Courtney Meyer
For veterans returning to civilian life, the transition can be anything but simple. The evolution from a structured life as a military service person to that of a civilian empowered to make their own life choices can be a daunting, yet critical period requiring understanding and support. A culmination of partnerships between the RCPD and Michigan State University established the Disabled Veterans' Assistance Program in fall 2009, but an opportunity exists to provide still greater support to the veteran community.
The Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities is joining forces with Air Force and Army veteran Robert El Henicky to establish a series of casual monthly sessions which will illustrate techniques proven to ease the transition from military to academic and career success. El Henicky's story illustrates not only a successful transition from soldier to student, but the degree of influence that education can assert on one's life.
Joining the Air Force as a junior in high school, El Henicky began taking segments of the GED during basic training and obtained his high school equivalency certificate while stationed in England. His studies continued, concentrating in the areas of psychology, international relations, and Russian history with professors from the Universities of Cambridge and Heidelberg.
El Henicky saw the need for a highly-directed life plan while continuing to study psychology, counseling, and social work. He acquired Bachelors' and Masters' degrees before accepting a commission as an Army Medical Department social work officer. Completing more than 35 years combined military service in a variety of assignments, he retired in 2007. Robert asserts, "The road from drop-out to personal therapist has been long, busy, and personally rewarding."
Currently, Robert seeks to be a "helping friend," "a source of experience" and "a champion of personal empowerment" for student veterans. He regards serving others through MSU and the RCPD as a privilege of the first order, one he obtained as a result of the same motivation, focus, and commitment to self-improvement and learning that propelled his transition from military to civilian living. El Henicky's insight as a university professor and successful student veteran will provide students faced with the challenging transformation from structured assignments to making individual choices for life success.
Please join the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities at a welcome reception for MSU veterans and service members on Wednesday, September 22, 2010, from 5:30-7 pm in 120 Bessey Hall. To RSVP, visit the RCPD Veterans Page.