Office of Military and Veterans Resources

Bloomsburg University is the educational destination for hundreds of military students. What makes BU different from many other colleges and universities is our unique appreciation for the fact that military students have different needs and attributes than non-military students. The centerpiece of our efforts is the Office of Military and Veterans Resources, or as we like to call it — The Military Office.

• The Military Office — Led by a two-tour combat veteran who understands academic affairs, student affairs, and strategic enrollment. Staffed by current and former military members who are using the same benefits you are and will assist you in maximizing your benefits, getting assistance with financial aid, or helping with your military or civilian career goals and aspirations.
• Additional academic advising for all military students (on top of your major advisor) — Bob Heckrote is a dedicated professional who can explain every aspect from admissions to graduation.
• Military Academic Credit Review Board (MAC-RB) – An individualized process which ensures military service and experience is acknowledged as appropriate academic credit. This process is innovative, even path-breaking. It exists nowhere else in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Only a handful of colleges and universities nationwide are doing anything so service-intensive and academically grounded to support military students and veterans.
• GI Bill Certifying Official — Located in the Military Office to offer a one-stop experience.
• Military specific programming, guest speakers, and events created specifically with military members in mind.
• All military members who have graduated entry training receive two credits in healthy living which satisfies one of the 10 general education goals.
• A co-curricular learning experience (CLE) specifically for military members who have experience with other cultures (usually in the form of a deployment) — This CLE earns 2 out of the 5 points needed for the cultures and diversity general education requirement — and it's FREE!

The Military Office

Student Services Center 204
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
stvets@bloomu.edu
570-389-3856

OMVR Contacts

 Bob Heckrote | Asst. Director of Military Enrollment
 > Student Services Center 204 | 570-389-4696

  Dawn Orzolek | Student Success Center | GI Bill®
  > Student Services Center 204 | 570-389-4264

  Judy Rostucher | Military Resources
  > Student Services Center 204 | 570-389-4264

  Ed Mooney | Military Resources
  > Office of Financial Aid | National Guard EAP
  > Arts and Administration Room 111 | 570-389-4494

  Thomas Volkert | Office of Student Billing
  > Arts and Administration Room 336 | 570-389-4804

  VA Vet Center – Berwick | 570-759-0351
  VA Vet Center – Williamsport | 570-327-5281
  VFW Post 804 – Bloomsburg | 570-784-4600
  American Legion Post 273 | 570-784-3015

BU earns PNGAS Guard-Friendly School Designation

Bloomsburg University is one of 30 colleges and universities that has earned the Pennsylvania National Guard Associations (PNGAS) inaugural PNGAS Guard-Friendly School designation. Developed by the PNGAS Education Advisory Council, the PNGAS Guard-Friendly School standards were designed to recognize colleges, universities, and trade schools that meet or exceed ten (10) baseline criteria that create a supportive learning environment to assist members of the Pennsylvania Guard pursuing post-secondary degrees.

“We are honored to receive the PNGAS Guard-Friendly School designation,” said Bob Heckrote, advisor for military and undeclared students. “As a veteran myself, it is to recognize institutions that meet or exceed the criteria to support a positive learning environment for veterans. BU sees veterans as unique and deserving of additional resources. Those resources include admissions, academic advising, military-specific programming, student organizations, and more.”