Allyson Fraley during a training operation in a Bradley Fighting Vehicle for Dynamic Force Employment in Poland in 2019. Credit: Courtesy of Allyson Fraley
Though veterans and active-duty military members only comprise a small portion of Ohio State’s student body, the community is larger than one might realize.
According to Ohio State’s Military and Veterans Services website, Ohio State hosts over 2,180 veterans, dependents, active duty, National Guard and reserve members who are undergraduate or graduate students. The university also has over 400 students in the Air Force, Army and Naval ROTC programs.
Among this group are students from a wide range of backgrounds who have varying reasons for deciding to serve. Allyson Fraley, a 27-year-old environment, economy, development and sustainability student from Findlay, Ohio, said in an email she joined the Army to be a part of something meaningful and gain valuable skills for her future.
“I joined the Army in 2018,” Fraley said. “I was seeking direction and wanted to serve my country while developing skills that would help me in my future career. After completing my active duty service in 2021, I decided to join the Ohio National Guard while pursuing my education at Ohio State, allowing me to continue serving while focusing on my academic and professional goals.”
Fraley, who is also a peer sponsor at the Military and Veteran Services Office and a military community advocate with the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, said she decided to come to Ohio State because of its strong academic offerings and connection to her family.
“I chose Ohio State because of its strong programs in sustainability and business, which align perfectly with my career goals,” Fraley said. “Growing up a Buckeye fan, Ohio State has always been my dream school. It made my decision even easier knowing that the university has such a strong commitment to supporting military-connected students.”
Ohio State offers various support services and programs to veterans and active duty members, including financial aid, mental health resources, peer sponsor programs and more, according to the Military and Veterans Services website.
Joshua Davis, a 32-year-old international studies student from Pleasant City, Ohio, said in an email Ohio State’s services helped make the transition from military life to university life smoother.
“The transition was challenging at times, but Ohio State’s support made a significant difference,” Davis said. “The structure and pace of university life are quite different from the military, so I had to adapt to a new way of thinking and learning. However, being part of a veteran community here provided a strong support system.”
Joshua Davis in Kuwait during his 2022-2023 deployment. Credit: Courtesy of Joshua Davis
Davis — who has been in the National Guard for four years — served on a combat deployment to Iraq and Syria from November 2022 to August 2023. He said he selected Ohio State because of the university’s understanding of the military and veteran community.
“I chose Ohio State after my military service because of the university’s dedicated support system for veterans and its academic reputation,” Davis said. “Additionally, Ohio State offers a vibrant community that values the experiences of veterans and understands the transition challenges we face.”
Davis is also the treasurer for the Student Veterans Association at Ohio State, a military community advocate for the Keenan Center for Entrepreneurship and a combat engineer with the Ohio Army National Guard. He said the support Ohio State offers is vital for the military and veteran community on campus.
“These services are essential because they recognize and address the unique challenges that veterans face when transitioning to academic life,” Davis said. “They provide a sense of belonging, practical resources and mental health support, which are all critical for a successful transition from the military to higher education.”
Samantha Smith, a 23-year-old Russian and international studies student from Lexington, Ohio, said she has served in the Ohio Air National Guard for five years, while also completing her undergraduate degree at Ohio State.
Smith said she knew she wanted to join the military since high school, having had a family member serve in the military in every generation since the Civil War. Smith likewise said Ohio State’s military services helped her during some of her toughest times.
“On my very first day on campus in 2022, I unfortunately lost one of my friends who was living in my squadron to suicide,” Smith said. “I wasn’t sure where to go, what to do, but I went to Military Veteran Services, and they were able to point me to different resources and helped me through that time.”
Samantha Smith in the Ohio Air National Guard. Credit: Courtesy of Samantha Smith
Smith currently serves as president of campus’ Student Veteran Association. She said that through this role, she has been able to see first-hand how Ohio State’s Military and Veteran Services help students have a more comfortable college experience.
“I’ve been able to meet a lot of other military-protected students who I’ve been able to support, as well as helping them with various funds,” Smith said. “I’m also a [Veteran Affairs] work-study student in the Military Veteran Services Office, so I’ve been able to see all of the resources that they have and their various programs.”
Fraley — who was among the first 100 women to serve in her infantry in El Paso, Texas — said the experience taught her discipline and resilience. When discussing how the university might improve its support system for students like herself, she said it would be beneficial if Ohio State provided a more military-centered fitness experience.
“While Ohio State offers fantastic support for student veterans, there are always areas for improvement,” Fraley said. “One suggestion would be creating a military gym or dedicated fitness space specifically for military-connected students. Many veterans find physical fitness to be an important part of their routine, and having a space tailored to their needs could provide a sense of community and familiarity.”
More broadly, Davis said increased awareness for the military and veteran community on campus would improve this distinct demographic’s university experience.
“One area for improvement could be expanding awareness of veteran services among faculty and students, so the broader university community understands the unique challenges veterans face,” Davis said.
Similarly, Smith said the university displaying more awareness in the classroom, specifically, would help create a better environment for military and veteran students to succeed.
“I’ve been lucky to have had a lot of understanding professors in my time, but I also know of other students that have had difficulties with some professors with understanding their situation or their previous experiences with the military,” Smith said. “I think a better understanding of how to be more inclusive from a professor standpoint could be an improvement.”
Refinements aside, Fraley said she is grateful for the services Ohio State has provided to her as a veteran because they have set her up for success.
“The support I received from the Military and Veteran Services Office was a key factor in making my transition smoother,” Fraley said. “I’ve also been fortunate to have had incredibly supportive professors and academic advisors who have helped guide me throughout my time here. They’ve been understanding of my unique background and have provided flexibility and encouragement whenever I needed it. As a result, I’ve been able to not only adapt but thrive in my academic work.”
