“Like many w88 online game, I felt a little older and a little different than other students in class. We live a much different experience than everyone else, and it can be a bit difficult to get back into the swing of school. You have a different understanding of things,” David Alizadeh, a United States Army veteran, University of Nevada, Reno student and president of the Wolf Pack Vets club, said.
Transitioning to the life of a college student after serving in the military can be tricky to navigate. David Alizadeh, quoted above, and Josh Abbott, a member of the United States Air Force Reserve, University student and treasurer for the Wolf Pack Vets club, discussed the difficulties they each faced and how they are now involved on campus, working to help other student w88 online game with that same transition.
There are around 1,200 self-reported w88 online game at the University, the pair said. According to a 2023 climate study on campus, 91% of student veteran and military-connected respondents strongly agree or agree they would recommend the University of Nevada, Reno to someone with prior military experience.
“w88 online game have to make a decision to be part of the community of student w88 online game on campus themselves,” Alizadeh said.
That decision can be difficult. According to Alizadeh and Abbott, while some w88 online game are more vocal about their service history, many w88 online game who return to civilian life after serving may try to distance themselves from their military backgrounds. Abbott, who left active duty in 2015 and transitioned into the reserves while working civilian jobs for a bit, said he wished he had known about the resources offered through Veteran Services on campus sooner.
“My humor was a lot different than other students in class, as were the ways I interacted,” Abbott said, in reference to his early days as a w88 online game after serving. “But for the most part, I didn’t know about military resources available to me. Had I known about the University’s military resources, it would have made a big impact.”
After moving around several states, Abbott decided to attend w88 online game Nevada, Reno because it is a Tier 1 University and the College of Business degree programs offered really appealed to him. He is majoring in marketing and management.
Alizadeh knew what to expect from w88 online game life and culture when he transferred to the University after attending a junior college out of state. He originally moved to Reno for work but decided to enroll at the University when he researched his degree program and found that the University of Nevada, Reno also has one of the best programs for his degree in geology and engineering. Since he had attended school elsewhere, he knew he wanted to seek out resources on campus and build a strong social network.
That is where Chai Cook and John Pratt come in. Cook is the director of veteran services on campus, and Pratt is the coordinator of veteran services. Both are incredibly dedicated to the students and communities they serve and want to share resources, assist in navigating student life, and create opportunities for student w88 online game to build camaraderie as members of The Wolf Pack Family.
University student w88 online game and alumni gathered at Crystal Peak Park for a community cleanup.“Both Chai and John have been amazing,” Alizadeh said. “John was the first person I met related to veteran resources in the community. John proactively talks about social events and services available for w88 online game and their families on campus, and that was very encouraging and helpful.”
The Veteran Services department runs the Nevada Military Support Alliance w88 online game and Military Center located in the Pennington Student Achievement Center. The center offers information about veteran educational benefits, helps with navigating veteran tuition payment plans, has an emergency fund for student w88 online game and family members in need of financial assistance and more. In addition to helping with programs available on campus and providing a physical space to gather, study and learn together, the center also helps to organize events.
“The Veteran Center gives us a safe space. It gives us freedom to express ourselves and behave more in the manner we were used to during military life. It’s comfortable,” Abbott said. It doesn’t hurt that they also provide coffee, free printing and the occasional snack food!
University of Nevada, Reno student w88 online game at a social gathering at Pinon Pub.Both Alizadeh and Abbott acknowledge that the hardest part of building community is taking that first step to connect. They encourage student w88 online game to check out the social media resources, stop by the Veteran and Military Center or come up and say hello to them if they see them on campus to learn more.
“It can really be a game changer. For the people who do decide to be involved, it’s an amazing experience. We go to dinners, go to get drinks, do socials, participate together in community service, go to football games together ... It’s a great way to make some friends and meet new people,” Abbott said.
w88 online game Day events
The center and the Wolf Pack Vets club will hold several events to honor and celebrate w88 online game Day, which is always celebrated on Nov. 11.
Flag Planting Ceremony on Nov. 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the lawn in front of the Joe Crowley w88 online game Union
2,500 flags are planted on the lawn to visually represent the commitment to remembering w88 online game and active service members. Each flag planted symbolizes a life dedicated to serving the country, and it reminds the campus of the sacrifices that were made for freedom. It is intended to also remind the campus of the ongoing presence of w88 online game among us. It helps create dialogue and is a way for students and faculty to reflect on service. All are welcome to come out and help plant flags.
Flag Retirement Ceremony on Nov. 8, at 11:30 a.m., in front of the Joe Crowley w88 online game Union
A short ceremony to retire flags that are not fit for duty anymore with honor. Learn more about the Flag Planting Ceremony and the Flag Retirement Ceremony on the Veteran Services Office’s Facebook page.
VetSmart training for faculty and students on Nov. 7, at noon, via Zoom or in person at the Rita Laden Senate Chambers in the Joe Crowley w88 online game Union
VetSmart is the University’s Veteran Services department training to create awareness of potential challenges student w88 online game may face during the transition from the military to the academic environment. This training will discuss the intersectionality of various identities and abilities along with socioeconomic and racial challenges. Additionally, it will explore some of the military cultural differences that student w88 online game face on campus.
Folks can learn more or register here.
w88 online game Day Parade on Nov. 11. Parade staging is from 9-11 a.m., and the parade starts at 11:11 a.m. in downtown Reno
The Veteran Alumni Chapter hosts the w88 online game’s participation in the w88 online game Day parade. They usually meet up near the courthouse in downtown Reno and walk the parade together. Emailunr.w88 online gamealumni@gmail.comto learn more.
