New Aggie Veteran Transition Toolkit
This page is serves as your hub for information, checklists and guides to facilitate your successful transition to Texas A&M.
Congratulations!
You're coming to Texas A&M, so...what now?
Transition doesn't have to be a four-letter word. Whether it’s straight from military life or a smaller institution, transitioning to a large university like Texas A&M is a process. The VRSC has developed this "Transition Toolkit" to empower our current and former military service members through the process. Through peer-led evaluation and feedback, we have learned where what information is critical for transitioning military students, which steps are often overlooked, and what tools student veterans wished they would have had to successfully navigate their transition into an Aggie Veteran. Student veterans who utilize the information on this page, follow the guides and complete the checklists provided here, and engage with the resources and programming offered through the VRSC exhibit higher markers of success and develop a more robust and lasting support network.
Take Action!
The robust programs and services available to you through the VRSC and its partners are FREE and with the exception of our scholarships, only have a single eligibility requirement...you MUST be recognized in the student information system as "veteran verified" aka "VETV". What does this mean? Military Admissions must receive documentation verifying service. This can be a DD-214, current orders, LES, or other documents respective to your service status. Being verified also ensures you will receive timely and essential communication! Haven't submitted any of those documents to the University, yet? Go ahead and get them submitted here! Unsure of your VETV status? Email your name and UIN to aggievets@tamu.edu.
During Online Orientation, you will be asked to identify if you are a military student. Doing so will allow you to access specialized content that will prepare you for your New Student Conference and your arrival at Texas A&M. Be sure to identify so you do not miss this valuable experience!
“WHO am I?”…”WHY am I here?”
VET+MAP empowers you to answer these two critical questions so you can maximize the fulfillment you receive over your lifetime in both your career and personal life. Over the course of your first semester, this one-of-a-kind, Aggie-developed program will guide you in developing a Purpose-to-impact (P2i) plan for your life.
To begin your P2i Journey you need to discover your Purpose Alignment Rating (PAR). Click the button on the right to answer five (5) simple questions, which will reveal your “Purpose Alignment Rating” score.
Join us in the VRSC on Day 1 of your New Student Conference for the Military Student Session. This mandatory session will include a quick but detailed workshop to prepare you for your next step in the transition process and a tour of the facility by fellow Aggie Veterans. This session is required for all new incoming undergraduate Aggie Veterans and highly encouraged for all incoming graduate Aggie Veterans. Can't wait to see you there!
The final mandatory step in the transition process is Vet Camp. Vet Camp is an intentionally and carefully crafted two-day event for incoming Aggie Veterans that provides crucial knowledge, combining it with hands-on practice and camaraderie that will empower you to for a successful, enjoyable, and impactful higher education experience. This event will include a few essential in-depth workshops, customized campus tours, a family-friendly evening social, and optional academic boot camp for those anxious or needing a refresher on navigating the rigor of higher education. Past participants have reported feeling much more confident and at ease in their new environment.
The Benefits of Continuous Engagement!
Extended Transition & Continuous Engagement
First Generation Veterans Leadership Scholars (#FirstGenVets) is a learning community composed of Aggie Veterans who are first generation college students. Throughout this year-long experience, scholars will engage with tools and resources designed to support them academically, mentally, and interpersonally to become successful students and leaders. Participation in #FirstGenVets requires registration in ALEC 485, which can be either zero credit hours or fulfill one credit hour of electives.
For information on how to register, please contact Monteigne Long or Summer F. Odom, PhD.
The Aggie Veteran Community is an academic augment community in the Canvas student platform. This community provides Aggie Veterans with timely and effective access to information, resources, and support in the convenience of a platform they are already regularly using for academics.
Verified Aggie Veterans have this community automatically added to their Canvas account after the start of the semester.
The Aggie Veteran Network (AVN) is a dedicated, professional network of Aggie veterans across the globe, connected through the privacy of a closed LinkedIn group.
This network is specifically designed to connect current, former, and future Aggie student veterans with valuable professional resources and networking, while offering the campus, community and national resources to assist student veterans from application to vocation and beyond.
Membership is FREE through the LinkedIn free option and every Aggie veteran is highly encouraged to JOIN their fellow Aggies in this professional community.
Student Veterans of America at Texas A&M (SVA) is your official student veteran organization. SVA's mission is to provide our military affiliated students and their families with support, networking assistance, and advocacy throughout higher education for a successful transition and experience. We host professional development, networking, and community-building opportunities throughout the year. Many of our events are family-friendly and offered at no cost to our members and their families.
There are no membership dues for SVA and all Aggie Veterans are welcome at any event, meeting, or gathering! We hope to see you soon!
Veteran Aggie Leaders for Outreach, Research & Resources (VALOR2) is a peer-led program that facilitates feedback, connections with resources, and guidance for a successful and impactful transition and experience at Texas A&M. Formally trained Aggie Veteran leaders collect feedback from fellows veterans like you and use that feedback to help the VRSC design and improve its programs and available resources to fit the needs of the currently enrolled Aggie Veteran population. This means YOUR participation is invaluable! Whether you want to step up and be a trained peer leader or provide insight on your experiences, engaging with VALOR2 is a must!
