Green Zone
The shift from military life to student life is rarely seamless. Student veterans often juggle financial benefits, family responsibilities, work, and coursework — sometimes while processing the aftermath of deployment or discharge. Unlike the structured environment of military service, a university's network of offices, departments, and processes can feel disorienting and hard to navigate.
Green Zone is APSU's answer to that challenge. Established in 2023, Green Zone is a training initiative for faculty and staff across campus. Participants learn to recognize common challenges faced by military-affiliated students and how to connect them with the right resources. A Green Zone emblem outside an office door or on a course syllabus signals that person is a trained ally — someone students can approach for guidance without judgment.
What Is Green Zone?
Green Zone designates trained faculty and staff across campus as visible allies for military-affiliated students. It is not a physical office — it's a network of people who know the landscape and are prepared to help.
Green Zone allies:
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Understand the issues and concerns commonly faced by student veterans, active-duty service members, and military families
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Know what campus resources are available and how to make referrals
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Are identified by a Green Zone emblem displayed outside their office and on their syllabus
The goal is a campus where no military-affiliated student has to figure it all out alone.
Who Is a Green Zone Volunteer/Ally?
Any APSU staff or faculty member who has completed Green Zone training. Allies are not counselors or case managers — they are not expected to solve problems. Their role is to:
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Listen without judgment
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Connect students with the appropriate campus services
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Follow through on any commitments they make
Who Benefits from Green Zone?
Green Zone resources and allies are available to all military-affiliated students, including:
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Veterans
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Active-duty service members
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National Guard and Reserve members
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Dependents — spouses and children of service members
Explore Green Zone
Whether you're a student looking for support or a faculty or staff member interested in becoming an ally, use the links below to get started.
For questions, contact the Newton Military Family Resource Center at 931-221-1685 or NMFRC@apsu.edu.
