The DVC Veterans Club chose “Services and Benefits” as the theme of its first conference Nov. 14, highlighting what is available at DVC for returning student veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Guest speakers included Bucker Peterson of “Troops to College,” a program sponsored by the California governor’s office, which helps troops adjust back to home or make sure they receive the proper assistance if applying to colleges. Mike Geraldo also spoke on behalf of The American Legion Post 9/11, a worldwide association to build troop and veteran support.

There were panels of DVC counselors and financial aid advisors also discussed how they can provide help with financial aid, transfers and other issues concerning veterans.

But the standout point of the conference was a panel of previous and current DVC student veterans, Mike Ergo, Jaime Betancur, David Garcia and Stephanie Browning. Two on the panel have transferred to UC Berkeley and CSU East Bay; the other two are just returning to college after their service.

All said they are proud to have served their country, but mostly they don’t speak of it.

“It’s hard to tell people…you don’t know if they’ll be affected,” said returning DVC student Stephanie Browning.

Mike Ergo, now a UC Berkeley student in social welfare, said, “Most people find it entertaining. They ask questions like, ‘What kind of guns have you used?’ or ‘Have you killed anybody?'”

They also talked about how tough it is to be in a free environment after serving in the military where the days are planned and precisely timed. The bad habits of fellow students are particularly annoying, they said.

David Garcia, now at CSU East Bay, told the audience that, “tardiness was one of my pet peeves.” Most of the student veterans found tardiness among fellow classmates in particular to be extremely bothering and intolerable.

The GI Bill, which covers veteran students’ expenses for college and is flexible, was also a hot topic of conversation. It is currently being upgraded to cover costs up front, such as tuition, book expenses and cost of living.

The DVC Veteran’s Club is in its first semester at DVC.

“It’s great for networking…you get to share useful information with people like yourself,” said Matt McKean, a DVC student and Iraq veteran.

Although the networking between veterans is a big part of the club, membership is also open to non-veterans.

“The club is open to anyone who’d like to support our goal, to make a smooth transition to college life,” said club president Ryan Berg, a two-tour Iraq veteran.

The undisputed woman of the hour at the conference was Noha Basilious, head of veteran services at DVC for the past 18 months.

Every panelist and speaker acknowledged her work.

“I fell in love with my job,” said Basilious, who had had no experience with veteran affairs prior to her hiring. “I owe them everything for my safety.”