Name: Derek Blumke
Current city: Washington, D.C.
1. What was your college experience like after coming back from serving in the Air Force in Afghanistan?
My college experience coming home from military service was difficult, because I did not have the sense of camaraderie, teamwork and sense of purpose I did while serving. I felt isolated because I did not feel like a "peer" with many of my classmates. While my friendships with the people I graduated from college with will last forever, it was the connection to other veterans on campus that made my college experience what it was.
2. How do you think the needs of Iraq and Afghanistan generation veterans are different than those of past generations?
The needs of this generation of veterans vary greatly from those of our past. The veterans who came home from World War II transformed higher education for the better and made themselves into the "Greatest Generation," and continued to transform our country to be what it is today. Other generations after that were not given the recognition, support and resources they deserved, and as result many veterans from the Vietnam War struggled in ways they did not deserve. They should have been thanked for their service, but instead they were degraded and dishonored for their sacrifices to our country. Today, veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are being recognized, thanked and commended for their sacrifices, but they are still disconnected as result of the gap between those who wear the uniform and those who do not. Only 1% of the population serve in the United States military and many of those who have not, have difficulties understanding the life of military service - as much as they may like to.
3. How did you manage to expand Student Veterans of America with your co-founders to more than 300 chapters while still in school at the University of Michigan?
Teamwork. Student Veterans of America was founded not as result of the efforts of one individual, but instead came out of a universal need by student veteran leaders across the country. While I made significant sacrifices making SVA what it is today, so did countless others help in building a nationwide network of support for our returning warriors.
4. How has technology played a role in assisting your chapters and members? And for members supporting each other?
Facebook. Student Veterans of America chapters were initially connected through Facebook. It allowed us to find veterans on college campuses across the country and gave us the ability to help each other transition to college and succeed in growing a support network that helps tens of thousands of veterans successfully transition to college, and attain college degrees.
5. What has been one of your favorite moments since starting SVA?
While helping to pass the Post 9/11 GI Bill through Congress and watching it be signed into law was incredibly rewarding, the most significant moments for me are when I hear young student veterans thank SVA leaders, and myself, for giving them the opportunity to have a new mission, which is helping yesterday’s warriors become today’s scholars and tomorrow’s leaders.
For more information about Student Veterans of America, please visit www.studentveterans.org [2]
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