Disabled vets offered free training program Published Sept. 3, 2009 By Lt. Col. Rich Curry 507th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- A free entrepreneurship training program is being offered to disabled veterans by Oklahoma State University at Stillwater. The Veterans with Disabilities Entrepreneurship Program, or VEP, is designed to help disabled veterans launch and grow business ventures. According to Michael H. Morris, Ph.D., head of Oklahoma State University's Department of Entrepreneurship, "More and more veterans are returning from the battlefield disabled -- our program helps these men and women attain the dream of becoming entrepreneurs. The Veterans with Disability Entrepreneurship Program, or VEP for short, is now accepting applications." Applicants must be identified as disabled by the Veteran's Administration or Department of Defense authority based on a "service connected" disability resulting from participation in Operation Iraqi Freedom and/or Operation Enduring Freedom or have received a distinguished service honor or medal due to exemplary military service. This includes commendation or meritorious medals. Reservists are also eligible to enroll. Professor Morris stated that VEP offers cutting edge, experiential training in entrepreneurship from world class faculty and an amazing cadre of successful entrepreneurs. The program is rigorous and engaging. Following an online pre-course, delegates come to Stillwater for an intense eight-day program, and then follow up with their ventures over 10 months. This year's program in Stillwater will run from Jan. 30 through Feb. 6, 2010. The application deadline is Oct. 1. "We are targeting all disabled veterans, but especially those soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines disabled or distinguished during their service as part of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom," Professor Morris said. "The VEP program is offered entirely free to those veterans who are accepted," he continued adding that the program covers the cost of travel to Stillwater, accommodation, the online and live courses, instructors, books, materials, all meals and outings during the program. "We are hoping to introduce the program to as many veterans as possible, and to encourage them to apply. We will accept 30 delegates for the program this coming January. For more information, visit http://www.okstate.edu/vep, call 744-5357 or e-mail vep@okstate.edu.