Dr. Joseph Shepard, Dr. Isaac Brundage, and
WNMU Board of Regents:
Janice Baca Argabright, Carl Foster, Mary Hotvedt, and Jerry A. Walz

I am so tired of Western New Mexico University treating us student veterans like second class citizens.

I served in the armed forces with pride, honor, and most importantly dignity. Serving in United States Navy was the most fulfilling honor that I did for this country. With my time, I was blessed to serve side by side with the Marine Corps and on occasion, the Army and Air Force as well. My last duty, I had the privilege to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom both on land and at sea.

Among many other duties, the most honorable duty I had, was having my brothers and sisters of the Marine Corps protect me as we collected the remains of our nation's fallen to get these angels back to the United States so their families and this nation can honor them with love and respect at home.

This was just a very small part of my military duties and experiences serving our country. I am utterly disappointed with Western New Mexico University and the leadership within this institution. Having to be tracked with GPS like a criminal while I perform my work study duties is so disrespectful of all the veteran work study students on this campus.

The funding for the Veteran Work Study Program does not come from the U.S. Department of Education. The funding does not come from New Mexico Higher Education, and most importantly this funding does not come from WNMU. The funding for our program comes from the Department of Veteran Affairs, which you and this university have no affiliation with.

Other than to provide us with an office space, working and/or functional equipment so that we can carry out our respected duties, you have no authority in making me use this tracking app. Until you and this institution can provide me with written permission from Veteran Affairs stating that WNMU can track me in carrying out my duties, I will no longer log into that app so you can see who, where, and what I am doing.

Disgraced and Disappointed,

Trent Presser
HM2 FMF AW, USN