Life, Work, Education, and Service: A Narrative Inquiry of the Experience of the Military Reservist

• In Event: 35.079 - Sheraton Roundtable Session Five - Grand Centre
  In Roundtable Session: 35.079-5 - Stories of Balance and Equity in Schooling

Abstract

Reservists number in the tens of thousands among United States Servicemembers and veterans whom qualify to use G.I. Bill educational benefits, however, their experiences while attending higher education institutions differ drastically from their non-reservist peers. These differences, often overlooked in research and practice create critical issues with understanding the student veteran population, as a reservist that is currently serving qualifies to retain veteran status. Their challenges, as a population range from disrupted enrollment to a liminal identity between servicemembers and civilians. This narrative inquiry, of twelve United States Marine Corps Reservists, gives voice to a population within the veteran student research agenda that has not been centrally been focused on.

Authors

• Adam Fullerton, American College of Education

• Deryl Keith Hatch-Tocaimaza, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

• Aaron Meltzer, Delaware Valley University