Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless, Service, Honor, Integrity, Personal Courage — these are the qualities veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces embody. But often, veterans suffer in ways that are not obvious to others and consequently do not get the help they deserve.

Veterans are enrolled in colleges and universities nationwide and face more challenges than a regular student because of the experiences they’ve lived through. When they return home from serving, their lives are anything but similar to life they’ve lived on war fronts.

“Faculty, staff and students should be aware of the things veterans go through,” said Carlos Corona, a former FCC student veteran. “We want people to know that we do need to be treated a little different. You can’t be the same after going through war.”

Corona was one of the speakers at the colloquium on challenges facing student veterans in OAB 251 last Thursday.  Others on the panel include Dr. Brian Olowude, director of psych services, Herman Barreto, counselor, veteran center and Michele Gerbrandt, veteran, FCC student.

One of the problems veterans have is PTSD, formally known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, a re-experiencing of the traumatic event, avoidance, numbing, increased anxiety, emotional arousal, or all of them. It differs from person to person but no less challenging and difficult.

Panelists said professors and students should be aware of veterans’ PTSD triggers in order to help them succeed. Triggers can include distractions such as students talking out of turn, in-class cell phone usage, and disrespectful conduct towards an authoritative figure; all of these may cause veterans’ stress levels to rise to a higher degree.

Additionally, respect is a principle instilled in service men and women and something they carry with them for the rest of their lives.  Any sort of disrespectful behavior triggers the nerve in veterans. Likewise, student veterans are accustomed to structure, and their worlds feel chaotic without it. It is important that they have an objective and work towards completing it.

Gerbrandt said instructors can help veterans by observing some simple things. “Keep it simple and say ‘thank you for your service. I know it’s tough out there.’ Normal conversation goes a long way,” she said.

“The best way students can help is by learning how the symptoms can manifest itself and increased compassion,” says Barretto.