Sometimes it is hard for people to see the little things that go on in other countries and even in our own. Soldiers in every branch of the military see more than the average person can ever imagine from a psychological and/or physical viewpoint.
David Kloeckener
– Staff Photographer –
Sometimes it is hard for people to see the little things that go on in other countries and even in our own. Soldiers in every branch of the military see more than the average person can ever imagine from a psychological and/or physical viewpoint.
This is one of the main reasons why the Veteran’s Club became an official club at STLCC-Meramec earlier in the 2010 fall semester.
Earlier in the year, Justin Platt, STLCC-Meramec student and active member of the Army Reserves, is the main force behind the Veteran’s Club. The Veteran’s Club was created to help veterans that are returning to school, learn about different accommodations that are offered to veterans if necessary, and to help others realize the hardships veterans face returning to every day society.
“There is an inherent need for veterans to come see what the meetings are all about and see if they can relate to any other veterans. Also, there is a need for people to be aware of veterans returning to a school environment,” Platt said.
There are more than 800 veterans enrolled at Meramec. Returning to a school with a population of 11,000 students can be very psychologically draining and stressful for veterans, which can be freely talked about at club meetings.
“It is good to connect with people who have been in the same shoes and is one of the best things for a veteran to do,” said Terry Cooper, Ed.D., Ph.D., psychology professor.
The psychological aspect of going back to school can be hard on anybody. On a psychological level, veterans are put through traumatic situations that can be forever branded in their minds.
The trauma of war and battle can have an effect on studying, taking tests and participation in class. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a common mental illness soldiers can develop overseas or when returning home and adjusting.
Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) is also a factor when coming home. ASD is when a person experienced, witnessed or was confronted with an event that threatened a person’s physical well-being and the response involved intense fear, helplessness or horror. Acute Stress Disorder could possibly lead to PTSD if not treated properly or taken the right away to help with the disorder.
Many things are stressful for veterans when in or returning to school. “I have tried to be sensitive to needs of veterans in class,” Cooper said.
Many people misunderstand veterans because they haven’t shared their experience.
“There was a time when another veteran and I had to leave school to come out to our car and have a cigarette to cool off from being so overwhelmed,” Platt said.
With school being such an added stress, veterans can possibly get overwhelmed by all the stress of being put on time schedules for studying, homework, and/or meetings that might arise.
“I had a student who was in the military and he would sit over by the door in case he got stressed out over class or agitated with other students for something or other. He and I worked out a system where he would give me a signal in case he had to leave or step out of the room for a few minutes,” Cooper said.
The Veteran’s Club will help get veterans back into the school environment with as little stress as possible. Also, professors and other members of the club could point veterans in the direction of different places on campus that could serve useful to veterans.
Students can get special accommodations in places like the access office, and receive one-on-one help from the counseling department. Most students haven’t heard of the access office and might not realize how it could help if they have a disability.
The Veteran’s Club holds meetings from ‘12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursdays. When the Veterans Club starts preparing dates to do activities on campus, volunteers will be able to sign up for opportunities to get further involved.
