SHARED LESSONS FROM SERVING MILITARY-CONNECTED STUDENTS - Journal Article - Volume 38 No. 2

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by kopisore

Military and military-veteran students face administrative and educational barriers when entering higher education after service. The paper outlines military-friendly support structures such as veteran advisors and liaisons, aligned policies, and targeted services. It explains how one veteran-specific education track was developed to strengthen faculty and staff readiness, using a Military Friendly–designated university as an example. Legislative funding expansions such as the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill and the Forever G.I. Bill expand access, creating a need for proactive institutional service design.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time30 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Military-friendly student services and proactive accommodation

Background: Policy and benefit expansion

Post-9/11 G.I. Bill

Forever G.I. Bill

Understanding military culture and student characteristics

Military personnel differences and reintegration

Education pathways and tuition assistance

SHARED LESSONS FROM SERVING MILITARY-CONNECTED STUDENTS Deborah L . Sikes Margret G . Duran Myrna L . Armstrong Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Military and military veteran students enter higher education with a host of challenges related to their military service. As universities and colleges strive to address the needs of military and military student veterans, administrative and educational challenges must be addressed proactively to accommodate the specific needs of student veterans. Student services for military and military veteran students includes providing a veteran advisor, a veteran liaison, military-friendly policies, services, and resources. The authors discuss military-friendly student services supported and implemented through the development of a veteran-specific education track. Please direct inquires about this manuscript to: Deborah L. Sikes, [deborah.sikes@ttuhsc.edu](deborah.sikes@ttuhsc.edu) College Student Affairs Journal, Volume 38(2), pp. 186-197 ISSN 2381-2338 Copyright 2020 Southern Association for College Student Affairs All rights of reproduction in any form reserved. 187 College Student Affairs Journal Vol. 38, No. 2, 2020 n the wake of recent conflicts around Itdentgslo( bMeC,S )m, ilitawhircyh-cionnclnuectedesdacsttiuve duty, reservists, national guard, and veterans, are boldly marching into our higher education classrooms and e-learning sites in increasing numbers. Assistance for their attendance has been provided with the help of six active veterans education programs available through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Benefits Administration (U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), 2018) . Two crucial legislative bills dramatically increased their post service higher education opportunities for entry. In 2009, the Post-9/11 Government Issue (G.I.) Bill became effective for veterans who served during the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars (2001-2014+) (Worley, 2015; VA, 2018) . Additional education funding was provided in 2017 when the Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act was passed, more commonly referred to as the Forever G.I. Bill (VA, 2018) . The Forever G.I. Bill further extended the length of time to use educational benefits for the MCS, their dependents, previously deployed Reservists/ National Guard, as well as incorporated more accessible eligible monthly housing allowances (VA, 2018b) . According to the Veterans Benefits Administration, in 2018, 893,725 beneficiaries received education benefits in excess of $11 billion in payments (VA, 2018) . To prepare for this non-traditional student influx, institutions of higher education need to examine their student service support policies. The authors share how faculty and staff at one Silver Military Friendly^ designated university (Military Friendly, 2019) located in the nation’s second highest veteran populated state (TX) (VA, 2019), proactively anticipated and reactively accommodated some of the educational and administrative challenges to successfully enroll and graduate these unique, skilled undergraduate students. For our discussion, both understanding of military culture and someone with firsthand knowledge of the military will be used interchangeably. Military Personnel No MCSs are alike, regardless of service branch (Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard), a Reservist (all branches) or National Guard (Army or Air) . They all complete “Basic,” a grueling 8-12 weeks of orientation to this distinctive military culture ([VeteranAid.org](VeteranAid.org), 2016). During this time military values are demonstrated, instilled, and expected. This culture requires individuals to follow commands without question and demands discipline in body, mind, and spirit (Dyar, 2015) . Teamwork, respect for authority, and determination to complete the mission are emphasized, all particular qualities that can enhance success in higher education. Upon reintegration to the civilian sector bo

FAQs

What challenges do military-connected students encounter when entering higher education?

They face administrative and educational challenges tied to their military service, requiring colleges to address these needs proactively to support enrollment and graduation.

Which types of military-friendly student services does the paper emphasize?

It highlights veteran advisors and veteran liaisons, military-friendly policies, and tailored services and resources, supported through a veteran-specific education track.

How did major education benefit legislation expand access after military service?

The Post-9/11 G.I. Bill and the Forever G.I. Bill extended eligibility and broadened use of educational benefits, including housing allowances for eligible groups and dependents.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by kopisore