Have you heard of the SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society? Are you interested in learning more about them and hearing more from their leadership team? Check out this feature with SALUTE's National Program Manager, Rachael Martel.

Can you tell us more about the background of SALUTE, your role at SALUTE, and the mission of the program?

Rachael Martel, SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society: SALUTE was formed in 2009 by the Colorado State University Veterans Office thanks to a grant by the American Council of Education and Wal-Mart Foundation. SALUTE is the first national academic honor society established for student veterans, and active military, in 2-year and 4-year institutions of higher education.

I have been the SALUTE National Program Manager for almost two years. My primary role at SALUTE National is to support the nearly 400 SALUTE Chapter Advisors nationwide with the induction of their student veterans throughout the year.

SALUTE is an acronym of the organization's core values: SERVICE, ACADEMICS, LEADERSHIP, UNITY, TRIBUTE, AND EXCELLENCE. SALUTE Veteran National Honor Society's mission is to recognize and honor the academic achievement of student veterans, and is dedicated to encouraging excellence in scholarship, leadership and community service.

How does SALUTE differ from other honor societies?

Martel: SALUTE's chapter membership and student membership is a lifetime membership. Salute chapter advisors and student veterans will only need to pay once to become a member of SALUTE. Another unique element of the honor society is the 4-tier GPA system, which is designed to encourage undergraduate student veterans to strive to improve their GPAs and advance to higher tier levels that coincide with greater scholarship opportunities throughout their academic career. The scholarships are also exclusive to actively enrolled student veteran members which generally makes up a much smaller pool of applicants than other honor societies.

What is the benefit for campus communities that join SALUTE?

Martel: SALUTE is a great way for campuses to build community and engagement with their student veteran populations as well as offer student veterans leadership opportunities while they are enrolled. SALUTE National offers our chapters immense flexibility in order to meet the needs of the institution and the chapter advisor. Some campuses use SALUTE to hold induction ceremonies to recognize the academic achievements of their student veteran populations publicly, while global campuses tend to send their remote student veterans' certificates in the mail directly.

How does SALUTE honor military spouses or military dependents on campus?

Martel: Military spouses and dependents can be honored by SALUTE through our honorary membership. National Honorary membership may be offered to up to seven percent of the total membership of SALUTE as determined by the Executive Steering Committee. Honorary members shall be people who have made distinctive contributions to the cause of student veterans. Honorary members may be spouses, dependents, faculty, community leaders, and other non-active or non-veteran personnel, and shall be nominated by a SALUTE Chapter, or by the SALUTE staff to the Executive Steering Committee for approval.

How does Salute support students after graduation?

Martel: SALUTE can help students after graduation by distinguishing them on resumes or graduate school applications, providing letters of recommendation, and offering graduates professional membership into SALUTE.

How can institutions start working with SALUTE on their campus? Are there any deadlines for partnering with SALUTE?

Martel: Institutions that are interested in applying for chapter membership may do so on our website at any time by filling out an application here: Chapter Membership Online Application - SALUTE. A member of our team would follow up with instructions and guidelines for inducting students into the chapter and would provide advisors with all the tools and templates that they would need to carry out inductions.

What is next for SALUTE? Are there any initiatives or projects we should keep an eye out for?

Martel: SALUTE is currently working on other ways to add value and support our student veteran members nationwide beyond our academic recognition and scholarship opportunities. We are hoping to expand by providing career coaching for student veterans looking to join certain industries after graduation as well as support student veterans looking to pursue higher education.

What is the most fulfilling part of the work you do for SALUTE?

As a veteran who has navigated academia myself, I understand the sacrifices made by our student veterans to reach the goal of attending a 2-year or 4-year institution. I also understand that the transition out of the military into higher education is an adjustment that takes time and often comes with unique challenges for this student population. It is a tremendous honor to celebrate my fellow student veterans who have taken the leap into academics and who continue to demonstrate excellence in all that they do.

Article Topics

Military Educational Benefits Military Friendly Institutions Serving Military in HigherEd Women Veterans

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