"After Iraq, veterans enlist at UB"

For Ryan Boline, making the transition from the military to college is a difficult one.

Boline, a freshman education major previously served in Iraq and continues to serve as Lance Corporal for the Marine Reserves.

"Stress is getting shot at, not writing a paper," Boline said.

A good portion of students go straight off to college after high school, but for many students the military was the first step to graduation. In the grand scheme of things, the daily routine of a college student can be stressful, chaotic and a lot of fun, but how are the college years for a war veteran?

Michael John, a freshman informatics major, served in the Marine Corps and is just now entering college at the age of 22. For the most part getting adjusted to college was not a major concern for the veterans, only a few minor adjustments were made to get back life on campus.

"There is a little bit of shock coming back, but it's all going well," John said. "I'm ready to start to loosen up again."

Boline also shares some adjustments on getting back into civilian life.

"It seems like so long ago that I was in Iraq, but sometimes it still fells like it was yesterday. The one thing that is different is knowing that there's not a threat," Boline said. "Now I can let my guard down."

Other veterans have a different outlook, some who are from this area already have existing family and friends, or who have already been at the university for a few semesters before deployment. For the veterans with existing social support from friends and family the transition is easy.

"On our way home from Iraq the planes that we were in flew right over oozfest, as soon as we landed I hopped in my car and met up with my buddies," said James Greenway, senior and a Business major and President of the Veterans Fraternity.

There are also other opportunities for vets who may not necessarily be from this area or if it is just their first year at school.

"Adjusting isn't too bad, there is a great support group of other vets here," Greenway said.

Returning vets are in general happy to be home again after dealing with extreme conditions and high stress situations.

"It is definitely good to be back at home," Boline said.

After experiencing training, combat and a bit of culture shock, Boline's point of view after coming home has changed a bit.

"With all of the experiences I've had it gives you a different outlook," Boline said. "People wouldn't understand unless they were there."

It seems difficult to imagine that you can take school seriously after being in a war, but most vets are ready to hit the books.

"It (the Marine Corps) gave me a lot of experience but I still need to get a degree," John said.

After missing out on a few years of school most veterans are a trying to get caught up and finish school.

"I take it a lot more seriously, I'm a little older now and I want to graduate," Greenway said.

Many veterans are still involved with the military and may be called back to serve and have to leave class again. Boline is part of a reserve program where he serves one weekend a month for six years. With three years completed, two of which were in Iraq, Boline considers the possibility of being sent on another tour of duty.

"You try not to think about it, there is always a chance. You just never know until you get the final call," Boline said.

Other veterans like John are ready to head back out.

"In all honesty, if there is a need for me to go back- I would go back on my own," John said. "A week before we were to be sent back home my Sergeant asked me if I would like to go back to Iraq and I said 'I would love to'."

Serving in the Military is no easy task and takes a serious commitment to you country. All of the veterans that were reached had positive things to say about their experiences.

"I love the sense of duty and pride that the Marine Corps gives me," John said.

"I'm glad that I enrolled, but the military isn't for everyone," said Boline as he described his experience in Iraq. "The people in Iraq are so appreciative of what were doing, it makes it all worthwhile."

After serving in Iraq war veterans at UB are getting back into their routines and are looking towards their futures here at the university while reflecting on their accomplishments they have already had in the military.