Virginia “Frenchie” Bisiaux

Military Branch: US Army

Length of Service: 9 years

UF Affiliation: Student

Position in the Military: Automated Logistical Specialist (Supply)

Where were you stationed? Fort Bliss, Fort Knox and MacDill Air Force Base.

What does it mean to be a Veteran or service member at UF? I get to attend the school I’ve dreamed of graduating from and my tuition is paid for.

How has your military experience impacted your life today? Being on disability due to injuries sustained while in Iraq and Afghanistan, my life has completely changed but I try to make the most of it. Carpe diem!

Tell us about the family you acquired in the military. I have found friends that I will keep for the rest of my life.

What do you want the UF community to know about Veterans? I’d want the UF community to know that some of us may be older but we are still students and we’d like to be included in their student activities and organizations.

Marcus Foster

Military Branch: US Marine Corps

Length of Service: 11 years; currently on Active Duty

UF Affiliation: Navy ROTC Student in the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program

Position in the Military: I have held multiple positions including: Platoon Sergeant, Command Marine Corps Marital Arts Instructor, Marine Security Guard, Sergeant of the Guard, and Assistant Detachment Commander.

Where were you stationed? I have been stationed in several overseas locations. In my early years, I was in Beaufort, SC with trainings in California and Arizona. Then I was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. From there, I served at the US embassies in Thailand and Myanmar before coming to UF.

What does it mean to be a Veteran or service member at UF? To be a Veteran at UF means to be a link between your lived service experiences and the student and staff body. Through my experiences I have been able to form greater bonds with students from all different colleges as well as, form professional connections with several faculty members.

How has your military experience impacted your life today? Through the training, experiences, and leadership that I have received and executed in the Marine Corps, I have built a strong foundation of self-discipline, initiative, and a passion for helping others to become their best selves. My mornings start early, hours before the town and sun are up. This routine allows me to get a good workout in and start my academic studies with freshness and enthusiasm.

Tell us about the family you acquired in the military. I have made some of the best of friends around the world from all backgrounds and walks of life. I have local Okinawan friends that I keep in contact with years after being apart. I also have some Marine brothers and sisters that are far from Florida but that I can call at a moment’s notice and they will be quick to help me out however they can. I have even met my wonderful Fiancée while stationed overseas. While changing locations is a common trend in the military, the relationships and family you build while in will last a lifetime.

What do you want the UF community to know about Veterans? If you find a Vet you find a friend! The veteran community has a wealth of experience and is ready and available to share those experiences with fellow Gators around campus. Ask any of them a question, and you may find your interests and experiences align more than you originally believed.

Frank Heizmann

Military Branch: US Marine Corps

UF Affiliation: Student; majoring in Accounting

Where were you stationed? Okinawa, Japan; Tokyo, Japan; and Camp Pendleton, California.

What does it mean to be a Veteran or service member at UF? Being a Veteran at the University of Florida means becoming part of a supportive campus community dedicated to academic and personal success. Access to specialized resources, including the Collegiate Veteran Success Center, a welcoming space for connection and support, as well as campus events that honor and recognize their service and contributions.

How has your military experience impacted your life today? My military experience has instilled discipline, resilience, and adaptability while enhancing my cultural awareness from interacting with people from different countries. These skills continue to shape my approach to challenges in both personal and professional settings.

Tell us about the family you acquired in the military. The Marines to our left and right become family, forging a bond built on trust, sacrifice, and an unbreakable commitment to each other. This connection goes beyond the line of duty; it’s a brotherhood and sisterhood that endures in every challenge we face, both in service and beyond.

What do you want the UF community to know about Veterans? I want the UF community to know that Veterans are here for you. Whether supporting classmates, contributing to campus life, or lending a helping hand, we are proud to serve this community just as we served our country.

Carrie Lee

Military Branch: US Army

Length of Service: 10 years

UF Affiliation: Graduate Student

Position in the Military: Corrections/Detentions Specialist

Where were you stationed? Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and Caserma Ederle, Italy.

What does it mean to be a Veteran or service member at UF? Being a Veteran at UF is an exciting opportunity for me to pursue my degree while actively contributing to a supportive community dedicated to helping fellow Veterans.

How has your military experience impacted your life today? The leadership skills I developed during my military service continue to influence almost every aspect of my life today, guiding me in my personal and academic pursuits.

Tell us about the family you acquired in the military. The bonds I formed in the military are enduring; they transcend blood relations and create a true sense of family.

What do you want the UF community to know about Veterans? While we may sometimes appear serious, we’re actually approachable and enjoy having fun!

Bobbie Meza

Military Branch: US Navy

Length of Service: 2 years

UF Affiliation: Staff; UF Counseling and Wellness Center

Position in the Military: Plane Captain/Aircraft Mechanic

What does it mean to be a Veteran or service member at UF? Being a veteran means that I have, in a great capacity, served this country. I have the ability to work with others, to adapt to any situation, to be a team player. Being a Veteran helps me with being a Gator by helping me work hard, and work well with my peers to accomplish the tasks at hand.

How has your military experience impacted your life today? My discipline, work ethic, and respect are things that will always be ingrained in me.

What do you want the UF community to know about Veterans? When I speak to people, most are surprised to learn that I am a veteran. They are even more surprised that my daughter is a veteran as well. We come in all sizes, shapes, and colors. We are a diverse, and proud group.

Cyara Meza

Military Branch: US Marine Corps

Length of Service: 4 years

UF Affiliation: Staff; ICT Department

Position in the Military: Cyber Network Operator

What does it mean to be a Veteran or service member at UF? The attention to detail and drive to go above and beyond the standard that I developed in the Marine Corps really helps me to stand out in the UF workplace!

How has your military experience impacted your life today? It taught me to always strive to go above and beyond the standard and to never be satisfied with being average.

What do you want the UF community to know about Veterans? It means striving for your best and supporting those around you to always achieve their best as well. When the team wins, everyone wins!

Fernando Oliva

Military Branch: US Marine Corps

Length of Service: 4 years

UF Affiliation: Student; previously Patient Service Manager (Dietary Department) at Shands

Position in the Military: Infantry Rifleman; Team Leader/Squad Leader

Where were you stationed? Camp LeJune, North Carolina

What does it mean to be a Veteran or service member at UF? It means continuous development through a dynamic education program and network in order to bring greater value to any team I am a part of and strategically advance our mission goals.

How has your military experience impacted your life today? Resiliency – The Marines taught me the mental aspect of adapting and overcoming to any situation on and off the battlefield.

Tell us about the family you acquired in the military. Brothers and sisters, I speak to till this day, even after 10 years of leaving the service. Bonds forged through overcoming adversity together and Kowing we are there with and for each other. I know I can count on my brothers and sisters today as much as I could 10 years ago in the service no matter the distance.

What do you want the UF community to know about Veterans? Veteran students have a wealth of life experiences that have molded us into who we are today. If you speak to one of us for long enough, chances are you will learn something new from our experiences. Whether its general military tidbits to interesting customs and courtesies of other nation, cultures we have interacted with.

Dillon Perkins

Military Branch: US Marine Corps

Length of Service: 4 years

UF Affiliation: Student; majoring in Agricultural Operations Management

Position in the Military: Mortarman; Squad Leader

Where were you stationed? Camp LeJune, North Carolina

What does it mean to be a Veteran or service member at UF? Being a veteran at UF is a great feeling, besides taking advantage of the college benefits, it’s a welcoming community that supports each other and helps one another strive for success.

How has your military experience impacted your life today? The military has only impacted me positively. The military helped me establish drive and initiative and is the main backbone behind my success at UF.

Tell us about the family you acquired in the military. We always joked that we loved the clowns, not the circus while in the military, the Marine Corps brought me lifelong best friends that no matter how far apart we grow with it being life choices or moving further away we can immediately reconnect like we saw each other yesterday.

What do you want the UF community to know about Veterans? I would just say to the veterans who do not take advantage of the community to be more open. The Veterans Success Center will only help you succeed with your career and educational goals.