SC Connecticut News

Members of Yale's military community shared their experiences and motivations in a series of discussions organized by the university. The initiative, part of the Veterans Day observance, aimed to highlight the contributions and perspectives that veterans bring to the campus.

Holly Hermes, Yale’s liaison for veteran and military affairs and an active Air Force reservist, emphasized the significance of these contributions: “The depth of military and veteran experiences on campus makes our community stronger. We are thankful for those who have served and all those who support our service members. Veterans and active members of the military bring valuable experience and perspective to Yale’s classrooms and workplaces, and we are a better community because of their contribution.”

Yale hosts several hundred military veterans, active duty members, reservists among its faculty and staff, along with more than 170 student veterans. This includes over 120 graduate students, approximately 50 undergraduates at Yale College, and more than 80 participants in the university’s ROTC program across Air Force, Naval, and Army branches.

Participants in this week's discussions included a Naval surface warfare officer pursuing a joint degree focusing on international development; a junior medical school aspirant who served over ten years in the U.S. Air Force before enrolling at Yale; and an immigrant from Haiti who joined the U.S. military at age 33. Now serving as an operations manager for Yale Public Safety, he is also a sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserve.

The conversations were documented through videos where individuals described what inspired them to serve, how their experiences have influenced their lives and work, and what brought them to Yale.

In addition to these discussions, members of Yale's military community now have access to a new convening space on campus. The Yale Veteran and Military Affairs office has relocated to 35 Broadway alongside Student Accessibility Services (SAS) and Restorative Practices. This facility offers an accessible environment hosted by the Good Life Center @SAS for all students seeking a welcoming place to study or relax.