1. Front Lines – November 2013 Edition
Greetings and welcome to the November 2013 edition of Front Lines, the unofficial newsletter of Cuyahoga Community
College’s Veteran Services & Programs. Here’s what’s happening…
Spring 2014 Registration Underway: Spring 2014 registration is underway. As noted during previous registration
evolutions, those of you planning on using GI Bill benefits for Spring Semester 2014 should plan on stopping by to see the
GI Bill Certifying Officer at your respective campus Enrollment Center Office as soon as possible (West – Damian
Thorkelson, Metro – Della Hilbert, East – Evelyn Anderson). You should also be stopping by your respective Counseling
Office to insure you are tracking with your academic plan. The reason for the early “jump” is because of the ongoing
delays in processing GI Bill checks in St. Louis caused by the government shutdown. The early start helps to ensure your
account is credited with payment prior to the start of the semester. Lack of payment to the account could result in
possible disenrollment. Let’s stay ahead of the game!
Tri-C Veterans Information Sessions: You’re invited you to attend a Information Session being held at the East
Campus (ELA 230) and the Metro Campus (MSS 500) on Monday, November 18. The morning session will begin at
10:00 am and the afternoon session will begin at 1:00 pm. Each session will cover a variety of topics including: what VA
education benefits are available, programs of study at Tri C, community resources for Veterans, and applying to Tri-C for
the Spring Semester. This same information session will be repeated at the West Campus (G 4A) on November 21.
Again session start times are 10:00 am and 1:00 pm.
Those of you attending who bring to the session a copy of your Spring 2014 Veterans Registration Form will automatically
be entered into a FREE drawing for a copy of the newest edition of the Call of Duty video game.
Tri-C Student Veterans Appreciation Dinner NOV 25 – East Campus: The Phi Theta Kappa-Alpha Epsilon Eta
Chapter and the East Campus Veterans Today Club cordially invites all Tri-C student veterans and a guest to a FREE
Veterans Appreciation Dinner which the two organizations are hosting at the East Campus on November 25. Details of
the event, including directions on how to RSVP, are found in the attached letter of invitation. A very special “thank you” to
Phi Theta Kappa-Alpha Epsilon Eta Chapter and East Campus Veterans Today Club for their gracious offer. Students
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interested in attending the special event MUST RSVP via e-mail no later than November 15 , 2013. Please forward
RSVP to: weappreciateveterans1125@gmail.com
Hiram College Opening First ALL Veterans Dorm: Hiram College, located in northern Portage County, will be the first
college in Ohio to have an all veterans dormitory. The college’s Henry Hall is currently be retrofitted to accommodate 22
veterans in private rooms (both male and female) and will be ready for occupancy on JAN 14, 2014. Only 40 minutes
from downtown Cleveland, Hiram College offers all of the amenities of a large college (full athletics, student life programs,
day care, etc.) in a tranquil, easy paced campus environment, free of the pressures and stressors of a more urban
campus, in a footprint that is completely walkable. Hiram boasts strengths in Nursing, Education, Accounting and
Biomedical Ethics just to name a few. For further information about “The Henry Hall Home Front” Hiram Veterans
Initiative, contact Rick DeChant at (216)-987-3193, or by e-mail at: richard.dechant@tri-c.edu. Hiram College is also a VA
“Yellow Ribbon” school which makes it possible to use Post 9-11 GI Bill benefits at a private college.
Note also that Hiram College will have a representative at Tri-C on the following schedule:
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Tri-C East on November 19 from 10 -2. ( outside of the advising office.)
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Tri-C West on November 21 from 10-2. (outside of the advising office.)
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Tri-C Metro on November 25 from 10-2. (ground floor of Student Services building in front of the Student Services
window.)
AT&T Doubles Efforts To Hire Veterans: With veterans’ skills proving to be a good fit for the company’s needs, AT&T
is doubling its hiring goal for veterans and their family members to 10,000 over the next five years. More than half of the
veterans hired by AT&T in 2013 made their transition to the private sector as technicians as a result of Project Velocity IP

2. (VIP), the company’s investment plan to expand and enhance its IP broadband networks, which is driving technician hiring
needs.
AT&T’s goal of hiring 10,000 veterans and their family members over the next five years doubles a goal it set in April with
the White House’s Joining Forces Initiative. AT&T also announced then that it is leading an initiative with JPMorgan
Chase and the 100,000 Jobs Mission to create the veteran talent exchange, www.vtx.jobs. The exchange enables activeduty military and veteran job candidates to “opt-in” to a talent-sharing database to facilitate the sharing and referral of
veteran candidates among participating 100,000 Jobs Mission member companies.
AT&T actively supports veterans and their family members with the following resources:
• AT&T has a veteran career site that includes tools for veterans to match their military skills with AT&T jobs.
• AT&T launched a military spouse career site that showcases the breadth of AT&T’s portable and virtual careers
across our US locations.
• AT&T’s military talent attraction manager focuses on military recruitment.
• The company has a Careers for Veterans program in which AT&T Veterans provide job search advice to veterans
transitioning from military service.
Ohio Veterans Bonus Deadline Near for Gulf War Era Veterans: Ohio veterans who served during the time of the
Persian Gulf War have until December 31, 2013 to apply for the Ohio Veterans Bonus and receive the thank you for their
service awarded them by Ohio’s citizens. The Ohio Veterans Bonus continues for veterans of the Iraq War, who have
until December 31, 2014 to apply. No deadline has been announced for veterans of the Afghanistan War and all veterans
who served after October 7, 2001. The Ohio Veterans Bonus is open to veterans of the Persian Gulf War era as well as
the eras of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, regardless of where they served. However, the amount available is higher to
those who served directly in the war zones. It is also open to the next of kin of those who were killed in action or died of
disease as a result of in-theater service. The Bonus is not subject to federal or state taxes, and can be used for any
purpose.
To date, almost $59 million has been paid to over 70,000 veterans and family members.
The specific criteria are below:
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Military service of more than 90 days active duty, not for training, anywhere in the world during the following
periods:
o August 2, 1990 through March 3, 1991 – Persian Gulf; deadline to apply is December 31, 2013
o October 7, 2001 through a date to be determined by the President – Afghanistan
o March 19, 2003 through December 31, 2011 – Iraq; deadline to apply is December 31, 2014
Eligible veterans and military service members must have been Ohio residents at the time of their entry into the
military, and must be Ohio residents at the time they apply.
The bonus pays $100 a month to veterans who served in the Persian Gulf Theater, or in the countries of Afghanistan or
Iraq, up to a maximum of $1,000. For veterans who served elsewhere, the payment is $50 a month up to a $500
maximum. Veterans medically discharged due to injuries sustained in combat can receive $1,000, plus up to $500 for
months of service elsewhere. Family members of those killed in action or who died from disease as a result of their intheater service can receive a bonus of $5,000 plus whatever the service member was eligible for, up to a total of $6,500.
For more information or to apply:
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Call toll-free to 1-877-OHIO VET (1-877-644-6838) option 2
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Visit www.veteransbonus.ohio.gov
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Visit any county veteran service office (see www.ohiovet.gov for an interactive map of the county offices). These
offices can also provide information about all federal and state veterans’ benefits, and assist veterans in the application
process.
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The department also provides information about the Bonus through its social media and at veterans’ events, and
has advertised the program in print and broadcast media, as well as in veterans’ publications and a mailing to veterans
whose service likely occurred during the Persian Gulf era.
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Men’s Day Military in Transition Workshop: November 19 is designated as International Men’s Day. As part of areawide activities, Tri-C will be hosting a symposium about Military in transition. Here are the details
When:
Tuesday, November 192013
Registration:
9:30 am – 10:00 am

3. Townhall:
10:00 am to Noon
Where:
Cuyahoga Community College
Metro Campus - UTC 229
Unified Technologies Center
2415 Woodland Ave.
Cleveland, Ohio 44115
RSVP email to: gpnetwork@live.com
216-551-7966 Information
The Great American Smoke-out is Nov. 21: VA encourages Veterans to give up smoking for the day and for life.
Veterans are encouraged to use VA’s quit line at 1-855-QUIT-VET (1-855-784-8838), or text the word VET to 47848 for
24/7 text messaging support.
Personal Financial Management Programs for Service Members: You're probably careful with your money. But if
you're like most people, you may not be aware of the best ways to save, budget and plan for your financial future.
Fortunately, each service has a Personal Financial Management program that can help you keep your finances in good
shape, save for the future, improve your credit and resolve financial problems. Although financial planning services can be
very expensive in the civilian world, the financial services offered at installation family centers, Military OneSource and the
Military and Family Life Counselors program are available at no cost to service members and their families.
Veterans Connections and information from the VA’s website:
Connect with VA!
Blog
Facebook
Twitter
Flickr
YouTube
View VA’s social media directory
Quick List
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Veterans ON–line Application (VONAPP)
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Enroll/Update Medical Benefits (10–10EZ)
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My HealtheVet
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eBenefits
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Life Insurance Online Applications
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VA Forms
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Federal Jobs for Veterans
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Notices
Highlights
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State and Local Resources
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Post 9/11 GI Bill
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Prescriptions
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VA Strategic Plan FY 2011 – 2015
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VA 2012 Budget Submission
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Veterans Crisis Line 1–800–273–TALK (8255), Press 1
Special Programs

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Returning Service Members (OEF/OIF)
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Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment
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Homeless Veterans
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Military Service Benefits
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Minority Veterans
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Surviving Spouses and Dependents
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Women Veterans
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Adaptive Sports Program
Finally… Thanksgiving Reflections: I think we all would agree we have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. First
and foremost if you’re reading this you’re probably home and not deployed. For all who have “been there and done that”
we know there are no “bad days” here at home. That being said as we head into Veterans’ Day and the upcoming
Holidays let’s not forgot that some of our fellow veterans who although they are home are still struggling with multiple
issues. Keep an eye out for them and let’s do what we can “to cover their six.”
Let’s also take a moment to remember all of our service men and women around the world who will spend the holidays
manning a post, patrolling a perimeter, or standing a watch. May they all be safe.
And remember too all who have served in ALL conflicts and never returned home to enjoy another holiday season with
their families. May they and their families be at peace.
CDR Rick DeChant, USCG (ret)
Executive Director - Veteran Services & Programs