The United States Armed Forces are made up of five branches, but can you name them?

On Tuesday, March 3, the UNI Military and Veteran Student Services (MVSS) began a month-long trivia contest to test student’s knowledge on various aspects of the U.S. military.

Collectively, Danusha Manohar, graduate industrial math student, was able to name all five branches of the U.S. military with the help of her friends: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard.

“We know two people [involved in the U.S. military],” Danusha said. “One is part of Reserve and right now one of our friends is at basic training.”

Norman Ferguson Jr., coordinator for MVSS and creator of the contest, said that they have never met anyone who doesn’t know someone involved in the military.

“It seemed like a good way to let people come here [to] know where we are and where our office is,” Ferguson said. “It’s also an educational chance to let people know a little bit about what we are or what we do.”

Some students, like Tucker Black, sophomore business and marketing major, are confident in their knowledge of the U.S. military system.

“They provide many opportunities for unemployed or troubled teens,” Black said. “I think it’s a great opportunity.”

To military students like Damian Spratt and Brandon Kleppe, the MVSS room is a vital space.

“Being able to be around veteran of my own kind…just being in a group that actually has the experiences that are my experiences,” Kleppe said. “I’m more at ease than I am around people who haven’t had the same experience.”

Richard Morgan, senior president of the Veterans Association and criminology major, reiterated those sentiments.

“It’s helped my transfer into the civilian world, just kind of being with like-minded individuals and dealing with the same issues,” Morgan said.

Morgan had actively served in the Marine Corp and is currently on inactive reserve time. He comes from a multi-generational military family, which won them the Sullivan Brothers Outstanding Military Family award last year. It is given to families with over 200 years of military experience since World War I, collectively.

The MVSS offers a safe-place for all current and past members of the U.S. military to meet together.

“We’re a resource to military and veteran students. If there’s ever a question about benefits or a need for a sort of assistance or help we have community resources in touch, as well we have resources here on campus to help them out,” Morgan said. “We also serve as an advocate for veteran students … I’d like to say we’re open to everyone.”

The trivia contest is open to all UNI students and ends March 30, with weekly totals posted on the UNIVA Military Facebook page so students can keep track of how well they are doing.

The questions all vary in points, and, at the end, the point total will decide the winner. The prize pack will include a Hy-Vee gift card, two T-shirts and “other items of interest,” according to the contest flyer.

Richard Morgan, senior president of the Veterans Association and criminology major, reiterated those sentiments.

“It’s helped my transfer into the civilian world, just kind of being with like-minded individuals and dealing with the same issues,” Morgan said.

Morgan had actively served in the Marine Corp and is currently on inactive reserve time. He comes from a multi-generational military family, which won them the Sullivan Brothers Outstanding Military Family award last year. It is given to families with over 200 years of military experience since World War I, collectively.

The MVSS offers a safe-place for all current and past members of the U.S. military to meet together.

“We’re a resource to military and veteran students. If there’s ever a question about benefits or a need for a sort of assistance or help we have community resources in touch, as well we have resources here on campus to help them out,” Morgan said. “We also serve as an advocate for veteran students … I’d like to say we’re open to everyone.”

The trivia contest is open to all UNI students and ends March 30, with weekly totals posted on the UNIVA Military Facebook page so students can keep track of how well they are doing.

The questions all vary in points, and, at the end, the point total will decide the winner. The prize pack will include a Hy-Vee gift card, two T-shirts and “other items of interest,” according to the contest flyer.