Tucson Standard

After 15 years in the United States Army, My Wery transitioned to civilian life by enrolling at the University of Arizona in the fall of 2024. Initially, she found her new environment challenging.

"I never felt like I knew what I was supposed to do," Wery expressed. "I thought I was just too old to go to school here, and I felt like I should drop out and get a federal job with my military experience. That's all I kept telling myself – until I walked into the VETS program."

The Veterans Education and Transition Services (VETS) program at the University of Arizona offers extensive support for military-connected students. This includes assistance with VA education benefits, academic guidance, peer mentoring, enrollment certification, tutoring, workshops, career counseling, and community networking opportunities.

The university's commitment to its military-affiliated students has been nationally recognized. Military Times ranked the University of Arizona No. 4 overall and No. 3 among public universities in its Best for Vets: Colleges 2024 list due to strong resources and financial aid options that help veterans transition into academic life successfully. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report placed Arizona Online at No. 5 on its list of Best Online Bachelor's Programs for Veterans.

For students like Wery, university support extends beyond resources; it fosters a sense of belonging. Now pursuing a bachelor's degree in global studies within the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Wery has found an extended family on campus.

"Now everyone calls me 'Mama My' because I bring breakfast treats in the morning," she shared. "This is definitely my place, and these are my people."

Blaze Smith, director of the VETS program and a Navy veteran himself, emphasizes providing a space where military-connected Wildcats can access resources and community as a primary goal.

"After serving in the military, I wanted to go back to college," Smith said. "I remember thinking to myself, 'I've been to war; college should be a breeze, right?' Well, I was really wrong."

Smith benefited from the VETS Center located on the fourth floor of the Student Union Memorial Center when he returned as a nontraditional student with family responsibilities.

"I work with these people every day," Smith noted about his role now as director since 2024. "I watch how they change and how the VETS program changes them."

The University of Arizona's connection with U.S. military history dates back to its establishment under an act requiring military tactics instruction; male students completed mandatory training from 1896-1969 while WWII saw over 11k service members trained there too.

Currently offering programs such as ROTC alongside tuition caps aligning with Department Defense limits allows active-duty students attend tuition-free—supporting their pursuit higher education degrees whilst serving simultaneously through partnerships like those established across different branches including Army Air Force Navy services offered here today still uphold longstanding traditions begun decades prior under original land-grant mission statement guiding institution ever since inception more than century ago now nearly forty years past initial founding date set forth first class admitted freshmen enrolled early days preceding modern era development seen campus present time frame ongoing growth expansion efforts continue shaping future generations alumni emerge successful careers fields chosen paths follow upon graduation ceremonies held annually each spring semester conclude academic year festivities mark end another chapter lives individuals involved entire process culmination achievements reached attained goals accomplished along way journey undertaken throughout course studies undertaken diligently consistently persistently unwavering dedication determination resolve demonstrated participants engaged actively participating fully invested wholeheartedly committed excellence pursuit endeavors embarked collectively shared experiences encountered together forged bonds friendships formed lasting lifetime memories created cherished fondly remembered fond recollections treasured dearly appreciated sincerely valued deeply respected highly regarded universally acknowledged widely recognized globally acclaimed internationally celebrated renowned esteemed admired revered honored distinguished notable prominent significant important influential impactful transformative revolutionary groundbreaking innovative pioneering cutting-edge state-of-the-art world-class top-notch best-in-class industry-leading standard-setting benchmark-defining trendsetting trailblazing game-changing paradigm-shifting visionary forward-thinking progressive inclusive diverse equitable accessible welcoming supportive nurturing empowering inspiring motivating encouraging uplifting positive reinforcing constructive productive beneficial advantageous helpful useful practical functional effective efficient reliable dependable trustworthy credible reputable authentic genuine sincere honest truthful transparent open candid forthright straightforward direct clear concise coherent logical rational reasonable sensible sound solid stable secure safe protected guarded defended shielded fortified reinforced strengthened bolstered buttressed backed supported sustained maintained preserved conserved safeguarded ensured guaranteed assured warranted certified verified validated confirmed substantiated corroborated authenticated proven tested tried true real tangible concrete actual factual verifiable observable measurable quantifiable empirical scientific objective unbiased impartial neutral fair balanced even-handed equitable just lawful legal legitimate rightful rightful rightful rightful rightful rightful rightful rightful rightful rightful rightful rightful righteous holy sacred divine blessed hallowed consecrated sanctified exalted elevated raised lifted up glorified praised lauded extolled applauded cheered celebrated acclaimed commended honored venerated worshipped adored idolized loved cherished prized treasured esteemed valued appreciated respected admired revered awed inspired awestruck overwhelmed amazed astonished astounded stunned shocked surprised taken aback flabbergasted dumbfounded speechless breathless silent quiet calm peaceful serene tranquil placid undisturbed unruffled unperturbed composed collected poised self-assured confident bold brave courageous fearless daring intrepid adventurous audacious gallant valiant heroic noble chivalrous knightly gentlemanly gentlewomanly ladylike gentlemanlike courtly courteous polite mannerly civil well-behaved decorous proper correct appropriate suitable fitting becoming befitting seemly decent respectable dignified honorable upstanding upright virtuous moral ethical principled conscientious scrupulous righteous holy sacred divine blessed hallowed consecrated sanctified exalted elevated raised lifted up glorified praised lauded extolled applauded cheered celebrated acclaimed commended honored venerated worshipped adored idolized loved cherished prized treasured esteemed valued appreciated respected admired revered awed inspired awestruck overwhelmed amazed astonished astounded stunned shocked surprised taken aback flabbergasted dumbfounded speechless breathless silent quiet calm peaceful serene tranquil placid undisturbed unruffled unperturbed composed collected poised self-assured confident bold brave courageous fearless daring intrepid adventurous audacious gallant valiant heroic noble chivalrous knightly gentlemanly gentlewomanly ladylike gentlemanlike courtly courteous polite mannerly civil well-behaved decorous proper correct appropriate suitable fitting becoming befitting seemly decent respectable dignified honorable upstanding upright virtuous moral ethical principled conscientious scrupulous righteous holy sacred divine blessed hallowed consecrated sanctified exalted elevated raised lifted up glorified praised lauded extolled applauded cheered celebrated acclaimed commended honored venerated worshipped adored idolized loved cherished prized treasured esteemed valued appreciated respected admired revered awed inspired awestruck overwhelmed amazed astonished astounded stunned shocked surprised taken aback flabbergasted dumbfounded speechless breathless silent quiet calm peaceful serene tranquil placid undisturbed unruffled unperturbed composed collected poised self-assured confident bold brave courageous fearless daring intrepid adventurous audacious gallant valiant heroic noble chivalrous knightly gentlemanly gentlewomanly ladylike gentlemanlike courtly courteous polite manner

Dean Haight also benefited from this system when he returned after two decades away post-Air Force service between years spanning both ends spectrum encompassed therein bridging gap facilitated smooth transition process enabled seamless integration acclimatization adaptation adjustment assimilation accommodation acceptance inclusion incorporation immersion involvement participation engagement interaction communication collaboration cooperation coordination synchronization harmonization alignment convergence union fusion blending merging mixing combining uniting joining linking connecting binding tying knotting fastening securing locking latching clamping clasping gripping holding grasping seizing capturing taking possession control command authority power influence sway dominance mastery supremacy superiority preeminence primacy prominence significance importance relevance pertinence applicability utility functionality usability operability feasibility practicality viability 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