Military and Veteran Students

 

The staff at Counseling Services is dedicated to serving military and veteran students who have worked so hard and sacrificed so much to serve our country. Through a partnership with the Military and Veterans Resource Center (MVRC), Counseling Services is working to help our military-affiliated students fulfill their goals while at UWF. Military-affiliated students include those from all five branches of the military on active duty, reserve, or veteran status. The services at Counseling Services are offered to help students break down barriers that may be interfering with their success.

Adjusting
Combat Experience
Resources

Adjusting

All service members, whether or not they have seen combat, face major transitions when they return from military duty. Transitioning to life as a civilian and a university student can produce a unique set of challenges and stresses for veteran and military students. Some of the challenges to adjusting to life as a student include:

• Developing an identity other than their military identity
• Feeling alienated from many of the students on campus
• Excessive boredom and/or difficulty contentrating
• Finding campus life and concerns trivial compared to those encountered in the military
• Navigating the structure and procedures of the college environment
• Developing a sense of safety on campus
• Time management and study skills
• High level of stress or anxiety

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Combat Experience

It is anticipated that over the next several years, UWF will see a continual increase in veteran students returning from combat services in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other regions. Some estimates show as many as 18% of returning service members will suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or major depression. The associated symptoms are common responses to very abnormal experiences. With the passage of time and a return to a civilian environment, these symptoms typically diminish. Please consider seeking counseling if the following symptoms are affecting your daily functioning.

• Recurring and intrusive memories, nightmares, or flashbacks of traumatic events
• Avoidance of certain things associated with war-zone experiences
• Diminished interest in participating in important or previously enjoyable activities
• Feeling emotionally detached or numb
• Thoughts of suicide or death
• Difficulty managing anger appropriately
• Hyper-vigilance or being startled easily
• Persistent guilt
• Excessive or problematic alcohol or drug use
• Significant disturbances in sleep or diet/appetite
• Academic difficulties
• Excessive interpersonal conflict
• Social isolation or conflict
• Feelings of helplessness or hopelessness

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Resources

Transitioning from the military to life as a civilian and a student can present a range of challenges. The following are various resources that can be utilized by military and veteran students to aide in a successful transition.

On Campus

Counseling Services - 474-2420 - Counseling Services offers free and confidential therapeutic services that include individual, couples, and group therapy, psychiatric services, biofeedback, and outreach services. Counseling Services also offers a group aimed specifically at supporting military-affiliated students.

Military and Veterans Resource Center (MVRC) - 474-2550 - The MVRC is a leading campus advocate that works to ensure the needs of UWF military and veteran students are met. This center provides assistance in coordinating academic advising, tutoring, counseling, disability accommodations, GI Bill education benefits, and referrals to state and federal resources and services.

Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC) - 474-2387 - The SDRC helps to ensure that students with disabilities are provided the same access to higher education programs that other students have. The SDRC works with students and faculty to help make UWF an accessible learning environment for students with documented disabilities that include learning disabilities, deaf/hard of hearing, blind/low vision, mobility limitations, ADHD, psychiatric disorders, and medical disabilities.

Career Services - 474-2254 - Career services is dedicated to helping students and alumni find majors and careers that fit with their values, interests, personality, and skills. Career Services offer experiential learning opportunities through workshops, volunteer/internship opportunities, job search preparation, and self-assessment.

Learning Center - 474-3176 - The Learning Center provides free face-to-face and online tutorial assistance and academic support services to students enrolled at UWF. They provide individual and group tutoring, paper editing, and standardized test preparation.

Off Campus

Pensacola Vet Center - 4504 Twin Oaks Dr. | Pensacola, FL 32506 | (850)-456-5886 - The Vet Center offers a wide range of services to help veterans make a successful transition from military to civilian life. Services are available at no cost to veterans or their families. These services include, but are not limited to, individual and group counseling, couples/family therapy, bereavement counseling, medical and benefits referrals, and employment services.

Internet

US Department of Veterans Affairs

Wounded Warrior Project

US Department of Defense Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office

National Center for PTSD

Books

The following books provide information regarding the transition process from military to civilian life. Topics discussed in these books include dealing with stress; navigating relationships with family, friends, and spouses; PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury; self-care; drug and alcohol use and abuse; nightmares and sleep issues; and the importance of support during the transition process.

Hearts Toward Home International
"Down Range: To Iraq and Back" by Bridget Cantrell & Chuck Dean
"Once a Warrior: Wired for Life" by Bridget Cantrell & Chuck Dean

Courage After Fire
"Courage After Fire" by Keith Armstrong, Suzanne Best, & Paula Domenici

Once a Warrior Always a Warrior
"Once a Warrior Always a Warrior" by Charles Hoge

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