Veterans Transition from "Combat to College"

As young veterans return from their tours in Iraq, many of them plan to pursue an education. Brian Hawthorne, who served twice as a medic in Iraq, found himself lost in a sea of students at George Washington University "who didn't know anyone in the military." As he began studying he became concerned because he wasn't understanding much. He looked for help on campus and was directed to Veterans Affair Medical Center. Doctors diagnosed Hawthore with a mild brain traumatic injury, which they said was probably caused from being close to bomb blasts overseas. This is just one of the many stories about veterans trying to transition back to a normal life after combat.

"Some student veterans say they have little in common with their younger, more sheltered classmates whose concerns typically revolve around their social lives and separating from their parents." Many typical college students would not be able to point out veterans unless they were told. The only difference about them is how they are dealing with their day to day lives. For example, Brian Hawthorne (mentioned earlier) was concerned with his grades and sought help. Other students are worried about their social lives at college and where tonights party is. Some veteran students also feel that they are "put on the spot when they are singled out in class by well-meaning faculty members who solicit their views on foreign policy." Although professors do not try to make those students feel uncomfortable, they do it without knowing. Veterans are afraid to admit that they are having difficulty and feel uncomfortable when put on the spot. Along with veterans dealing with their injuries and post-war stress, suicide has also become a factor in their lives after war.

"A study of 525 student veterans published last month and conducted with the help of the Student Veterans Association (SVA), a national advocacy group with chapters on 400 campuses, found that 46 percent had contemplated suicide." 46 percent is a high number, but it all makes sense. It seems as though many veterans keep their feelings and experiences in and they build up. A mind of a veteran is something that an everyday person can't understand. People, especially veterans college classmates, don't know how to cope with someone who has experienced such gruesome events at such a young age. Colleges are taking action in different ways. The University of Texas at Austin opened a veterans center on campus. At the center, a psychologist from the Department of Veterans Affairs will be available for student veterans. Other campuses have held sessions to train college counselors to deal with student veterans. Even though student veterans just want to be like any other student on a college campus, they should be payed attention to because they are at risk whether it be academically or personally.

Source & Quotes: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/veterans-find-that-their-transition-from-combat-to-college-can-be-difficult/2011/10/20/gIQAugW54N_story.html