By: W. Thomas Moore
UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA GLOBAL CAMPUS CHAPTER STUDENT VETERANS OF AMERICA
Volume 1, Issue 2 | Quarter 2 | August 2026
1. From The President’s Desk
Greetings UAGC SVA Chapter Members and Supporters,
As we enter August, our chapter steps into a month shaped by vigilance, readiness, and reflection. Across the military community, August carries several important observances that remind us of the courage, sacrifice, and resilience demonstrated by service members, Veterans, families, and caregivers. These moments of recognition strengthen our commitment to clearly supporting one another through and beyond higher education.
This month also marks the beginning of our chapter’s operational ramp‑up toward the Mini Military Resource Symposium in September. This event will bring together organizations, leaders, and advocates dedicated to empowering military‑connected students. Our goal is to ensure every member has access to meaningful resources, mentorship, and community connections that support academic, professional, and personal success.
To build excitement and engagement leading into the symposium, we have officially launched our Battle of the Branches. This friendly competition gives each branch and our military‑connected civilians a chance to showcase pride, teamwork, and chapter spirit. Participation is now open, and we look forward to seeing the energy and camaraderie it brings to our community throughout August.
I also want to extend a heartfelt congratulations to all students who earned a place on the Spring Dean’s List. Achieving academic excellence while balancing military obligations, careers, family responsibilities, and the demands of online learning is no small feat. Your dedication reflects the strength and discipline of our military‑connected community, and we are incredibly proud of your accomplishments.
As you prepare for the fall term, I encourage you to take one intentional step toward your goals, whether academic, professional, or personal. Small actions create lasting impact, and your progress strengthens the entire chapter.
Respectfully,
Ashley Gesler Chapter President, UAGC SVA
Important dates for the month of August 2026:
New Member Orientation: 19 August at 8 PM EST
Chapter Meeting: 25 August at 8 PM EST
Antiterrorism Awareness Month: Month of August
Coast Guard Birthday: 4 August
Purple Heart Day: 7 August
U.S. Department of Defense Birthday: 10 August
Agent Orange Awareness Day: 10 August
Navajo Code Talkers Day: 14 August
National Airborne Day: 16 August
Marine Forces Reserve Birthday: 29 August
2. The OPS Corner
- Expansion of Military Spouse Licensing Compacts
More states have recently joined nationwide licensure compacts for professions like nursing, counseling, social work, and teaching. These compacts allow military spouses to transfer their professional licenses across state lines without retesting or repeating long approval processes. This directly benefits our members who relocate due to PCS orders while completing their degrees. It reduces employment gaps and supports career continuity during school. Students can check whether their profession is covered before planning a move.
VA Digital Modernization Improvements
The VA is rolling out new digital tools that streamline GI Bill® processing, disability claim tracking, and document uploads. Students can now see real‑time updates on certification status and payment timelines through the VA app and online portal. This helps prevent delays caused by missing paperwork or processing bottlenecks. This modernization also improves communication between schools and the VA, reducing confusion during course block transitions. These updates help our members stay informed and avoid benefit interruptions.
Federal Expansion of Mental Health Access for Military Families
DoD and Congress have expanded telehealth access, crisis response coordination, and mental‑health provider availability for service members, veterans, and families. This includes broader TRICARE tele‑mental‑health coverage and improved access to crisis support resources. These changes directly support our trauma‑informed mission and help students access care regardless of location. It also strengthens continuity for online learners who move frequently or live in rural areas. Members can now access mental‑health support more quickly and with fewer geographic barriers.
Battle of the Branches: 7‑Week Chapter Challenge
To build excitement leading into our Mini Military Resource Symposium (September 23–25), we’re launching a fun, friendly, chapter‑wide Battle of the Branches. This seven‑week series celebrates service, pride, community engagement, and the diverse branches represented within our SVA family. Each week features one challenge, one call to action, and a chance to earn points for your branch. The branch with the highest total will be named the 2026 Battle of the Branches Champion during our Symposium Wrap‑Up Party, and the service member with the highest total points accumulated will receive UAGC SVA Swag!
All challenges will take place on our UAGC SVA Discussion Page. A new challenge will be released every Friday, and members must comment directly on that weekly challenge post for their points to count. All submissions, photos, mottos, and responses must be posted on the official challenge thread for your branch to earn credit.
Week 1 Challenge: Branch Roll Call (Starts Today!)
We’re kicking off Week 1 of our Battle of the Branches with a simple, high‑energy challenge to get everyone involved.
This Week’s Challenge:
Comment your branch motto or slogan on our Week 1 post.
How to Participate:
Visit our Week 1 Challenge post on the chapter page
Comment your branch motto (examples: Semper Fi, Aim High, Anchors Aweigh, Semper Paratus)
You may also share a photo of you in service
Earn points for your branch
Points:
+10 points for every member who participates.
Why This Matters:
This first challenge sets the tone for the next seven weeks. It’s your chance to show your branch pride, rally your teammates, and start building momentum before the Mini Military Resource Symposium.
Call to Action:
Sound off for your branch and let’s see who shows up first!
3. Service To Success
Transition Tuesday #11: The First Signs
By: Cole Acker, UAGC SVA Chapter Executive Assistant
(Note: Transition Tuesday is a weekly post featured on the SVA Discussion Board)
After I made the decision to retire, I started noticing a few little signs that things were changing for me.
One of the first was my last Fitness Assessment, more lovingly known in the Air Force as a PT test.
I had probably taken at least fifty PT tests over twenty-two years if not more. They always stressed me out. Thankfully, I never failed one, but I came close enough a couple of times that I never walked into one completely relaxed.
Then one day I realized…
That was my last one.
I would never take another Air Force PT test again.
It was a strange feeling.
Not a huge moment.
Just a quiet realization that one more chapter had finished.
A few months later, I had another one of those moments.
My final EPB, or my annual evaluation report.
For years that annual cycle had simply been part of military life. Capturing accomplishments. Thinking about the next assignment. Looking ahead to promotion opportunities.
Then I realized...
I was not doing another one.
That freed me up more than I expected. Not because I stopped caring about my job. I just was not trying to build the next chapter of my Air Force career anymore. That allowed me to focus on appointments, out processing, training the people around me, and making sure I left things in good shape.
These were not the only moments like this. But they were two of the first times something tangible made it feel real. Not just a date on a calendar or a number of days remaining. An actual thing that was different now.
Neither of those things was the reason I decided to retire.
Honestly, I had not even really thought about them when I made my decision.
They were simply a couple of small realizations that showed up along the way.
Transition comes with plenty of paperwork, appointments, deadlines, and uncertainty.
But every once in a while, something quietly falls off your plate and reminds you that this next chapter is getting closer.
What were some of the first signs that your transition was becoming real?
3. Service To Success
Transition Tuesday #11: The First Signs
By: Cole Acker, UAGC SVA Chapter Executive Assistant
(Note: Transition Tuesday is a weekly post featured on the SVA Discussion Board)
After I made the decision to retire, I started noticing a few little signs that things were changing for me.
One of the first was my last Fitness Assessment, more lovingly known in the Air Force as a PT test.
I had probably taken at least fifty PT tests over twenty-two years if not more. They always stressed me out. Thankfully, I never failed one, but I came close enough a couple of times that I never walked into one completely relaxed.
Then one day I realized…
That was my last one.
I would never take another Air Force PT test again.
It was a strange feeling.
Not a huge moment.
Just a quiet realization that one more chapter had finished.
A few months later, I had another one of those moments.
My final EPB, or my annual evaluation report.
For years that annual cycle had simply been part of military life. Capturing accomplishments. Thinking about the next assignment. Looking ahead to promotion opportunities.
Then I realized...
I was not doing another one.
That freed me up more than I expected. Not because I stopped caring about my job. I just was not trying to build the next chapter of my Air Force career anymore. That allowed me to focus on appointments, out processing, training the people around me, and making sure I left things in good shape.
These were not the only moments like this. But they were two of the first times something tangible made it feel real. Not just a date on a calendar or a number of days remaining. An actual thing that was different now.
Neither of those things was the reason I decided to retire.
Honestly, I had not even really thought about them when I made my decision.
They were simply a couple of small realizations that showed up along the way.
Transition comes with plenty of paperwork, appointments, deadlines, and uncertainty.
But every once in a while, something quietly falls off your plate and reminds you that this next chapter is getting closer.
What were some of the first signs that your transition was becoming real?
4. UAGC SVA CHAPTER SPOTLIGHT
The next monthly chapter meeting will be held on 25 August 2026 at 8 pm EST. Please use the link below to register:
https://uagc-edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/1yzAOJUiTkuOPzkEc6iTVA#/registration
SVA Mentorship Program — Open Casting Call!
Are you ready to step into a role that makes a real impact? Our SVA Mentorship Program is holding an Open Casting Call for students who want to grow, lead, and connect within our military‑connected community. Whether you’re looking to guide others or hoping to learn from someone who’s walked a similar path, we have a place for you on this cast.
Now Casting: Mentors
If you’ve navigated military life, higher education, career transitions, or personal development, your experience is exactly what someone else needs. Mentors don’t need to be perfect, just willing to share their story, offer guidance, and support fellow students as they work toward their goals.
Now Casting: Mentees
If you’re seeking direction, encouragement, or someone who understands the unique challenges of being a military‑connected student, becoming a mentee can help you build confidence and momentum. This is your chance to connect with someone who’s been there and is ready to help you move forward.
Why Join the Cast?
Our chapter thrives on connection, advocacy, and shared experience. Mentorship strengthens those values by creating meaningful relationships that support academic, professional, and personal success. Whether you’re active duty, a veteran, a spouse, a caregiver, or a civilian ally, your journey matters, and you don’t have to navigate it alone.
Copy and paste the link below to join!
https://connect.uagc.edu/hub/uagc/programs/expand-your-support-communit…
SVA Census Is Now Open
The Student Veterans of America National Census is now live, offering the most accurate and comprehensive picture of today’s student veteran population. Unlike federal datasets that often overlook or misclassify veterans, the Census captures real‑world experiences across academics, employment, disability, family life, and financial barriers.
Why It Matters
For a university like UAGC, home to thousands of online, adult, and military‑connected learners, accurate representation is essential. The Census directly informs national advocacy priorities, GI Bill protections, campus support structures, and the public narrative surrounding student veterans. When our community participates, we strengthen the national understanding of online learners, working parents, caregivers, and military families pursuing higher education.
How to Participate
Attached below is the link to the official Census link for you to copy and paste into your browser. The survey is quick to complete and helps ensure UAGC’s military‑connected students are fully represented in national data, research, and future policy decisions. Random participates will be chosen to receive a gift card from National SVA.