All students at TCC are required to take some form of SDV - student development, a one credit hour, college orientation class. 

But if you're a military related student, consider registering for a special SDV 100 - College Success Skills for Veteran and Military Related Students.

The course will still provide the basic orientation information such as college policies, procedures and curricular offerings, effective study habits, career and academic planning and other college resources available to students. But the course will also cover additional resources available to military students including the Center for Military and Veterans Education Offices (CMVE), Vet Success, Educational Accessibility, Tutoring services, and more.

The course also gives an overview of VA benefits and how to best use your benefits during your college career, both inside and outside of the classroom.

See a CMVE academic adviser to register for this class for the spring 2014 semester. 

Transitioning from military to civilian life can be overwhelming, but TCC's REBOOT program covers everything from education to employment to finances over a three week period. 

The first TCC REBOOT class graduated on May 24 - the first of its kind offered on the East Coast.

Former Navy senior chief John Hand, left, and E-6 Keith McPherson

Denna Merrill, with husband Jonathan

Deena Merrill will be working specifically with military spouses and dependents and she has the background to do this job with understanding and skill.

What is your background with the military?

I grew up in Pensacola, Florida -- which has a large US Navy presence. After finishing my Masters in Public Policy at Regent University, I married into the military community -- and moved immediately to Japan where my husband was stationed in the US Air Force at Yokota Air Base. After 3 years being an Air Force spouse, my husband switched to the Army and I became an Army spouse.  My husband retires from the military on Aug 31. My husband began his military career as enlisted, then switched to officer. He has also done reserve duty, and served as active duty in both the Air Force and Army, for a total of 17 years of service.

What were the challenges of being involved in the military while creating your career that make you sensitive to what students within the CMVE may be going through?

As a dependent of active duty service member, I've been through 6 moves in 10 years. I have also been through two deployments, each exceeding a year, for a total of 30 months. 

When we were stationed in Japan, I networked in the spouses club, and found a volunteer position in the Protocol Office for United States Forces Japan Headquarters. The volunteer position at the Protocol Office led to a full-time paid position as executive secretary for the legal office at headquarters (JAG).

I have been stationed at assignments with him in very small towns like Leesville, LA (Ft. Polk) and St. Robert, MO (Ft. Leonard Wood).  We were only stationed in Missouri for 6 months, and I had a newborn baby - which limited my employment options, but I still got involved and took Army Family Team Building courses to stay active and engaged in the military community. Army Family Team Building is a series of training modules taught through your local Army Community Service or Family Program's office that cover topics such as basic information about the Army, personal growth skills and leadership skills.  AFTB improves personal and Family preparedness which enhances overall Army readiness and helps America's Army adapt to a changing world.

While we were at Fort Polk, Louisiana, I had another baby and my husband deployed. Again, I wasn't able to take any full-time or outside jobs at this time, but I did eventually serve as the volunteer Family Readiness Group Leader for the company for which my husband was commander at the time, which served between 150-200 soldiers and families.

While at Fort Hood, Tx, our most recent assignment, I enrolled my kids in karate classes -- then I enrolled myself! This led to me taking on a part-time position as marketing director for the school, and later assistant instructor as well. I still work for the school in an advisory and online marking capacity, even though I am no longer able to provide any on-site/on-location support due to out-of-state move.