Military Service and Lifelong Purpose: Supporting Veteran and Military Students for Success at Texas A&M and Beyond

Through tears, Chris Thompson looked back on an experience he had at Texas A&M that never left him. It was a full-circle moment 20 years in the making.

The first time he was a student, he attended the iconic Red, White and Blue Out football game in 2001 as a mechanic in the Army reserves. Recalling the stunning visual of each level of the stadium creating an array of fans dressed in red, white and blue, he described the overwhelming solidarity from the patriotic display at the home opener against Oklahoma State. He felt pride standing with other Aggies to honor those who had just lost their lives on Sept. 11. Thompson didn’t know it yet, but shortly after this game, he’d make the decision to enter active military service.

Thompson went on to become a special forces Green Beret and was readmitted to Texas A&M at least four more times between deployments and military contracting work, never quite certain when, or if, the time would come for him to finish his degree.

It wouldn’t be until 2020 that he was readmitted to Texas A&M for the final time. The full-circle moment came as he stepped onto Kyle Field again, not as a member of the reserves straight out of high school, but as a veteran joined by his family.

This time, it was his service that was honored at the Texas A&M Military Appreciation game, which was an event he attended through the Don & Ellie Knauss Veteran Resource & Support Center (VRSC), and a day he will never forget.

Being an Aggie had taken on a different meaning after seven deployments and more than 10 years in the military. That’s where the Veterans Resource and Support Center came in. Connecting with the VRSC would create a life-changing network of support that not only made Thompson’s time as a student impactful, but helped him make it across the stage to graduation and beyond.

Transformational support and deep connections

For students who have served or are serving in the military, the transition into college has unique challenges. The support they receive can often make or break their experience, even impacting their decision to stay enrolled altogether.

“Sometimes you just need somebody to talk to and help to navigate the ins and outs of school,” shared Thompson.

That’s exactly what drew him to seek out the VRSC for the first time. As he was considering the possibility of coming back to Texas A&M, Thompson was connected to Military Admissions, an embedded partner of the VRSC, and to VRSC staff members who would make all the difference in his college career. He quickly found that the VRSC’s doors were always open to provide support and access to helpful resources for his transition back into Texas A&M.

There was a pivotal time when Thompson wasn’t sure he could finish his degree due to struggles in a core class on his schedule. After seeking help from VRSC staff and campus partners, Thompson was able to move forward that semester. Thompson shares that for him and so many other students, this type of support means much more than academic success. The VRSC was a lifeline and a place that he could go to any time to spend hours talking with staff, connecting with other veterans, while learning about himself and his purpose.

“For student veterans, the VRSC can provide a way off a darker path,” said Thompson. “The staff and services they offer give a hand up and the help many need to see that it’s possible to succeed. I’ve seen first-hand many friends and peers who are at the brink of dropping out or failing out, and the alternative to being able to stay in school is just a darker path that nobody hopes veterans have to take.”

A family affair

Hana Romer, a Marine Corps veteran and former aviation technician who grew up in College Station, always dreamed of returning to Aggieland as a student. Little did she know that it would be her husband Nick, whom she met during service, who would help make this dream happen for their whole family.

After Romer left the Marine Corps, Nick decided to continue his military career, and the prospects of going back to school were put on hold. However, that all changed when Nick chose to pursue the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program (MECEP), a program designed for Marine Corps members to earn a bachelor’s degree while maintaining active duty status, benefits and pay to become commissioned officers. He had to apply to a university with an ROTC program, so he set his sights on Texas A&M, which allowed Hana to fulfill her dream, too.

They both applied, got accepted and majored in agriculture and leadership. Just a few years and two children under the age of five later, Hana and Nick walked the stage together at graduation.

“We got connected to the VRSC almost right away because of benefits questions, and our family was embraced immediately by the staff,” said Romer. “Nick and I were supported through every process and our two young kids spent almost as much time at the VRSC as we did. Between childcare and classes, we had questions on how we’d make everything work but the VRSC became our meeting point and place of support. I can’t tell you how many hours we spent there shooting the breeze with staff and other students.”

Another difference maker for the Romers was the opportunity to receive textbooks through the former lending library. Supplementing textbook costs not covered by military education benefits, the lending library program saved working families such as the Romers hundreds of dollars. Changes within the textbook and course materials industry have only increased this burden. Today, the VRSC partners with Texas A&M libraries to ensure continued access to digital textbooks and the academic resources their students need.

A lifetime of selfless service

For veteran and military students, becoming an Aggie provides a launchpad towards a brighter future. The path there, however, can come with its share of challenges. Many are returning to the classroom for the first time in years. Others wonder if they will find common ground with their peers and those who can relate to their experiences. With the support of the VRSC, many find that these perceived challenges are actually a strength, and that returning to school as a non-traditional student brings a deep perspective that enriches their time at Texas A&M.

It’s at that point many see that being an Aggie means much more than obtaining a degree. The strong connection veteran and military students already have to the Aggie Core Values, in particular to selfless service, leads to an incredible college experience that stays with them well into their future careers.

Today, Romer and Thompson still carry the flame of selfless service for their fellow veterans. Romer works in marketing and communications in the military family advocacy and veteran mental health space. As a veteran and military spouse, it was important for her to continue serving in the places she was passionate about and to support the next generation. This was recently exemplified with her work at the Family Advisory Network, where Romer helped spread the word about an emergency grocery support initiative for National Guard and reserve families who were unpaid during the government shutdown last year.

Thompson’s passion has been working for veteran well-being nonprofit organizations before founding his own business in 2022. Driven by his own self-care journey and wanting to do better for the special ops community — a community where cancer is often the leading cause of death as soldiers experience chemical stress, exposure and pollution — he founded Klenr. Klenr is a natural soap and sundries company based in College Station that aims to help others take control of what they put on their bodies. Recently, after pitching his business at Walmart’s annual open call, he received a prestigious “Golden Ticket” to start selling his products on Walmart’s online marketplace.

Honoring service with service

The VRSC is on a mission to provide its students the best chance for success at Texas A&M from the day they apply through graduation and into their next step in life.

The journey starts with Military Admissions counselors who help prospective students navigate the application process. Once accepted, academic advisors review their transcripts and military records to develop a clear path to graduation. From there, the VRSC connects students with essential services: VALOR2 peer leaders who understand military life, benefits counselors who demystify the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and a veterans service officer who assists with Veterans Affairs paperwork and disability claims. Bringing together federal, county and university resources with a comprehensive approach, a vital network of support is offered for students, many of whom often manage families, jobs and coursework simultaneously.

The VRSC’s work embodies a university-wide commitment that runs deep. Texas A&M has proudly stood with veterans since 1876, and today that legacy lives in every resource, relationship, and open door the VRSC offers students like Chris and Hana. As a five-time Gold Recipient of the Veteran Education Excellence Recognition Award and the No. 1 most veteran-friendly college in Texas, Texas A&M continues to build on that foundation. Together, Texas A&M and the VRSC are committed to making Aggieland a national model for how universities can serve veteran and military students by investing in their futures.

“Along every step of a student’s journey at Texas A&M, the VRSC provides services and relationships that address points of friction paving the way for a smooth path to success,” said Fleming. “It’s from there that many quickly realize that Texas A&M doesn’t just have the right program for them, it’s a place where they want to get involved in the student experience, too, and see what it truly means to be an Aggie.”