Returning Veterans on Campus with War Related Injuries and the Long Road Back Home

This article reviews the growing numbers of returning military personnel attending higher education based on emerging national trends, including the new GI Educational Bill, amendments to the ADA, and the rising unemployment rate. The trauma of war and the high survival rate have resulted in a high percentage of veterans returning from the Global War on Terror (GWT) who will experience a wide range of health issues as a result of their exposure to combat trauma and blast injuries. Many of these injuries will not be visible and will include physical wounds, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) requiring accessible campuses and classroom accommodations. However, many veterans are not utilizing the traditional service providers for students with disabilities in higher education. Therefore colleges and universities need to engage veterans and utilize their strengths in designing welcoming campuses that facilitate success for adult learners.