Geoff Roberts, BGSU’s Military Service Student Coordinator, served two deployments in Iraq before attending BGSU.
Roberts would go to bed, set his alarms, and then wake up panicked in the middle of the night reaching for a gun that hadn’t existed since he had served overseas in Iraq.
These visceral flashbacks from his time in Iraq had manifested themselves as PTSD symptoms, and once Roberts noticed, he reached out for support and was connected with a Veteran Affairs (VA) therapist through the office of Non Traditional Military Student Services (NTMSS) within the next week.
This inspired him to chase his passion for higher administration, and give back to the community that helped him.
Now, as he serves as the Military Program Coordinator in the NTMSS he strives to help as many students as he can.
Roberts said after years of military service, his perception of the world changed. The difference between being in active duty to turning back to civilian life, he said, is one of the hardest things veterans have to do.
This is something that BGSU military students have to deal with on a daily basis.
“(They’re) students most of their life and here comes duty weekend. Then released back to civilian life, it’s a never ending flip flop,” he said.
Roberts added that the NTMSS office exists to bridge that gap and make it easier for students to speak “their language”.
Curt Lydy, a BGSU student and military service member explained that the NTMSS has provided him with exceptional service, helping him succeed within the program.
“Whenever I have questions or issues regarding educational benefits, they are my go-to contact. They do a great job ensuring BGSU’s military-affiliated students are supported and successful.” Lydy said. “(I) also appreciate having a quiet place to study in their office… (they) regularly call me and all my homies to make sure we’re doing good and don’t have any questions,”
From resources in the office, to finding relatability within a group of people that have lived through the same thing that they had- they build a “family” within the NTMSS office.
“We take care of each other professionally and personally (as a team) which makes it more welcoming for students,” Roberts said.
Lydy explained that the office is a huge help when prepping for any transitions he has within the military- with Roberts’ services being especially beneficial.
The office specifically serves veterans, “part-time” students in the military and dependents of military caregivers.
Some of the resources that the NTMSS provides are the access to the VA, the Wood County Veterans, and the VITAL program.
The Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership, or VITAL program, exists to provide support for military members transitioning to college life, including on-campus clinical care and collaboration with local veteran resources.
Additionally, the NTMSS orchestrates all communication between students and professors.
Roberts said he coaches students on taking classes that they need, work with professors to maintain as well as un-enrolling students in courses if they need to without financial repercussions.
BGSU is located less than 35 minutes from the 180th Fighter Wing military base- so the university is no stranger to the ins and outs of students in the military.
BGSU has been voted amongst the best colleges for military students by the Military Times for several years. In 2024, BGSU ranks as the #1 university for veterans in Ohio and the midwest, and #20 overall.
According to data provided by the NTMSS, approximately 47 students are currently using the Air Force National Guard Scholarship, most of which are assigned to the 180th Fighter Wing.
A few students using the scholarship are also a part of the RED HORSE base at Camp Perry, and the 121st Air Refueling Wing at the Rickenbacker Air Force Base. (AFB)
For operational and safety reasons, there is no way to release the exact number and list of students a part of the US military and reveal the details of where they’re located.
For more information about the NTMSS office or how to get connected, Roberts can be contacted via email at [email protected] or phone number at 419-372-8136. The NTMSS office is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m to 8 p.m. and Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
