This document outlines an agenda for a Green Zone training program at the University of New Mexico aimed at supporting student veterans, military members, and their families. The training teaches faculty and staff about common military terminology, the student veteran population at UNM, resources available through the Veterans Resource Center, how to identify and support student veterans, and how to schedule a Green Zone training for their department. Upon completing the training, participants will be better equipped to assist and refer military students to appropriate support services.

1. 1
An initiative to support student veterans, military & their families
Program adopted from the UNC-Chapel Hill Green Zone Training
For more information or to schedule a Green Zone training, contact:
Nicole Jones, MSW
Military & Family Transitions Coordinator
jonesn@unm.edu or 505.277.1536
Updated June 2014

2. Today’s Agenda
•Welcome & Introduction
•Terminology: Commonly Used Terms
•Facts & Data: UNM Student Veteran Population
•Veterans Resource Center (VRC) Overview
•Introduction to the Green Zone Training Program: What it is, why it
matters and how it
benefits you
•How to schedule a Green Zone Training for your department/office
•Questions

3. Terminology
Commonly Used Terms
 Military Servicemember
◦ Generic term which encompasses Active Duty,
National Guard, and Reserves personnel
 Veteran
◦ Any individual who served in the U.S. military
 Dependents (AKA—Military Family Member)
◦ Child or Spouse of a Military Servicemember

4. Facts & Data
Veteran Enrollment, Fall 2014
UNM has over 1340 identified veteran &
military students enrolled for Fall, 2014
Note: This number only includes veterans
who utilize GI Education Benefits and
therefore are under the VETCODE

5. Facts & Data
Enrollment & Chapter Benefits
In Fall of 2013, 939 students used
military education benefits:
• 38% were female
• Average age was 26 years, and 48% were veterans or
active duty
• 62% were male
• Average age was 30 years, and 84% were veterans or
active duty

6. Facts & Data
Top 8 Majors, Fall 2013
◦ Business Administration
◦ Psychology
◦ Criminology
◦ Engineering
◦ Biology
◦ Nursing
◦ Liberal Arts
◦ Political Science

7. Facts & Data
Cohort Analysis: Graduation & Retention
Of the 164 students in the Fall 2009 cohort,
◦ 29.3% have graduated
◦ 23.2% have dropped
◦ 47.6% are still attending
◦ In total, a 76.8% retention rate

8. Welcome To the VRC!
Student Union Building, Suite 2002

9. VRC Mission
The Veterans Resource Center is dedicated to
providing the highest quality, comprehensive
support to student veterans & their families, in an
atmosphere that demonstrates commitment,
respect, and academic excellence.

10. VRC Goals

11. Meet the Team…

12. SERVICE OVERVIEW
GI Benefits Certification
• Student benefits education and processing assistance
• Certification of benefits for tuition and basic housing allowance
VetSucess on Campus (VSOC)
• Assists student with successful
transition to college life, degree
completion and career
acquisition
Academic Success Program
• Student outreach, scholarship
education, recruitment and
guidance, veteran specific
orientation, and advocacy
Military & Family Transitional Support
Program
• Conducts basic assessment of individual
and/or family needs and provides resource
education and referrals to campus and
community service providers
• Vet-2-Vet Peer Mentoring Program
Community Education & Training
• Workshop delivery
• Green Zone Training Program
www.http://vrc.unm.edu

13. Introduction to Green Zone
Does anyone here know what the Green
Zone signifies in the military?

14. Background & Origin
The Green Zone Training Program was originally created and launched by
the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Modeled after the Safe Zone
Program, Green Zone volunteers receive training specific to issues
potentially facing the student veteran community.
(UNC Office of the Dean of Students, 2014)

15. The
Green Zone
Goal
Prepare university faculty and staff to better understand the
experience of veterans, military service members
and their families at UNM
Empower faculty and staff to provide support and information
about resources available to student veteran community
To develop a Veteran Liaison Network at UNM

16. Green Zone Curriculum
 Terminology
 Demographics
 Identity, diversity & culture
 The military experience
 Transitions to campus
 Disabilities on a college campus
 VRC services
 Educational benefits
 Being an ally
 Scenarios & Discussion

17. Learning Objectives
By the end of this training participants will be able too…
 Use the correct terminology related to veterans and active-duty military.
 Describe the demographics and diversity of UNM veteran and military students.
 Identify and explain VRC services for veteran and military students.
 Identify the types of military educational benefits and how schedule changes can
incur a student debt.
 Summarize the unique strengths of veteran and military students.
 Discuss the military experience, including the emotional cycle of deployment, the
challenges of transitions from and back to civilian life, and the experience of
military family members.
 Explain how Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury
(TBI) can affect the student’s experience, and suggest services for support.
 Determine what to say and what not to say to veterans to be most supportive.
 Identify the support veteran and military students want from staff and faculty.
 Appraise what to do in difficult scenarios when working with veterans and military
students.
 Volunteer to be a member of the UNM Veteran Liaison Network.

18. Who is a Green Zone Ally?
 Someone who is…
◦ aware about the issues and concerns faced by student
veterans, servicemembers & families
◦ available to assist the military student
◦ able to make the best possible referral for problem
resolution
 They are not…
◦ expected to be experts on the experience of student
veterans
◦ expected to “solve” our students’ problems

19. Veteran Liaison Network
 The Veteran Liaison Network (VLN) is a program
designed to strengthen veteran specific support efforts
through the identification of dedicated points of contact
or liaisons in each department at UNM.
 Liaisons are…
◦ Volunteers
◦ Green Zone trained
◦ Included in the VLN resource guide
◦ Willing to engage in continuing student veteran
related education and/or participate in the Veteran
Taskforce

20. Why Green Zone?
http://youtu.be/9NAkAvvA-iM

21. Student Voices:
What students want campus staff and faculty to know
“We are having normal reactions to an abnormal experience.”
“No two veterans are alike.”
“Each of us has had different experiences.”
“Do Not assume that you know my politics or beliefs just because I was in the military.”
“I may or may not be ready to talk about my experiences.”
“Trust can be an issue for me.”
“Being friendly and listening can go a long way toward building trust.”
“Do Not be afraid of me.”
“We are accustomed to being successful and may be too proud to ask for help.”
(Pfeffer, 2010)

22. Transition Strengths
 Veterans bring a unique perspective:
◦ Military training
◦ Life experience
◦ Established identity
◦ A more worldly view
 Skills taught in the military:
◦ Leadership
◦ Motivation
◦ Time Management
◦ Work Ethic

23. Transition Difficulties
 Translating their military skills into a new profession
 Military skills & training may not translate into college
credits
 Universities may have difficulty deciphering transfer credits
for those who have attended multiple institutions
 Accessing disability resources for accommodations
 Understanding the GI Bill
 Difference in demographics and life experiences from other
students

24. VETERANS FACE A 4-FOLD TRANSITION
Returning to
civilian life
For some,
having seen
combat duty
Becoming a
college student
Some are living
with visible &
invisible
disabilities
Adapted from Trina Zahller, 3-Fold Transition Model

25. Student Veterans’ Nontraditional Composition

26. HOW TO SCHEDULE A GREEN ZONE TRAINING
Contact Nicole Jones, MSW
Military & Family Transition Coordinator, Public Ally
Email: jonesn@unm.edu
Phone: 505.277-1536 or 505.277.3181
Or Sign Up Today!

27. QUESTIONS?

28. References
Office of the Dean of Students (2014). Green Zone Training .
Retrieved October 10, 2014 from University of North Carolina,
Chapel Hill , Web site:
https://deanofstudents.unc.edu/student-support/veterans-resources/green-zone-training
Veterans Resource Center (n.d. ). Meet The Staff . Retrieved
October 10, 2014 from University of New Mexico , Web site: http://vrc.unm.edu/facultystaff/meet-the-staff.html
Veterans Resource Center (n.d. ). Mission & Goals . Retrieved
October 10, 2014 from University of New Mexico , Web site: http://vrc.unm.edu/index.html
Virginia Commonwealth University, USS RAMS (n.d.). University
Support Services for Returning and Active Military Students.
Retrieved October 12, 2014 from Virginia Commonwealth University ,
Aurora Foundation Web site: aurora4vets.org/s/Green-Zone-training.ppt