Military veterans aren't traditional students, but colleges aim to ease the transition: 'It is a culture shock when you get out'

CHICAGO - When DePaul University student Mike Baumann talks with his classmates, hearing what stresses them out, he thinks to himself, "Wait until you're older."

Because of his age, Baumann, 32, feels out of place around other students in his undergraduate business classes. But there's another reason his perspective differs - he's a veteran.

Baumann served in the Army for six years, a year of it in Iraq, working as a combat medic. The Florida native enlisted at age 17 after finishing high school. When he completed his service, Baumann worked in a series of jobs and completed some schooling in other states before deciding to move to Chicago.