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This podcast is about going to college after military service. The advantages and the challenges of pursuing higher education post military career.
0:00:00
(Speaker 2)
All right, welcome into the Rebel Vets podcast. My guest today is Rayshon Williams. He's a Marine Corps veteran, a UNLV alumnus, and he is currently working for the William W. Sullivan Center for Enrichment and Outreach as the adult academic coordinator there. Thanks for doing the show.
0:00:18
(Speaker 1)
You got it.
0:00:19
(Speaker 2)
You got it. So just tell us a little bit about yourself, where you're from, and what led you to join
0:00:23
(Speaker 1)
the military. So my journey starts with me being here a Las Vegas native. So born and raised, you know, there are some people that are, you know, from Vegas that are still here. In my junior year, I decided to sign up for the Marine Corps, did the delayed entry program, kind of went that route because I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted to do as far as after high school. So to kind of ensure that I had a pathway, I decided to do the delayed entry.
0:00:53
(Speaker 1)
And at the time I was kind of challenged with not getting in trouble, staying in the green zone. So that was kind of like my incentive, I guess you would say, something to kind of look forward to.
0:01:07
(Speaker 2)
It's a common occurrence in this podcast. A lot of us graduate high school and are just kind of lost and don't know what to do with ourselves. So you sought the Marine Corps Delayed Enlistment Program and then you went in?
0:01:17
(Speaker 1)
Yeah, so I went in right after graduating high school, went in to become a field radio operator. So basically this comm guy, or what they call, you know become a field radio operator. So basically this comm guy, or what they call, you know, battery operator gun. So went into Marine Corps, 2001. Ironically, 9-11 happened while I was in boot camp. Came out of boot camp, ended up going to 29 Palms, was there for a brief moment during my training for my actual position, what they call it MOS. Finished that up a little delayed
0:01:48
(Speaker 1)
after having a car accident that kind of kept me there a little bit longer than anticipated. But eventually finished that up and ended up getting stationed at Camp Pendleton, which is where I served to do my entire enlistment, which ended in 2005.
0:02:04
(Speaker 2)
So what does a radio operator do?
0:02:07
(Speaker 1)
So a radio operator is the individuals that provide communications for individuals in a, not necessarily a combat situation. Well, specifically for us, we were attached to headquarters of an infantry unit. So pretty much all of the infantry men and women
0:02:26
(Speaker 1)
that would go out in the field, we would ensure that they're able to talk back to the main military unit in which they were connected to.
0:02:36
(Speaker 2)
Okay, so it's kind of like you're receiving orders from command and they're telling you, hey, go over here, or giving you directions and things like that?
0:02:43
(Speaker 1)
So to speak, yeah.
0:02:45
(Speaker 6)
OK.
0:02:45
(Speaker 1)
Just make sure everyone can talk to everybody.
0:02:47
(Speaker 2)
Yeah, that's an important job. Comm's so important. While you were there, you deployed as part of, what is it, Operation Iraqi Freedom?
0:02:56
(Speaker 1)
So yes, I did OIF and OEF. So in 2003, I joined a WestPAC with the 11 mu Westpac is short for Western Pacific So basically like a Western Pacific cruise you jump on a ship You kind of just sit out in the middle of the ocean you kind of hit a few different You know ports or what we call liberal ports To kind of hang out a little bit as a force and readiness in case something happens
0:03:17
(Speaker 1)
well in our case it was kind of anticipated that we were going to be going into a Hostile environment so to speak so we were pretty much be going into a hostile environment, so to speak. So we were pretty much preparing for that. And circa, let's say March of 2003, we ended up going into Iraq via a convoy from, I think we left from Kuwait. But yeah, 2003, we did that.
0:03:40
(Speaker 2)
Was this part of the invasion?
0:03:42
(Speaker 5)
Yes.
0:03:42
(Speaker 2)
Part of the invasion for us? Man, that's heavy duty.
0:03:44
(Speaker 1)
So did that was this part of the invasion. Yeah part of the invasion for us, man. That's heavy duty. So did that and then After coming back we're here for let's say six months or so and then we ended up going Right back this time. I went to Fallujah Via we up on a commercial flight out of March Air Force Base, which isn't used for pretty much anything Oh, yeah, so left out of there, went directly in. This was in 2004, and then I came back and got out in 2005.
0:04:09
(Speaker 2)
Two deployments to Iraq was enough for you?
0:04:12
(Speaker 1)
Um, I was young, and to be honest with you, my take was I'm gonna get out for family so I can spend more time with family. Unfortunately, I did that and got out and got into a small business and a bunch of other different things
0:04:25
(Speaker 1)
where I was gone just as much. But I didn't put two and two together at the time. It was just like, oh, I'm chasing money, doing this, doing that, providing for the family, so to speak. But yeah, I was gone just as much.
0:04:35
(Speaker 1)
Maybe it was just subconsciously I was used to being away like that
0:04:39
(Speaker 2)
and didn't think about it. Yeah, you kind of compartmentalize that being away from your family in the military. You're like, well, this is just part of my job. So something we all have to deal with. Let me just get it over with. Any good, worse stories you feel like sharing from your time over there?
0:04:53
(Speaker 4)
Oh, no.
0:04:54
(Speaker 1)
I mean, it was, you know, a little humid. It's hot, you know.
0:04:58
(Speaker 2)
I heard the insects were terrible.
0:05:00
(Speaker 1)
My buddy came back with bug bites all over him. Man, it's bipolar over there. So at night, it gets extremely, extremely cold. In the daytime, it got extremely hot. You know, you see some crazy things, but at the same time, you have to take in consideration, well, back then you saw crazy things, but you have to take in consideration
0:05:20
(Speaker 1)
the nature of the world at the time. You know, what they were going through was they were being uprooted from, you know, some people from the housing, you know, the economic state was all in disarray. So it's like a lot of things going on.
0:05:35
(Speaker 1)
You know, we're stuck in a position of authority and they feeling inferior. It's just like a whole bunch of things going on.
0:05:39
(Speaker 2)
So, you know, a world-wide motion, yeah. Yeah, crazy dynamics to deal with and logistics of all the people that are getting displaced and, yeah, they can't go to the market like they used to because everything's been blown up and controlled by militia slash the US military.
0:05:54
(Speaker 1)
Yeah, yeah, so I saw a bunch of crazy stuff and unfortunately had some friends that I served with that did not come back. Unfortunately, bless their soul, and I'm grateful for, you know, things that they've done that, you know, help us out but unfortunately not all of
0:06:08
(Speaker 2)
us made it back. Yeah, that's tough, tough deployment. So you get out of the Marine Corps, you try to pursue some private business, but what kind of ultimately led you to enrollment and pursuing your degree here at UNLV? So I'm one of
0:06:23
(Speaker 1)
probably many individuals that get out of the service that face some challenges so I'm not ashamed to say it because it can help probably someone else. So I got out of the Marine Corps you know again was away from home just as much as I was in you know chasing you know the American dollar trying to hustle up something and ended up you know, the American dollar, trying to hustle up something. And ended up, you know, putting myself in a position of, I guess you'd say, creating this degree of separation between me and my wife.
0:06:54
(Speaker 1)
So, you know, at one point we ended up getting divorced. You know, I didn't take that whole thing very well. I know I had a death in my family. There were just a bunch of things I was just carrying on my shoulders and I end up succumbing to an addiction. And unfortunately, you know, addiction is common with those who have served or first responders because they carry a lot of
0:07:18
(Speaker 1)
weight with them. And it's a way for them to either suppress the thought or, you know, put some type of, say, for lack of better words, a band-aid on this open wound. So I, you know, dealt with, you know, the addiction. Unfortunately ended up in a situation where I was just as impacted. Post getting out of, you know, that situation, not having a stable work environment at the time, I was like, you know, what am I gonna do right now?
0:07:45
(Speaker 1)
What do I have as a tool, as a resource that I can utilize right now? And I realized that I still had my VA benefit for education. So I decided to kick the habit, get into school, and I've actually been enrolled in school ever since, and this was circa 2019.
0:08:04
(Speaker 1)
And since then, again, I've been in higher ed and I've earned several degrees.
0:08:10
(Speaker 2)
So you enroll at UNLV and you decide
0:08:13
(Speaker 1)
to pursue social work. So initially, my journey started at CSN. I initially wanted to find a way to try to help individuals that might be dealing with either an addiction or something you know that's related to them being justice impacted in some type of way you know entering the carceral system or just a cycle of recidivism I just like how can I help you know how can I change someone else's
0:08:37
(Speaker 1)
situation so initially I started at CSN I was pursuing a degree in criminal justice, so I did an associates criminal justice, transferred to UNLV, and pursued a bachelor's of criminal justice in addition to a bachelor's of social work. So initially I was gonna switch to social work, but they didn't offer a minor,
0:08:59
(Speaker 1)
actually I was gonna do a bachelor's in criminal justice with a minor in social work, they didn't offer that. But they did offer a full degree. So with Chapter 33, you can do a dual degree versus Chapter 31. So Chapter 31 and 33, if you didn't know,
0:09:13
(Speaker 1)
is the different types of VA education benefits you can use. You can look on the VA website, get a little bit more information on that. But anyway, so I used Chapter 33, which allowed me to pay for multiple degrees at once. So I did the dual degree program and got a BA, excuse me, a Bachelor's in Criminal Justice, a Bachelor's in Social Work,
0:09:33
(Speaker 1)
finished that up and came back to do a Master's in Social Work, and then I went to UNR, did a certificate in Addiction Studies, then came back to UNLV, and I'm currently working on an MBA in Healthcare Leadership. So MBA is a Master of Business Administration with again an emphasis in Healthcare Leadership. who might be struggling with addiction, mental health, the justice system. So basically I might give back looking at myself as an example of what I've been through and what it took for me to get through
0:10:13
(Speaker 1)
and how I can kind of empathize and maybe apply some different techniques to help someone else out. So that was my take on all that. And not gonna be a career student, but after I finish this MBA, I have one more goal
0:10:26
(Speaker 1)
and that's a doctorate. So what I'm gonna do, looking at a DSW program. So I'll knock that out and then I'm tapping out on school. But I wanna put myself in a position, in addition to what I said before, in addition, excuse me, put myself in a position
0:10:40
(Speaker 1)
to where I've created enough distance between my past and where I currently am, so I don't feel like I have to compete with anything in my past. Like I'm not gonna go back down that pathway and get myself in trouble.
0:10:52
(Speaker 1)
I'm not gonna be in a position to where my background is being an addict or being just as impact is gonna affect me from being employed. So, unfortunately, I've, like other individuals, have been, for lack of better words, trying to just jump around. So basically I've been incarcerated. I've been to the penitentiary again and have an addiction. That is a hurdle in itself for some
0:11:15
(Speaker 1)
individuals trying to, you know, come back from, you know, a dark part of their life.
0:11:18
(Speaker 2)
Yeah, it can be really difficult to find employment. Correct. People are looking at that kind of criminal history, may not want to employ you, even though you, like you said, you've sought treatment and you've overcome those difficulties. Plus, they're like, I'm listening to you talk and I'm like, if there's somebody that can offer like a really good perspective, like you've been pursuing these degrees so that you can help people that are struggling with those same kind of situations that you went through.
0:11:43
(Speaker 2)
That's really admirable. Thank you. You're pursuing a PhD now? So you're gonna become a doctor?
0:11:48
(Speaker 1)
Well, I'm currently doing an MBA, but then after that I wanna do a doctorate program. That's my last stretch. Specifically looking at a DSW. So a DSW is more of a practical approach to looking at it, versus a PhD is more of a philosophical research-based
0:12:06
(Speaker 1)
type of aspect. So looking more at the DSW. So we'll see, we'll see. But that's on the horizon after that. I'm tapping out.
0:12:16
(Speaker 2)
2019, that's a long time to be at school.
0:12:18
(Speaker 1)
Yes, so initially going into school, again I was using my VA benefits and, you know, I had this thing where I wanted to get connected with the military community. So I felt like, you know, me being a service member, that was part of my salvation, like something that was saving me from the position I put myself in. Because if I didn't have that VA education benefit, who knows what direction, you know,
0:12:44
(Speaker 1)
I would have went It was just like, you know, what what do I have that it's you know That's unique to me that I can use and that was again a free education Well, I mean I earned it but yeah, you know that education benefit which a lot of people don't have unfortunately I was like, let me get connected the veteran community try to look for Different things in the community that connected to the veterans.
0:13:06
(Speaker 1)
Came to school, found the Rebel Vets, and kinda jumped on with them and kinda been a part of that ever since. Actually, it started with PAVE. So I'm not sure if you talked to anyone here.
0:13:16
(Speaker 2)
Yeah, I've talked to a couple of PAVE members.
0:13:18
(Speaker 1)
Yeah, so we have PAVE, which is Peer Advisor for Better Education. Basically, it's like a mentorship program where an existing student connects with another incoming student and basically is a battle buddy,
0:13:29
(Speaker 1)
like a person to kind of show them the ropes. If they have any questions or need anything, they can confine the individual in confidentiality and answer whatever or get whatever support they might need. So again, I was doing that in addition to getting connected with Rebel Vets,
0:13:44
(Speaker 1)
which is the registered student organization here, the RSO here, and trying to find ways that we can, you know, advocate for, you know, the student veterans here on campus or maybe veteran issues that are in the community, different, you know, agencies that we're doing, you know, great work communities like what was one that we were working with?
0:14:04
(Speaker 3)
Sorry, the name just escapes me. like what was one that we were working with,
0:14:07
(Speaker 1)
sorry, the name just escapes me. Veteran Village. So, we would go volunteer there on a monthly basis, handing out different goods at the food pantry, setting up the food pantry, just different things, cleanups in the community, different things of that nature.
0:14:21
(Speaker 1)
Still active. In addition to that, I continued on with the Veterans Alumni Club. So I'm actually part of the Veterans Alumni Club, which is a continuation of
0:14:31
(Speaker 2)
the, I guess you say, Rebel Vets post-graduating. Was there anything unique or challenging about going back to school at a little bit older age? Anything that you faced that was maybe fun? Things that I'm enjoying here, obviously I'm an older veteran that's going to school. I'm easily the oldest one in class. I always find myself kind of leading projects just because I guess it's the leadership nature in me
0:14:53
(Speaker 2)
that's like, all right guys, let me get this under control and give us a guide point to make sure we turn in this group project on time.
0:15:00
(Speaker 1)
You're right, that is one thing I've noticed when working with groups in, it's a little bit different in the graduate program because the graduate programs, the age brackets are a little bit more mixed, I guess you would say. You have a little bit more people that are older
0:15:17
(Speaker 1)
in the graduate versus the undergraduate. Undergrad is a lot of younger, but during my undergraduate days, doing group projects or certain assignments, you would get some of the younger crowd kind of just look at you when certain questions are asked,
0:15:29
(Speaker 1)
like, oh, that person would have the answer to it. It's like, because you're older, they expect you to be like the all-knowing, you're like, you know, that, you're just not the knowledge guru. They just look at you, and you're like, I don't know either. I'm just like. I'm in the same class you are. Yeah.
0:15:46
(Speaker 1)
But I mean, you know, it's not a bad thing being the older one. I mean, it is initially kind of awkward. I think everyone kind of goes through those, kind of like that awkward imbalance of feeling like, you know, I'm like the only one here that's older
0:15:58
(Speaker 1)
or whatnot, but so, you kind of get used to it. It's like, yeah, out of sight, out of mind. You don't even really think about it anymore.
0:16:05
(Speaker 2)
Yeah, each class has its own dynamic. I often find that I'm not shy, and I'm not shy to share my feelings or answer questions in class. That's good. I do get a lot of that in the undergrad classes,
0:16:16
(Speaker 2)
like these 19-year-olds don't want to speak up. A teacher asked something and we're like, what are your thoughts on this? Hey, somebody talk, it's okay.
0:16:25
(Speaker 1)
Yeah, and UNLV is extremely big, it's very diverse. So you don't necessarily see all the students that are here, but then when you get to the finish line and you're kind of going through graduation, I'm not sure if you're planning on walking, but once you get to the commencement
0:16:41
(Speaker 1)
and you see the full dynamic of everyone that's in your graduating class, you're like, whoa, that person was going to school here? It's like you see someone who's like 15, 20 years older than you, you think you're like one of the older ones, you're like, whoa, that person was going to school here too? It's like a shocker. You're like, wow.
0:16:58
(Speaker 2)
So, yeah, you're not the youngest, you're not going to be the oldest. Yeah, that's a relief. I mean, yeah, you're right. It is a big, diverse campus. And we're only one small section of it over here in the Urban Affairs building. So what did you enjoy about the Rebel Vets? Sounds like the volunteer work meant a lot to you, or is it working with other service members
0:17:18
(Speaker 2)
that was really impactful for you,
0:17:19
(Speaker 1)
or just having the support system? Actually, all the above. So the support system. So you have on-campus support with the different agencies and entities that you're connected with, the student veterans themselves. So it's like everyone kind of looks out for each other. It's not like a one person for themselves. I mean, yeah, you do have those individuals that kind of only
0:17:43
(Speaker 1)
look out for themselves. But even those individuals, they still kind of look back to help someone to a certain degree. I can't really explain it, but it's like even when you try to keep to yourself, it's like you're not really to yourself. So you have, you know, the other veterans to kind of lean on. You have, again, the school has a lot of resources. Then you also have Student Veterans of America,
0:18:05
(Speaker 1)
the national chapter. So they have an array of different resources for employment, for education, for connecting with other chapters and clubs. They do a leadership retreat once a year, completely free of charge.
0:18:18
(Speaker 1)
They do summer regional summits where they bring out different individuals from the different schools to kind of connect and talk about leadership, what it's like to be on their campus, additional resources that can help provide and guidance or community or engagement
0:18:35
(Speaker 1)
with other veterans on campus. So it's a lot of perks to that. I've met a lot of individuals through the SVA, the local and national chapter. So it's been a great, great thing. And then furthermore with the alumni,
0:18:50
(Speaker 1)
I've met a lot of individuals that are just connected to a lot of, just networking. It's short, just networking. There's a lot of professionals that you come across that have graduated that you didn't know that went to UNLV or associated with UNLV.
0:19:04
(Speaker 2)
Yeah, and those are always great opportunities to meet those folks because you never know where it can lead to. I talked to so many guys on this podcast that are just like, you know, it was one of the event where I met this person and then they were like, hey, you're looking for work here? Maybe you can help me out here and then the opportunity shows up. So I'd like you to talk a little bit about your position now and kind of what you're doing. So I actually work for one of the TRIO
0:19:28
(Speaker 1)
programs that's housed here. So you can actually find out information about our programs if you go to unlv.edu. So basically I work for the Center for Academic Enrichment Outreach. What we are is one of several TRIO programs that help young adults basically look to getting into post-secondary education, help basically fertilize the idea of post-secondary education. My specific role is to help with adults
0:19:54
(Speaker 1)
look to get into post-secondary education, whatever that might look like. So some type of trade school or college program, we help every step of the way, looking at the careers, the institution that we're taking that career field,
0:20:05
(Speaker 1)
the documentation to get it into that institution, whether it's the application or financial aid, looking up scholarships. We provide fee waivers to select schools. There's entities of our program that provide specific scholarships
0:20:20
(Speaker 1)
or student work positions, free textbooks. So there's a lot of different moving parts that help with getting into post-secondary education. And the TRIO programs, if you weren't aware, they've been around since, let's say, circa 1965, since the Lyndon B. Johnson administration.
0:20:34
(Speaker 1)
So think of Upper Bound, Gear Up, Talent Search, Veterans Upper Bound, those are all some of the programs that are under that umbrella.
0:20:42
(Speaker 2)
And it's not just, you just talked about secondary education, that includes trade schools as well?
0:20:47
(Speaker 1)
Yes, so any type of trade school. So basically any type of education programming that will be needed after, let's say high school. So, you know.
0:20:56
(Speaker 2)
That's fantastic. My dad was a blue collar man, he worked his whole life at that stuff. So I always had an appreciation for the trades and like post high school when I was wandering around before I joined the military, he got me a job working with some plumbers and pipe fitters on a giant construction site. So I always have a love for that kind of blue collar work and learning a trade is a great way to earn a living. And
0:21:20
(Speaker 2)
yeah, that's great that those opportunities exist for people out there. Well, I'll pass on the last thing to you. So do you have any advice for people that you know for for guys that are transitioning, becoming a veteran, retiring from the military?
0:21:32
(Speaker 1)
If you are transitioning or retiring you know, whatever your case, your situation is, if you have questions, just ask. Some people are bashful about asking questions. Whatever it is, no matter how outlandish, ask somebody. Somebody will direct you to someone who has an answer if you cannot find the answer in the person you ask. You know, when it comes to careers, you know, just explore.
0:21:54
(Speaker 1)
You know, there's assessment tools out there to help you figure out what you might, excuse me, what you might like to get into, and it's okay to, ship. You don't have to stay in the same career. Some people feel like they have to stay in a certain constraint or they're just bound to a particular work environment
0:22:11
(Speaker 1)
or a particular area of their life because that's what they're used to. No, it's okay to change up. It's okay to release yourself from what you're used to. It's okay to look for something different.
0:22:21
(Speaker 2)
Yeah, and always something that sparks passion in you. Correct. That'll help really drive your desire for education. I always feel like the more that I learn about the subjects that I'm studying, the more that I wanna get into
0:22:33
(Speaker 2)
the nitty gritty details of it all.
0:22:35
(Speaker 1)
All right. If you do what you enjoy, it never feels like it's a work, If you do what you enjoy, it never feels like it's a work, you know, it's not like a chore or anything.