The Veteran's Affairs Office
This week, we would like to bring awareness to the VA (Veteran's Affairs) Office located at Miramar college in building D-203 next to the cafeteria. The VA office is a valuable resource to all active duty, veteran students, or qualifying dependents. Most of the students on campus do not realize what the VA office does for our fighting members of the armed services. The VA office focuses on students who are currently on active duty or veterans looking to further their education. It offers valuable information such as educational benefits and information about on-campus resources available for students. Former and current persons around campus were asked "What services do you think the VA office offers to veteran students?"
1.) "I primarily process educational benefits to veterans and eligible dependents. We help them guide them through the process of what paper work is needed to register for classes and what to expect being a student at Miramar College"- Tina, VA Office Faculty
2.) "Process priority registration for
veteran students and their dependents. Waive non-resident tuition for veterans who have been separated from the services in the past year"-Maryam, Admission Staff.
3.) "Probably gives veterans educational benefits"-Patrick, Freshman, Business Major.
4.) "Free stuff for those who were a member of the armed services"-Craig, Freshman, English Major.
There are computers inside the VA office to assist any veteran with registering classes and tutoring opportunities. They also have two round tables where veterans can do homework or tell memorable stories about their services. If this is not enough, the VA staff can assist veterans or active duty students achieve their educational goals.
There are specific programs that the VA offers but Tina quotes,"As for right now, we don't have any specific programs but we are re-locating to the new building being built on campus in the fall of 2013 and the faculty will house a veterans center. If funds are available, we do offer study skill workshops and time management. Lastly, we always celebrate out armed services birthdays to show support for those who had sacrificed their lives to protect our freedom that is afforded to us today".
Veterans and students who are in active duty feel prideful and camaraderie to the faculty members. Pedro, an eleven-year Navy Veteran, quotes,"This office may be called the Veteran Affairs but we welcome all who want to stop by and see what we are about".
The Veteran's Affairs Office may be a small place in the corner of campus, but it is home to many veterans and current military personnel. It is a big resource to students who transition from a structured, military branch to an intimidating, unstructured, civilian. Check out the VA Office and show your appreciation and you will be greeted with nothing but smiles and special stories to share, you won't regret it!
I highly appreciate the VA office's support. My Dad is currently in the Marines (22 years now, and just re-enlisted for another 4 years). My Dad gave me his GI bill for school last semester, and it is so much help to me because I don't have to pay $46 a unit, don't have to pay for all the books that I need for each class, and I also get around $1,200 for rent and whatever I need to help me be on my own. I am very thankful for my Dad serving our country for 22 years now and he's on his way for many more years. Even though my Dad was the one to give me the GI bill, the VA office helps me out a lot whenever I have questions about my monthly money that comes in, helps me with setting up all the paperwork that I have to do each semester in order to get my classes and books. I am glad that I met the people in the VA office because they have helped me out tremendously ever since I started my first semester of college. They will always continue to help out active duty or veterans that need help getting into school :)
ReplyDeleteWalking around campus i've seen the sign Veterans Affair, so i thought its probably an office where they help veterans enroll into school after they have serve in the military. After reading this article its much more than just helping veterans to enroll into school. I am glad my classmates wrote about the Veterans Affair office. The office helps out many people who are veterans or who are still on duty to learn other careers besides what the military have to offer. Also after reading my classmates Jennifer Sample comments the office guides you on enrolling into class and provide you with many financial information in case you are lost. I am definitely going to visit the Veterans Affair office to hear some story from some of the Veterans their. I am glad professor Forbes had us do this activity because i am learning so much about the school and finding that we have great leaders in school. Thank you professor Forbes for this activity.
ReplyDeleteJennifer i didn't know your Dad serve in the military for 22 years wow thats amazing, he sacrifice a lot. Please tell him that one of your classmates said thank you for servicing our country and we really appreciate what he has done for us. May god bless him and his family : )
ReplyDeleteThank you William :) I highly appreciate it!!
DeleteI have to say, I haven't seen or heard of this on campus. This is a great thing that Miramar has done. I am very patriotic and have a lot of pride in our great country. So, I think it's crucial that we help out everyone involved in the military the best we can. A couple of my friends are in the military so I know all the sacrifices they make. With everything servicemen and women risk they should be rewarded. Also, Ive heard of many stories when once someone gets out of the military they are broke and cant go to school. It's nice to see that Miramar is giving veterans an opportunity to better their education and to start a career . Other community colleges need to take notes based on how miramar caters to the men and women that have fought for our freedom.
ReplyDeleteOh wow! I had no idea that the VA affairs office did all of this for our active duty and veterans. That is awesome that there is a program on campus that provides all these services for them. My roommate was a marine and she gets the GI bill that helps her with school and books and everything and I get SO jealous but she served our country and deserves the help that they give her. I even thought about going into the military for nursing, maybe I will stop by and see what information they can give me on it.
ReplyDeleteYea the va seem like a cool place to learn about our armed forces and its great that there helping out students who are in the armed forces they really do lot for us
DeleteI use to go to that cafeteria every day, but never paid attention to the office next to it until now you mentioned it. To appreciate all men and women who serve our country we have to have such program everywhere. Veteran affair can show small portion of our appreciation of how much we thank them for what they are doing with helping them and their family to continue their education I was in military back in my country for two years (All men have to go for two years). There is such program there too but you have to join military for 30 years to receive all the benefits. We thank you all you guys and god bless you and your family.
ReplyDeleteWow, that really cool before I read this article I had no idea where the VA office was located or what its' purpose was. Im glad that Miramar College has the ability to offer our Military this aid to further their schooling and help set them up with educational goals. I know that the area is heavily influence by the Military and I'm glad they have a place to go get questions answered. I really want to see all Military people go in to the VA office and ask for help weather its for filling out papers or sharing stories. I really think it's well deserved that the VA office is going to relocate to a newer more convenient location in the fall of 2013. Its nice to see Miramar giving back to the service. Go JETS!
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ReplyDeleteI think it is amazing that a lot of faculty have big hearts and are willing to provide those in the armed forces, dependents, and retirees, the resources they need in order to take another step into their future. Without the benefits dedicated to the Military, I am certain transitions and active duty would be a lot harder, even for their families. I am pleased to know that others care, even though some may not. Where would we be without those in arms? We certainly would not have gotten past World War I or any wars for that matter. I am grateful to know the VA office is there to help.
ReplyDeleteAs a veteran I am very glad that the veteran affairs office is here on campus. The first time I applied for school after I got out the Navy I did not have VA office at my school. The people who were there to handle the finances hand no idea what the G.I. Bill was about. They had no clue what paper work I needed to fill out. I was lost and had no one to help me. Now that I am here at Miramar I appreciate having someone that knows what they are doing that can assist me with any questions or issues that I might have.
ReplyDeleteWow! This article really helps me since I had no idea what we have here in our campus all I know is where the cafeteria is,classrooms and library that is all but after I read this article I now feel so informative not only about what we have on our campus but of course on what veteran has for them to be help and everything. Me as a niece of a retired Navy is really proud. Because these veterans almost spend their life at the boot camp and on duty location.Being far away with their loved ones for months or maybe a year,sacrificing their own life sometimes just to fight for our rights and country.And as I was thinking to join military, I think having this in our campus is really helpful. Probably gonna stop by to VI office and meet more inspiring people.
ReplyDeletegreat post It's great to bring attention to a place like the Veterans affairs office who provides great and well deserved help to active duty students and family. I was not aware that Miramar college offered this service to active military students but I think its great and very important to make active duty students a priority and assist them with any help they need to further their education and make their transition back into civilian life.
ReplyDeleteThis article was very informative. I honeslty had no idea that there was even a veterans affairs office. It sounds like a very helpful place for anyone who used to or still serves for our country. I am not a veteran but if i were its nice to know that there is a department that can be so useful and helpful. I think that veterans deserve everyones respect and deserve to have educational benefits. They put or have put their life on the line for our wonderful country. After reading this artice I now have a better idea of how helpful veterans affairs can truly be to veterans or their dependents.
ReplyDeleteAs a student here in miramar college. I have heard about the VA office but really didn't know much about it. After reading this article it has taught me what the VA office is about,and the services it provides our soldiers man and women who serve or have served our country.
ReplyDeleteServing our country is something only the brave can do, and how can we repay this brave men and women? That's what I always thought. I heard around campus about the VA but never really knew what it was about. But after reading this article is has taught me about the VA. My question was finally answered about this bieng a small way of paying them back for all they do for us
ReplyDeleteThis is a very important article to read. Having information on the armed services is highly recommended in today's world. I always wanted to join the armed services when I was young. I'm very glad to know that I have a great resource that will provide me with great information. Miramar has changed alot so this is the first time that I heard of this program. This is also great for upcoming students who wish to join the armed services. I think the whole purpose for having this on campus is to make sure college students have a chance to learn the right way.
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