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As an Iraqi war veteran, Poth is one of about 2,000 student veterans at Penn State who are adjusting to life after the military.

Although the difference between Iraq and State College is "night and day," Poth said he made the right decision to delay entering college. He said the maturity he gained and responsibility he learned from 14 months in the military are invaluable for college life.

During Poth's two deployments to Iraq, he worked as a machine gunner with the Marine Corps. His units kicked down some doors -- Poth proudly displays a certification of commendation on his apartment wall for his actions under enemy fire.

Decisions in Iraq were life and death. Now at Penn State, Poth's biggest concern is whether to party or to do his homework.

He said he becomes frustrated with some students who don't appreciate their education and became wrapped up in "nonsense" like relationship drama. By comparison, Poth was in charge of his unit during his second deployment and his decisions could mean he would have to write a letter home to moms.

Because of this type of responsibility, Poth said he feels more mature, especially emotionally, than his classmates.

Poth does not stand out from his peers in class unless he is wearing one of his Student Veterans sweatshirts. He usually sits in the first five rows because he has trouble hearing after damage to his ears in Iraq.

Many of Poth's classmates stereotype him once he tells them he is a veteran, Poth said. They assume he supports the war or President George W. Bush. They think he is an angry and "rough and tumble" person because he was in the military. But he said he wants people to see him as more than one dimensional.

Ted Timmerman, coordinator for Penn State Veterans Office Outreach, said he sees many veterans in his office who struggle with the maturity gaps with other students.

Timmerman said one of the hardest transitions for returning military men and women is the age difference between veterans and traditional Penn State students. Some are four or five years older than their colleagues. Their experiences overseas and in the military advance veterans' maturity above their fellow classmates.

He said there is no stereotypical veteran since experiences can be radically different. Some students have come from Iraq and had bullets shot at them and now they are in the vastly different atmosphere of State College.

He said the goal of his office is to further the education for veterans by offering assistance with GI Bill benefits and giving academic advice.

Timmerman, who is a veteran, said it is common for military personnel for graduate from high school, serve in the military and return to college to complete their degree.

The office at University Park employs 18 student veterans to provide assistance to other veterans to find counseling or to connect with other veterans.

Timmerman said staff members refer veterans to professional counselors if needed. Veteran counselors travel from Williamsport twice a week to meet with students.

Veterans may be stereotyped by the public as suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. But most students struggle with being an adult learner with college-aged students at the university, Timmerman said.

He said some veterans want the typical college experience with football games while others who focus on their academics become frustrated with younger students.

Poth finds camaraderie within the Penn State Student Veterans Association. On Tuesday nights, the group can be found meeting in the Shandygaff on Calder Way, smoking and discussing their plans for next semester.

The student group volunteers, raising money for the Wounded Warriors program and Toys for Tots, and tailgates before every home football game.

Most of the club members also work in the Penn State Veterans Office with Timmerman. Like Poth, treasurer Todd Beaver (senior-nuclear engineering) has been a part of the group since his freshman year.

When Beaver joined the group, there were only four members. The club has grown to about 20 active members. Beaver served with the Navy for six years as a nuclear electrician mostly on a submarine. He even spent a month under the Arctic Circle.

When Beaver applied to Penn State, he asked for on-campus housing but said he did not expect to be placed with in the freshmen dorms located in East Halls, notorious for partying and late nights. He said his first semester was the worst living experience he's ever had.

He said the Veterans club helped him find people who were experiencing the same transition and age difference as him.

Time has changed many of the issues Beaver and other veterans face, he said.

"I don't have a problem now with people in my class, but before I'm sure they thought I was that weird old guy sitting in the back asking questions," Beaver said.

Camaraderie

Penn State Student Veterans Association Treasurer Todd Beaver talks about the creation of the club to support veterans.

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