Green Zone Ally Training

Mission

Green Zone Training is a program for faculty, staff, and student workers to provide deeper understanding of military and veteran experiences and how to better support their unique needs and academic success.

Background

Green Zone Training is an initiative to highlight veterans' experiences in higher education. Pioneered at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in 2010, Green Zone training is offered at more than 100 universities and organizations nationwide. Named after the secure international zone in Baghdad, Iraq this training helps faculty and staff better meet the needs of their military and veteran students while also providing professional development opportunities.

Green Zone Allies are not expected to be experts or mental health counselors; Green Zone Allies are competent and supportive partners who are better equipped to understand how to communicate and support their students. This training also aligns well with supporting any other students that might experience physical or mental health barriers.

Green Zone Trainees

Green Zone Trainees will be able to:

• provide student veterans with support and information about resources
• identify barriers and challenges faced by our student veterans and current military
• gain tools to guide student veterans in their overall academic experience
• identify on-campus resources for student veteran support services
• recognize signs and anticipate mental health and academic challenges student veterans may face

Outcome

Following training, attendees will be presented with a certificate of completion and will be regarded as “Green Zone Ambassadors.” They will also receive a Green Zone Ally sticker/digital image to display outside their offices. This will let others know they can provide support and information about resources for student veterans and active military members.