Honoring those who served

Tidewater Community College’s Center for Military and Veterans Education (CMVE) invites students and alumni from all branches of the military to Veterans Day commemorations to be held on each campus.

Active duty, reserve, National Guard, veterans, spouses, family members and the community are welcome to attend a ceremony at the campus of their choosing to honor those who have served.

The college will commemorate the day with wreath-laying ceremonies followed by refreshments at each location.

Nov. 7 – 11 a.m.
Portsmouth Campus
Ceremony at the flagpole – refreshments to follow in the student center

Nov. 9 – 11 a.m.
Chesapeake Campus Student Center

Nov. 10 – 11 a.m.
Virginia Beach Campus
Center for Military and Veterans Education – Building D (Kempsville)

Nov. 11 – 11 a.m.
Norfolk Campus
Ceremony at the flagpole outside the Andrews building – refreshments to follow in the student center
Featuring special guest – Del. Angela Williams-Graves, VA House of Delegate, 90th District

Recognizing TCC’s military-related students, staff, alumni

A virtual “Roll Call” video will recognize TCC’s military-related students, alumni and staff who served in the Armed Forces. It can be viewed on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, at noon by visiting here.

For more information, contact TCC’s CMVE at 757-822-7645.

Meet two military students who are part of the TCC family

This Veterans Day and every day, we honor our military service men and women and their families who have stepped forward to serve, no matter the circumstances. Their dedicated service is invaluable, and their sacrifices will never be forgotten. Thank you, vets!

Mohammed Aljuboor and Obmarie Rodriguez are among the thousands of active-duty military members who are part of the TCC family. Here are their stories.

Mohammed Aljuboor has two years of active service in the Navy. He works in Port Operations assisting arriving ships coming into port after deployments. Mohammed is pursuing an associate degree in cybersecurity, with the goal of becoming a network systems administrator.

Mohammed decided to go to TCC because the staff work to ensure active-duty service members can attend college and achieve their educational goals in spite of their unpredictable work schedules.

Mohammed moved to the US from Iraq and experienced some hard times during the transition. Those hard times helped build Mohammed’s character and made him believe failure is part of building success.

Thriving professionally and academically, Mohammed hopes to earn multiple degrees before leaving active duty and to motivate his shipmates to advance and grow in life.

Obmarie Rodriguez is an Aegis Fire Controlman with six years of service in the Navy. She decided to pursue her general studies associate degree at TCC in order to live out her motto, “Vincit Qui Se Vincit,” which means “He conquers who conquers himself.”

Her family instilled this motto in her as they moved to the mainland U.S. from Puerto Rico without financial stability and were unable to speak English. But they had dreams and goals.

Her mother was the first in the family to go to college and Obmarie was the first to join the military. Obmarie has set her sights on becoming a Limited Duty Officer or Chief Warrant Officer by the end of her time in the Navy. She encourages others to push themselves, conquer themselves and conquer those things around you that inhibit your growth.

TCC welcomes close to 8,000 veterans and military-related students on its campuses. In fact, one-third of TCC’s student body are veterans and their families. To find out more about TCC and its program and services for veterans, email enroll@tcc.edu or call 757-822-1111.

TCC honors military veterans on Veterans Day

Logan Campbell is one of the thousands of students who came to Tidewater Community College to train for a new career after serving in the United States Armed Forces.

Campbell, 32, spent a decade in the U.S. Army as a veterinarian technician caring for military working dogs, horses and other animals. He is pursuing a General Studies degree to prepare to enter the college’s Radiography program.

“When I was looking for schools, I could have chosen any college up and down the Eastern seaboard. I selected TCC because of the high pass rates for radiography grads,” he said.

Campbell’s transition to college life was eased by support from TCC’s Center for Military and Veterans Education where staff helped him navigate veterans’ services and apply for the Post 9/11 GI Bill.

Campbell checking the vitals of a military working dog during a field exercise in Texas.

His decade-long work in the Army began at Lackland Air Force in Texas where all military working dogs are trained. He continued at Fort Carson in Colorado caring for more dogs, horses and even some Falcons that are mascots of the Air Force Academy.

“I loved my career in the Army and enjoyed patient care with our animals. From critical care work to surgery, there was always something new to learn,” he said.

Campbell’s last mission was a joint humanitarian tour with the U.S. Navy, followed by an assignment as the senior vet tech on the veterinary surgical team in Seoul, South Korea.

When he returned to the states, he left the military and was working as a vet tech at Tufts University. He got moved to diagnostic imaging and was supervising radiography techs when he discovered that his skill set could lead him to a new career.

“From the start, I found a passion for imaging and with the competitive pay, it was a no-brainer to make the switch,” he said.

While at TCC Campbell has maintained a 3.87 GPA and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society for two-year schools. He is also involved with the Student Veterans of America chapter at TCC. “There is very much a culture shock coming out of the military and being a civilian again. Having a network of people to talk with and support you has made a big difference for me,” he said.

Campbell added that returning to the classroom in his 30s has gone more smoothly than he imagined. “I’ve been well supported on my journey,” Campbell said. “My professors put out a lot of information each class and prepare us well for exams.”

Fen has traveled with Campbell for most of his military career

In his free time Campbell spends time with his girlfriend Lexi and their rescue animals including a Belgian Malinois, a military working dog reject turned family pet, as well as four cats, a couple of snakes and a parrot.