Episode 16: A Coast Guard Vet Forms a ‘Band of Brothers’ at His University

June 1, 2011, 8:13 pm

“We sort of have this saying: ‘No one can do for us what we can do for each other.’ ”

Daniel Stuart Wilson

University of California at Santa Cruz

In this episode, we hear from Daniel Stuart Wilson about his transition from eight years of service in the U.S. Coast Guard to campus life at the University of California at Santa Cruz.

About this series: Say Something collects stories from college students about what they’re up to and why. Check for new episodes every three weeks. View more episodes.

Photo: Courtesy of Daniel Stuart Wilson. Music: Courtesy of John Gravois.

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w1y43401

Then, how about university libraries? It seems that university libraries are going through an identity crisis, sort of, and are becoming a combination of digital storage/drives and student gathering rooms as fewer and fewer students read paper materials. The traditional mode of the library is disappearing.
jffoster

Semper Paratus mate. And thank you for your service.
johnbee

I wonder if vets might bring back badly needed gravitas to US campuses which are deficient in so much except perhaps a widespread, destructive student frivolity and too much faculty selfserving.
[I don't wish to imply the frivolity and self-serving are predominant - it wouldn't be fair to the serious majority - but they constitute a swelling, vulnerable underbelly insidious in its possible implications.] I’m heartened by vets on campus. They know life; its selfless side. The sense of purpose they bring with them should make a nice balance between Hoot & Boot Camp-us.
chandrak

It is remarkable that Veterans helping each other. I have seen Veterans not getting needed assistance at universities and colleges. They need assistance and we owe it to them.
citizenship

Unfortunately it is not remarkable that veterans end having to help each other when the get on campus. So very few others in the administration, faculty, staff and student population have the slightest concept of what veterans experience before enrolling in school or what the veterans experience (and need) once on campus.

Even more unfortuante is the prejudice both blatant and subtle aimed at veterans form the same people mentioned above.

A veteran I know went back to school after five years in the service and remarked how driving to the campus with the “civilian” students was like riding on a school bus to grade/high school. Most conversations were about latest crush/romance, video game or TV show. Very little on class assignments, degree programs, career goals, local and world events, getting a job.
SophieMerry

The mistake of banning ROTC units from certain campuses in the ’60s and ’70s is an error whose implications are still being felt.