Veterans: Easing from Combat to Classroom

VETERANS: EASING FROM COMBAT TO CLASSROOM

PresentersMonica Del Castillo, M.A., L.P.C.Pam Davis, M.A., L.P.C.

Welcome Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkWwZ9ZtPEI

Introduction

Statistics

1.6 million Troops have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001.

With the expansion of the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill (effective August 2011) veterans are enrolling in college/universities in record numbers.

There are approximately 600 veterans currently enrolled at LCC.

Assets

More self sufficient Leadership skills Learning experiences offer unique

perspective Bring maturity to the classroom

Transition

Combat/battlefield

CamaraderieIntense

Rigid DisciplinePart of a team

Clearly defined role

Classroom

Less intense Self disciplineIndividualizedDoesn’t know

everyoneHomework

The Battlemind Skills

“Battlemind skills” – i.e. accountability, targeted aggression, emotional control. Help soldiers survive in combat . Often decorated w/ ribbons and medals for

perfecting those skills. Often cause problems for veterans upon their

return home. Accountability in combat perceived as over

controlling behavior at home. Targeted aggression can be interpreted as

inappropriate readiness for conflict . Tactical awareness as hyper-vigilance.

Challenges of Returning Veterans

Used to direct orders and specific instructions Campus can feel daunting Interact with civilians Responsible for daily activities (time

management) no chain of command no itinerary to follow

Additional responsibilities – married, family, continues military duties

Experiencing physical &/or mental after-effects

Challenges

Services and processes in the college environment can be difficult to navigate.

Change in daily structure -Survival in military depends upon discipline, obedience, and conformity, whereas education requires independent thinking; abstract reasoning.

Campuses do not offer a hierarchy or unit commander – the different system structure could be source of frustration.

Look for authority figures for guidance and support.

Challenges

Reintegration and homecoming may be frustrating, confusing and often lengthy experience – will need to understand the differences between military and college culture

Listen to their frustration and guide them towards the right resources.

Intense feelings of stress and fear leads to panic and need to escape – knowing they have someone they can talk to about these feelings can ease the intensity of the situation.

Campus veteran club or appointed liaison.

Physical & Emotional Implications

Campus and classroom environment

Homework/testing

Environmental sounds - reminders of battle

Sudden movements – fight or flight response

Headaches Panic attacks Sleepless nights Easily Frustrated Lack of concentration

PHYSICAL TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIESPOST TRAUMATIC STRESS SYNDROME

Types of Disabilities

Estimated 22% of all combat casualties – compared to 12% of Vietnam. Causes – blasts; motor vehicle accidents or combination of both; gunshot wounds.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Categories of TBI

1. Somatic – Headaches, tinnitus, insomnia, etc.

2. Cognitive – memory, attention and concentration difficulties

3. Emotional/behavioral – irritability, depression, anxiety, behavioral dyscontrol

11-20% of vets of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars experience PTSD symptoms

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD

A severe anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to any event that results in psychological trauma.

Follows an intense mental, emotional, and/or physical event that causes severe fear, helplessness or horror.

Symptoms – nightmares (trauma is re-experienced), flashbacks, obsessive thoughts, avoidance of situations that remind individual of trauma, general increased anxiety and heightened startle response.

A time for Reflection

Classroom Challenges

Unresolved emotions impacted by course content – personal writing assignments, videos and certain discussion topics.

Discussions or papers may lead to a point of revelation – faculty will need to be prepared to spend additional time talking with student and/or referring student to appropriate resources.

May find small group discussion and decision making process difficult – survival depends upon quick decisions.

They may be frustrated by other students’ lack of commitment.

Guidelines/Strategies

Announcement first day of class

Use caution when thanking a veteran

Allow self-selected seating Prefer back of classroom Back against the wall Allows for feeling of

environmental control and will help with attending and learning course content

Refrain from expressing opinions regarding military service or war in class

Flexibility is appreciated if appointments with VA, benefit exams, etc. interfere with class

Long wait for VA appointments

Appointments may bring up past emotions/trauma

Guidelines (continued)

Avoid asking veteran to share their experiences or disclose military opinions.

Do not ask – “did you kill anyone?” – be prepared to deflect question if a student asks. – “this is not something we bring up in class.”

Take responsibility to stop such questions instead of relying on the veteran to do so.

Guidelines/Strategies

Observing problems/behaviors in the classroom – Talk with students privately Attempt to understand what is causing distress or

impact on veteran’s life. Let them know you want to help them get the most

from the class and their educational experience. Do not take on role of counselor – refer to

counselor. If demonstrating behaviors of severe depression,

significant problems or they are expressing suicidal thoughts – seek consultation with Counseling Services or possibly public safety.

Meeting the Needs of Veterans

Doesn’t mean drastic changes

Being aware of issues and accommodating their needs can ease transition from

military life to civilian classroom

Result – positive educational experience for all students

Resources for Veteran Students: On-campus: Veteran Services (VS) – The Veterans

Services staff is available to assist veteran students w/ questions they may have about their educational benefits. VS will also certify a veteran’s enrollment to the Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) once he/she has enrolled in courses included in one of the approximately 600 degree and transfer programs offered at LCC.

The mission of VS is to provide the best possible services for veterans by making LCC a home away from home, and providing a safe learning environment that each alumnus will take w/ them in pursuit of a better future.

VS is responsible for providing services to veterans, active military personnel, spouses and dependents enrolled at the College. Some of these services include:

Providing academic advising to veterans and dependents for certification, certifying enrollment for the Montgomery GI Bill, and Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program (VR&E)

Advising veterans concerning the DVA requirements for maintaining satisfactory progress and assistance in keeping on track in their degree program.

Counseling students by discussing the curriculum and approving course selection for compliance w/ DVA regulations directly related to the requirements specified for a major program that leads towards an Associate Degree

Resources Office of Disability Support Services (ODSS) – ODSS facilitates classroom

accommodations (i.e. extra time on tests, use of a quiet room for testing, readers for tests, etc.) to students w/ documented disabilities. Please refer to the ODSS website for additional information: www.lcc.edu/odss

  Counseling – Licensed professional counselors provide personal, career and academic

success counseling to enrolled students. http://www.lcc.edu/counseling/

Community:

Battle Creek Veteran Affairs (VA) Medical Center -  Lansing VA Outpatient Clinic – The clinic provides primary medical care, mental health

services, and laboratory services to veterans.

Capital Area Center for Independent Living (CACIL) – CACIL provides independent living skills training, peer support, employment accommodation support, and pre-vocational services to returning veterans. These services are paid for by the VA and the recipient veteran must have a vocational rehabilitation evaluation plan w/ the VA.

Please remember: The key variables for a veteran’s success on a college campus include relationships, social support, and having alternatives on campus when problems arise.

Information for this workshop was gathered from:

Walter Reed Army Institute of Research

Peter Schmidt, Psy. D. – Project Manager, Veterans Training Support Center at Edmonds Community College in Washington

United States Department of Veteran Affairs

SSG Kyle Hausmann-Stokes (US Army Ret) – Served 5 years in the Army’s Airborne Infantry and as a Squad Leader/Convoy Commander during yearlong combat tour in Iraq. For his meritorious service and actions under fire, SSG Haussman-Stokes was awarded the Bronze Star.