Crisann Dixon, English senior, served five years in the Marine Corps before coming to OU.
University life is radically different than military life, she said. She found herself frustrated with students speaking while the professor was talking or digging around in their backpacks.
“I would look at them and say, ‘What are you doing?’” Dixon said. “The university is a whole other world.”
Dixon isn’t the only veteran student dealing with adjustment.
OU’s Veteran Student Services office handles between 750 and 800 veteran students, veterans coordinator Jennifer Trimmer said. Veteran students can be servicemen and -women who have left the military or dependent students who use their parents’ GI bill benefits to attend school. The Veteran Student Services office at OU helps these students adapt to the college lifestyle and use their benefits from military service, Trimmer said.
The office also works closely with the Readjustment Counseling Service to help them re-adapt to civilian life.
Dixon found the office’s help paramount during her transition from servicewoman to student. She joined the Marine Corps in April 2004 as a senior in high school. She served for five years before leaving for family and college in Oklahoma.
Dixon arrived at OU only 10 days after her contract with the Marine Corps was up. She was never deployed, but the training during her service made college intimidating.
After six months, and a few niggling quirks — like tucking her water bottle into the crook of her arm — Dixon said she adjusted and loves life at OU. Oklahoma is a great place for military students, and the services, like the Veteran Student Services office, are great, she said.
Dixon made it clear that the military may fade from a veteran’s life, but it never disappears.
“I have a friend in Afghanistan that I haven’t heard from in weeks,” Dixon said. “Normally he checks in every week or so, but it has been a while.”
She wants to help other veterans return to the civilian lifestyle. She participates in the Student Veterans Association and said she enjoys it immensely.
Dixon urges any students coming into or currently attending OU to take advantage of the resources OU’s Veteran Student Services office supplies.
“I know how hard it is,” Dixon said. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help.”
A student preparing to enter the military life may need to heed her advice when he returns from deployment.
Devan Endert, University College freshman, is in the Oklahoma National Guard and will be deployed to Afghanistan in March 2011 as a member of the infantry.
He doesn’t know what city, but he is sure of his purpose.
“I’ve always wanted to protect people,” Endert said. “My family supports my decision 100 percent.”
Endert chose the Oklahoma National Guard because of the opportunity to go to college before deploying overseas. His tour will last one year before he can return to finish his college career.
His path comes with many risks, but they are all ones Endert takes in stride. In fact, he welcomes the challenge and worries not about himself but those around him.
“I’m not worried about dying,” Endert said. “I’m more worried about my friends and family worrying about me.”
Once Endert’s year in Afghanistan is over, he plans to return to OU or achieve his ultimate goal of helping single mothers by building them homes. He said he wants to open his own company, but the most important thing is getting it done.
“I will start my own company or work for another company,” Endert said. “It just needs to get done.”
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SgtB 1 year, 6 months ago
5 years huh? I'll bet you're a winger too! Were you O or I level?