Former veterans, SLCC students join forces for scholarship

LAFAYETTE – Kris Love and Brandon Metcalf, founders of a non-profit organization benefitting military veterans, have teamed up to create the Spent Brass Division Scholarship for veterans, their spouses or children at South Louisiana Community College.
Love is a former SLCC student and Metcalf is currently studying business at the college. Both are former military with a combined service of about 15 years. And, both are committed to helping other veterans.
“We started this scholarship at SLCC to help out a veteran who may need a little extra to make it through school. We wanted to make it a little easier for our heroes to attend school without the financial stress,” said Love.
Creating the $1,000 scholarship, which will be awarded on a yearly basis, is just a side note to Love and Metcalf’s real mission. The two hatched a plan during a four-month security contract they shared through the winter of 2015.
“We were guarding an offshore oil rig that was near international waters while it was being constructed. We were in close quarters confined to an offshore platform and boat. Living with someone in tight quarters, you really get to know them. Brandon shared my same compassion and want for helping soldiers,” Love said.
After many hours of brainstorming and adjusting, the two created Spent Brass Division, a non-profit organization that raises funds to help military veterans. The name of the organization is significant.
“Spent brass is what you call a bullet that has been fired and discharged from your weapon; it has been used up. Our motto is ‘Putting veterans back in the fight’. So, in a sense, we feel our mission is to take a used soldier – someone suffering, fighting their demons, homeless – and put them back on track,” said Love.
The organization primarily uses raffles to raise funds, which are then used to fill a need for a military veteran. To date, they have funded the SLCC scholarship and are currently raising funds to purchase a tracked wheelchair to be donated to a disabled veteran in Louisiana. The second part of the current goal is even more personal.
“In addition to the tracker wheelchair, we want to raise funds to provide private PTSD counseling to veterans in desperate need. We want them to be able to go to a private counselor of their choice,” said Love.
While creating a scholarship or helping out a veteran needing counseling is important to the two founders, it is not the end goal.
“Our goals are so much bigger. We want to build a state-of-the-art facility sitting on 100 acres where soldiers suffering with PTSD or homeless vets can come and transition back into society correctly. They can work the land, work with service dogs, find a trade or a hobby that can ease their minds from the harsh memories of war. They will be among their peers and be able to talk about their problems to each other,” said Love.
“Also as part of the facility we would like to start a state-wide suicide prevention hotline. The options are endless; we just have to have the backing of the people of this great state. They have to believe in us enough for everyone to buy at least one $10 raffle ticket,” Metcalf added.
The organization has a goal of raising and donating $250,000 this year and is currently holding its second raffle. Prizes include a Caribbean cruise, a Winchester Model 270 rifle, $1,000 cash, a Parrot Bebop 2 drone, and a K2 cooler. Winners will be drawn in early September. Visit the organization’s website at www.spentbrassdivision.com to find out more.
The first Spent Brass Division Scholarship will be awarded in Fall 2016. The SLCC scholarship committee, comprised of faculty and staff, is currently reviewing applications and will notify the recipient prior to the Fall 2016 semester. For more information about scholarships at SLCC, visit www.solacc.edu/scholarships or call (337) 521-9635.