EDU RECOGNITION he was interested in the opportunity, we invited him down to visit Thomasville to see our campus. Since he did that, he’s been an example of why this program was created and what kind of person we’re looking to build our program with. Since he officially joined the roster in the spring semester of 2023, Matt’s been a remarkable example for others to emulate in every facet of a student-athlete’s life. As an older, more experienced member of the squad, younger players look to him for guidance not only in how to act as a college football player, but how to act off the field as well. Matt has shown younger players how to act as a professional, and he’s served as a team captain almost immediately since his arrival due his unique ability to be the “older, tougher, more experienced” player and yet still demonstrate his ability to relate to his younger teammates. On the field, Matt’s willingness to do whatever needs to be done and to fill multiple roles has been one of his greatest assets. Originally put on the roster as a fullback, he moved to tight end to begin the 2023 football season. Throughout the season he progressed to playing on the offensive line at multiple positions based on the needs of the team. Throughout the year, he also served on various special teams units, and served as the ‘Captain’ of the punt unit. Matt’s also a stellar student, sporting a 3.0+ GPA, while volunteering to tutor freshman players on the football team. He’s also counseled our younger players and given them first-hand advice on how to negotiate their upcoming military careers. 22 APRIL 2024 | GIJOBS.COM Jeff Melcher Biology Major University of Southern Maine Sport: Lacrosse Expected Graduation: 2024 Navy (2010–2014) Excerpts from his nomination essay: I am nominating Jeff Melcher because there is something very inspiring about a 30-something veteran getting a waiver so he can play lacrosse and embrace his college experience. Not only playing lacrosse, but also putting on our school mascot costume and dancing on the sidelines. I am shaking my head and smiling to myself as I write this nomination, because in my wildest dreams I never saw this for Jeff. When we met in 2018 he would grunt in greeting, if acknowledging me at all. He was working full time in a bar at night and taking classes during the day. It was not unusual to find him asleep on a couch in the veterans lounge. He had no interest in “regular students” and barely gave other veterans the time of day. But these many years later here he is, breaking out of his comfort zone and playing on the field with “regular students”. I could not be more proud of him for this transformation, and I know how hard it’s been, and how hard he’s worked to get here. Having the privilege to work with our student veterans affords me a front row view to their transition to college and civilian life. It isn’t always easy, and there can be lots of bumps and stops along the way. The same is true for Jeff, and I applaud the way he always gets up, no matter how hard he gets knocked down. Whether he learned that grit and resilience in the military or not, he is an example to his fellow veterans and teammates to never give up, and if you think you are too old, or too broken, just maybe you aren’t. Jeff’s ultimate goal is medicine, and his chosen degree here at the University of Southern Maine is a challenging one. Biology is no easy major, and his dedication to his studies is another reason that I am nominating him. I’ve watched him convince himself that he won’t pass a test and then he does, and he’s always the only one who’s surprised. Jeff of course has his teammates and fans who cheer the team on, but he also has others, like his Voc Rehab counselor, me, and his fellow veterans who could not be more proud of him—for the courage to play on the team, and also for pursuing his academic goals and succeeding.
G.I. Jobs April 2024: 22
