At Rutgers, Bryan learned about Veterans for Education, a Rutgers–Camden group started by other veterans. As he connected with others who served in Iraq, he began to feel less alienated from campus life; he also began to advocate for veterans. “We couldn’t really understand why it was 2007 and a lot of support wasn’t in place,” recalls Bryan, a sophomore who has been working as an intern at the Manhattan-based offices of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. “We started to raise awareness.”
Responding to the students’ campaign, the university took action to address their concerns. President Richard L. McCormick appointed a university committee on veterans services; the Camden, Newark, and New Brunswick campuses now have coordinators for veterans services; a mentoring program was put into place; and a website was created to provide assistance and resources.
Below, Bryan talks about his efforts to advocate on behalf of veterans at Rutgers.
What were the challenges of returning from Iraq?
I was a U.S. Army sniper, and I had a pretty rough tour in Iraq. It was hard to relate to people at college. Also, there really wasn’t anything in place to help veterans adjust at college. I really felt there should be more, and didn’t understand why there wasn’t. I felt like I didn’t want to try anymore. But then I linked up with the veterans group—it was a bunch of guys like myself—and that really helped.
You’ve been active in advocating for veterans at Rutgers. What was the turning point?
In 2008, at President McCormick’s annual address, we read off a list of programs for veterans that Rutgers was lacking. There were hundreds of people there, including deans and faculty members, and a lot of people came up to us and said, “What can we do to help?” I think they really just didn’t know that these problems existed. They wanted to help, but they didn’t know these problems were going on.
What are some of the most important changes now taking place?
We wanted Rutgers to have a one-stop shop or resource center for veterans, with all of the resources coordinated, and that’s happening now. And at Rutgers–Camden, there’s the application for membership in the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges, which makes it easier for veterans to transfer credits between member institutions.
Are you pleased with the improvements at Rutgers?
Overall, yes. They’re working in the right direction, and it’s happening quickly. They’re enthusiastic. It seems like they get it.
Any thoughts for nonveterans?
We’re in a difficult transition. I don’t want people to view us as being different. We’ve just been through some experiences that not too many people have been through.
