Camo to caps and gowns: AU's abundant military community

By Cody Robertson | Staff Writer

Augusta is not only home to our favorite university in Georgia, but also to one of the largest military installations in the world. Fort Eisenhower employs over 16,000 military members, and many of those individuals are using their benefits right here at Augusta University.

Being part of a military family often means frequent moves, family separation and odd working hours. AU military students have unique challenges, but can also use this to their advantage.

Isabel Brown, a junior communication major, says moving was just a small part of life as a soldier’s daughter.

“Definitely hard to plan vacations,” said Brown, whose father is a warrant officer in the Army.

Brown was able to find a supportive community in her church, but admits that it was not easy in the beginning.

“When I first came here, they knew I was in a military family and didn’t make quite as much of an effort to connect because they assumed I would be leaving,” said Brown.

Ever the optimist, Brown stayed persistent, crediting the military with her ability to make fast friends in new environments.

“You have to learn how to make a connection really fast because you don’t have that time to build it up,” said Brown. “A lot of people I know feel a connection to their childhood home and I don’t feel that. My home is my family and it’s definitely made me appreciate that.”

Dr. Stefane Raulerson, Augusta University’s director of Military and Veteran Services, says that military life can even help with studies.

“I just think our military community is successful because they feel like their degree is their mission and they do whatever it takes to get it done,” said Raulerson.

The Military and Veteran Services department is mostly known for processing education benefits, but can also be used to build connections and find a community.

“Our primary focus is compliance with federal regulations, but we also conduct events and have programming. We’re really centered around that military student to build community because sometimes it's hard to make friends,” said Raulerson.

Military and Veteran Services puts on a Veteran’s Day event every year, and has community engagements all year round. From navigating benefits to finding friends, Military and Veteran Services provides valuable resources to military students at AU.

For more details, go to augusta.edu/military.

Contact Cody Robertson at corobertson@augusta.edu

Photo: Isabel Brown poses with her father (photo courtesy of Isabel Brown).