But at Riverside City College, they're providing more than just a pathway for veterans to become university students, thanks to a pivotal state grant.
"I was really nervous to start in academia," Aaron Ayala Carrera said. "I hadn't done it in awhile."
For RCC students who have spent the last few years in the military, getting onto a California State University or University of California campus can be overwhelming.
"It feels like the military gives up a lot of structure, and bootcamp, they encourage us to stay on schedule," former Navy specialist Mechelle Hagan said. "But once you transition to civilian world, its kind of like you're on your own."
That's where RCC stepped in, getting a state grand so they can step up for those veterans.
That $150,000 grant came with marching orders.
"One of the deliverables of this grant was to create a program that creates a pathway for students veterans to transfer seamlessly," explained Lizette Tenoria, RCC Veterans Services specialist.
The program is already showing results, with several of its initial participants already making the move.
"It just made me realize it was an attainable goal," Ayala Carrera said. "It wasn't something that was out of reach, it was something that anyone could do."
Proof you can easily go from bootcamp to bachelor's degree, especially when you have individualized transfer planning and direct support to help bridge the gap.
"We want to be the veteran friendliest, if we can be, and we aspire to be every day," said Thomas Cruz-Soto, dean of student services. "But we also want to make sure we're a pipeline not only to the two-year, but the four-year institution, but to a livable California wage, if not a thriving California wage."