De Anza College’s Veterans Club, the Student Veterans of America, is determined to reach its full potential and become self-sustaining.

“We wish for all service members to come back home, where we can welcome them with open arms, getting them prepared for an easier adjustment to civilian life as well as student life,” SVA president Victor Arredondo said.

The SVA has been developing for the past year and is a sub chapter of a national 501 group called Student Veterans of America.

“We want to help returning veterans transition back to academic standings,” Hoang said.

There are now over 45 members who meet every third Friday. The club’s national chapter established the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill which can pay up to 100 percent of college costs, give book stipends, and provide a monthly housing and substance allowance of $1,800.

They are a neutral club with no political affiliation. They have a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, and are strongly encouraging all veterans and their friends and families to join.

“We are not pro war,” said Arredondo. “We are pro veteran.”

The emphasis of the club is personal growth through mentorship and community development. Their focus is on working with the homeless, helping in care shelters and supporting other veterans.

The SVA works to provide resources to veterans through local organizations such as the San Jose Vet Center, the Department of Veteran Affairs Palo Alto Clinic and Oakland Veteran Affairs.

Arredondo said that one of the main objectives is to create a sense of cultural sensitivity to help make people aware of the fact that some of the events and protests that happen on campus can trigger a veteran’s post traumatic stress disorder.

“There’s a big stigma that follows us,” said Arredondo. “But we’re regular people just trying to adjust to things we weren’t used to before.”

One of the club’s most important goals is expansion. Members are working on connections with other community colleges and universities so that transfer students will have a stable support system wherever they go.

Current vice president and former communications chief for a reconnaissance platoon, Allan Caguit, has been focusing on publicizing the club’s information. Through a website and Facebook page, they hope to provide the necessary information about benefits, internships and veteran housing options.

Sharing common experiences and even some familiar faces from their tours creates a strong sense of camaraderie among the club’s members.

“I went to boot camp with one of them,” said Arredondo. “The other was a non-commission officer that I really looked up to.”

Over Memorial Day weekend, the club officers traveled to Los Angeles to attend a student veteran’s conference. The conference was the first of its kind and offered a chance for people to connect and collaborate on current issues such as student veteran’s benefits, post traumatic stress disorder, and other issues concerning vets.

“We’re all about servitude,” said Arredondo. “We served before and we’ll serve again.”