Military and Veteran Student Achievement in Postsecondary Education: A Structural Equation Model Using the Community College Survey of Men (CCSM)

Few quantitative studies exist on veteran success in postsecondary education, and existing qualitative research has also not accurately identified factors related to veteran achievement or pathways to success in postsecondary education. In this article, the Community College Survey of Men (CCSM) evaluates predictors of student success for underrepresented and underserved men in community colleges and was originally designed to assist in improving programming and service-delivery for male students. Recent validation efforts also confirmed the CCSM as an assessment tool for addressing the needs of veteran men in community colleges through developing and improving programs that facilitate transition and success in civilian college settings. Results of the survey offered suggestions such as: (1) college administrators focusing on building confidence in academic ability in military and veteran students, especially since many of these students may have been away from academic settings for several years compared with nonmilitary peers; and (2) Veteran Affairs offices on campus designing and using counseling-based interventions to communicate to student veterans that they possess the ability to complete studies based on the strength of character required, gained, and instilled through military service.