By Craig Gilman
Faculty Member at American Military University and Marine Corps Veteran
In April 2016, American Public University System opened the doors to its on-campus Veterans Center in Charles Town, WV, under the direction of George Vukovich, USMC GySgt (retired). During its first year, the Veterans Center has made an impact, and 2017 promises more of the same.
In addition to becoming the university system’s advocate for veterans’ issues and concerns, it also serves as the headquarters of the APUS chapter of Student Veterans of America (SVA), which has quickly become one of the nation’s largest chapters with over 3,000 members. SVA members perform volunteer service that includes donating resources and hours to Stop Hunger Now each spring during Commencement weekend.
Veterans Center Inaugural Events Increase APUS Community Awareness
To increase local faculty and staff awareness and engagement, the Veterans Center sponsored a number of inaugural events in 2016, such as the university system’s first on-campus Veterans Day and Wreaths Across America wreath-laying ceremonies (keep reading for clean-up information). The WAA ceremony recognizes the efforts of all APUS students, alumni, faculty, staff and community, who for the past five years have volunteered thousands of wreaths and hours of time across the nation’s military cemeteries on Wreaths Across America Day to honor America’s fallen heroes.
The Veterans Center also aims to become a one-stop facility to support and transform learning and career experiences for APUS student and alumni veterans. In November 2016, the center added the Veterans Resource Center and I joined the staff as the Center’s Senior Manager.
I will lead a collaborative APUS inter-departmental effort to expand the current offerings of workshops that provide training, coaching and opportunities to veterans interested in:
- Improving their life skills to further their ability to reintegrate into their communities
- Attaining sustainable employment; advancing in their chosen career field
- Venturing into their communities as small business owners and entrepreneurs
With respect to our Charles Town neighbors, these opportunities will be shared with local veterans, including those in residence at the Martinsburg VA Medical Center.
Establishing a Veterans Center on campus to serve the needs of our students and alumni, as well as to give back to our local veterans, certainly is a source of pride for the APUS community. The Veterans Center thanks you for your support and looks forward to working with you in 2017 and beyond.
Our first opportunity to represent APUS in the community in 2017 will be during Wreaths Across America’s Wreath Retrieval/Clean-Up Day at Arlington National Cemetery on Saturday, January 28, beginning at 8 a.m. Even if you were not able to participate in laying wreaths but would like to ensure our resting veterans’ gravesites are well cared for, consider volunteering a few hours that morning.
To make your trip even more worthwhile, visit the Tomb of the Unknowns after you’re finished. Observe the Changing of the Guard, which occurs every hour during winter months, or visit some sites in our nation’s capital.
About the Author
Craig Gilman is currently the Senior Manager of the APUS Veterans Resource Center and online adjunct faculty member with American Military University (AMU). He is a veteran who served in the Marine Corps as an infantry officer. Prior to joining AMU, Craig taught secondary social studies as a public school teacher in Virginia, international school in Seoul, Korea, and public middle school in Tokyo, Japan.
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