USF military veterans using security course to make Sarasota-Manatee campus safer

• July 24, 2024
• Campus News, Students

By Marc R. Masferrer, University Communications and Marketing

U.S. Army veteran Jordan Bentivenga can't talk about all the ways the University of South of Florida has helped with his transition to civilian life.

He can tell you about the bachelor's degree he earned, the progress he has made toward completing two master's degrees and the assistance he has received from fellow veterans and the university, which received a state designation as a Collegiate Purple Star campus for its continued commitment to supporting veterans and their families earlier this year.

"It's the best university in the country for veterans," said Bentivenga, president of USF's SALUTE honor society for veteran college students.

But Bentivenga is, by necessity, circumspect when asked to talk about the work he and recent graduate Adam Carlson, also an Army veteran, are doing as interns with the USF Security Training Collaborative, a joint venture with security consultants Luke and Sarah Bencie's Security Management International, based at the research annex at USF Sarasota-Manatee.

The safety of students, faculty and staff at USF Sarasota-Manatee and the neighboring New College of Florida may depend on Bentivenga and Carlson keeping quiet.

Bentivenga and Carlson were part of a group of students that recently completed the CARVER Target Analysis and Vulnerability Assessment Methodology course, taught by Bencie through USF Corporate Training and Professional Development. CARVER, which has its roots in World War II and was later adopted by the CIA and military special forces, is a security method used to measure the potential vulnerability and risk of harm to myriad assets, whether an individual, event or building. Non-veterans can also take the class.

Putting what they learned into action, Bentivenga and Carlson, along with Sgt. John Chirgwin and Officer Alex Halley of the New College/USF police department, began assessing potential risks to some 25 buildings on the Sarasota-Manatee and New College campuses earlier this month. Taking on the role of a potential assailant or other bad actor, they are combing through the buildings, looking for possible vulnerabilities waiting to be exploited.

Where would an active shooter go first? Are there unlocked doors that would give them easy access to potential victims? Are water and HVAC systems protected? Do employees leave out their computer passwords for hackers to steal? What potential vulnerabilities exist due to the campuses' proximity to U.S. 41 and Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport?

"They are looking at it through the eyes of a bad guy," Luke Bencie said.

For each building, Bentivenga, Carlson and the officers, enter their observations into a matrix that is part the CARVER+ app, which analyzes the data and produces a report detailing possible vulnerabilities and potential risks. Based on the reports, which can be 35 to 50 pages for each building, they are developing a list of recommended remedies for university officials to consider.

They hope to finish with all the buildings by the time students arrive on the campuses in late August. The new Sarasota-Manatee Campus Student Center and Atala Residence Hall will receive an assessment after students move in.

What have they found so far? Publicly revealing those kinds of details is a no-no in the security field, so as not to give potential troublemakers any ideas. They said that nothing they have found amounted to an immediate emergency.

Bentivenga, who will soon complete a master's in intelligence studies, said he appreciates the chance to contribute to making the Sarasota-Manatee campus safer, while also developing skills he hopes will help launch a career in the government intelligence community. Luke Bencie, himself a former government intelligence officer, said the building assessments are similar to the type of work new government intelligence agents perform.

None of it would have been possible for Bentivenga, who was in the Army for almost six years, without the university's commitment to serving the needs of military veterans and their families. USF is home to nearly 1,400 student veterans, one of the largest populations for a state university in Florida.

"Programs like CARVER by Security Management International provide service members the opportunity to enhance their experience and skills in security," said Carlos Moreira, director of campus engagement for veteran success and alumni affairs at USF Sarasota-Manatee. "Security Management International provides the education, hands-on training and experience to make them successful in the workforce once they complete their degree."

Moreira said the relationship with Security Management Internation is an example of how USF supports its military-connected student population.

"Jordan has been involved and has connected with our office on multiple occasions and it has allowed us learn and understand his needs and goals," Moreira said. "His constant involvement with the office has allowed us to support him and find his path towards his vision of success."

Those connections, Bentivenga said, have been key to what he has accomplished at USF. That, he is more than happy to talk about.

"I am so grateful for all the opportunities USF has created for me and other veterans and our families," he said. "It is a tremendous community."