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

Bill Huling, senior director of corporate programs at the Johnson School and adviser to the veterans club, explained, "We have found that students with former military experience have the discipline, maturity and commitment that helps them succeed here.

"They possess strong leadership qualities, have had significant responsibility and adapt well to this intense, collaborative academic environment.

"For these reasons, they are successful in their career transition, and well-sought after by corporate America."

Through their innovative and intense recruiting campaign, Huling reported that the number of veteran-applications has nearly tripled. "Other universities would certainly stand to benefit in following our example," he said.

Connection to VFW

Both VFW Posts and campus veterans clubs could stand to benefit by joining forces in achieving common goals. Because VFW is looking to reach out to younger generations, it has a natural interest in the student groups. The clubs in turn could use VFW's assistance because some groups have folded due to lack of funding and support.

Some clubs have shown initial interest in a partnership with VFW, but such a connection does not yet exist. "At one point, we were thinking of trying to organize something with the local Ithaca Post, like a joint care package project for the soldiers in Iraq, but it just never came to fruition," Alden said.

The Military Veteran Student Society at IU boasts a link on their Web site to VFW's homepage, and Memmer said he became a member of Post 604 in Bloomington, Ind., after speaking with the local Post commander. He hopes to cooperate with VFW in future service projects and wants to invite Post members to speak at club meetings in order to educate other student-veterans about the organization.

"Honestly, most members have no idea what the VFW or other veteran organizations do or that they even exist," Memmer said. "There is definitely a generation gap within the local VFW Posts that seems to unintentionally project an aura of alienation toward the younger veterans."

However, a relationship between the organizations is not out of the question. When asked about the possibility, most club members were optimistic. "I think the clubs would love to have some help from VFW," said Kirsch of MIT's Sloan Veterans. "There could be a great partnership potential."

A Great Partnership Potential

VPW National Headquarters is testing out the academic waters in the Kansas City metropolitan area to gauge the interest level in college veterans clubs.

In August, about 20 representatives from community colleges and major universities attended a VFW-sponsored luncheon to discuss the possibility of teaming up with VFW Posts to establish such clubs.

Russ Little, a younger veteran intern at VFW while he finishes law school at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, conceived the idea after realizing he didn't have a lot in common with the average college student.

"I just feel like this is something VFW can do to reach out to younger veterans," said Little, a Persian Gulf War vet and life member of Post I in Denver. "Colleges are untapped resources for Posts located near the campuses."