GIJOBs

FEB 2017

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62 G.I. JOBS | FEBRUARY 2017 | GIJOBS.COM "I have so much passion for helping these young men and women returning home," Davis remarks. "I know how much of a struggle it was when I first separated from the military. You kind of feel like you have fallen behind four years from those you grew up with." Davis also implemented separate orientation sessions for his student veterans, during which time students can meet other veterans and learn all about the programs that are available to meet their needs. Davis arranges presentations from support services repre- sentatives both inside the university as well as those in the surrounding commu- nity – anyone who can help the students access their benefits and get support. Because veterans cannot access VA medical care un- less they've been enrolled to receive VA health benefits, Davis even brings in clinic representatives, who help the students complete their applications for enrollment on the spot. FROM FIRST CONTACT The OVA begins support- ing veterans before they even enroll at the college. At any time, veterans considering applying to Rutgers can reach out to Davis to receive assistance understanding and ac- cessing their educational benefits. Davis guides vet- erans through the school's application process and even helps them identify whether their military training can transfer into college course credits. If the student has a service- connected disability, Davis connects them to appro- priate services. He also encourages them to access all the ongoing programs and supports offered at the university, which offer a touchstone for many student veterans as they navigate their way through this new territory. "From the first time I spoke to Fred and his team, they had everything laid out for me," recalls Bobbie Poller, an Iraq and Afghanistan vet, now in his senior year at Rutgers- Camden School of Nursing. "They gave me a checklist that walked me through everything I needed to do. Then I went to the school and they showed me around campus and helped me transfer in to the nursing program. It was pretty nice, because the last two times I went to school [at community colleges] it was just 'show up and figure it out.'" Bobbie Poller, Iraq and Afghanistan vet, Rutgers-Camden School of Nursing "From the first time I spoke to Fred and his team, they had everything laid out for me. They gave me a checklist that walked me through everything I needed to do."

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