Business and Industry | First Generation | Lion VoicesNovember 10, 2025

Success as a Student Veteran

Written By: Ian Silvester

By the time Raul Tabares arrived at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith, he had already lived what most would consider a full life.  

Raul had moved around the country, been overseas, started a family, and retired from a career. The only thing missing was a college education. 

As a first-generation American, Raul began his final year of high school unsure of what he wanted to do next. He sought adventure, structure, and financial stability. He decided to enlist in the Army and joined shortly after graduation. 

Raul was honorably discharged as an E4 Specialist Promotable after spending three and a half years on active duty (2012) and another three and a half years in the reserves (2015). But it was the first year, he said, he’ll never forget. 

“I deployed at 19. I turned 20 on the plane to Afghanistan,” he said. “I spent my whole 20th year of life there. I learned a lot about life then.” 

After returning stateside, life in Southern California became too expensive for Raul and his young family. The family had ties to Bentonville and decided to make the move to Arkansas. He worked for the postal service for a time, but something still didn’t feel complete. 

“As the years went by, I got my disability. I took a year off to find myself, but I got a little bored,” he said. “I started talking to some people at the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E), and they directed me toward school.” 

Raul visited UAFS and liked what he saw. He enrolled and majored in business administration, focusing on marketing and small-business ventures. 

“It’s big, but small. It’s personal. Teachers know your name,” he said. 

Raul is not just a student veteran. He is also a first-generation, non-traditional student. All of which he said has come with challenges. But each challenge has been met with assistance. 

“As veterans, we tend to be reclusive; we tend to stick to ourselves and stay in our safe zone. But what’s cool about this place is that you can still do that while slowly coming out of your shell,” he said. “People here will help you out. That’s what they’re here for. They want to see you succeed, and there are resources to help you succeed.” 

UAFS has provided Raul with resources, and so has VR&E. He has met with a VR&E advisor every semester to ensure he is on track with his degree plan and finances. VR&E also provided a computer and scanner and anything he has needed “to be able to succeed,” he said. 

Raul will graduate from UAFS in May 2026. He works in the Veteran Resource Center, located in room 120 of the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center. 

“If any veteran comes in with questions, we try to help as much as we can,” Raul said. “It feels nice to be able to help and return the favor to other (veterans)” 

• Tags:
• College of Business and Industry
• Student Veteran
• Non-Traditional Student
• First Generation Student
• Military and Veterans