US calls on colleges to strengthen support for service members and veterans — The Hill

In the United States, colleges and universities should better adapt educational programs and services to the needs of service members, reservists, veterans and military spouses. Philip “Flip” West, a graduate of National University and UCLA who served as an officer in the US Air Force, wrote this in an opinion column for The Hill.

The author notes that the US Navy enlisted 45,000 sailors this summer, meeting its target three months early, while the US Army reached more than 61,500 recruits four months ahead of schedule. Congress also authorized an increase in the armed forces by approximately 26,100 service members in the current fiscal year.

Flexible schedules and recognition of experience

According to West, education benefits are among the main reasons for enlisting for more than half of service members. At the same time, only about three out of ten veterans hold a bachelor’s degree. In his view, the traditional academic calendar with 16-week semesters does not correspond to the realities of people who are serving, are in deployment cycles or work full time after completing their service.

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As an example of a flexible format, West cited his own experience of earning a master’s degree in organizational leadership while serving. Four-week online courses that began throughout the year allowed him to continue his studies regardless of his duty station.

Mental health and career support

The author also drew attention to military students’ need for mental health services and clinical care. According to the data he cited, nearly half of student veterans receive mental health care through the US Department of Veterans Affairs. At the same time, a federal program intended to involve clinicians from the department in work on campuses provides clinical care directly at only 54 institutions.

West described the limited recognition of military training and professional experience as academic credits as a separate problem. In his view, this forces veterans to spend time and money on courses whose content they have already mastered during service. Colleges should also provide career counseling that helps explain military experience to civilian employers and connect education with occupations that are in high demand.