Veterans Education and Transition
The University of Montana has established the Vets Office to assist veterans and their family members with using their VA Education Benefits.
We are not the VA, but are liaison's between the students, University, and VA.
Our goal is to provide a positive environment for veterans and family members, offering a place to study, eat, and relax.
Feel free to stop by and give us a visit, or give us a call with any questions you have.
WELCOME TO GRIZ NATION!
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
We Salute You
Meet six UM students who served in the Armed Forces. Their grit and determination are an inspiration to us all. Thank you for their service.
Jacob Elder
Marine Corp veteran Jacob Elder chose to attend UM for his undergrad and law degree because it provides a well-rounded education, affordability and small class sizes that gave him the opportunity to build close relationships with faculty and his fellow students. A native of then war-torn Liberia who grew up in Helena, Elder’s service included deployments to Japan and South Korea. To perspective veteran students he offers this advice: “Be nice to everyone; a portion of your schoolmates will likely become your future colleagues. Lastly, remember to smile when adversity interferes.”
Katie Kennedy
Air Force veteran and Butte native Katie Kennedy spent seven years serving her country, including deployments to Al Dhafra Air Base in Abu Dhabi and Manas Air Base in Kyrgyzstan. She chose to enroll at UM for two reasons: “It has a great physical therapy program and it’s close to home. I’ve been away for too long,” says Kennedy, who added that she selected PT because she wants a career where she can help people. “This is a great university, and I would recommend that new vets talk to prior vets to so you know what’s available to you.”
Jake Strand
Navy veteran Jake Strand enjoyed his work as a hospital corpsman so much that when he finished his time in the military in Dec. 2019, he enrolled in UM’s human biology program as the first step toward getting a medical degree. He was serving with the VMFA-251 in South Carolina at the time and remembers investing a lot of planning in his move to Montana. “It is a huge transition, physically and mentally” Strand says. “I strongly encourage reaching out to students, the VA and all other resources as much as possible. Missoula has a good veteran presence and strongly supports all military branches.”
Larry Whitmore
Larry Whitmore, a School of Social Work graduate student, served 26 years in various branches of the military, primarily as an electronics warfare officer flying worldwide reconnaissance missions. The West Virginia native retired to Missoula, so attending UM made sense. But he was also drawn to UM’s strong veteran support network. “Your transition from service member to student will challenge you in different ways than you’re used to,” says Whitmore of his advice to incoming veterans. “Use the skills you’ve learned but be open to new ways of doing things. Be prepared, be on time and be an example.”
Victoria Parker
Law student Victoria Parker served in the Army as an MP, including two tours in Iraq, and the Army Reserves as a drill sergeant. Raised on the Hungry Valley Indian Reservation in Northern Nevada and a member of the Western Shoshone Tribe, Parker says UM fit her most important criteria for law school. “I wanted a university that was surrounded by robust Native American and veteran populations,” Parker says. She encourages incoming veterans to become regulars at the VETS Office. “It should be the first point of contact for veterans receiving military education awards since they verify and process our payments.”
Paul Jindrich
College of Business MBA student Paul Jindrich was on deployment as a Marine Corps Infantry Officer in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan in 2019 when he applied for and got accepted to UM. The Iowa native chose UM because of the educational opportunity, but also because it of the endless outdoor activities it offers. Attending school on the Post 9/11 GI Bill, Jindrich says UM provides veterans with a great opportunity to get the most out of life. “My experience has been amazing and I am sure it will be for any veteran considering the UM,” he says.
