Military Community
August 2016-Ashford University Newsletter
Military Development and Engagement
The Military Community Newsletter at Ashford University was designed as a way for you to learn and share community events, resources, and key topics relevant to service members, veterans, and their families nationwide. Please contact Ashford's Military Development and Engagement Specialist if you have questions or additional resources you would like to share with your fellow military community.
IN THIS ISSUE
- Career Services Events for Students and Alumni
- The Rosie Network
- Military Spouse Retirement Benefits: Did You Know?
DoD Programs for Transitioning Service Members
Military Student Spotlight: Steven Bayne
Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)
PsychArmor Institute
9 Clothing Stores That Offer Serious Military Discounts
Waves of Honor- Free Admission
CCME Scholarship
CHAMPS Peer Mentoring Program
- Previous Editions
The Rosie Network
Find an American veteran, active duty or military spouse-owned business in your area.
Looking for an accountant?...a painter?...that perfect handmade gift? If so, would you prefer to hire or buy from a verified military family-owned business?
Great. Welcome to The Rosie Network! They are a non-profit founded by military spouses whose mission is to promote military family-owned businesses to the public by making it easy to find them. What does it cost to use our Rosie's List search tool? Nothing. Nada. Zip.
Start Searching or Register Your Business Today: http://therosienetwork.org/index.php
Military Spouse Retirement Benefits: Did you know
- Health and dental care
- Commissary and shopping privileges
- Military lodging and recreation
- GI Bill and education benefits
- Survivor Benefit Plan
- VA benefits after your service member’s death
DoD Programs for Transitioning Service Members
Under the framework of the Department of Defense SkillBridge program, eligible transitioning service members can participate in job skills training:
- Job Training,
- Employment Skills Training,
- Apprenticeships, and
- Internships
“an eligible service member must complete at least 180 continuous days on active duty and is expected to be discharged or released from active duty, within 180 days of starting the JTEST-AI.”
Military Student Spotlight: Steven Bayne
Steven is part of the CHAMPS Peer Mentor Program at Ashford University. When Steven was asked why he wanted to be part of the program he replied:
"I mentor my wife through her degree program with Ashford. I went through it myself and I see her similar struggles. I can imagine most Ashford students have similar setbacks, frustrations and concerns. I enjoy helping people, especially with how to set goals and achieve them. I have been in the military for 16 years and six of those I was taking classes from Ashford, so I think I have a fair amount of experience that would easily relate to most military members trying Ashford for the first time.
I'm not hoping to gain anything other than the satisfaction of helping someone balance work and college. College isn't hard, it's about priorities and balance. If a person lacks balance or direction on how to strive for that balance, they will struggle and likely dropout. I am stationed in Belgium so I think I would be best suited for overseas situations simply based on the time difference, but I am sure I could make something work. I do have a cell phone, but its a Belgian number. I also have Facebook so texting and e-mailing are my primary means of communicating in this program."
Get connected to Steven or other students just like him who can connect with you on a personal level, provide resources and guidance in acclimating to the online learning environment, while also providing support.
Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)
July was EFMP Awareness month, in case you missed the resources that were posted on our Ashford Military Facebook page , learn more about EFMP here!
The Exceptional Family Member Program has three components:
- Identification and enrollment of a family member with special medical or educational needs
- Assignment coordination to determine the availability of services at the projected duty station
- Support to help families identify and access programs and services
Find out:
WHO SHOULD ENROLL IN THE PROGRAM?
WHY ENROLL IN THE PROGRAM?
WHAT IS ASSIGNMENT COORDINATION?
WHY IS ASSIGNMENT COORDINATION IMPORTANT?
WHAT IS FAMILY SUPPORT?
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE FAMILY SUPPORT PROVIDER?
HOW DO FAMILIES ACCESS FAMILY SUPPORT?
PsychArmor Institute
PsychArmor challenges all Americans to learn how they can support the service members and veterans in their communities.
Not all veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. However, those who do often find themselves overwhelmed and alone as they seek information and resources.Whether you're a family member, caregiver, employer, health care provider, co-worker or peer, your knowledge and understanding of the symptoms, treatment options and resources for PTSD, can save a life.
Start Learning Today!
9 Clothing Stores That Offer Serious Military Discounts
These nine stores offer big military discounts so service members can dress for less.
Your military ID can score you some pretty sweet retail discounts. Almost all the usual stores you’ll find in a mall or outlet will offer somewhere around a 10% discount, but some places go well beyond that.
If you’re looking to spruce up your wardrobe, these nine stores have you covered with their seriously good military discounts. Many of these stores have clothing for kids too, just a reminder that "Back to School" shopping season is right around the corner!
Find out who here: http://ameriforce.net/9-clothing-stores-offer-serious-military-discounts
Waves of Honor
SeaWorld is celebrating the nation’s veteran heroes. Register online now to receive your complimentary Single-Day admission, as well as complimentary admission for 3 additional guests. Registration is open through September 5, 2016, and you can redeem your free tickets at the park by December 25, 2016. Thank you for your courage, valor, and sacrifice.
What parks can I attend beside Sea World?
· Adventure Island (Orlando, San Antonio, San Diego)
· Busch Gardens (Tampa and Williamsburg)
· Water Country USA (Williamsbug)
· Sesame Place (Longhorn, PA)
· Aquatica San Diego (M-F only)
CCME Scholarship
The Council of College and Military Educators (CCME) is pleased to offer $1000 scholarships each year to United States Service members (active duty/veterans) and spouses of Service members who are working towards the completion of higher education degrees.
All applicants must submit the CCME Scholarship Application, transcripts, and two recommendation forms. Complete and submit your online application and then send your essay, transcript, and two recommendation forms to scholarship@ccmeonline.org.
The application deadline is November 1, 2016.
Scholarship recipients will be notified via email in January 2017.
CHAMPS Peer Mentoring for Online Students
Ashford understands the challenges of being a military affiliated student while pursuing higher education. We have developed a syllabus dedicated to addressing those unique needs. It is our goal to pair up Military Mentees with Military Mentors so there is common ground and cultural understanding where the pair speaks the same language.
Deployments, frequent moves, and field exercises can all be distracting when you are attending classes. Connect with a Mentor who can help navigate those overwhelming waters, provide resources, tips, and personal experience to help you be as successful as possible while also building a relationship with another peer.
Top Reasons Mentees Join CHAMPS:
- To get to know another student on a personal level
- For support and guidance on managing time and other commitments
- For advice and encouragement as you begin your academic journey
- Tips to navigate Ashford Writing Center, Library and student Portal.
* The newsletter may contain now or in the future links to other websites, such as links to military charities, discounts or offers, or other third parties that may provide services or products to you. These links and this information is being provided to you for your convenience and as a resource. We are not responsible for the privacy practices, the content of, or any other actions of such other websites or their owners or operators, information they may collect or information they may share. Further, the inclusion of an organization on this newsletter does not indicate an endorsement of such organization (or of any religious or political point of view promoted by such organization) by Ashford University or its affiliates.
Citations and URL Image Retrieval
- The Rosie Network Image. Retrieved from: http://therosienetwork.org/index.php
- Military Spouse Benefits. Retrieved from: https://www.flickr.com/photos/75275654@N00/392242495/in/photolis
- New Skills Training Image. Retrieved from: http://www.ameriforce.net/blog/dod-program-offers-transitioning-service-members-experience-with-civilian-companies
- Exceptional Family Member Program Image. Retrieved from: https://www.flickr.com/photos/47623996@N04/4430789114/in/photolist-
- PsychArmor Image. Retrieved from: http://www.psycharmor.org/#psycharmor
- 9 Clothing Stores that Offer Serious Military Discounts Image. Retrieved from: http://ameriforce.net/9-clothing-stores-offer-serious-military-discounts/?
- Helping Hand Image: Retrieved from: https://www.flickr.com/photos/privateskylark/2760656158/
- Sea World Image. Retrieved from: http://www.discounts-deals4military.com/2016/01/sea-world-military-discount-2016.html
- CCME Image Retrieved from: http://www.ccmeonline.org/scholarships
Stephanie Kinman: Military Development and Engagement Specialist
Please do not hesitate to email me if you wish to unsubscribe
Email: stephanie.kinman@ashford.edu
Website: http://www.ashford.edu/military/military_resources.htm
Location: 8620 Spectrum Center Blvd, San Diego, CA 92123, United States
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AshfordMilitary