Students share their experiences about what it means to be a veteran

For junior Nicholas Bielinski, president of the IU Student Veterans Association, and other veteran students at IU, Veteran’s Day is a day of reflection.

Bielinski served in the Air Force from 2004 to 2008. During his time of service, he received an intelligence diploma and intercepted communication in the Middle East for his entire career.

“I signed up for two main reasons,” he said. “I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life, and I knew that, financially, serving would help me prepare for the future. ... I would best describe the military as – it was real and it was fun, but it wasn’t real fun,” Bielinski said.

For senior Brian Binkley, who served in the Indiana Army National Guard, Veteran’s Day is not about self-reflection but instead about remembering others.

“I think about the people still over there right now, still serving,” he said.

He encourages others to think about those still serving as well.

“If you see someone you know is in the military, give them a courtesy call,” he said. “Say ‘Hey, I appreciate what you did.’”

He described his experience with the military as “intense.” Binkley was in basic training on Sept. 11, 2001, and was sent to Afghanistan in 2004 and to Iraq last year.

“I’ve been kind of in and out of Indiana for years,” he said.

During his time in the Hoosier state, Binkley has been attending IU, but he has been working toward a bachelor’s degree for nine years.

“I’ve stuck with it,” he said.

Bielinski, who returned in 2008, has also been working hard as a student to get an education and began working with other veterans in the IU Student Veterans Association.

“I feel we can really make an impact at IU and in the Bloomington community,” Bielinski said.

He said the organization was founded in 2005, but it wasn’t until this year that it began to be an active part of campus.

“Starting out, it was very complicated to get student veterans to come out of their shell,” Bielinski said. “This organization helps them transfer into their student role with other veterans by providing camaraderie.”

Binkley agrees with Bielinski, saying IU has a great veteran’s program.

“I really like the fact that we are helping veterans get integrated at IU after service,” he said.

This year, Bielinski said the IU Student Veterans Association has been busy working with the community to promote education and awareness about the military and veterans. The organization is having events this week to discuss Veteran’s Day and its
significance for all Americans.

On Tuesday, the organization had the first-annual Veteran’s Cup in the Indiana Memorial Union Alumni Hall. Today, they will be putting on an all-day veteran’s spirit
event outside of Ballantine Hall.

He said all students have to do is pass by, say what organization they are from and
wear something that shows spirit for veterans of any branch. The organizations will then be tallied up to see who has the most veteran spirit.

Bielinski’s work in the organization has helped him grow in many ways, and he said being involved allows him to incorporate past identity in the Air Force with his current identity as a student.

“It lets me have a little more appreciation for the freedom I have now, and not just in a patriotic way,” he said. “It allows me to do what I want when I want to and take responsibility for my actions.”

Bielinski said being a part of the Air Force taught him responsibility and leadership, and that it has molded him as a person and helped to make him who he is today.

“Even though I have separated myself from the Air Force, I will always be a part of it,” he said.

- Indiana Daily Student editor Lindsey Erdody contributed to this story.