Student Veterans

Cal Maritime CAPS is grateful for your service and selfless sacrifice and is dedicated to your success as a Cal Maritime student. The transition from a military to academic or academy lifestyle can pose a number of unique challenges. We are committed to supporting Cal Maritime student veterans, National Guard, and Reserve members in their successful navigation of this transition and integration into the campus community.

The information provided on this site is not exhaustive; there are a wide variety of experiences veterans may have in transitioning. Additionally, it should not be assumed that all returning veterans experience serious mental health concerns. The purpose of this information is to help build a general understanding of some of the more common challenges veterans may face as they transition to academic life, provide information to aid this transition, and to promote awareness of resources available to veterans to support their general well-being and academic success at Cal Maritime.

CHALLENGES FACED BY STUDENT VETERANS

Developing an identity other than as a Marine, Soldier, Sailor, Airman, or Coastguardsman
Making meaning of both past and present activities
Boredom (missing the adrenaline rush of combat; finding meaning in activities that are not life-or-death)
Navigating cultural differences between military and higher education systems (knowing what resources to seek out from which departments; addressing others in authority)
Feeling safe on campus (e.g., finding a seat in a classroom that allows for monitoring of others in the room and rapid escape)
Balancing multiple roles (e.g., spouse, partner, parent, son/daughter, student)
Difficulty relating to traditional college students; feeling alienated on campus
Difficulty with the lack of structure in civilian life

SIGNS COUNSELING MAY BE HELPFUL

Frequently feeling on edge or tense, on guard or hyperaware of your surroundings
Being easily startled by loud noises and/or sudden movements
Intense distress after exposure to reminders of combat (e.g., trash on the side of the road; heat; smells; or sounds)
Recurring intrusive memories and/or dreams about combat experiences
Avoidance of reminders of combat (e.g., news reports; driving)
Feeling numb or having difficulty expressing a full range of emotions
Feeling disconnected, distant, or detached from friends, family, and/or peers
Frequent anger, irritability, and/or rage
Difficulty falling or staying asleep
Lack of interest or pleasure in activities you once enjoyed
Feeling sad or down for weeks or months at a time
Feelings of helplessness/hopelessness
Guilt or anger at oneself for being unable to prevent the death of others; for actions or inactions; for perceived errors that may have resulted in harm or death; or for surviving when others died
Suicidal thoughts, feelings, or behaviors
Abuse of alcohol and/or other drugs

SELF CARE AND TIPS TO FACILITATE TRANSITION

Allow yourself time and space to navigate this transition; gradually assume more responsibilities over time
Prepare for questions about your service by practicing responses in advance
Allow yourself time to grieve for and honor those who did not make it back
Maintain a basic self-care regiment (exercise, sleep, nutrition)
Try relaxation, deep breathing, meditation, or mindfulness techniques
Limit use of alcohol and other drugs
Reestablish relationships and renegotiate roles with family members; seek out family or friends for support
Talk to other veterans, visit the Veterans Center, and/or join a Student Veterans Association
Find ways to connect with your values, passions or hobbies
Connect with a mentor, spiritual or religious advisor, counselor, or mental health professional
Distract yourself—watch TV, a movie, read a non-academic book
Take advantage of online tools and cell phone apps that may provide coping resources
Find study partners
Develop good academic habits

Resources for Student Veterans

Community Resources

Martinez VA Outpatient Clinic: 150 Muir Rd., Martinez; (925) 372-2000

Solano County Veterans Services: 675 Texas St., Suite 4700, Fairfield; (707) 784-6590

Department of Defense - Self Helpline: 1-877-995-2547 (24/7)

Coaching into Care: Support "coaching" for family members concerned about their Veteran; 1-888-823-7458

Oakland Vet Center: 510-763-3904

Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 (press 1); Text 838255 for support 24/7

Headstrong - unlimited, no-cost, private psychotherapy for veterans.

Online Resources by topic

From the US Department of Veteran Affairs

UNITED STATES MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS

OTHER RESOURCES - ORGANIZATIONS AND PROGRAMS

Air Force Aid Society: "The Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) is the official charity of the United States Air Force incorporated in 1942 as a non-profit organization whose mission is to help relieve financial distress of Air Force members and their families and to assist them in financing their higher education goals."

American Red Cross: Among its services: "Using the latest in computer and telecommunications technology, the Red Cross allows military members stationed all over the world to send messages to loved ones back home during an emergency or other important events. These communications are delivered around-the-clock, seven days a week, 365 days a year." In addition: "Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services personnel serve in nearly 1,000 chapters in the United States, on 109 military installations around the world and alongside our troops in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Kosovo and Afghanistan."

Assisted Living Today: Assisted Living Today (ALT) is a free resource for families, providing everything from in-depth product reviews to expert advice.

Books for Soldiers: This service enables anyone who visits the site to fill a request from deployed military personnel for books, DVDs, CDs, video games, and relief supplies. The site emphasizes: "The DoD has discontinued the 'To Any Soldier' program, which was a program where you could address a package 'To Any Soldier' and it would be sent to a random soldier. All packages must be REQUESTED by the troop and this is why we built the site. Soldiers, airmen, Marines, sailors, and Coast Guardsmen give us their address and we send them a package. No more blind drops. Everything is requested by the troop per DoD guidelines." It also states: "Keep in mind, troops are deployed all over the world. We have more than a million troops and only 300,000 are in the Gulf. Books For Soldiers accepts requests for those stationed all over the world."

Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents - 2012 Edition: This online guide from the Department of Veteran Affairs informs veterans and their dependents of the variety of federal benefits available.

Fisher House: "Supporting America's military in their time of need, we provide "a home away from home" that enables family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful time -- during hospitalization for an illness, disease or injury."

G.I. Bill web site: This V.A. web site provides comprehensive information about the G.I. Bill. "You can now search for approved programs of education on our website. You can search for approved programs at colleges, non-college degree granting institutions, licensing & certification granting providers, and national testing providers."

Give An Hour: "dedicated to meeting the mental health needs of the troops and families affected by the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. We provide counseling to individuals, couples and families, and children and adolescents. We offer treatment for anxiety, depression, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injuries, sexual health and intimacy concerns, and loss and grieving.... The mental health professionals who join us are giving an hour of their time each week to provide free mental health services to military personnel and their families."

Legal Information & Resources for Military Personnel and their Families: The Judge Advocate General's Corps provides online legal information and resources in such areas as family matters, financial issues (including taxes), insurance, immigration, housing (including landlord-tenant issues), estates, the Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act, and consumer and contract issues.

Coming Home Project: "The Coming Home Project is a non-profit organization devoted to providing compassionate care, support and stress management tools for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families. We are a group of veterans, psychotherapists and interfaith leaders committed to helping transform the wounds of war. We help veterans and family members rebuild the connectivity of mind, heart, body and spirit that combat trauma can unravel; renew their relationships with loved ones; and create new support networks.... The Coming Home Project offers a range of free services: workshops and retreats; psychological counseling; training for care providers; and community forums. Our programs address the mental, emotional, spiritual and relationship challenges faced by veterans and families before, during and after deployment."

Military Spouse Career Center: A site that helps military spouses find jobs.

National Center for PTSD: The mission of this program, which is within the Department of Veteran Affairs, is "to advance the clinical care and social welfare of America's veterans through research, education, and training in the science, diagnosis, and treatment of PTSD and stress-related disorders."

National Coalition for Homeless Veterans: "The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV)...is the resource and technical assistance center for a national network of community-based service providers and local, state and federal agencies that provide emergency and supportive housing, food, health services, job training and placement assistance, legal aid and case management support for hundreds of thousands of homeless veterans each year."

National Military Family Association: Among this organization's primary purposes is "to educate military families concerning their rights, benefits and services available to them and to inform them regarding the issues that affect their lives."

National Personnel Records Center--Military Personnel Records: "This site is provided for those seeking information regarding military personnel, health and medical records stored at NPRC (MPR). If you are a veteran or next-of-kin of a deceased veteran, you may now use vetrecs.archives.gov to order a copy of your military records. For all others, your request is best made using a Standard Form 180. It includes complete instructions for preparing and submitting requests."

Operation Family Fund: This program provides "financial grants for immediate or long-term needs to the Families of soldiers who have been killed or severely disabled as part of the world wide war on terrorism."

Project Welcome Home Troops: This project "aims to address the intense distress some returning veterans experience.... A resilience-building program specifically designed to address the needs of returning combat veterans."

Returning Veterans Project: Their website notes that "Returning Veterans Project is a nonprofit organization comprised of politically unaffiliated and independent health care practitioners who offer free and confidential services to returning veterans and service members of the current Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns and their families. Services are available in Oregon and Southwest Washington."

Soldiers Project: "The Soldiers Project is a private, non-profit, independent group of volunteer licensed mental health professionals including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, registered nurses and marriage and family therapists. We provide free counseling and support to military service members who have served or who expect to serve in the Iraq and/or Afghanistan conflicts and to veterans of those conflicts. We see active duty as well as members of activated Reserve or Guard units. In addition, our services are available to the families and other loved ones of service members. We provide help to service members and families struggling with issues related to the overwhelming trauma of war including the cycle from pre-deployment to deployment to homecoming and re-entry to civilian life. Our services are readily accessible and entirely free of charge. We do not report to any government agency."

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors: "a national non-profit organization made up of, and providing services to, all those who have lost a loved one while serving in the Armed Forces. The heart of TAPS is our national military survivor peer support network. We also offer grief counseling referral, case worker assistance and crisis information, all available to help families and military personnel cope and recover. We provide these services 24 hours a day free of charge."

Veterans Law Library: "A Comprehensive Collection of Materials Relating to the Veterans Benefits Adjudication Process."

Warrior Canine Connection: This program "serves four vital military missions: (1) Provide Service Members and Veterans with PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) the opportunity to be part of a critical military-support mission helping fellow Wounded Warriors. (2) Offer a safe, effective, and inexpensive non-pharmaceutical therapeutic intervention for the treatment of PTSD. (3) Provide highly skilled service dogs that will provide years of mobility and social support to Veterans with disabilities. (4) Strengthen the bonds and relieve stress in military families."

Student Veterans