Julio Vega was a Marine for 13 years before coming to Ohio University.
He said he spent most of those years in San Diego working a variety of jobs, one of which was a drill instructor. Now, he lives in Athens with his wife and two children and is a senior studying specialized studies in counterterrorism and global security at OU.
“We came here to Athens really to raise our family,” Vega, who is 33 years old, said. “And I really had no idea that this university was here. Then I took a tour of it and loved it.”
Vega is a member of the small group of OU students who are also veterans. While each veteran faces his or her own challenges upon leaving the military and returning to the academic world, Vega and others said Athens offers a positive environment and the resources needed to make the transition go smoothly.
David Edwards, director of the Veterans and Military Student Services Center at OU, is retired from the Air Force after a career of 26 years. He said the center offers support for student veterans who may be struggling with college life.
“What we try to do is help our veterans … feel relaxed when they come in here,” he said. “They know if they come in here for any type of problem, we’re going to be here to assist them.”
Edwards said the center works with multiple other campus agencies, such as Student Accessibility Services and the Academic Advancement Center, to help veterans overcome challenges like focusing in the classroom or forming good study habits.
“As long as (students) feel that this is a very trusting environment where they can come in and talk about anything, we will do what we can to help them be successful,” he said.
Jordan Simon, a senior studying exercise physiology, served in the Army for about four years, during which he spent a total of eight months in Afghanistan. He said when he returned to school after his service was over, he struggled with academics.
“The military is a lot more hands-on, as opposed to school, which is just all about books,” he said. “When you take a long time off from school, your academic mindset takes more time to develop.”
But Simon said he found help in the Veterans and Military Student Services Center, and in addition to his studies, he is now the president of the Combat Veterans Club and the director of veteran’s affairs on Student Senate.
“I think OU just has a mix of every kind of background that you can think of, and that’s what makes it so unique,” he said. “Veterans just add to the mix.”
Vega said one of his biggest challenges upon coming back to college was making friends.
“Coming from (the Marines), the only one you can talk to is another veteran,” he said. “And here at Ohio University, the veteran community is very small, and for us to kind of find each other is difficult. To talk to another classmate about your experiences, we can’t really relate.”
Derek Eberle, a freshman studying business, spent four years in the Marines, two of which he spent in Okinawa, Japan. He has had similar difficulties in connecting with his classmates.
“It’s kind of hard to make friends,” he said. “I’m 22, but I think my mentality is just a little different than most of the college students here."
Eberle said the environment in Athens, however, makes it easier to make friends.
“It’s a very welcoming place," he said. “As hard as it is to make friends, it’s also a good area to make friends if you do try.”
Correction: A previous version of the photo caption incorrectly spelled Julio Vega's name. The caption has been updated to show the most accurate information.
