Texas CVSP Blog by Dr. Kathryn Selber, Texas State University

The Certificate of Veteran Service Providers workshop organized by Operation College Promise and hosted by Texas State University – San Marcos covered a 3 day agenda of important material for our university-based service providers in Texas. With over twenty colleges represented and over 75 providers participating, the conference was a great success! An inspirational beginning session by keynote speaker Joe Brown, former NFL player and Harker Heights Superintendent of Recreation, told his story of achievement, injury, and overcoming adversity through adaptive sports while setting the tone for an inspiring time of sharing ideas and successes. Information sessions included: changes to the GI Bill; transitioning issues; panels on local resources; a student veteran panel from Texas State; a panel of staff and wounded warriors from the Wounded Warrior Project; best practices on support services; and the finale of Military Warriors Support Foundation. There was a lot of great food and trips to Camp Mabry and local points of interest. Great networking and the ever well- organized staff of Operation College Promise were the best! Many thanks Wendy Lang and Lauren—Come back to Texas!

Dr. Katherine Selber
Professor, School of Social Work
Texas State, Veteran Advisory Council, founding member
Veterans Alliance of Texas State, faculty sponsor
Military Family Member

VFW Post 9462 Senior Vice Commander Bob Ford Guest Blogs on Colonel Jack Jacobs Lecture at Stockton College

On Wednesday, April 6, 2011, ARMY DAY, The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey hosted an extraordinary guest lecturer, Colonel (Ret.) Jack Jacobs, a Medal of Honor recipient, gave a very interesting and often humorous lecture. COL Jacobs spoke about Service and allocation of resources. What was most interesting was that this extraordinary man did not expound on his exploits. On the contrary, the very modest and often self-deprecating Jacobs spoke of being embarrassed by being singled out. COL Jacobs asserted that he, “…did not do anything that anyone else would have done in the same circumstances…”
It is at this assertion that I take issue with this extraordinary man. Then Lieutenant Jacobs, after receiving a terrible head wound from an enemy mortar, repeatedly crossed open rice paddies to retrieve wounded soldiers to a position of relative safety. COL Jacobs added, “…There was no one else…” “…They were my friends…”
I served in Viet Nam. I knew many Lieutenants. Most of the Lieutenants I knew, would never have helped anyone else, much less been in a position to have been wounded. They would NEVER leave a position of safety and go into harms way to save anyone, except themselves. Most of the junior officers I knew were in ‘rear area’ positions of safety and only to pad their résumé for their future aspirations.
I knew a few officers who I would gladly go into harms way for, because they would put themselves in harms way for their men. That is what makes them exceptional. That is what makes them extraordinary.
Surviving Medal of Honor recipients attend the Marine Corp Law Enforcement Foundation Gala, in Atlantic City. Several recipients came to our VFW Post, in Absecon, for a private, BBQ party, for hot dogs, hamburgers, salads and, of course, shuffle board and eight ball.
These are not extraordinary men because they were awarded the Medal of Honor. They are Medal of Honor recipients, because they are extraordinary men.
• Van T. Barfoot: During WWII, Tech.Sergeant Barfoot was in Carano, Italy. While his platoon was heavily engaged against an entrenched enemy force, he moved off alone to the enemy flank. He engaged and eliminated enemy machine gun positions and enemy tanks and captured enemy soldiers, even after being seriously wounded.
• Jon R. Cavaiani: Army Special Forces (Green Beret), Staff Sergeant, Cavaiani was the leader of a team providing security for a remote, radio relay site. On the morning of June 4, 1971, the entire site came under an intense barrage of enemy small arms, RPG and mortars. SSG Cavaiani returned heavy suppressive fire, while directing the site's defenses. When it was apparent that the site was going to be overrun, SSG Cavaiani not only directed the helicopter into the LZ, but he remained on the ground and held off the enemy and covered the evacuation of his team. He was subsequently captured and became a POW.
• Robert E. O'Malley: O’Malley was a Marine Corp Corporal in Viet Nam. While leading a squad on patrol, his entire unit came under intense enemy fire. CPL O'Malley raced across an open rice paddy. Jumping into a trench, he attacked the VC with his rifle and grenades, killing eight of the enemy. He then led his squad to reinforce an adjacent unit, which had suffered heavy losses. Pressing the fight, he personally assisted the evacuation of fallen Marines. He again regrouped the remaining members of his squad, he returned to the point of the heaviest fighting. Ordered by an officer to evacuate his badly wounded squad to an evacuation point, he led them under fire to a helicopter. Although having been wounded three times during this engagement, CPL O'Malley refused evacuation and continued to return fire at the enemy, until his wounded men had been evacuated.
• James E. Livingston: Captain Livingston commanded a Marine Company against the heavily fortified village of Dai Do, Viet Nam. The village had been seized by the enemy, cutting off and isolating another Marine Company. During the attack, Captain Livingston was wounded twice as he maneuvered from one position to another. Refusing medical treatment, he led his men in the destruction of over 100 enemy bunkers, driving off the remaining enemy and relieving the stranded Marine Company. The remaining members of the two companies were joined by a third company, launching an assault on the adjacent village of Dinh To, only to be halted by heavy enemy fire. Captain Livingston, having been wounded a third time, maneuvered his men to halt the enemy counterattack. Subsequently, he supervised the evacuation of his men, before allowing himself to be evacuated.
• Walter Joseph (Joe) Marm, Jr.: Lieutenant Marm was a member of the 1st Cavalry (Airmobile). During the operation, which was depicted in the movie WE WERE SOLDIERS, LT Marm was a platoon leader, moving through the valley, to relieve the surrounded battalion. LT Marm's platoon came under heavy enemy fire and quickly became fully engaged with a superior enemy force. He spotted four VC moving into position to inflict heave losses to his men. LT Marm moved quickly under fire and annihilated all four VC. Then, seeing his platoon receiving intense fire from a concealed enemy machine gun, he deliberately exposed his position to draw its fire and exposing the position of the machine gun. He attempted to destroy the machine gun position with a LAW, but he did not silence the gun. He then charged 30 meters, across open ground and silenced the enemy position with grenades. Although wounded, he again charged the position with his rifle and killed the remainder of the eight enemy soldiers.
• Brian M. Thacker: First Lieutenant Thacker was a field artillery battery, integrated team leader, with ARVN soldiers, at a fire base, in Kontum Province. A numerically superior NVA force launched a dawn attack on the small, isolated, hill top, fire base. Employing RPGs, flame throwers, grenades and small arms, the NVA penetrated the perimeter defenses and engaged the defenders hand to hand. Throughout the morning and afternoon, 1LT Thacker rallied his American and ARVN defenders, to repulse the NVA advances. 1LT Thacker occupied dangerously exposed ground for over four hours, directing friendly air strikes and artillery fire against the assaulting enemy. By late afternoon, the situation had become untenable. 1LT Thacker organized and directed the extraction of the remaining friendly forces. 1LT Thacker remained inside the perimeter to provide covering fire, with his M-16 rifle, until all friendly forces had been extracted. 1LT Thacker then called for artillery fire on his own position, to inflict greater casualties on the enemy. Although wounded and unable to escape from the area, he successfully eluded the NVA for eight days, until friendly forces regained control of the fire base.
It's OK. You can say it. !!! WOW !!!

Bob Ford
Senior Vice Commander
VFW Post 9462
Absecon, New Jersey

Ian Gardner, President William Paterson University SVO Guest Blog

When the William Paterson University Office of Veterans Affairs was contacted by OCP to host a screening of the Renaud Brothers film "Warrior Champions", I was immediately excited. As a newly-formed club at WPU, the Student Veterans Organization was in need of some type of event to hold on campus, and a film portraying the achievements of severely wounded veterans seemed like the perfect idea. This was also an opportunity to inform the student population that a Veterans Club had formed on campus, and that veterans issues weren't something debated far away in Washington D.C., but right here in our own classrooms.

A few days before the screening was scheduled we were told that the Renaud brothers and Scott Winkler, one of the veterans featured in the film, would be in attendance. Lynette Butler, WPU Coordinator of Veterans Affairs, contacted the local Marriott Hotel. The Marriott offered to provide a room for Scott Winkler free of charge, as well as pay for dinner at Positano the night before the event. It was at this dinner that I met Wendy and Lauren of OPC. I had heard of their organization through Lynette, but it wasn't until I spoke with them that I understood how beneficial their service was for the veteran community.

In talking to Lauren, I learned ways to boost club membership and meeting attendance. Through Wendy, I learned that there were many other organizations out there like our club that I could contact through their website in order to strengthen the veterans community as a whole. I feel the WPUSVO has gained a valuable friend in our efforts to keep veterans issues at the forefront of political activism.

I was also very impressed by the efforts of the Renaud brothers in shining light on the issues they document. "Warrior Champions" was their third film involving members of the military and the adversity they face on a daily basis. It becomes even more impressive when you watch their footage filmed during battles, and remember that they are there without weapons and that they volunteered to be there.
At the screening they answered questions about the movie and about film making in general, as well as providing personal interviews for a WPU film student who was inspired to enter the film making career by their 2005 documentary "Dope Sick Love."

Scott Winkler is another person I learned from during this experience, but it wasn't the kind of learning you can do in a classroom. He showed me that, in his words, "if you believe, you can achieve," and that's exactly what he has done. After becoming paralyzed in Iraq, Scott transformed his adversity into victory and never let his handicap hold him back. He went to Beijing in 2008 to compete in the Paralympic Games, where he competed in the shot put event. Although he did not win the event, Scott can never be called an under achiever. Through his non-profit organization and through his achievements, he continues to inspire disabled and able-bodied individuals on a daily basis.

On behalf of myself and the WPU Student Veterans Organization, I would like to thank OCP for their support of our organization. I look forward to working with them again in the future, and appreciate the guidance they have provided to us so far.

Ian Gardner
President
Student Veterans Organization
William Paterson University

State Colleges See Surge In Military Enrollment - New Jersey 101.5 FM

OCP interview on 101.5

State Colleges See Surge In Military Enrollment - New Jersey 101.5 FM

Guest Blog - My CVSP Experience, By Lauren DelRicci

After spending two and a half days with the speakers and attendees of Operation College Promise’s CVSP program on Stockton College campus, I had a few different feelings. Most importantly, I came out of the certificate program feeling wiser, armed with a wealth of knowledge on current VA benefits, different education programs, and the latest and greatest on everyone’s favorite -- Post 9/11 GI Bill.

I was also excited to share the resources with colleagues and students. I think that is the most valuable asset the CVSP program avails… the ability to bring the information back to the college or respective institution.

Finally, I had a distinct feeling of inspiration. I was inspired to continue being involved with the mobilization of veteran’s education outreach. I felt compelled to make a promise with myself to never quit efforts to reach the veteran or service-member, hopefully inspiring them in return to never quit their mission of achieving a degree in higher education.

As a part of the OCP advisory board, I will admit that among the feelings of wisdom, elation and inspiration was exhaustion! However, the time spent working on the project was worth it and at the end of the day when we watched our NBC broadcast at the Absecon VFW, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house!

Lauren DelRicci is a member of the OCP Advisory Board and the Certifying Official at Burlington County College. She is a graduate of Rowan University and a Navy veteran.

Government at its Best!!

Dear Friends:

Happy Flag Day and Happy Birthday to the US Army!

It's been some time since my last posting and I hope to post more frequently in the coming months. OCP has been busy!!

I've entitled my June blog "Government at its Best" - not something you hear much these days, sadly.

I'll begin to put this title in perspective with a brief history of my career. I've done several "tours" in government. Like most professions, most of us rise throught the ranks beginning with the most menial of tasks. There's stuffing envelopes, answering the phone and responding to the constituent inquiries. These run the gamut from the norm (commenting on pending legislation), to the downright surreal (Michael Jackson stole my song while flying over my house).

As your career progresses, tasks become a bit more exciting. You may become, for example, the "Clips Girl", responsible for the crucial task of creating packets of daily newspaper articles. This is the entry-level PR job in government offices and one that virtually eliminates white from your outfit choices.

Later on you may be fortunate enough, as I was, to staff a committee in the Legislature or staff the Governor on a particular policy issue. This is where you really get a handle on how the system works and sometimes doesn't work. It's an enlightening, exciting and occasionally frustrating role. Here you truly see government at its best and its worst.

A few months back, I had the great fortune to come across a cause that I was sure would bring out the best in government. Now, to be sure, the best required some good, old-fashioned perserverance - what a mentor once referred to as "the very core of politics".

Enter George Lutz, founder of the Honor and Remember movement to establish a flag for the fallen. Having heard of the tragic loss of his son by sniper fire in Iraq, I eagerly volunteered to assist Mr. Lutz spread the word of his own "mission".

His goal, reasonable enough, was to establish this flag as an official reminder of those who had perished in any war. What better cause, I thought?

Mr. Lutz, arrived however, and I had yet to attain sponsorship for the Resolution of legislative support and frankly, was feeling both guilty and frustrated. His presentation, on the State House steps, received good media coverage though, and it was off to the Senate to find a sponsor and gather signatures.

I was nervous.

It had been 10 years since I held the title, "consultant", and my "lobbying skills" were undeniably rusty. We'll see how this goes (my trademark line of uncertainty), I mused as we meandered to the Senate Floor.

I approached each member, save one, with "I don't know if you remember me (fortunately they all did), but". Now, don't get me wrong, I think I've aged pretty gracefully but 10 YEARS??!!

And then a strange but wonderful thing happened, one by one, we called members out of those hallowed chambers as each graciously listened to Mr. Lutz's story, signed his petition and offered to sponsor necessary legislation. In each case, emotions ran high, tears were shed, voices crackled as they signed on to the cause.
Government, at its best, I thought...here it is.

Thanks to Senators Beach, Connors, Haines, Kyrillos, Van Drew and Vitale for their support and for demonstrating "New Jersey Government at its Best".

To learn more about the Honor and Remember Flag and follow Mr. Lutz on his 50 state tour, go to www.HonorandRemember.org

What is a Servicemember Opportunity College (SOC)?

Hi All,

Since Stockton College recently was awarded membership in SOC, I imagine there's some curiosity as to what EXACTLY that means. It comes as no surprise that higher education, being somewhat of an abuser of acronyms, actually has two SOC issues currently. The first has to do with accounting principles developed under the Sarbanes-Oxley legislation and is far more convoluted than the one we'll be discussing today so save yourself and forget I mentioned it.

Now for SOC - Servicemembers Opportunity College Consortium....

Founded in 1972 with support from the Association of State Colleges and Universities and American Association of Community Colleges, the program seeks to assist servicemembers in their pursuit of a degree in higher education. It is a partnership with some 13 higher education organizations, the Department of Defense, and both the Active and Reserve components of the military. About 1800 institutions are members.

Why it necessary?

Well, soldiers move around a lot and in the 1970's, distance-learning or "online" courses didn't exist. That meant every move (or deployment) necessitated a new application, enrollment, and the dreaded attempts to transfer previously-earned credit. Obviously, all of these actions were cumbersome, frustrating and derogatory to the principle that the sacrifice of our military should be rewarded with the opportunity to earn a degree, not just credits.

Today, a plethora of options exist for our servicemembers that do simplify the process (distance-learning, on-base education centers, etc.), yet the mobility issue remains a substantial challenge for some potential students and a deterrence for others.

So how does the SOC consortium help?

To become a SOC member, institutions must adhere to a set of four criteria which reflect an understanding that servicemember students face some distinct obstacles due the nature of their military commitments. When a school applies to SOC, they agree to simplify processes for: transfer of credit, meeting the residency requirement, accepting military credit, experience and placement tests. In short, it reduces red tape and uses nationally accepted principles that evaluate and accept previous experience and credit as appropriate to the institution but are also flexible and equitable. Generally accepted transfer of credit guidelines have been established by the Joint Statement on the Transfer and Award of Credit, with similar framework for evaluating military experience is based on the ACE Guide to the Evaluation of Education Experience in the Armed Forces. More specific information on SOC guidelines, criteria and membership can be found at: http://www.soc.aascu.org/.

So there you have it....SOC in a nutshell.

With the influx of veterans on a mission to utilize their Post 9-11 GI Bill benefits, more and more institutions will likely seek membership in the SOC consortium which is a great thing for our veterans. To date, four of the nine NJASCU institutions are members, including Kean University, Ramapo College, Thomas Edison State College and Richard Stockton State College.

If your an educator, or a veteran for that matter, the SOC staff regularly hold workshops free-of-charge to create awareness of the Consortium. Check the Operation College Promise website, http://www.operationcollegepromise.com/ website for local offerings.