explosions- Damage occurs without impact to the

head

Consequences of M-TBIConsequences of M-TBI

• PhysicalPhysical– Headache, dizziness, fatigue, noise/light Headache, dizziness, fatigue, noise/light

intolerance, insomnia, sleep disturbance, intolerance, insomnia, sleep disturbance, balance/visual problemsbalance/visual problems

• EmotionalEmotional– Depression, anxiety, irritability, Depression, anxiety, irritability,

moodabilitymoodability

TBI & PTSD Cognitive Difficulties

• Attention and concentration difficulties

• Information processing challenges• Learning and memory deficits

• Sluggish abstract reasoning

• Slowed execution functions - Problem solving, sequencing- Insight/awareness- Planning

Depression and Suicide Depression and Suicide

• More than twice as likely to commit More than twice as likely to commit suicide than non-vetssuicide than non-vets– 18.7 to 20.8 per 100,000 compared to 18.7 to 20.8 per 100,000 compared to

8.9 for non-vets. 8.9 for non-vets. • Risk factors:Risk factors:– DepressionDepression– Substance abuse issuesSubstance abuse issues– Prior psychiatric hospitalizationPrior psychiatric hospitalization

• Firearms may be more readily availableFirearms may be more readily available

Utah State UniversityUtah State University• About 450 veteran students About 450 veteran students • Veterans Resource and Affairs OfficeVeterans Resource and Affairs Office• Veteran/Non-traditional student orientationVeteran/Non-traditional student orientation• Professional training for staff on PTSD?Professional training for staff on PTSD?• Veterans Club and Mentorship programVeterans Club and Mentorship program• Veteran work-study students Veteran work-study students • Counselling and advising veteransCounselling and advising veterans• Veteran Advisory Board Veteran Advisory Board • Veteran Celebration Days Veteran Celebration Days

Veteran AdvantagesVeteran Advantages• Learned self-discipline and to follow Learned self-discipline and to follow

instructionsinstructions• Maturity, act older than most same-age Maturity, act older than most same-age

students. Average age is 25 - 34students. Average age is 25 - 34• Value education, they have worked and Value education, they have worked and

paid for it - not valued as financial aidpaid for it - not valued as financial aid

• Often have some other kind of financial Often have some other kind of financial supportsupport

• Eagerness to get a good education. Feel Eagerness to get a good education. Feel to have lost time alreadyto have lost time already

• Doing something positive for their lives Doing something positive for their lives

Job Market AdvantagesJob Market Advantages

• Military improves/reinforces excellent Military improves/reinforces excellent work qualities (dedicated & determined)work qualities (dedicated & determined)

• Experiences prepared them for civilian Experiences prepared them for civilian work force (accountability & responsibility)work force (accountability & responsibility)

• Military experiences applicable to jobs Military experiences applicable to jobs being sought being sought

• Experience(s) can credit/serve for salary Experience(s) can credit/serve for salary purposes (teaching subjects, supervising purposes (teaching subjects, supervising others, etc.)others, etc.)

At Large Accommodations At Large Accommodations • One-stop center – pros and consOne-stop center – pros and cons• Thorough veterans orientation programThorough veterans orientation program• Accessible vet resources on college websiteAccessible vet resources on college website• Vet services referral list for advisors/studentsVet services referral list for advisors/students• Opportunities to meet vets - Vet Club, Mtg Opportunities to meet vets - Vet Club, Mtg

Room, Support Groups, etc.Room, Support Groups, etc.• Programs offering academic credit for Programs offering academic credit for

military experiencemilitary experience• Flexible enrollment and exit proceduresFlexible enrollment and exit procedures• Campus-wide committee on veteran servicesCampus-wide committee on veteran services

Accommodation StrategiesAccommodation Strategies• Implement veterans services at a campus Implement veterans services at a campus

level using student veteran employeeslevel using student veteran employees

• Coordination with all campus groups: Coordination with all campus groups: health center, disabilities, counseling, etc.health center, disabilities, counseling, etc.

• Increase faculty and staff awareness of Increase faculty and staff awareness of veteran issues and resources availableveteran issues and resources available

• Use disability universal design principles to Use disability universal design principles to accommodate needs of veteransaccommodate needs of veterans

• Coordinate campus and community Coordinate campus and community resources with veterans in mind resources with veterans in mind

Advisor ConsiderationsAdvisor Considerations

• Explore your feelings about war and Explore your feelings about war and soldiers. Respect and treat them as any soldiers. Respect and treat them as any other studentother student

• Make veterans feel welcomed, provide Make veterans feel welcomed, provide warm, friendly, connected servicewarm, friendly, connected service

• Be informed about special needs referralsBe informed about special needs referrals

• Know about benefits and what they must Know about benefits and what they must do if orders come before a term endsdo if orders come before a term ends

• Be understanding and available in their Be understanding and available in their transition to school transition to school

What Can Advisors Do to Help?What Can Advisors Do to Help?

• Listen and validate Listen and validate

• Be real and genuineBe real and genuine

• Consult and learn from other Consult and learn from other professionals on campusprofessionals on campus

• Refer veterans to other campus Refer veterans to other campus resources: counseling center, disability resources: counseling center, disability resources, etc.resources, etc.

Advisor Crisis Intervention TipsAdvisor Crisis Intervention Tips

• Be brief, immediate and focusedBe brief, immediate and focused

• Often requires advisor inputOften requires advisor input

• Allow them to voice their story and Allow them to voice their story and focus on their strengthsfocus on their strengths

• Focus on the concrete, and provide Focus on the concrete, and provide ongoing support and follow-upongoing support and follow-up

Have a response for dealing effectively Have a response for dealing effectively with the Veteran studentwith the Veteran student

Advisor ConsiderationsAdvisor Considerations

• Don’t seat them with their back to the Don’t seat them with their back to the door or with a closed doordoor or with a closed door

• Don’t discuss vet issues besides benefits Don’t discuss vet issues besides benefits unless they mention itunless they mention it

• Ask if deployment is soon – explain what Ask if deployment is soon – explain what they have to do if deployedthey have to do if deployed

• If problems arise, calm student and avoid If problems arise, calm student and avoid confrontational situationconfrontational situation

Other ConsiderationsOther Considerations

Veterans may take a full load for financial Veterans may take a full load for financial reasons and to make up timereasons and to make up time •Discuss time management issuesDiscuss time management issues

•Discuss college/job/family/friends/selfDiscuss college/job/family/friends/self

•Good grades require time and hard workGood grades require time and hard work

•Bad grades hurt by losing time/moneyBad grades hurt by losing time/money

Courses To RecommendCourses To Recommend

• Depends on the benefit planDepends on the benefit plan• Smaller classes are preferableSmaller classes are preferable• Advising for online classes requires Advising for online classes requires

familiarity with benefit planfamiliarity with benefit plan• New GI-Bill limits percentage of online New GI-Bill limits percentage of online

classesclasses• Classes with practical applications are Classes with practical applications are

preferable initiallypreferable initially

• Recommend multiple delivery in Recommend multiple delivery in methods, assignments and materialsmethods, assignments and materials

• Provide syllabus, powerpoint and Provide syllabus, powerpoint and materials in advancematerials in advance

• Provide opportunities to submit assign-Provide opportunities to submit assign-ments for feedback prior to final gradements for feedback prior to final grade

• Communicate with students, instructors, Communicate with students, instructors, counselling of disability issues/resourcescounselling of disability issues/resources

• Permit flexibility in class attendancePermit flexibility in class attendance

• Use extra time assessmentsUse extra time assessments

Course AccommodationsCourse Accommodations

Some Best Practices• University of South Florida University of South Florida

http://www.veterans.usf.edu/http://www.veterans.usf.edu/• Texas A&M Website for VeteransTexas A&M Website for Veteranshttp://counseling.tamucc.edu/?http://counseling.tamucc.edu/?

n=Information.Veteransn=Information.Veterans• University of Colorado at BoulderUniversity of Colorado at Boulder

http://www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/VA/http://www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/VA/•University of MinnesotaUniversity of Minnesota http://onestop.umn.edu/veterans/benefits/http://onestop.umn.edu/veterans/benefits/index.htmlindex.html

Other Useful WebsitesOther Useful Websites• GI-Bill Information:GI-Bill Information:

http://gibill.va.gov/post-911/http://gibill.va.gov/post-911/

• Military Education and CareersMilitary Education and Careerswww.education.military.com/education-homewww.education.military.com/education-home

• Forming a Campus Student Veterans Group Forming a Campus Student Veterans Group www.studentveterans.orgwww.studentveterans.org

• Resource Directory – National, State, Local for Resource Directory – National, State, Local for Service Members and FamiliesService Members and Families

www.nationalresourcedirectory.govwww.nationalresourcedirectory.gov

Is loving one.

The only thing harder than being a Soldier..

Thank YouThank You

• Questions

• Discussion Items