By Lindsey Bordovsky
Student and Alumni Affairs Liaison
November is National Veterans and Military Families Month. Now, recognizing the daily sacrifices of Active Duty, Guard, and Reserve military families has never been more important.
This November, we encourage you to take a few minutes to write a letter in support of those who serve by filling out a postcard as part of the Thanking Those Who Serve project. It is a simple, quick and impactful way to recognize those who serve.
Related link: Campus Leadership Roles Help with Developing Soft Skills
Five Student Organizations Focus on Supporting the Military and Their Families
To support our active-duty and veteran students and alumni, the University has five student organizations. These organizations are Broken Shield-Wounded Veterans Society, Student Veterans of America, SALUTE National Veterans Honor Society and the Military Spouses Club.
There is also a new student organization that debuts at the end of November: the Association of the National Guard and Reserves.
Broken Shield-Wounded Veterans Society
The Broken Shield-Wounded Veterans Society is a student organization with the essential mission of supporting “veterans and civilians wounded in the field.” It also provides “networking opportunities for wounded and disabled veterans, as well as advocates for their cause. This student organization aims to unite students, alumni, faculty, and staff interested in supporting wounded soldiers.”
Currently, Broken Shield is gearing up for an election to fill their officer roles. If you are interested in this organization or the possibility of becoming a student leader, please contact Student Affairs.
Student Veterans of America
Student Veterans of America (SVA) is “a coalition of student veteran groups from college campuses across the United States.” The AMU/APU chapter is one of the largest SVA chapters in the entire organization.
According to the SVA, “The Student Veterans of America’s three primary missions are to develop student veteran groups on college and university campuses and coordinate by region between existing ones, connect them with resources, and advocate on behalf of student veterans at the state and national level.”
Recently, SVA worked with another student organization, Ancient Order of the Craft, to coordinate a Wreaths Across America collaboration. Wreaths Across America is an annual event that takes place every December.
This year, it will take place on December 18, 2021. The event is held to remember and honor our fallen heroes and veterans by laying wreaths on the headstones at Arlington National Ceremony and other military cemetaries across the U.S.
SALUTE National Veterans Honor Society
SALUTE National Veterans Honor Society “is the only national honor society in the nation recognizing and honoring the service and the scholastic achievements of this generation’s greatest veterans. SALUTE is an acronym for Service, Academics, Leadership, Unity, Tribute and Excellence.
“SALUTE provides formal recognition for service and academics, leadership, volunteering and resume development, community engagement, opportunities to network with as well as give and receive assistance to fellow veterans, eligibility for SALUTE scholarships, and more.”
After SALUTE’s inaugural membership drive, SALUTE set a record with over initial 350 members. Additionally, SALUTE is also holding elections to fill their inaugural officer board.
The next membership drive will take place in January. All eligible members will receive an invitation to join during the first week of January.
Military Spouses Club
Military Spouses Club is a newer student organization to “support military spouses, provide networking opportunities and advocate for military spouse causes. This student organization aims to unite students, alumni, faculty, and staff interested in supporting military spouses and the unique issues that they face.”
With less than a year under its belt, the organization has started off strong, earning Bronze medal status for its activity in 2021. The Military Spouses Club already has over 100 members and two enthusiastic advisors dedicated to its mission. This organization will be heading into 2022 strong.
Related link: Calling All Military Spouses to Join the Military Spouses Club
The Association of the National Guard and Reserves
Our brand-new military support student organization, The Association of the National Guard and Reserves, “was charted to develop partnerships within the National Guard and Reserve community to promote membership in each state’s organization and advocate for student service members at the unit, state, and national level.
“The organization’s three primary missions are to sponsor National Guard and Reserve events to increase membership, advancement through higher learning and educate servicemembers on benefits and resources to fund their education at the state and national level.”
ANGR will host its first membership drive at the end of this month. The new organization has three founders/advisors dedicated to its mission and members: Chuck Alsleben, Edward Mounts, and Rickey Underhill.
Their primary goal following the initial membership drive is simply to connect with new members. In the future, they hope to provide a scholarship opportunity through ANGR.
Contact Student and Alumni Affairs for More Information or to Join
With the exception of SALUTE (which is invitation-only), all of these student organizations are open to active students, alumni, faculty and staff. If you have questions regarding the Thanking Those Who Serve Project or any of our military support student organizations, please don’t hesitate to contact us at studentaffairs@apus.edu.
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