April 26 Virtual Panel: “What is it like to be a service member in the modern world?”

Sponsored by the Anthropology Department, Office of Veterans & Military Services, and Faculty Development Center.

Prof. Smeeks will moderate a panel discussion entitled “What it is like to be a servicemember in the modern world?” on Monday, April 26 from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. The panel consists of eight servicemembers from four military branches, including three SUNY New Paltz alumni.

The goal of this panel is public awareness. In a country with a population as large as ours, civilians are often unaware of the realities of conflict and military life. More often than not, civilian knowledge of the military and military experiences comes from biased media representations. This panel seeks to remedy this, providing personal insights from eight servicemembers on the social hierarchies, inequalities (racial, ethnic, gender, sexual, age, economic, etc.), interpersonal relationships, and practical experiences associated with modern military culture.

Panelists: 

Saleem A. Khan, Major (O-4) ’10 g (MBA) 

Alicia Scott, Major (O-4)  

Trenton Hanifin, Captain (O-3) ’11 (History) 

Stephanie Cleveland, Command Sergeant Major (E-9) 

Justin Freese-Bogart, Petty Officer First Class (E-6) 

Aaron Shaw, Sergeant (E-5) 

Nathan Briggs, Senior Airman (E-4) ’04 (Adolescence Ed) 

Dexter M. James, Corporal (E-4)