Higher Education & Adult Learning
You can support the education goals of those who serve by helping a warrior thrive in a civilian learning environment, improving peer sensitivity to veteran classmates, and effectively accommodating service-connected disabilities.
Have You Ever Served In The Military?
One question can make a big difference...
Why Ask The Question
Colleges, universities and other adult learning institutions encounter veterans, service members, and military family members, but they don't always know it. Veterans do not always identify themselves. They can be proud and stoic, and tend to be more comfortable helping others than asking for help themselves. At the same time, they may struggle to acclimate to a civilian learning environment, socially and academically. The best way to ensure military-veteran students have all the support they need and respect they deserve is to ASK!
Ask The Question
When a student applies to or enrolls at your institution, ask, "Have you or a family member ever served in the military?"
When the answer is "yes," you may consider thanking them for their service. You may also then help them make the most out of their learning experience. Asking further questions will also help you to:
- Build rapport and demonstrate interest and cultural competency
- Link to military and veteran resources and referrals, including both VA and non-VA programs
- Assist in matching service experience to academic offerings and identify opportunities for awarding credits based on experience
- Resolve barriers to course completion and/or interruptions to the individual's academic plan
- Address specific barriers to reintegration into the academic world and the transition from military life to college life
- Explore any needs for academic, cognitive, social, emotional, physical accommodations
- Identify ways in which your program and services can assist the veteran
- Address possible impediments to seeking support and services
Questions to Ask Your Veteran
Following are some questions that could be asked in the context of gathering information for more effective referrals and services. Pay attention to non-verbal cues, and show respect, curiosity, and empathy. Also be aware that responsiveness and effective follow–up are critical to building trust and rapport.
When did you/your family member serve? What service era? Which Branch?
- Build rapport with the parent and child and demonstrate interest and cultural competency
- Identify family supports and resources as well as needs for support not yet met
In what ways may your need for services here be connected to your/your family member's military service?
- Identify any deployment-related stressors on the child and family as well as any related behavioral, emotional, social, and academic implications for the child
- Explore deployment and reintegration challenges
Is your child facing or has recently faced a family member's deployment or military duty away from home? If yes, when?
- Identify any deployment-related stressors on the child and family as well as any related behavioral, emotional, social, and academic implications for the child
- Explore deployment and reintegration challenges
Are you/your family member enrolled/connected to the VA or other veteran resource or organizations for support or services?
- Link to any needed military and veteran resources and benefits, including both VA and non-VA programs
- Identify family supports and resources as well as needs for support not yet met
What types of support are needed but not yet met?
- Link to any needed military and veteran resources and benefits, including both VA and non-VA programs
- Identify family supports and resources as well as needs for support not yet met
What reservations did you/your child have about coming in to seek support and assistance? Is there anything that might be a barrier to further seeking assistance?
- Address perceived barriers to the child or parent(s) in seeking support