Military affairs provides career help

Through various military workshops, seminars and other events, the Office of Military Affairs has a large impact on the Liberty University community by helping military students and vereans pursue their academic careers.

Emily Foutz, the director of the Office of Military Affairs, said that she feels honored to work in the military offices.

“The Office of Military Affairs considers it a privilege to assist service members, veterans, military spouses and dependents with many needs related to their military service,” Foutz said. “We provide benefit counseling to assist them with their financial and educational needs, act as a liaison between the student and the military and veteran agencies, and provide military outreach activities for students throughout the year.”

According to Foutz, Military Emphasis Week is the largest of all the events provided by the Office of Military Affairs. It runs from Nov. 5 through Nov. 10. During this week, military students will have the opportunity to participate in a resume workshop, a candlelight tribute for fallen heroes, a special military convocation, a luncheon for military veterans, the Valley View 5-Mile Military Appreciation Run at the Snowflex Centre, and a special tailgate and halftime tribute at a Flames football game.

Foutz said that a lot of time and preparation goes into the events but that she is grateful for the support she receives from campus organizations.

“Although we have military outreach events throughout the year, October and November are the busiest for us,” Foutz said. “The Office of Military Affairs partners with many offices around campus to make the week a success, including the School of Education, the psychology department, athletics, spiritual programs/convocation team and many others. We greatly appreciate the contribution that is made by all to enable us to express our appreciation to our veterans.”

Students can easily get involved with different events and organizations around campus that help military students. According to Foutz, there is a strong outpouring of support from students, but they could always use more.

“The Student Veterans Group, led by student president Jared Delello, was created to connect veterans within our residential community,” Foutz said. “All students, whether civilian or military, can participate in the Students Behind Our Soldiers (SBS) group.
Their mission is to support service members around the globe by sending notes of encouragement and care packages to deployed military. There is also a student group for military spouses and fiancés, called Silent Ranks with a Vision, to connect the women and men who stand behind those standing in harm’s way.”

The Office of Military Affairs currently supports more than 18,000 military students. Approximately 200 of those students are residential, while more than 17,000 attend online.

Foutz has been at Liberty University for 13 years and said that she feels “privileged” to work with the men and women who serve our country.

“My love and respect for our military students grows each year as I hear the testimonies of our students and the sacrifices they have made to serve our country,” Foutz said. “I am proud to work for a university who places a high priority on caring for service members and veterans.”

The Office of Military Affairs continues to expand and will hold its first Veterans Career Fair Nov. 12.