Going from the battlefield to the classroom triggers transitional difficulties for many student veterans.
To combat these issues, Bryan Wilson, a senior political science major from Pearsall, decided to jump start a new student organization.
"I served active duty in the hardest hit unit in Afghanistan," said the U.S. Marine who served in the Iraqi town of Fallujah in 2005. "Going from the military to student college life is a complete-180-degree transition. It shouldn't have to be that rough."
The Veteran's Association at Texas Tech conducted its first meeting Thursday evening in Student Union Building.
"Our main focus is to assist the transition from the rigors of a military lifestyle to becoming a successful student," Wilson said to about 30 attendees. "If you can say you were the same person you were when you went to boot camp when you come back from overseas, then hats off to you, but I know most of you aren't like that."
Gabriela Saldana, a readjustment counselor at Lubbock's Vet Center, said veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan have more resources than ever before, but they tend to have more responsibilities too.
"This generation of vets are married, raising a child and going to school," she said, "whereas Vietnam vets just fell out of society."
She said some veterans face role reversals.
"A lot of women are in the armed forces now," she said. "Some are mothers who have to leave their children."
Nick Ervin, a sophomore history major from Lubbock, said he has served two tours in Iraq.
The 28-year-old veteran said he did not have time to settle down after he was married, because shortly after he was shipped to Tikrit - the last major Iraqi city to fall to coalition forces during the initial phase of the Iraq War in 2003 - he served his second tour in Balad in 2006.
Ervin - who wore a shirt with the slogan "Happiness is Iraq in my rearview mirror" - said it was a challenge to return to a life with a wife, a job and a college education.
He said the first time was the most difficult, because his friends were "scattered into the wind" when he arrived home. The second time was easier, because he had done it before.
"It's hard to talk to people who don't know," he said, "but I've done OK."
Ervin, who now has a 3-month-old son, said he plans to join the student veteran association to find camaraderie and assist new returnees.
"A lot of times," Wilson said, "you experience losing a friend or comrade and you don't think people will understand or even give a damn."
Wilson said the organization has many goals for the future: to support active troops, to keep the student body aware of the war overseas, and to help veterans adjust to civilian life.
In the future, he said he hopes the organization can also provide monetary aid for wounded soldiers by hosting fundraisers.
Although the organization caters to student veterans, he said those affected by war - directly or indirectly - are also welcome.
"We're kind of patriotic," Wilson said. "If you love your country or support the military, we'd love to have you."
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