Bridging the Gap: Exploring Veteran Students' Transition from Military Service to Higher Education

Transitioning from military to civilian life can present many challenges for military personnel. Veterans often face difficulties adjusting from the structured and hierarchical environment of the military to the more fluid and unstructured nature of civilian life and the flexibility of higher education. The purpose of this qualitative, narrative inquiry study was to explore the challenges veterans face when transitioning from military service to higher education. The secondary purpose was to develop a webinar series, King Veteran Success 360, to mitigate obstacles student-veterans encounter during this transition. Schlossberg's transition theory was the theoretical framework that guided this inquiry to identify factors that impact veterans' academic and personal success. A purposive sampling strategy was used to recruit 10 student-veterans who had transitioned from active duty to civilian life and were currently enrolled at a college or university. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. Three primary themes emerged during data analysis: experiences transitioning from military service to higher education, resources and support for transitioning veterans, and personal growth and adaptability post-transition. These themes, individually and collectively, depicted the transformation of veterans from military to college life, addressing structural and cultural challenges, essential institutional and peer support systems, and significant personal growth. The results provided important insights into student-veterans' experiences. Veterans' resilience and adaptability enabled academic achievement and supported their broader integration into civilian life. Creating supportive, veteran-focused environments and policies can significantly enhance institutional efforts to assist this population.