Campus Veterans Clubs boosts camaraderie and careers: clubs of veterans are beginning to sprout up on campuses across the country. They fill a void by providing vital practical and emotional services. VFW magazine is the first to report on this growing movement

VFW Magazine, Sept, 2004 by Laura McDaniel

"Imagine--scholarship recipients, athletes and other special interest groups have a tailored orientation program to welcome them to a university, hut veterans--many who have fought for their own country--aren't given the same courtesy," said Jeff Memmer, a former Navy electrical submarine nuclear propulsion plant operator.

From 1996 to 2002, Memmer was stationed in Hawaii and deployed throughout the Pacific. He also served in the Persian Gulf in 1999 and 2001. Now he is a senior at Indiana University (IU) in Bloomington. "It's a very strange transition from active duty to college life for most of us, but we are working to change this."

After speaking with other veterans on campus who shared his same frustrations, Memmer founded the Military Veteran Student Society last April. Although it is new, the club already has made great strides in impacting the university and community at large.

It is developing a special orientation program for veterans to help them with the transition and to receive full veterans benefits. It also plans to lobby the state government to eventually increase funding. Serving as a source of information as well as a social haven, the organization acts as an ambitious advocate and loyal ally to student-veterans.

A Growing Trend

Memmer's club is part of a growing trend at universities nationwide. These organizations aim to address veterans needs as they adjust to student life. From North Carolina to California, more than 30 active clubs have been identified so far, and these numbers continue to grow.

Student veterans associations have fluctuated over the years, naturally surfacing after major conflicts and call-ups. Most organizations that exist today, like the law school's veterans society at the University of California in Los Angeles, were formed in the years following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. However, not all members are veterans of the current war. They come from diverse military, backgrounds and have served all over the world. Yet they all share a common bond when immersed in a sea of students. They feel a sense of duty to help each other succeed.

Fortunately, most report that their campuses have been supportive of their organizations. "I think the veterans at Cornell are well-respected and have built a reputation for themselves," said Tim Alden, president of the Johnson Veterans Club at Cornell University's School of Business. He served in the Army as an Apache helicopter pilot from 1996 to 2003 and did tours in Bosnia, Afghanistan and Korea. "People who have a stereotype about the military see otherwise."

Memmer agreed. "People are definitely supportive and extremely curious, especially as soon as someone realizes that I'm 27 and not 19 and that I worked on a submarine. They want to know everything!"

Multi-Purpose Membership

Generating further support and increased membership, students who have served in the military are attracted to these clubs. They are inspired to form new ones because definite benefits exist socially, financially and professionally.

The clubs serve four main purposes:

* They provide a support structure for veterans adjusting to the university;

* They promote community service;

* They raise awareness for veterans issues; and

* They establish professional networks of former military leaders to aid in a veteran's career goals.

"It's military people helping out other military people," Alden said.

Social Support. Whether it is through bowling leagues, Thursday-night happy hours or weekend cookouts, all of the clubs provide opportunities for members to socialize. Activities help them get to know each other on a more personal level. "Sometimes we'll just eat dinner, have some drinks and enjoy each other's company," Alden said.

Mark Midura, co-chairman of the veterans club at the University, of Chicago's Graduate School of Business, said his club excels at helping new members and their families get acclimated to the area. Midura was an Army air defense officer in Korea, and he is still in the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR).

Even during summer vacation, Memmer is busy planning events for IU veterans. "I will be hosting a barbecue at my place in the next few weeks," he said. "Everyone is invited."

Service and Volunteerism. Although student-veterans look to each other for support, they are not isolated from the rest of the campus or community. Members participate in service projects that express their values to the public and encourage others to join them.

The veterans association at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Sloan School of Management organizes an annual community day to commemorate Sept. 11, 2001. Last year, 10 nonprofit organizations in the Boston area met with about 200 student volunteers offering free consulting and problem-solving tips.

"It's great for us because we can use our training as business students to help solve problems and help the community," said Jeremy Kirsch, last year's club co-president who served as a Navy special operations officer in Europe and the Middle East between 1996 and 2000.