By Jeb Sharp

Troy University has earned high marks from a national publication following a recent study that found Troy to be in the top 15 percent of all universities in being “military friendly.”

The study, written by Victory Media, surveyed more than 12,000 schools across the nation and found Troy to be one of the top universities in terms of embracing veterans as students.

With classes taught at 30 military installations in 11 states and two countries, Troy University has a large population of veteran students. Troy currently has more than 6,000 students who have been in the military at some point in their lives.

Troy has partnered with the United States military since 1950 when Troy University began teaching servicemen at Fort Rucker.

Since then, Troy’s partnership with the military has grown tremendously. Troy counts itself as one of the first universities to embrace the military’s Yellow Ribbon Program in which Troy pledges to pay up to 50 percent of tuition and fee costs not covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

In addition, Troy has developed a college training program with both the Army and the Navy to further educate American soldiers. The Army’s GoArmyEd and the Navy’s Navy College Program Distance Learning Partnership both allow for the university to educate servicemembers through online classes.

Troy also works with the Air Force and has established a program in which Air Force members with an associate’s degree are able to transfer these credits into a bachelor’s degree program.

Troy’s presence in the military even extends to combat zones. With the Troy for Troops program, Troy University is able to support troops who are in active combat zones.

And with the establishment of the Troy for Troops center in 2006, Troy has shown its commitment to helping veterans integrate back into society as students.

Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins is pleased by the university’s recognition for being a military friendly university. “Troy University has a commitment to our fighting men and women – whether active duty, National Guard, Reserves or veterans – and to be recognized by those groups that impartially analyze those traits is great recognition of our efforts on behalf of our Armed Forces.”

Hawkins is also a Purple Heart medal recipient and served as a marine in Vietnam.

Troy has also been recognized as a top-tier university in the South by the US World and News Reports as well as being recognized for cost-effective education by Forbes.