Military Insider: Fall 2026 Edition
Welcome to the 2026-27 Academic Year
As we begin the 2026-2027 academic year, the Office of Military Affairs would like to extend a warm welcome to all of Liberty University’s student veterans, service members, and military family members. Whether you are starting your first semester or continuing your educational journey, we are honored to have you as part of our community.
Your dedication, resilience, and commitment to service bring a unique perspective to Liberty University. We recognize the sacrifices you and your families have made, and we remain committed to supporting your academic, professional, and personal success. Throughout the year, the Office of Military Affairs, Veterans Center, and our military-affiliated student organizations will provide opportunities to connect with fellow military students, access valuable resources, and participate in events designed to celebrate and support our military community.
We encourage you to take advantage of the many services available to you, build meaningful connections, and engage in Liberty’s vibrant military community. Whether you are seeking assistance, looking to get involved, or simply searching for a place to study and recharge, our team is here to serve you.
Thank you for your service and sacrifice. We look forward to partnering with you throughout the year and wish you a successful and rewarding 2026-2027 academic year. Welcome to a new year at Liberty University. We are honored to serve those who have served.
Chaplains Charge
Word of the Day: Direction
Chaplain (MAJ) Brian Harvey, ARNG, Retired
Assistant Director, Center for Chaplaincy
As another academic year begins, I am reminded that life is full of seasons of new beginnings. Throughout my Army career, I experienced many of them. New duty stations, assignments, responsibilities, and challenges often brought a mix of excitement and uncertainty. While each season was different, they all shared one reality: I needed direction.
Today, many in the Liberty University military community find themselves at similar crossroads. Some are starting their first semester. Others are continuing their degrees while balancing military service, work responsibilities, and family commitments. Some are preparing for retirement or transition from the military, while others are pursuing new opportunities God has placed before them.
The start of a new season often prompts us to ask important questions. Am I on the right path? Will I be able to meet the challenges ahead? What does the future hold?
If we are honest, none of us can fully answer those questions.
The good news is that God already knows the path ahead of us.
One of my favorite passages of Scripture is Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (NKJV). Notice that God does not promise to reveal every detail of the journey. Instead, He promises direction. He asks us to trust Him, step by step.
Too often, we want to see the entire map before we move forward. We want certainty before committing and answers before obeying. Yet faith has always required trust. Throughout Scripture, God consistently called His people to follow Him before they could see the destination.
I have found that spiritual resilience is built in those moments of trust. It grows when we choose faith over fear and obedience over uncertainty. It develops as we keep moving forward, even when the road ahead is not entirely clear, believing that God is guiding our steps.
As we begin this new academic year, my challenge to each of you is simple. Seek God’s direction before seeking your own. Make time for prayer. Spend time in His Word. Invite Him into your decisions, your studies, your work, and your relationships. Allow Him to shape not only where you are going, but also who you are becoming along the way.
No matter what this year holds, you will not walk into it alone. The God who has faithfully led you to this moment will continue to guide you in the days ahead.
Spiritual resilience is not found in having all the answers. It is found in knowing who directs your path. The challenges, responsibilities, and opportunities of this academic year will undoubtedly bring moments of uncertainty, but uncertainty need not lead to anxiety when we place our trust in the One who sees the road ahead.
As a retired Army Chaplain, I have learned that some of God’s greatest work in our lives happens when we are willing to follow His direction, even when we cannot see the destination. My prayer for each member of the Liberty University military community is that you will trust God’s leading, seek His wisdom daily, and allow Him to direct your path throughout this academic year. The future may not always be clear, but when God provides the direction, you can walk forward with confidence, purpose, and hope.
Nominate a Veteran for the George Rogers Champion of Freedom Award
Since 2010, Liberty University has proudly presented the George Rogers Champion of Freedom Award each year to honor a U.S. Armed Forces veteran who has gone above and beyond the call of duty. This prestigious award recognizes extraordinary heroism during military service as well as continued dedication to serving as a strong and positive ambassador in the community.
The 2026 award will be presented during halftime of the Liberty Flames football game on November 14, 2026, as part of Military Appreciation Month. Award recipients also have their names displayed at the George Rogers statue located outside Williams Stadium.
Nominations are submitted by members of the Liberty community, and one deserving veteran is selected each year to receive this honor. If you know a veteran who embodies the spirit of this award, we encourage you to submit a nomination. Nominations are open now and must be received by September 7, 2026. To nominate someone, complete the nomination form available on the award webpage and email it to militaryoutreach@liberty.edu.
Visit the award webpage for more information and to view the list of previous recipients.
VetSuccess on Campus: Supporting Student Veterans Every Step of the Way
Liberty University’s VetSuccess on Campus (VSOC) program, offered in partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, provides personalized support to help veterans, service members, and eligible dependents successfully transition to college life and achieve their academic and career goals.
Through the VSOC program, students can receive guidance on maximizing VA education benefits, exploring degree and career options, understanding additional VA resources, and connecting with healthcare services. The VetSuccess Counselor also provides referrals to campus, community, and VA support services, as well as assistance with employment and career development.
By connecting military-affiliated students with the resources they need, the VSOC program helps promote academic success, personal well-being, and a successful path from military service to higher education and beyond.
For more information or to schedule a meeting with Liberty’s VSOC Counselor, Mr. Leighton Canalte, visit the VetSuccess on Campus webpage.
Find Connection in Liberty’s Military Community
Visit the Veterans Center
Located in the Montview Student Union, Liberty University’s Veterans Center serves as a welcoming hub for service members and veterans on campus. The center provides a comfortable space to study, relax, connect with fellow military students, and build community.
In addition to offering a place to recharge, the Veterans Center connects students with resources, support for military education benefits, military-related campus assistance, student organizations, and opportunities to participate in Office of Military Affairs events throughout the year. Whether you need guidance, community, or a quiet place between classes, the Veterans Center is dedicated to supporting your success at Liberty University.
Connect with Military-Affiliated Student Groups
There are many opportunities to connect with student veterans and other military-affiliated students within the Liberty University community. We encourage you to get involved with one or more of the following student groups:
Student Veterans Association
Keeping with the traditions and culture of Liberty University’s passion for Christian service, the Liberty University Student Veterans Association (SVA) embraces the motto Servus Semper, or “Serve Always.” Its mission is to serve veterans within the community while fostering a culture of camaraderie, mentorship, and educational success among veterans on campus. Liberty’s SVA is a chapter of Student Veterans of America.
Learn more on the Student Veterans Association webpage or contact the organization at sva@liberty.edu.
Semper Fidelis Society
The Liberty University Semper Fidelis Society conducts events that share the institutional culture, history, traditions, and operating principles of the Marine Corps. The society also provides training and education for Marine Officer Candidates and recruits preparing for their respective basic training periods through optional weekly physical training sessions. This emphasis on exercise promotes a healthy lifestyle and mental discipline.
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.” — 1 Corinthians 6:19 (NIV)
Point of Contact: Jonathan Thornsbury, President of the Semper Fidelis Society, jvthornsbury@liberty.edu.
Navy Club
The purpose of the Navy Club is to provide Navy veterans, students interested in joining the Navy, and Navy enthusiasts with a community and opportunities to mentor one another.
Point of Contact: Aidan Cramer, Student President of the Navy Club, accramer1@liberty.edu.
Students Behind Our Military
Students Behind Our Military (SBM) is a student-led organization at Liberty University that supports service members, veterans, and military families through outreach, volunteer service, and community engagement. Members participate in care package drives, veteran support initiatives, military-focused events, and local service projects while developing leadership skills, earning CSER credit, and making a meaningful impact on those who serve our nation.
Learn more on the Students Behind Our Military webpage. Point of Contact: Ben Ansley, President of SBM, blansley@liberty.edu.
Liberty University is not affiliated with, officially connected to, or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense or any of its branches.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.
