GI Bill Users: You’re a Student First

This article seems to be missing the most fundamental aspect about why certain people will identify as a Veteran over a student first. The reason I bring this up is this is something that I experienced firsthand. I was told that I was a student first and a Veteran second. For me personally the title of Veteran will only be second to "Dad". While we are all students in life some of us have earned the title Veteran which should always take precedence over college student. The reason we are Veterans is due in large part to the sacrifices we have had to endure for the sake of a stranger. Lets look at it this way does a student go to school for themselves or for another? The one aspect of our service which does not coincide with our civilian counterpart (which appears to be lacking) is integrity. This is not to suggest that civilians are incapable of possessing this; however, throughout my undergraduate and graduate work I haven't run into anyone with this trait.

Yes I can agree that we occasionally run into that one individual who will place that military spin on as a primary aspect of who they are. I have witnessed both those professors/students and faculty who have a disdain for Veterans and those Veterans who have a disdain for others who have never served. As mentioned those within the vocal minority due tend to muddy the water for those of us who want to go through a program unimpeded.

One main problem that is not mentioned within this article is within academia are a great many liberal professors who are vehemently against anyone who has either served or are still serving. Now there are ways in which a Veteran can negotiate this conundrum. That is to be open to their point of view but respectful should their point of view differ. I currently have a very liberal professor who constantly tries to sway my way of thinking (won't ever happen). But we do have some great discussions and usually in the end we agree to disagree.

Those wishing to attend a higher institution of education need to do their homework such as how much credit they will receive for their time in the military, is the institution military friendly and how large or small is the Veteran community. Not to mention another question would be to ask is how involved is this institution in the community?

Getting involved within the school, community and organizations within the campus will expand that network which will allow for opportunities to present themselves. In essence making one more marketable.

I tell college students to perform an internships, thus they can talk about experiences.

Great article!

I like that he points out how the vocal minority of veterans end up overrepresenting the entire veteran/military community, when in reality most are calm and moderate. As far as Professors, I think the same overrepresentation by the vocal minority is what is causing so much resentment toward their community as well. We hear about Professors Gone Wild and they hear about Veteran Superiority Complex, all the while creating a climate where both sides hold unrealistic viewpoints of everyone in those communities, reducing our ability to simply learn from each other.

It seems Military and College attracts certain like-minded people; those who come for the long-term job opportunities, but instead of applying themselves, they hope for their degree/veteran status to do all of the talking. Same type of person, just different route of getting to the endpoint of a lackluster interview.