Homeland Magazine November 2022

Rogelio “Roger” Rodriguez, Jr US Navy (1987 – 1993)

US Air Force (1993 – 2013)

PTSD treatment can turn your life around.

For more information visit: www.ptsd.va.gov/aboutface

“I’m happier with myself. Having been in therapy, period, has helped me be in a better place now.”

EDITOR’S

Greetings and a warm welcome to Homeland Magazine!

Please take some time to get to know the layout of our magazine. The Magazine focuses on national resources, support, community, and inspiration for our veterans and the military families that keep it together.

Our magazine is driven by passion, vision, reflection and the future. The content is the driving force behind our magazine and the connection it makes with our veterans, service members, military families, and civilians.

The magazine is supported by a distinguishing list of national veteran organizations, resource centers, coalitions, veteran advocates, and more.

We are honored to share the work of so many committed and thoughtful people.

Homeland Magazine is a veterans magazine for veterans by veterans.

We appreciate your support and are so happy to have you as a reader of Homeland Magazine.

Mike Miller

Publisher/Editor

mikemiller@HomelandMagazine.com

Homeland

Veterans Day - Memorial Day

What’s The Difference

Veterans Day: Honoring All Those Who Served in the Military

Veterans Day, a federal holiday that falls on November 11, is designated as a day to honor the more than 19 million men and women who have served in the U.S. military.

It was first observed on November 11, 1919, as Armistice Day in honor of the first anniversary of the end of World War I, which officially ended on the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” in 1918. In 1926, Congress called for an annual observance of the anniversary and by 1938 it was an official federal holiday. A few decades later, in 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower officially changed the name of the holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans Day, as it is currently known today.

Thanks to the Uniform Holiday Act of 1968, the holiday was moved from its November 11 date to a less-defined “fourth Monday in October” so workers could enjoy a long weekend. However, this move didn’t last long. In 1975, President Gerald Ford returned the solemn day back to its original November 11 to honor the global historical significance of the day.

While it is important to thank all those who have served or are serving on a regular basis, on Veterans Day it’s especially important to take an extra moment to show military members gratitude for their sacrifice.

Memorial Day: Honoring Those Who Died in Military Service

Memorial Day, which is celebrated on the last Monday in May, honors service members who have died in military service to the nation. The holiday has roots dating back to the post-Civil War era, when citizens would informally place spring flower memorials on the graves of fallen soldiers.

On May 20, 1868, over 5,000 first-ever National Decoration Day participants decorated the graves of the 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried at Arlington National Cemetery. By the late 1800s, cities and communities across the United States began to observe the day and several states declared it a legal holiday. Over the next few decades, the day transitioned from being called Decoration Day to its current name of Memorial Day.

In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May instead of a set calendar day. By 1971, the three-day weekend for federal employees went into full effect.

Today, Memorial Day is often associated with the start of summer, discount sales and cookouts with friends. But you have the power to educate those around you and take a few moments to pay tribute to the fallen while still enjoying the sunshine and outdoors.

CAREGIVING TLC

By Kie Copenhaver CSA, RHIA, SHSS, RCFE www.agingwellpartners.com

Veterans Day

Veterans Day is Friday, November 11, 2022 This day is an opportunity for us all to pay tribute to the men and women – living or dead – who have served our country; but specially to honor those living veterans who served to protect our freedoms.

San Diego is home to over 240,000 veterans, one of the nation’s largest concentrations of veterans. And with roughly 100,000 active service members, San Diego is a highly desirable destination for active and retired service members from all branches of the military. With such a large population of military members and their families, programs like the VA Homemaker/Home Health Aide Program, In-Home Respite Care Program, and the Aid and Attendance benefit program can play a significant role in caring for our veterans.

The VA Homemaker/Home Health Aid Program will pay a partnered in-home care agency for non-skilled assistance services with activities of daily living (ADLs) provided directly to the veteran.

Theses ADLs include things such as:

• Bathing and personal care

• Assistance with dressing and grooming (i.e., shaving, brushing teeth, hair care)

• Verbal medication reminders

• Meal preparation and feeding (if needed)

• Light laundry related to incontinence care

This program is very specific to services provided directly to the veteran and does not include the following:

• Companionship services

• Travel services or mileage reimbursement

• Heavy or non-essential housekeeping

• Yard care

• Medication dispensing

• Services when veteran is away from home

• Services outside of the veteran’s place of residence

• Services provided for other persons or pets in the residence

RetirementWhat’s Next

Eligibility for this service is assessed and determined by VA staff and a VA social worker will coordinate with the veteran and/or family member to set up services once approved.

The VA In-Home Respite Care Program provides much needed respite (a break) for an unpaid family caregiver, who is often the significant other or spouse of the veteran. The veteran is eligible to receive up to 30 days of 6 hours per day respite per calendar year. A VA Social Worker will initiate this service and the approval process is the same as the VA Homemaker/Home Health Aid Program. Additional respite days can be requested, and approval will be determined by VA staff.

The VA Aid and Attendance benefit provides veterans or surviving spouses monthly financial assistance to help pay for the costs of in-home care (assistance with activities of daily living) or offset the cost of an assisted living home or community. The Homebound allowance provides financial assistance for those veterans who are receiving a VA pension and spend most of their time at home due to a permanent disability.

To find out more about any of these veteran benefits, contact your local VA representative or call us. We can help find an VA approved vendor who can assist with eligibility and the application process. Often, these VA approved vendors can get applications submitted and benefits approved in a fraction of the time the process typically takes. Get the help you need. Get the help you deserve. You answered the call to serve our country; now it’s time to make the call and make your health and well-being a priority.

Fannie Farmer Veteran Spotlight

She opened her own beauty salon. Being a woman before her time, she also rented bicycles from the salon location. Later, she worked at the Jesse Brown VA in Chicago as a medical transcriber. In later years, she also gave back to the VA by volunteering for 1,800 hours there. She was always a friendly face to greet veterans coming to the VA Medical Center. Fannie is now a patient there and attributes her health to the staff of qualified doctors. We are grateful that her health needs are being met through the long list of services that they provide for former service members and their families. She says she “wouldn’t be alive if it weren’t for Jesse Brown VA.”

Homeland: What’s Fannie’s secret to her longevity?

Homeland Magazine had a chance to sit down with Yvonne Shields, the daughter of 100 year-old veteran, Fannie Farmer.

Fannie Farmer is a WWII Army veteran, Chicago resident and this year, on October 15th, 2022 she celebrated her 100th birthday. We wanted to share her story and congratulate her on her centennial celebration.

Homeland: What’s her background and where did Fannie serve?

Shields: Fannie was born in Holly Springs, Mississippi and came with her family to Chicago when she was six years old, settling in the old Maxwell Street area. Fannie joined the Women’s Army Corps during WWII in 1942. She was stationed at Fort Benning, GA and was a chauffeur and typist on the base.

Homeland: How did Fannie like her military experience?

Shields: Fannie enjoyed the experience. The Army taught her discipline and allowed her to have a career afterwards. She continues to be a member of the National Women Veterans United group. The Chicago chapter’s Honor Guard attended her birthday celebration, saluted her and gave her flowers. The group’s spokesperson, Rochelle Crump, told Fannie that she was not forgotten, and they were proud to stand on her shoulders.

Homeland: What did Fannie do after the military?

Shields: After an honorable discharge from the Army, she got married, started a family and attended Madam CJ Walker Beauty College on the GI Bill.

Shields: When asked this question by her doctors recently, Fannie shared, “It’s just keeping a schedule”. These days her schedule is consistent but simple. Fannie is just taking care of herself, making her own breakfast every morning before reading the newspaper. Pre-pandemic, Fannie would ride the bus, by herself, to Jesse Brown VA to get her medication and was always greeted by the friendly volunteers there. (https://www.va.gov/chicago-health-care/)

Homeland: Is there anything else that you would like to share?

Shields: She has one daughter(me), three grandsons, five great-grandchildren and two great greatgrandchildren. We are thrilled to celebrate this milestone. And Fannie says, “If you are kind and thoughtful you can live to be 105!”

The iBOT® PMD: Bringing Freedom of Mobility to Veterans

When Josh Keller was invited to his best friend’s wedding, he accepted the invitation knowing his friends would have to push him up a hill in his manual wheelchair to join them at the top.

Plans changed when Josh received his iBOT®. Josh was able to utilize Four-Wheel Mode to drive up the hill, unassisted. Wedding guests got to watch the iBOT®’s technology push the boundaries of what’s possible. “Getting to the top on my own and watching my friend get married was such a great feeling and it is something I am forever thankful for.”

Stories like these are not uncommon with the iBOT®. This power wheelchair is known for its ability to help bring freedom and independence to its users. Utilizing what manufacturer Mobius Mobility calls its “iBalance” technology, the iBOT® has multiple modes – 4-Wheel Mode for outdoor use, uneven terrain and curb climbing, Balance Mode for reaching up high and looking someone in the eye, Stair Mode for conquering stairs, and Standard Mode for everyday use.

Josh, 28, is a US Army Veteran who has C4 quadriplegia. Josh’s favorite activities include exploring wooded trails with his wife, woodburning and creating artwork. The iBOT® gives him the independence he needs to enjoy his hobbies. “All I have to do is put the iBOT in four-wheeldrive and go. We love exploring and now it’s easier than ever!”

The iBOT® also fulfills something Josh didn’t even know he needed. “It’s a confidence builder. In my other wheelchairs, I was always a little self-conscious about how I looked. It’s interesting being in the iBOT® and feeling so confident while using it. Now I’ve realized that people should be staring! This chair is awesome!”

The VA purchased Josh’s iBOT® in summer 2022 and partnered with Mobius Mobility to provide training at the Manchester, NH headquarters. Training for the iBOT® occurs over two days and covers all of the operating modes and features. For many veterans, training happens at their local VA hospital. When asked about his experience training at Mobius Mobility, Josh explained, “The staff made the experience easy, and they gave us all the information our family needed to succeed.”

For Jim Dehlin, the iBOT® allows him to take advantage of some of life’s most important moments. When his grandson was younger, it was difficult for Jim to spend time out in nature with him. The iBOT® now allows them to go out into the woods together to feed the deer. “I love the iBOT® and everything about it,” he said. “There are numerous features that provide freedom of mobility, and ability to go places without fear of breakdowns. I can’t say enough of what a fine machine it is.”

Jim, 72, is a service-injured Vietnam Veteran and amputee. He used a manual wheelchair for 35 years, until arthritis made it difficult for him to maneuver his chair. Jim was the first Veteran in the upper Midwest to receive the original iBOT 4000 through the Veterans Administration in 2006. Jim’s new iBOT® PMD was purchased by the VA in early 2020.

Jim encourages all Veterans to look into the iBOT®. “I believe every veteran out there that is in an electric chair, ought to be in an iBOT®. I don’t think there should be any restrictions – it’s a gamechanger!”

At a convention in Las Vegas, Trevor Baucom was able to maneuver the huge, jam-packed conference halls with ease in his iBOT®. In a manual chair, no one would be able to see him. But in the iBOT®, he was able to avoid being bumped into, and most importantly, look people in the eye.

Trevor, 42, was injured while serving in Afghanistan. He has used a manual chair, but his mobility was still limited. The iBOT’s ability to go up and down curbs proved valuable. “There’s nothing comparable to it.” Trevor was even able to build a fence, and he practices shooting, all while in his iBOT®. Trevor can get outdoors and hike on trails. “It greatly maximizes my time.”

The iBOT® delivers a new degree of independence and mobility to power wheelchair users. For all three Veterans, the iBOT has proven invaluable to their lives, freedom, and dignity.

For any Veterans interested in the iBOT®, visit our website at www.mobiusmobility.com or email us at info@mobiusmobility.com and contact your VA clinical team to see if the iBOT® would be appropriate for you. Veterans who qualify through clinical assessment can receive the iBOT® at no cost through VA FSS #36F79721D0202.

WOUNDS WE CANNOT SEE

Burial of Army pilot killed on D-Day highlights ongoing

mission of the American Battle Monuments Commission near centennial anniversary

U.S. Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. William J. McGowan was laid to rest at the American Battle Monuments Commission’s (ABMC) Normandy American Cemetery in France this past July, nearly 80 years after he was killed during operations in World War II.

As the organization draws closer to its 100th anniversary in 2023, stories like McGowan’s showcase ABMC’s important legacy and continuous role in honoring those who fought and died in the name of freedom.

The Normandy American Cemetery is operated and meticulously cared for by ABMC, which was originally established in March 1923 to construct military service memorials abroad. In 1934, ABMC was charged with maintaining American cemeteries and memorials abroad that honor fallen and missing U.S. service members of WWI and eventually WWII. McGowan’s is just one of the more than 230,000 legacies being preserved through the agency’s sites across 17 foreign countries and the U.S.

McGowan, a Minnesota native, perished on D-Day— June 6, 1944—when the P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft he was piloting crashed while on a mission near the city of Moon-sur-Elle, France. He was just 23-years-old.

While McGowan’s crash site was initially investigated in 1947, his remains were declared non-recoverable. The site was resurveyed in 2010 by the Defense POW/ MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) and excavated in 2018. McGowan was officially accounted for by DPAA scientists May 13, 2019.

Upon notification, McGowan’s next of kin had a choice. They could repatriate his remains to the U.S. for burial at home, or elect interment at an ABMC cemetery.

“When we were asked where we wanted the final resting place of our uncle to be, we did not hesitate,” said Paul Stouffer, McGowan’s nephew.

McGowan’s family chose a burial at ABMC’s Normandy American Cemetery, alongside more than 9,300 other Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice. Though interments there are infrequent as the cemetery was dedicated and declared closed to new burials in 1956,

individuals who are later recovered and identified can be laid to rest there at the family’s request.

“It is our mission to care for those individuals who gave their lives in service to our nation, no matter how many years have passed since they made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Scott Desjardins, Normandy American Cemetery superintendent. “It is our solemn honor to provide Lt. McGowan a final resting place among those he served beside.”

McGowan was buried with full military honors with family, friends and local officials in attendance. He was interred approximately 350 miles away from his uncle and namesake, who died during World War I and is buried at the ABMC’s Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery.

“ABMC has proudly honored America’s fallen heroes for nearly a century,” said ABMC Secretary Charles K. DJou. “Our promise is to carry forward the legacy of Lt. McGowan and all those buried or memorialized within our sites for the next one hundred years and for generations to come.”

Today, ABMC operates and maintains 26 permanent American burial grounds and 32 separate memorials, monuments, and markers on foreign soil. It also maintains four memorials in the U.S. There are 124,000 American war dead interred in these cemeteries, of which 30,973 are from World War I commemorative cemeteries, 92,958 from World War II commemorative cemeteries, and 750 from the Mexican-American War. Additionally, more than 15,000 American veterans and others are interred in the Mexico City National Cemetery, Corozal American Cemetery and Clark Veterans Cemetery.

In addition to being final resting places and commemorative sites, AMBC’s cemeteries and memorials are considered works of public art, each with unique architectural and horticultural significance.

Prior to his identification and burial, McGowan’s name was recorded on the Walls of the Missing at the Normandy American Cemetery, which features the inscribed names of approximately 1,600 individuals missing from WWII. ABMC remembers by name more than 94,000 American servicemen and women who were missing in action, lost, or buried at sea during World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War on such stone tablets in ABMC cemeteries and memorials. As with all those listed whose remains are later identified, a bronze rosette was placed next to McGowan’s name to indicate he has been accounted for.

“Thank you to the American Battle Monuments Commission for allowing one more amazing young man to join these other extraordinary young men and women at this beautiful memorial,” said Stouffer. “You are not forgotten.”

Learn more about AMBC, its history and centennial at www.abmc.gov.

2nd Lt. William J. Mcgowans burial ceremony at Normandy American Cemetery

SURVIVING BATAAN

DAV member, former Japanese POW confronts his past

By Matt Saintsing

Paul Kerchum has dodged death at every turn. He came of age during the Great Depression, survived the nightmarish Bataan Death March and endured three and a half years as a prisoner of war in Japan during World War II.

Now, at 102, Kerchum is one of the last remaining survivors of the bloodcurdling march up the Bataan Peninsula on Luzon, the Philippines’ largest island. Japan stormed the archipelago’s beaches at the end of December 1941, hoping to oust Allied forces. As Japanese troops advanced through the rainforest, Kerchum’s unit, the 31st Infantry Regiment, was ordered to cover friendly units making their way to the peninsula.

However, by April, after months of fierce fighting, malnourishment, disease, and dwindling ammo and other crucial supplies, the regiment had no choice but to surrender to their soon-to-be captors. That’s when an estimated 10,000 Americans and 66,000 Filipinos were forcibly marched to an enemy-held POW camp— Camp O’Donnell.

Seventy years after slogging through the thick jungle, Kerchum vividly remembers what he and the others suffered.

“During the march, we were formed in three lines, and I was always in the middle line because the

Left: Paul Kerchum poses for an official Army photo in 1946. He had endured life as a Japanese POW during nearly all of World War II. Right: Kerchum is pictured wearing his service dress uniform at a POW/MIA event. Following the war, he retired from the Air Force after 21 additional years of service.

Japanese trucks were coming up, and they would whack people in the far line with their rifles or whatever they had in their hand,” recalled Kerchum, a DAV life member of Chapter 26 in Benson, Arizona. “So I found out, stay in the middle line, and I just watched the shoes in front of me.”

Official estimates of the horrendous trek range from 60 to 70 miles. Up to 10,000 prisoners were beaten; shot; bayoneted; and, in many cased, beheaded by the Japanese along the way. “I could hear the shots, I could hear the screams,” added Kerchum.

Today, he remains one of only a handful, at most, of Bataan Death March survivors. Rather than shying away from his brutal past, he often shares the remarkable yet horrific account of what he witnessed, though his candidness about those experiences is a relatively new development.

“He never talked about it—never,” said his daughter, Paula Desmarais. “He’s very open about it now, and he goes to schools to give talks.”

“Paul is living history, and his strength and resolve as a survivor of some of the most ghastly events from World War II is constantly on display,” said DAV National Commander Joe Parsetich. “By teaching the younger generations about what he and others suffered, he is ensuring that other survivors, and those who perished, will never be forgotten.”

Kerchum’s talks also include stories about his time aboard a Japanese “hell ship.”

Japan used these merchant vessels to relocate American POWs from the Philippines to other regions of Japanese-occupied territory. However, as the war raged at sea, American warplanes and submarines had no way of knowing their fellow countrymen laid tightly packed below the ships’ lower decks. In “Death on the Hellships: Prisoners at Sea in the Pacific War,” author Gregory Michno assessed that more than 21,000 Americans were unknowingly injured or killed by friendly fire.

After a year of captivity, which included building an airfield for Japan in the Philippines, Kerchum boarded

the hell ship Haru Maru with 1,100 other captive Americans.

“The holes were covered. We remained in complete darkness,” said Kerchum. “All I kept hearing was the explosions from depth charges from the Japanese destroyer escort, and there was constant zigzagging of our ship.”

By November 1944, Kerchum was in a prison camp in northern Japan, working at Mitsubishi mine No. 11. To supplement the wartime labor shortage, Japan forced more than 1,000 Americans to exert themselves by extracting critical resources.

The POWs lived in a state of constant hunger, squalor and fear. On one occasion, they were forced to eat dog, after their Japanese guards provided the Americans with a single puppy. Each man received just a morsel to satiate his empty stomach.

The American POWs were elated when they got word of Japan’s unconditional surrender on Sept. 2, 1945. The next day, American B-29 bombers flew over the camp, dropping food, clothing and medicine. “They kept dropping us stuff, and we ate pretty good,” said Kerchum. “And after 30 days, I was no longer a lightweight.”

Despite the astonishing hardships during World War II, Kerchum decided to stay in uniform. He served for another 21 years with the Army Air Forces, later the U.S. Air Force. While he finished his career with high marks, the years immediately following his liberation were marred by insubordination—a relic, Kerchum suspects, of lingering mental health issues.

“We were complete basket cases,” he added, speaking of the 29 other former POWs assigned to the same unit. “We probably had PTSD, but it was unheard of at the time.”

But now, enough years have passed that Kerchum has made peace with his experiences.

“I asked him about God in the prison camp, and he said to me, ‘There was no God,’” said Paula. “But now, I think that’s what brought him to the point of forgiving and then letting go. It’s his faith.” n

We were complete basket cases. We probably had PTSD, but it was unheard of at the time.

—Paul Kerchum

Give an Hour Proudly Serves Service Members, Veterans and Families by Making Mental Health a Priority

PROUD TO SERVE OUR MILITARY, VETERANS & THEIR LOVED ONES

While Veterans Day is a great opportunity to publicly acknowledge the service and sacrifice given to the United States by brave men and women, Give an Hour appreciates our military, veterans and their loved ones every single day of the year. November is also Men’s Mental Health month and with an active duty military force made up of roughly 82% men, it‘s a good reminder that mental health is equally as important as physical health.

Is My Family Eligible?

If a family member or loved one is suffering due to the military member or veteran’s service (or consequences of) and is in need of care, they are eligible for one-onone counseling, as well.

CLIENT TESTIMONIAL

"

Who is Give an Hour?

Give an Hour® is a nonprofit organization that provides no-cost counseling through a network of licensed, volunteer, mental health professionals. Founded in 2005 to address the gap in mental health care available to military service members, veterans

Finding a Provider: Next Steps

I w o u l d n o t b e o n t h i s e a r t h a n e x i s t . I n 2 0 1 7 , I h e l d m y p e r s o n c o n s i d e r e d s u i c i d e a s a w a y o u o f m y a r m y s o n s . I r e a c h e d o u t a p s y c h o l o g i s t w h o s a w m e f o r

What happens next is up to you. Are you ready to receive help? Before beginning your search for the right provider for you, we encourage you to visit the Frequently Asked Questions on our website to familiarize yourself with our process and what you can expect.

Providers in our network agree to offer one hour per week of service, per Give an Hour client until it’s

C O U N S E L I N G

B a r r i e r f r e e a c c e s s t o c o n f i d e n t i a l , o n e t o o n e c o u n s e l i n g w i t h a G i v e a n H o u r v o l u n t e e r , l i c e n s e d m e n t a l h e a l t h p r o f e s s i o n a l .

P E E R S U P P O R T

P e e r s u p p o r t p r o v i d e d i n a g r o u p f o r m a t a n d a v a i l a b l e t o a n y b r a n c h o f s e r v i c e . O u r p e e r s u p p o r t p r o g r a m s a r e d e s i g n e d t o o f f e r l o n g t e r m , m e n t a l h e a l t h c a r e s u p p o r t

PROUD TO

As one might expect, the pandemic has caused more people to seek out the services of mental health professionals so, as with any specialist, there may be some wait time.

It’s also important to note that care is not one-size-fitsall. Not everyone needs to see a counselor and there are other resources available such as Emotional Life Skills courses and peer support and Give an Hour will help you navigate what is appropriate for you.

How You Can Help

1. Key to helping yourself, a friend or loved one who may be experiencing distress is making yourself familiar with Give an Hour’s Five Signs of Emotional Suffering. Recognizing early that someone may be in pain could make all the difference in getting them help.

n y m o r e i f G i v e a n H o u r d i d n ' t n a l f i r e a r m i n m y h a n d s a n d u t j u s t s h o r t l y a f t e r b u r y i n g o n e t o t h i s o r g a n i z a t i o n a n d f o u n d n e a r l y t w o y e a r s "

2. Peer support is also an important tool for service members, veterans and their families or loved ones. Reach out to a battle buddy and let him know he matters. Staying connected and feeling supported

" I w o u l d n o t b e o n t h i s e a r t h a n y m o r e i f G i v e a n H o u r d i d n ' t e x i s t I n 2 0 1 7 , I h e l d m y p e r s o n a l f i r e a r m i n m y h a n d s a n d c o n s i d e r e d s u i c i d e a s a w a y o u t j u s t s h o r t l y a f t e r b u r y i n g o n e o f m y a r m y s o n s I r e a c h e d o u t t o t h i s o r g a n i z a t i o n a n d f o u n d a p s y c h o l o g i s t w h o s a w m e f o r n e a r l y t w o y e a r s " G I V E A N H O U R C L I E N T N B E R K E B I L E

YOUR DONATION

“SURVIVING PTSD Through ART”

Homeland: How has painting become a way for you to Manage PTSD and how did it all start?

Melillo: I was Police Supervisor for a Military Police Company in Long Bing Vietnam in 1970/71 which was the biggest Military instillation in country. I had 26 guys worked gate & patrol and 2 dog units. We were involved working 12 hour-shifts – 6 weeks days- 6 weeks nights and we had to supervise any situation Civil or Combat in Vietnam involving over 40,000 GIs and 60,000 Vietnamese.

50 years-ago I came home and I wanted to put the war behind me and I got a job in NYC and ran a business race of NYC speed for 45 years. I didn’t realize until I retired about 5 years ago that all that running and energy masked some of the things I had experienced and felt in Vietnam.

I started having horrible nightmares, actually day mares and I didn’t realize what was going on so I went to VA for help and they tested me to realize I had strength in salesmanship ability which I did for a living and ART. They started putting me in programs and I started taking classed in SVA, NY academy of Art, Christies, and I found a healing and a talent I didn’t realize existed….”ART!.”

“PTSD just does not go away. I try to paint as much as I can in a subject matter most pleasurable. I’m painting the “Lighter” side of Vietnam. In painting the Vietnam issues! It’s about facing your fears straight on! In doing that is what they call prolong exposure.

Homeland: Tell us how you are using your Original Photos you took in Vietnam as content to Paint?

Melillo: As I dived deeper into it and looking for material, I started looking at my pictures that I took a lot of in Vietnam circa 1970/71 and all of a sudden they became material for that Solace! This is something I did in my first “Life Goes On” Series that you can view on my website www.artfeelingsjm.com and “Life Goes On Part 2” series will premiere Nov 11 on VETS Day at Southampton Cultural Center, NY from 12-4PM.

Homeland: Tell us about your SOLO “LIFE GOES ON PART 2” ART & Video Exhibition?

Melillo: My Journey is reflected through my “Life Goes On Part 2” Painting Series” painted from my Original Photos I took while on tour in Vietnam. Reviewing my Photos again I took in Vietnam circa 1970/71 gave me another opportunity to focus on some moments that represent the “Lighter Side” of what I experienced It’s not shock and awe, as it brings back a more peaceful experience.

You’ll see a Patriotic Flag scene I painted to Kick off Series called “STRENGTH, HONOR, HOPE AND COURAGE” and “Symbiotic Relationships” which tells a unique story about how to conquer the jungle you don’t fight the jungle you become part of it. In my painting series we have an Inspiring picture of a bunch of kids in a field I painted that I call “What War?, and then there’s “Children of War”, which reflects The Orphans always taken in that exuded smiles. We’ll pay homage at the “50th Vietnam Anniversary Commemorative Medal Ceremony” which made such a positive effect on me and you’ll see the excitement I captured Christmas 1971 Heading Security when Bob Hope came to perform at Vietnam. In Addition, a short VIDEO Series will be shown where I reflect on the paintings to tell the unique behind scene stories. PLUS, over 60 PIECES of my additional works will be on view that were inspired by his experiences growing up in historic Southampton, Watermill and Sagaponack where my heritage goes back to the 1890’s and my hobbies are fishing and being on the water.

Homeland Magazine Caught up with Disabled Vietnam Vet/Contemporary Realistic Oil Painter John Melillo

Homeland: Is Painting a rewarding experience for

Melillo: I continue and have to paint as it’s like a rebirth - my 3rd Act- gift from God! That I didn’t know I had. I’m getting Good at IT! That thrills me. To know I can create and share with people to enjoy. My PTSD is a continued process,

my journey continues as long as it takes. I thank you taking journey with me.

Treating the Invisible Wounds of War

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, contact the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 (press 1) or texting 838255.

Because every person’s experience with PTSD and depression is different, treatment for invisible wounds can come in many forms.

“Warriors tell us they want to feel like themselves again after service, but too often they face fears or barriers when seeking help,” said Ryan Kules, Army veteran and director of Wounded Warrior Project’s adventure-based mental health program, Project Odyssey.

“Wounded Warrior Project has many options. We help match warriors to programs that fit their unique path to feeling in control of their thoughts and feelings.”

Some of Wounded Warrior Project’s options include:

• WWP Talk: WWP Talk helps warriors and family support members plan individualized paths toward personal growth. During a weekly phone call, participants receive emotional support and help setting goals. These calls help break down the barriers of isolation.

• Warrior Care Network: This is a partnership between WWP and four academic medical centers to treat PTSD and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Innovative therapies pack a years-worth of treatment into two- to three-week intensive outpatient program.

• Project Odyssey: A 12-week mental health program that uses adventure-based learning to help warriors manage and overcome their invisible wounds while building connections with fellow warriors.

• Peer Support: Year-round events happening across the country to help warriors reconnect and bond with other veterans who understand their obstacles and give them a shoulder to lean on.

• Family Support: Warriors aren’t the only ones with invisible wounds of war, so family and caregiver support programs give a warrior’s loved ones tools to heal and feel empowered.

• Career and Financial Wellness: Worrying about how to pay the bills can contribute to mental stress. WWP has financial education programs to help warriors feel in control, and Warriors to Work can help warriors and family members find employment and career counseling.

• Benefits Services: Navigating the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can be overwhelming. WWP Benefits Services’ VA-accredited representatives assist warriors with filing for benefits, including health care benefits, disability compensation, and caregiver benefits.

How to Start

Asking for help can feel intimidating. If you feel that way, you are not alone.

“Warriors often feel other people have it worse, or they’re intimidated to ask for help, but thousands of warriors make that ask every year and get support. It’s a big step, and it can change your life,” Kules said.

Veterans and their loved ones can contact WWP to learn about free programs and support designed for post-9/11 veterans. Call the WWP Resource Center at 888-997-2586 or email resourcecenter@woundedwarriorproject.org.

Learn more about how WWP helps warriors, family members, and caregivers through mental health support programs at http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/CombatStigma

Hope and Healing for Active-Duty Personnel and Veterans through Wounded Warrior Project

Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) provides active-duty personnel, veterans, and their family support members with opportunities to connect with others who will listen and help – a community that champions your success. It starts with becoming a WWP-registered warrior or registering as a family support member or caregiver. WWP can connect warriors to people who know what they are experiencing.

Mental Wellness

Through interactive programs, rehabilitative retreats, and professional services, veterans coping with the invisible wounds of war can build resilience to help overcome mental health challenges, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), military sexual trauma (MST), and traumatic brain injury (TBI). WWP offers various mental health programs and services for veterans, including Warrior Care Network®, Project Odyssey®, and WWP Talk.

Physical Wellness

Move better. Eat better. Feel better. Sleep better. Through coaching, nutritional education, shared physical activities, adaptive sports, goal setting, and skill building, warriors are empowered to make long-term changes toward a healthier life.

Career and VA Benefits Counseling

Transitioning to civilian life is difficult. That is why WWP is here to help veterans and their families every step of the way. Whether it’s understanding the VA benefits process or pinpointing a new career path, WWP is here to serve those who served us.

Independence Program

This program provides long-term support to catastrophically wounded veterans living with injuries that impact independence, such as a moderate to severe brain injury, spinal cord injury, or neurological conditions. The Independence program also serves warriors who manage illnesses such as stroke and neurodegenerative diseases.

The Independence Program aims to empower all warriors, family members, and caregivers, no matter their status.

Learn more about how WWP helps warriors, family members, and caregivers at https://newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org.

Warrior

In 2004, on only his third day in Afghanistan, Chris suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) during Humvee rollover training. But, like many TBIs at the time, it went undiagnosed, and he was sent back to work. A few days later, Chris’ unit lost six soldiers.

After returning home, Chris’ post-traumatic stress disorder sent him into a downward spiral and he contemplated taking his own life.

He believes that Wounded Warrior Project® Warrior Care Network and the more than 170 hours of intensive mental health treatments he received saved his life.

“I am a ten times different person today because of how the program is structured. I don’t know what would have happened if I hadn’t gone.”

You don’t have to go it alone — find the treatments, connection, and support you need to heal at:

www.WarriorCareNetwork.org

— WOUNDED WARRIOR CHRIS HOFF

THERE WAS A DARK MOMENT WHEN I THOUGHT ABOUT TAKING MY OWN LIFE. THE DAY THE PHONE RANG — IT WAS WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT, AND THEY WANTED TO CHECK ON ME TO SEE IF I WAS OKAY.”

Care Network® has helped countless veterans take back their lives.

“

Take Back Control –Better Understanding Can Help Us Manage PTSD

In honor of Veterans Day, Homeland spoke with Robert ‘Bob’ Cuyler, PhD, psychologist and trauma expert, about better managing PTSD.

2. What causes triggers that lead to PTSD episodes?

Seemingly random things can trigger someone with PTSD – a car backfiring, loud sounds from the TV, crowded areas, what you read in the news, an overturned garbage can that looks like an IED. It can be something someone says that sparks a vivid memory, or losing a friend from the service to injuries, illness or suicide. When U.S. troops withdrew from Afghanistan, the news was triggering for many members of the military who had served there. There’s also a sensitivity about the unfairness of something – that a buddy was killed when you survived. Or if you were injured in a mission and you question its necessity.

1. How do we recognize signs and symptoms of PTSD?

It’s not always easy to recognize if you or someone close to you has PTSD. Issues around stigma, while we have made progress, can still be a barrier to acceptance. Among veterans, service-related trauma is widely recognized, but the civilian world is unfortunately full of traumatizing risks. Intense reaction to triggers and reminders and nightmares are widely recognized signs of PTSD, but irritability, emotional numbing, and isolation are also in the mix.

Living with PTSD can greatly interfere with relationships and daily life, as that irritability and isolation can affect family and work relationships. You can find yourself reliving a traumatic situation again and again, and sometimes you may not even be aware you’re doing it. It’s an automatic reaction, and the memories of these events can be as vivid as when the trauma occurred.

People often ask me, “That was years ago, why is it still affecting me?” And then they think, “I’d rather keep this under wraps than let people know I’m still struggling with it.” This adds to that sense of isolation that can disrupt functioning.

3.

Why is PTSD disruptive for someone looking to assimilate back into civilian life?

Triggers like this can take someone back to a time when they were in extreme danger, even if that was many years ago, and put you in fight-or-flight mode. At that moment, your brain is focused on survival, but those necessary survival skills that worked in the field can backfire now.

So much of what makes up PTSD are really adaptations to extreme circumstances that carry over to daily life. If you can’t react to danger, you can’t survive. But that learned adaptation becomes problematic when we’re back to civilian life. When our brain is in survival mode, a lot of the tools we can call on ordinarily like seeking support, thinking before acting, and so on, recedes to the background and we go into fight or flight mode. If you’re keyed up and constantly alert, it makes it hard to relax, enjoy life or relate to people around you.

4. What are some coping mechanisms?

Everyone resorts to different coping mechanisms and sometimes these can backfire. Take someone who avoids crowded places or is constantly scanning for danger - these are understandable responses to being embedded in the battlefield. Being on edge or on guard all the time is what the brain wants you to do, but then this hypervigilance can dominate life.

Good quality sleep is essential for our emotional and physical health, but nightmares can disrupt sleep. This can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as drinking or substance use which may help in the moment to numb feelings or help you fall asleep, but the use of alcohol or drugs risks turning temporary coping methods into substance use or dependency.

back?

Building skills that veterans can use to cope with the surge from traumatic reminders is key to tackling PTSD. There’s good evidence that talk therapy is effective in treating PTSD, but many don’t want to revisit the trauma as a way of getting desensitized to it. Medications can also help but are slow to act and tend to moderate symptoms rather than resolve them. So the current treatment options have limitations, which is why too many veterans go untreated or are reluctant to seek treatment.

There are non-medication alternatives to consider.

Research shows that during a panic attack or PTSD episode, our breathing gets dysregulated, so learning how to regulate it consciously can help reduce hypervigilance and other symptoms. At Freespira, something we hear over and over from veterans who use this intervention is that they feel a sense of control again.

One recent example: “I was tired of living at the mercy of my episodes and now I feel like I can go back into the world again. I took my five-year-old daughter to the movies for the first time this month.”

Cuyler is chief clinical officer of Freespira, an FDAcleared non-medication treatment that helps people with panic and PTSD manage their symptoms by learning how to regulate their breathing. www.freespira.com

5. How can veterans get a sense of self-control

Like Father, Like Son: A Tradition of Military Service

By Paris Moulden, Wounded Warrior Project

Military service roots run deep in the McDonough family. Warrior Tim McDonough served in the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Air Force. His father served as a U.S. Marine during the Vietnam War. Five years ago, it came as little surprise when Tim’s son, Devin, decided to join the U.S. Army.

Tim had his concerns, of course. He’d spent time in combat zones and returned home with visible and invisible wounds. But he also knew how proud Devin is of his military roots, and what a great asset he would be to the military.

Recently, Tim got to participate in Devin’s military journey when he traveled to Fort Carson, Colorado, to pin the rank of sergeant on his son.

“They called everybody to attention,” Tim said remembering the details from that day. “Then they read the charge of the NCO [non-commissioned officer]. They read the order stating that he’d been promoted to the rank of E-5. They had me walk up front, take his old rank off and put the new one on, take his old hat off, which has his old rank on it, and put the new one on. “I couldn’t be prouder of him.”

Generational Anxieties and Hopes

Like most parents, Tim was initially apprehensive when his son decided to join the military. The war in Afghanistan was still going on, and Tim had memories of his time in service.

“When he first told me he was joining, he originally was going to go into intel (intelligence), and I thought that was a much better fit for him,” Tim said. “But that’s a dad talking, not someone who wants to go in and serve their country and do their thing. A few days later he changed his mind and decided to go 88 Mike, a truck driver. I mean, 88 Mike truck drivers are the guys who were getting hurt the most when we were over in Iraq, so I was quite upset about it. Then a good buddy of mine told me, ‘You know when you were 18, nobody could tell you any different.’ And being a son of a warrior myself, my dad couldn’t tell me. I had to go in and find out on my own, so I just had to suck it up and let [Devin] do his thing.”

Despite his concerns, Tim knew Devin understood the military life and the possible results of combat. Growing up, Devin watched his father deal with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and other injuries that required a total of 14 surgeries. In the Air Force, Tim served as a crew chief aboard large cargo planes, which would often carry freight like armored vehicles and smaller aircraft.

Sometimes, however, those planes would also carry home the remains of warriors killed in service. Those were the images that stuck with Tim the most.

“Dealing with PTSD and depression was the worst of it all,” Tim said. “There were several times when I never thought a day like this would come or be possible. Now, here we are today. It’s amazing.”

Tim’s own father, a Vietnam-era veteran, was close in his thoughts at the ceremony. Three generations of service to the country is substantial. Even with all the worries and the knowledge of the traumas that can accompany being in the military, Tim was honored and moved by the family tradition of service and the selfless contributions of those who serve.

“It was a very proud moment – and very sobering,” Tim said of Devin’s rank-pinning ceremony. “It was also a very crystal-clear moment for me. When I was going through the worst of what I went through, with posttraumatic stress and major depressive disorder, I kept having a recurring dream of my father telling me, ‘You’re not done yet.’ And that day definitely fit that bill.”

Carrying

on a Tradition of Service

Tim is also reassured that his son is more than ready to handle all the challenges that may come ahead. Devin didn’t only watch his dad battle visible and invisible wounds, he saw his dad overcome those obstacles and pay it forward to other veterans. He saw his dad reach out for help when he needed it and create a positive path out of the darkness.

Honoring the memories of those heroes on the plane who made the ultimate sacrifice became a primary focus for Tim, and he knew he could only do that if he healed himself. He found Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP), which connected him to mental health resources and to other veterans. Through WWP’s adaptive sports program, he also found his love of archery and is working toward a new career in the culinary arts after attending a WWP cooking course. He is attending the Culinary Institute of America and hopes to open a food truck with the goal of feeding homeless veterans.

“I think of all the NCOs I know, Devin is probably the most prepared because he lived it,” Tim said. “He had to live with me going through it and saw how I came out on the other side of it. And I’m doing a lot better now. I live the Wounded Warrior Project logo. I went from being the warrior on the top being carried to being a warrior on the bottom carrying others.

“That’s my mission now – to help others get through it.”

About Wounded Warrior Project

Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers — helping them achieve their highest ambition. https://newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org

Why Art?

By Amber Robinson

Those of us who are born artists would scoff at a question like “Why Art?” Why NOT art is the real question. Those of us born with the natural inclination to take paint to canvas, put our hands to instruments or our bodies into motion or music understand the grounding effects of art. It is that grounding effect that makes art the beautiful healer that it is.

I’ve met so many people throughout my life who tell me they are not artistic or creative. But, I believe we all are. No matter how we build our lives, it is through our own creativity and ingenuity that we do so. But, there is something especially grounding about making art for the sake of its beauty. The world of dance, theater, paint and poetry is fraught with avenues of healing one can take.

In a study published in Art Therapy Magazine, 39 healthy people were tested for cortisol before and after 45 minutes of art making. For those who don’t know, cortisol is a stress hormone that your adrenal glands make. A body saturated in cortisol is a body very stressed and undergoing deterioration.

According to the study, cortisol levels were notably lower after art making. Participants were able to create with an array of materials and reported feelings of calm, peace, and better focus. They also wrote that they felt the art session was helpful for learning about new aspects of self, in helping conflict resolution and in understanding the concept of “being in flow”.

So what is it about art that lowers our stress levels and connects us more deeply to ourselves? According to a thoughtful blog on the Henry Ford Health System website, through art and creativity we are able to connect to our “inner child”, usually the part of ourselves that is most pure and unscarred.

The blog also says that art is the only activity that forces us to forge a connection between body and mind. Through those connections back to dormant parts of self, we find healing, or wholeness.

In fact, the blog even goes so far as to suggest asking your art to communicate with you! As you connect your different parts of self, art is a messenger between them. What is your art trying to communicate to you about yourself?

In my experience, art has always been my saving grace. From poetry as an angsty teen to abstract painting as a war-mottled veteran, art has always been where I have met myself again and again. You meet yourself within the process somehow and that is how we heal. The person we were before life messed us up is always inside of us. Art is like a magical key that opens the door to that person again. Art allows us to be new again.

As we all end 2022 I encourage everyone to create some holiday art; paint a painting, write poetry or sculpt! Get eccentric with trimming the tree and with holiday food. And, If holiday stress starts to raise those cortisol levels, you know to reach for the markers and paper, not the vodka.

Crypto for Good

By Supporting Veteran Health Initiatives

Confused about NFTs/blockchains/cryptocurrency/ Web3? Is it a scam or legit? DVL.DGS (Devil Dogs) has some answers.

The DVL.DGS (Devil Dogs) Cause-Driven Crypto Club is out to harness the confusing world of Web3 for good—and its first campaign is supporting veteran nonprofits. Dave Grannan, a USMC Gulf War veteran and tech executive, launched the DVL.DGS NFT (NonFungible Token) collection on October 1, with all profits going to veteran wellness nonprofits.

Non-Fungible Token?

“Token” means a digital file. “Fungible” means “interchangeable.” So NFTs are “not interchangeable digital files” meaning no two are alike. Each is unique.

The DVL.DGS NFT collection features 1775 unique bulldog warrior digital art pieces commemorating the U.S. Marines. Here are a few examples. Note each is unique—it may be a man or a woman, it may have desert or woodland camouflage, each is a different color, it may or may not have a collar or tattoo, and it can be any rank.

They are selling for $65 each (.05 ETH), and all profits go to four veteran-related nonprofit partners. When you “buy an NFT” you are buying a unique digital artwork. Think of it like buying a challenge coin where the profits go to charity, but you are donating by buying a digital good.

OK, so what am I really buying and why are NFTs better for charitable causes than a physical challenge coin?

Here’s some background:

- NFTs are digital goods with ownership recorded on a “blockchain.” A blockchain is a large network of computers managing “who owns what” collectively with no one organization in charge.

devildogs.io

Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum are built using blockchains, and people can buy and sell digital goods (NFTs) built on top of blockchains. (DVL.DGS is built on the Ethereum blockchain.)

Web3 refers to the next iteration of the internet, which incorporates all the above.

- The most popular site for buying NFTs is www.opensea.io — an “Ebay” for NFTs.

- NFTs are a great fit for charitable causes for two reasons: transparency and annuity income. Contrary to the perception that cryptocurrency is used by criminals to hide their activity, the reality is every blockchain transaction is transparent. Donors can see in real time how much money is being raised. Plus, every time NFTs are resold on OpenSea, the original creator receives a royalty that goes back to the charities.

- Most NFTs must be purchased with cryptocurrency— but DVL.DGS allows donors the option to buy with a credit card if they want to explore crypto before committing.

With DVL.DGS, Grannan is bridging conventional donation-based fundraising with the world of NFT technology. All profits go to the Irreverent Warriors, The 38 Challenge, Marines’ Memorial Association & Foundation, and the San Diego Veterans Coalition— all chosen based on their mission and willingness to embrace cutting-edge technology.

DVL.DGS, based in San Francisco, was born from the intersection of Grannan’s frustration at the lack of adequate support for veterans and his interest in blockchain technology.

“Though our government is now acknowledging our troops’ exposure to toxins, more needs to be done,” says Grannan. “I have firsthand experience with exposure. I was there when the oil wells burned at Saddam Hussein’s order. I remember my young Marines asking if they should take the experimental anti-nerve agents. Unfortunately, for many who served, the mental and physical issues linger.”

To learn more about DVL.DGS, visit www.devildogs.io, or email them at info@devildogs.io.

From Military to Civilian Life: Why Addiction Rates Increase

By C.J. Jemison, Alcohol & Drug Counselor at Desert Hope Treatment Center, an American Addiction Centers facility

Among Veterans in treatment, 65% report having a problem with alcohol, a rate nearly double that of civilians. A problem of this magnitude means we must address it urgently. It starts with understanding why addiction rates increase and educating veterans on the resources available.

Why The Transition from Active Duty to Civilian Life Is Challenging

Although many veterans are grateful to be returning home, they may find it difficult to relate and connect to others who have not experienced life in the military. Life as we knew it isn’t the same: families may have created new routines and traditions during their time away. In the military, your schedule is rigid and pre-determined; now, veterans must plan their own routines and time. Service members might have a hard time determining how the skills and job duties they carried out in the military translate to jobs in civilian life. It’s all overwhelming.

I would know. When I left the military, I experienced intense feelings of guilt. Although I was medically discharged, I felt guilty that I couldn’t extend my service.

Unfortunately, those transitioning from active duty to civilian life are at high risk of substance use. Veterans may turn to alcohol and drug use as an unhealthy way of coping with trauma, anxiety, depression, physical pain, injury, and other lasting effects from combat.

After spending several years in the military, I witnessed a lot. Yet, one of the hardest parts of my career happened when it was all over: the transition back to civilian life.

A back injury led me to reliance on prescription pain pills and alcohol to cope. I had family who supported me; however, I chose to keep my addiction a secret.

The discharge process was purely transactional: sign this, sign that. Looking back, I should have asked more questions, but I didn’t know what to ask.

This isn’t a new trend—for years, military veterans have come home traumatized from their experiences and needed to acclimate to civilian life with little to no help. But today, help exists. And although there is a still a strong stigma in the military to getting help, especially for mental health, we have better resources available.

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are one of the most frequently encountered health issues among veterans, and more than 1.1. million vets are treated for SUDs or mental health disorders annually. Between 4.7% and 19.9% of veterans experience PTSD, while 44% to 72% experience high levels of stress when returning home from active duty. Experiencing the symptoms of transitional stress, PTSD, other mental health disorders such as depression, as well as pain and physical injuries, contribute to service members’ high risk of substance use.

Resources for Veterans Are Available

Knowing when to get help can be difficult, especially because the military encourages you not to show emotion. Some signs to look for when determining if you should seek external support during the transition to civilian life include: difficulty sleeping or eating, inability to turn off your brain, environmental factors like lack of sufficient housing or employment, increased anger, and more.

For veterans who make the brave decision to seek support, recognize that the road to recovery may be bumpy—and anticipate those challenges. Some resources to consider:

• The MISSION Act and community care gives veterans more options and a great range of health care providers to see. The program provides veterans the ability to receive healthcare from community providers in specific situations. For example, veterans diagnosed with a SUD or mental illness can seek treatment from specialist in their area though community care providers.

• American Addiction Centers (AAC) offers the Salute to Recovery program—which I lead at Desert Hope Treatment Center— that is tailored for veterans who have substance use and co-occurring mental health issues. (https://americanaddictioncenters.org/)

It’s an intensive program where we meet with other veterans and people can share elements of their experience they may not be comfortable sharing with the general population. Upon arrival, about 35% of veterans are reluctant, but in a matter of hours, almost all start to recognize that recovery is possible.

My own struggle came to a head when I realized I didn’t want to die from my addiction. I began to educate myself. I tapped into a higher power to direct my path. I practiced mindfulness. This November, as we honor those who served our country on Veterans’ Day, my hope is that anyone struggling to adapt to civilian life knows their feelings are common.

For those experiencing addiction or those who are in recovery, do not give up. Grow in your recovery, recognize your triggers, and stay connected to sober people.

This transition can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to happen alone.

VETERANS PROGRAM

C.J. Jemison is an Alcohol & Drug Counselor at Desert Hope Treatment Center in Las Vegas (https://deserthopetreatment.com/)

Jemison oversees the Salute to Recovery program where veterans learn about the disease of addiction, co-occurring mental health conditions and develop the coping skills needed for a life in recovery. Jemison is an Army veteran who is 10 years sober

Our treatment team understands that life in service can put individuals at high risk for developing substance use and mental health disorders.

The Salute to Recovery program was created with these unique challenges in mind and is dedicated to military veterans and first responders whose lives have changed and become unmanageable due to a substance use disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health issues.

Through our program, they develop solid strategies to promote positive decision-making and permanent healthy lifestyle changes. AdCare,

www.americanaddictioncenters.org

Real Talk: Mental Health

By Sadie Tollberg, Outreach Director The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at VVSD, Los Angeles www.vvsd.net/cohenclinics

How Practicing Gratitude Can Build Resilience

Resilience

Resiliency. The definition of resiliency is the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties, toughness. That is something that was taught during my time in service, but I do not know if this word was ever used.

In the military, you can feel like you are kicked over and over but it is not about getting kicked, it is about getting back up again and becoming stronger each time. I remember thinking that I was always given hard tasks and put in situations where I was scared, and I was not happy about it at the time. But those were some of my most character building and mentally and physically strengthening moments of my career. Additionally, I learned gratitude, which came from recognizing the small things and how important they are in the grand scheme of things.

When I was deployed, there were days without water to shower or air conditioning. I found ways to be grateful for the things I did have. I served for a total of nine years, between active duty and reserves, and deployed twice to Iraq with 27 months overseas. I turned 20, 21 and 23 years old while deployed. While other people were off at college, I was learning and getting my education in other ways in the military.

After active duty, I went to college and received a degree in nursing. I remember thinking that all my classmates were so much younger than me, not just by age but by maturity level because they had not experienced the same kind of responsibility and resiliency that I had with my time in the service. It was hard to relate to them because they did not know what it was like, for example, to sleep on concrete in Iraq.

But, if anything, I was able to do one thing with my classmates – show them what resiliency looked like. It was not until I was about to graduate when I had a conversation with a few of my friends and they told me they were watching me and the way I handled things. When there was a hard day in clinicals or after a particularly hard test, I would be there to boost everyone back up.

As my senior year approached, we found out my husband would be stationed four hours away for the remainder of my degree. I had to live a single mom life with our three-year-old. This built some serious resiliency and my classmates noticed. I was taken aback because during school, I tried not to bring up my military service. I considered myself a silent professional.

In addition to resiliency, I was also told that I helped my friends practice gratitude. Whenever one of my friends had a difficult day, I was there to show them how to be grateful. Someone else was complaining about a minor inconvenience, so we talked about how lucky we were to have this minor inconvenience because some people do not even have access to the things that we do, like running water and a warm place to sleep at night.

I went into nursing after the military because I love giving back to people and I love helping them. Now, I have gone in a different direction. I still help people, but this time by promoting mental health care and self-care as an Outreach Director with the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at VVSD, as part of Cohen Veterans Network, which provides high-quality, accessible, evidence-based care to veterans, service members and military families throughout the country.

Cohen Veterans Network caught my eye not only for the mission it serves, but also the population that is so near and dear to my heart. With my own health journey, and the obstacles I have faced, I am now able to help clear a way for the next person reaching out for help.

If you do not take care of yourself, you have nothing. And there is so much to be thankful for when it comes to our own bodies and our mind. So, take a minute today to practice gratitude and be proud of your resiliency, even if you are still working on it. The fact that you can recognize that you are resilient or want to be resilient is light years

ahead of some who are still trying to figure this idea out. Sometimes you do not know what you do not know, so here is your friendly reminder to look inward, be proud of what you have accomplished and continue to shine for yourself first and foremost.

As I reflect on Veterans Day this year, I cannot help but focus my attention on the gratitude I have for those I am surrounded by in my life. The support I have through, not only my organization I work for but also within the veteran community in southern California, has made such an impact on me! And I can feel major impact coming, helping others build resiliency for themselves and practice gratitude in all areas of their lives.

Sadie Tollberg is a U.S. Army veteran and a spouse to an active-duty U.S. Army soldier. She served nine years with two deployments to Iraq in active and reserve as a Chemical Operation Specialist. As the Outreach Director for the Cohen Clinic at VVSD, Los Angeles, Sadie says she gets to live out her passion daily by meeting new people, creating community through events and spreading awareness far and wide. When she is not working on something health related, Sadie loves to travel with her family and see different cultures and nature throughout the world. She loves being outdoors and under water! “I am grateful for every day I am on this earth,” she said.

Therapy for Veterans, Service Members, and their Families

Cohen Clinics provide therapy to post-9/11 veterans, service members, and their families, including National Guard / Reserves.

CVN Telehealth, face-to-face video therapy available statewide.

LEARN MORE vvsd.net/cohenclinics

How One Veteran Launched a Tech Company Connecting Military Families to Health and Social Care

Homeland Magazine Caught up with Taylor Justice, Co-Founder and President of Unite Us.

Tell us about what made you join the military?

I always knew I’d be in the military. My father was 30 years active duty in the Air Force and flew F-15 Strike Eagles in the first Gulf War. He was a highly respected Pilot and even received a silver star, which is one of the top military awards you can receive in combat. As a kid, I really looked up to him as a hero, and growing up in that environment gave me a strong affinity for service at a young age.

The work that my father was doing was bigger than himself and I knew I wanted to experience that. While playing football in high school, I was fortunate enough to be recruited by the United States Military Academy at West Point. My first trip to West Point was one of those “a-ha” moments for me. I got to campus and immediately made the decision—at 18 years old—to join the military.

Can you walk through your time in the military and the medical discharge you faced?

I was commissioned out of West Point as an infantry officer and my first duty station was Fort Benning, GA, where I went through all my officer training. Unfortunately, I had too many concussions from playing football and had to spend some time at Walter Reed where they ran various tests. With the number of concussions I had, they were worried that if I took another hit, I could have long-term issues. I was medically discharged from service before my two-year mark and was never able to show up to my first unit before being discharged. This really flipped my world on its head and completely wiped out the timelines I had planned for myself.

What were some of the mental/emotional challenges you faced after being discharged and how did you overcome them?

I felt a lot of guilt. All my friends had to go into combat zones, whether it be in Iraq or Afghanistan, and I didn’t. In a situation like that, you feel like you’re letting down your brothers and sisters. It was a really challenging time for me because I had thought that for at least the next eight years of my life, I knew exactly what I was going to be doing, and it was something that gave me a sense of purpose. When that’s taken away from you, you have to start from scratch. One of the biggest things I learned through that whole process was the ability to channel negative thoughts into positive ones. I decided to make it my mission for whenever my friends began to transition back to civilian life to be an advocate for them and help connect them to whatever their next opportunity would be.

What inspired you to found Unite Us?

I realized through my nonprofit work that there wasn’t a lack of resources to support the veteran military community, it was more a lack of the ability to navigate them. This is where my co-founder, Dan Brillman, and I saw an opportunity to fill a void. We were determined to find a way for these organizations to not only better connect to each other, but we also wanted to find an easier way for veterans and their families to connect to these resources. Our solution was to build a secure software that would allow these organizations to operate at the top of their license.

We wanted to build something that proved that veteran families actually received the services they were looking for, rather than just giving them a referral and hoping they figured it out. (www.UniteUs.com)

Taylor Justice

What does success look like for you when it comes to the organization?

At the end of the day, we’re here to help people. We are a technology tool that’s put into the hands of social service providers that are trying to get people access to the social care they need. However, they’ve never had the tools to effectively address those needs at scale. There’s a lack of appropriate public health infrastructure in this country and we’re here to help solve for that. It’s not just about building technology, it’s about building technology that works and improves someone’s overall health and well-being. For us, success is both prioritizing social care at the same level as healthcare and making sure that an individual that might have started in a crisis scenario is able to progress out of whatever predicament that they’re in, be self-sustaining, and live a healthy life.

What advice do you have for veterans who are looking to get into entrepreneurship?

Entrepreneurship is no trivial task and I believe individuals who have military experience are some of the best prepared to handle its constant ups and downs. You need to have the ability to assess your own skills and understand where some of your gaps are.

understanding the importance of training is also crucial.

Never stop educating yourself and always look to sharpening your tools. That’s the only way you’ll see growth in yourself and in your business.

www.UniteUs.com

WHAT’S NEXT

Transition to Civilian Life

By Eve Nasby & Kristin Hennessy

Should I Stay or Should I Go Now?

The Clash was singing about an indecisive woman. We’re singing (ok, writing) about the decision to stay or leave a civilian job you don’t love.

Meet Brad Garner. He transitioned out 10 years ago. He’s on his 4th different job in the civilian world. He has no shame in this.

He is a legend in the Southern California arena for helping veterans, is a sought-out panelist and speaker on transition and he has great life lessons on “what not to do.” He is a Talent Acquisition professional and has worked for the best Defense, Health Care, Non Profit and Internet Retail companies in the world. It took him 3 previous tries in different jobs to get there.

Often veterans take a job they don’t love when they leave the military. They don’t leave the job for fear of feeling like a failure. Civilian employment isn’t the military. You don’t need to stay in your job until someone else tells you to leave.

Brad Garner is no stranger to transition. On the eve of his 50th birthday, he provided us with insightful tips to help you make the best decisions.

When do you know it’s time to leave your civilian job?

“As soon as you know, truly know, things are not going to change and long term employment in the situation will impact your mental or physical health, you need to take the needed steps to find another job.“

What are the reasons to leave?

“Anytime the role is not aligned with your morals and values or if it negatively impacts your mental health, it’s time to go.

For example: If you are in a role where character assassination attempts are plentiful to the point where imposter syndrome is creating hurdles in your everyday life, its time to make a change. It should go without saying that any mentally or verbally abusive environment calls for your immediate reaction and egress from the situation.”

When should you stay?

“Stay when the good outweighs the bad. If the challenge is just tied to poor leadership, but everything else is ok, I feel we can gut it out to build success.

Business cycles or the typical ups and downs may rock your boat temporarily and may not be a good reason to leave. Businesses cycle every few years, and with any cycle, it will shift back to normal workloads shortly. If your department is temporarily short-staffed, your workload may increase. This burden will change with additional headcount…unless your company is running off employees.”

How do you process making a move out of your current role and ensure that it’s not based on emotion?

“Write down what you don’t agree with or what you believe is compromising your values. Then look for WHY this is. Is what’s bugging you a simple business cycle and short-term crisis, or is it rooted in toxicity and part of the overarching culture you find yourself in?

Then, talk it out. If you start to question yourself, reach out to your network and get feedback. This helps keep you grounded in logic rather than emotions.”

How do I know I’m not making an emotional decision?

“Talk it over with those you trust and be open to hearing different perspectives. Hold a conversation with your leadership about what you are encountering and ask a lot of questions.

Take the time to be sure and measure the good vs. bad. What can and can’t be fixed? Use a pro/con list and take a moment to ensure that you are not creating another problem by leaving one bad situation for another.

If you’ve been with the company for under a year, make sure you’ve dug deep to examine all potential areas for improving the situation.

This will help you make sure you’re not making a hasty “I Quit” decision that can’t be reversed.”

What personal experience and advice can you share about a similar situation?

“I made a big mistake in my journey. I became enamored with the mission of a company and neglected talking about the opportunity with my network. After accepting the new role things quickly started to unwind. I went to my mentors and network and what they told me shocked me. 100% of those who I trust, and value told me that they knew this would happen and that they knew the culture at this company was not aligned with my core values.

If I would have just used the simple process of communicating with my network of those I trust, the entire situation would have been avoided. I left the role, but the experience left me unsure of myself. The past success I had created didn’t matter, as this short time with the new employer strangely gutted my confidence and shook my very foundation.“

Lesson learned: Talk to others and seek to know what happens behind the curtains before accepting an offer, regardless of your emotional excitement.

Favorite interview question: “Give me an example of when you failed at something.”

When the person answers, I don’t want to hear “If I had only.” I want to hear “I failed and moved on.”

Jim Gruny

So now you know if you should stay or if you should go!

Brad continues to offer his selfless service to those in transition both in, teaching Onward to Opportunity classes and doing one-on-one mentoring.

www.bandofhands.com

www.bandofhands.com

Setting

an example

comes before rank and title: A conversation with Veteran Ryan Angold

Homeland: Your journey with the U.S. military was cut short after a traumatic spinal cord injury and you were told by doctors that you might not walk again. Describe how you mustered the mental and physical strength to walk out of the hospital a mere 3 months later.

Angold: I am an optimistic person and always try to find the light in tense situations. I was trying to help carry the weight of the uncertainty even though I was contemplating how my life would play out and how much pain I felt. I still knew that how I handled this would make or break me forever.

From the incident to my time at the hospital, I heard the expectations from doctors and learned about the complexity of spinal cord growth. Essentially, the small wins got me through every day.

Homeland:. After over a decade with ADS, you were recently appointed CEO of the company. Can you share a story that exemplifies the mission of the company and the unique work that you are doing?

Angold: At a recent trade show, a customer sought out our supplier partner, Eye Safety Systems. Had they not worn ESS’s specialized eyewear for ballistic protection, they would have lost their vision on the battlefield.

Hearing that creates meaning for our company. We take pride in bringing value to manufacturers as they get first responders and warfighters what they need.

Homeland: As a veteran, how has your military career influenced the way you lead teams today?

Homeland: You walked into Atlantic Diving Supply (ADS Inc.) two decades ago to get fitted for different mission wetsuits as a Navy SEAL, not knowing you’d come full circle as the company’s CEO today. Walk us through your journey with the company.

Angold: One of the most exciting parts checking into your first operational command is getting new, quality gear. This was also my introduction to ADS.

Once my service career was over, I wanted to stay in the defense industry. We crossed paths again and I saw how involved the company was in different sectors of procurement. I was later offered to join ADS’s sales team.

Recently, we received a repeat-contract award granting ADS the opportunity to provide initial equipment going to the Sailors graduating SEAL training, so I still get to honor my roots and support the Special Warfare community.

Angold: You must build trust within your team. A rank or title doesn’t carry as much weight as setting an example. It takes work, time, and not being above any task you would ask your team to do.

Homeland:. In the interest of helping veterans live meaningful lives beyond the battlefield, what can you share that might guide someone who feels stuck in their career unsure of what to pursue following service?

Angold: For those transferring from service to employment, learn to be selfish for yourself and more importantly, your family. Follow your passion when choosing a job instead of just picking the one that pays the most. You can negotiate your value when building relationships with your employer by understanding the expectations of the job and what your company’s growth indicators are for your role.

Homeland Magazine caught up with Ryan Angold Chief Executive Officer, Atlantic Diving Supply (ADS Inc.)

ADSINC.COM

“

”

Homeland: How would you compare leading a team in the military to leading your business colleagues?

Angold: In the military, you are selected for a team based on how long you have been there. You have 2–3-years to make an impact and progress to your next role.

In business, people get selected based on qualifications, which creates a bigger challenge to prove yourself. Although, you have more time to make impactful change, and I am excited to see how much I can do as CEO. I have time to try different things, recover, correct mistakes and still make a positive impact.

Homeland: How do you manage moments of burnout nowadays?

Angold: When I was in the VA, there were always people in way worse shape than I was. I would ask someone to wheel me down the hall to talk to someone else, and it would help shift my mindset away from feelings about my circumstances, while helping distract someone else going through something similar.

Homeland: How can people observe Veteran’s Day with a purpose?

Angold: It’s simple: say thank you. Just thank a vet.

Transition to Business HUMAN RESOURCES

By Paul Falcone

Stress Relief in Action

The Importance of the 30,000-Foot View

Stress cannot be avoided. How you respond and react to stress, however, is in your control. First, some perspective. Most of what seems stressful to you at this point in your career will dissipate over time. It’s often the case that someone’s inexperience causes stress. Think about your first test for driver’s ed. The first time you got behind the wheel, your knuckles were likely white, you were overthinking everything, and you left nothing to chance. By trying to control everything, you likely had a fairly miserable experience, wondering whether you’d be able to convince the instructor that you had what it takes to operate the vehicle safely and pass the licensing test. Several years later, you barely think about the mechanics behind driving: it becomes as simple and natural as riding a bike.

Let’s face it: There’s enough stress in the world right now to sink a battleship. And I’m not exaggerating. Most people out there—military, veteran, or civilian—will tell you that these are some of the most stressful times they’ve experienced in their lifetimes. Geopolitics, social justice issues, pandemic responses, and inflation worries are real. So, if you’re feeling an exorbitant amount of stress right now, you’re the norm, not the exception. And corporate America is spending billions on employee wellness and the “whole health organization” concept to try and get ahead of this mental health epidemic.

Whether you’re currently looking to transition into the private sector or you’re already there, corporate America is no exception to the sweeping changes before us. Workers often have difficulty remaining calm and avoiding extreme anxiety due to feeling overloaded, especially in light of double shifts and overtime. They can’t leave their feelings at the office or shop floor door any more than adults can avoid taking their frustrations home with them every night. Fear not. We’ve got some techniques that will help you cope with the significant pressures associated with some of the challenges you may be facing right now.

Life is sort of like that in a lot of ways: once you gain experience, the threatening becomes the predictable. You normalize the anxiety that comes with something new. However, it becomes critical that you get your mind out of the weeds from time to time and gain perspective from the 3,000-foot level in terms of what’s going on. Literally take yourself above the action to look deeply into what’s really happening around you. With that “mental breath” from the fray, you can safely return to the weeds with a broader—and more understanding— perspective.

React

to the Problem, Not to the Stress

Next, think about how to convert the fear of a stressful situation into the challenge of solving it. When you’re feeling anxious, take four deep breaths, each lasting four seconds. Oxygenate your blood. Then take a fresh look both at the challenge you may be facing and the stress it’s causing. Next, remember the old age, First things first. Reduce the situation to two or three key items that can be handled right away. That naturally lessens the urgency of the moment, especially when what’s causing you stress seems like an insurmountable 10,000-pound elephant. Elephants can only be eaten one bite at a time, so focus on your next few bites and check them off your to-do list.

Likewise, seek advice when you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious in general. Ask your commanding officer or

your boss or a trusted colleagues outside of your immediate department for guidance and suggestions, especially if they’re dealing with the same challenges that you are.

There’s power in numbers and sharing your concerns and asking for help is a healthy step forward.

Wisdom = Knowledge Applied

Finally, come from wisdom. Visualize wisdom. Be wisdom. See yourself as an actor playing the role of the wise, calm, and decisive leader. We’re not talking “fake it till you make it” here: we’re talking about taking knowledge to the next level. Knowledge is great, but it won’t get you to inner peace of mind. Apply your knowledge so that it takes you to the level of wisdom: a place where you gain the perspective to see things objectively, appreciate that you’ll master the situation once you gain more experience, and use your resources—mentors and peers—appropriately. Lighten up. This too shall pass. And, most important, pay it forward: help others tackle their stress issues and rely on you as a colleague and mentor. After all, the universe tells us that you cannot give away anything that you do not already possess. You may just find that the “stress” that you’ve been battling is a gift that helps you stand out among your peers by having others’ backs and providing peace of mind to all.

THE PAUL FALCONE LEADERSHIP SERIES

You can connect with Paul on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/paulfalcone1

Paul Falcone (www.PaulFalconeHR.com) is a leadership consultant, trainer, and bestselling author on hiring, performance management, and leadership development.

www.HarperCollinsLeadership.com

Successful Transitioning Stories

By Dr. Julie Ducharme www.synergylearninginstitute.org

HAVING A PLAN

Travis Wilson

Travis Wilson is a 21-year military veteran who spent 13 years as a U.S.Army Green Beret. Travis entered the Army in 1995 as an Airborne Medic with the goal of one day becoming an 18D Green Beret Medic. After 6 years in the service, Travis left the Army to attend Boise State University, where he studied Exercise Science and played hockey for the ACHA club hockey program. After completing school, Travis returned to the Army to complete his special forces training and was chosen to be an 18E Communications Specialist. He was then assigned to the 10th Special Forces Group out of Colorado Springs where he remained until his retirement in 2017.

While serving as a Green Beret Travis also started a supplement nutrition store called Caliber Nutrition. After juggling the challenges of active duty and a supplement store along with multiple deployments, Travis decided that it was time to retire and start his own product line, called Alpha Elite Performance – a brand founded upon the consummate professionalism and high physical fitness standards characteristic of the Special Forces community.

When you were transitioning what are some tips you can give veterans interested in moving into the entrepreneurship pathway?

My transition was very different from others. I started a business while I was still active duty. I started a nutrition store selling other people’s products. Then I hired personal trainers to train other people. I have always been an entrepreneur.

Typically in the military you get a year before you transition and a lot of people don’t take advantage of it. I actually started planning 5 years out. I wanted to know where my career was going to take me as a Green Beret and what my future would be. That year you should be planning for your future. You need to plan financially,

for work and family. Everything you learned in the military from A to Z you will need for this transition and more. Because civilian employers do not look at military experience the same and when they see a military person’s resume they are typically confused and not sure what to do with it.

What training did you do to help you in your transitional journey into entrepreneurship?

I went to UCCS they have a program for veteran entrepreneurs. There are several universities that have these programs, Syracuse and Texas A&M. At UCCS, I worked with the instructors there for several months and went over a business plan they helped me write. They even helped me look at from 1 year to 6 years of growth. It was a wonderful program. I always tell veterans if they want to be an entrepreneur they need to seek out these programs and this type of help because most of the time it is free.

What barrier did you face when you transitioned out?

I had to deal with divorce, and losing a family. That was a massive wrench thrown into my plan. That’s why I stayed in an extra year and took a hiatus and worked out of Lithuania and worked out of an Embassy while still running my business. This gave me the ability to regroup on my exit strategy. I honestly feel part of the reason my transition was successful was because I built a network of people who helped me with my transition. You have to have a good network, friends and family and help support you as you transition out. Whether it be mental, physical, or more.

I even went to the DAV and I set up my medical a year before I got out, so I got my disability in the first three months. That has to be part of your plan thinking about those barriers that might arise and be able to combat those early.

Leaning forward in the fox hole is what I like to tell people. If you’re leaning forward in the fox hole and getting ahead of any issues that arises then you’ll stay ahead of it.

What’s new and exciting things that are coming up for you?

I have started a new nonprofit called AEP Outdoors. AEP outdoors, we honor the service of our special operations veterans by providing them with adrenaline outdoor adventures and fellowship. It was that brotherhood while they served that kept them alive and it’s the brotherhood that will continue to do so. We’re not here to raise awareness, we already know what the problems are, so we’re just here providing a solution.

www.HomelandMagazine.com

Transitioning out of the Military into the Civilian Workforce?

Finding a job in the civilian world may seem easy at first. After all, you have learned skills, practiced leadership and demonstrated initiative that will make you successful wherever you go.

I am getting ready to start a new business Mutant Munition, an Ammo Company that will be up and running soon. So make sure to Google us in the next month.

Final tips

Don’t be discouraged and always reach out for help. There are always people everywhere that will help you especially if you are a veteran. And there are so many programs out there that will help you as well.

https://alphaeliteperformance.com/ https://www.aepoutdoors.com/

Coming soon Mutant Munition

For more help on active duty transition, education, and more click the link below www.synergylearninginstitute.org

The reality, though, is that it can be difficult. In fact, it can be downright depressing, demotivating and you may feel totally disillusioned.

Veterans In Transition is dedicated to you and to helping you succeed in your transition.

For editorial & monthly columns regarding transitioning to business, career advice, tips, workshops, transition to education, entrepreneurship, straight-forward legal tips for Military and Veteran Business Owners and more visit Veterans In Transition at www.tinyurl.com/Veterans-In-Transition

veTerAnS in TrAnSiTion

University of San Diego: A Better Way to Your MBA

USD’s MBA is more flexible than ever — and tuition is fully covered for most military-connected students.

For both active duty service members and those transitioning out of the military, an MBA degree can be a powerful next step. The right program can help you take the skills you’ve already developed — discipline, teamwork and problem-solving — and add the business acumen required to make you a confident business leader. While a traditional MBA program can seem out of reach for a variety of reasons, the University of San Diego’s Knauss School of Business offers a newly revamped Flex MBA program that’s perfect for active duty service members and veterans.

Tuition Fully Covered for Most Military-Connected Students

For veterans considering an MBA, one major factor is being able to afford a highly ranked program. To address this, the University of San Diego took steps this year to ensure tuition is fully covered for most militaryconnected students. As a 100% Yellow Ribbon School, USD contributes funds towards tuition that the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill doesn’t cover.

“This additional investment in the Yellow Ribbon Program deepens our commitment to our active-duty

military, veterans and other military-connected students,” says Charlotte Johnson, JD, vice president for student affairs at USD. “The University of San Diego honors the sacrifice of these students and their families and I am so pleased we are able to support their education in this way.”

Ideal MBA Format for Military Members and Veterans

The time commitment to pursue an MBA can seem daunting for active duty or post-military members, especially for those who have families, don’t live near a reputable university, or aren’t able to make school a fulltime commitment. And while fully online MBA programs are available, they often can’t offer the same in-depth experience that an in-person program offers.

The Flex MBA at USD’s Knauss School of Business offers the best of both worlds. It is a part-time program with outstanding faculty that only requires students to come to campus in San Diego one weekend per month. The remaining coursework takes place online. The program begins spring semester and takes just 20-24 months to complete.

Being deployed or required to change duty stations in the middle of a semester is another common fear for active duty service members. USD’s Flex MBA offers practical accommodations for this situation, providing an option to finish classes fully online if the need arises.

Military-Friendly Campus

As a military-friendly campus, USD offers the supportive environment and resources that military-connected students need to succeed personally and academically. Currently, there are over 800 military-connected students studying at USD including active-duty, veterans, spouses, dependents and Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) members. (Plus, USD has served as headquarters for the San Diego NROTC program since 1982!)

Along with meeting like-minded peers at USD, veterans can find dedicated resources and military student support at the university’s Military and Veterans Program. The center serves as a welcoming space for students to study, mingle with peers or get some R&R between classes. In addition, those enrolled in the Flex MBA program at the Knauss School of Business are assigned a student professional development manager who will offer industry-specific career guidance and networking insights to find your perfect next step after graduation.

Military Transition Conference on November 12

Active duty and veterans who are looking to transition into civilian careers should consider attending USD’s upcoming Military Transition Conference on November 12. The event will be held on campus at the University of San Diego, and include resume and LinkedIn reviews, interview prep and a presentation on military benefits. Plus, learn more about the Flex MBA program and apply for Spring 2023. Register at www.sandiego.edu/flexmba

www.sandiego.edu/flexmba

BUSINESS FOR VETERANS

By Barbara Eldridge www.mindmasters.com

Know the Game You Are In: Keep Score

Did you spend hours pulling together your tax records in preparation for filing your October tax return? It was agonizing watching one of my clients, a CPA, trying to get his clients to get him last year’s work? Or worse yet hearing his frustration in the 11th hour when a client owed the IRS more money because they had failed to confer with him ahead of time to plan the right strategies.

Where is your business now in relation to this year’s financial goals? Is your business surviving or thriving? Do you have your finger on the financial aspects of the business? As a small business owner with so many conflicting priorities, and so much information out there selling you the next most important idea, gadget, or technology, how do you make good decisions and concentrate on the critical matters?

Creating a successful business, demands focus on the truly essential areas, in particular the effective and strategic management of your business finances. This can be straightforward and simple. The challenge is often more in establishing the routine and habits of a good financial manager. The reason most small businesses fail is because of poor accounting practices. In other words, you have never taken the time and planning to do what a wise owner should do: monthly take account of the revenues and expenses, the cash flow, and the budget forecasts, this is crucial.

It does not require a degree in accounting or an MBA, but the basics must be in place and practiced! To be a truly effective “manager” of your business, you should organize your information, so it is easy to review and even easier to present to your Tax accountant at year end.

Knowing the state of your cash flow and expenses at all times, gives you the clarity of how much money you are actually earning, and the profitability of your business. Once you have established good accounting practices you can sleep better and make wiser decisions based on your knowledge.

The Challenge: Take time now to organize your accounting records and make an appointment to review them with your tax person sooner rather than later.

Barbara Eldridge has built a solid reputation as a Results strategies specialist, within industry and business over the past 40 years. Her unique message, since starting Mind Masters 30 years ago for entrepreneurs and small business owners, continually stresses vision, purpose and values as the key elements of business philosophy. Her undying compassion for the entrepreneur’s journey, her tireless capacity to listen, and her sincere enthusiasm for other’s success have insured her growing influence and her own mastery with MIND MASTERS. www.mindmasters.com

Franchise Frontline

Successful Stories & Resources

By Rhonda Sanderson rhonda@sandersonpr.com

Paul

Davis

Restoration and its Difference Makers™ Encourage Business and Personal Success

There is always reason for joy when the good overcomes the strife. Graham Pulliam is a Southern Californian and Esmatullah Sharif is an Afghan, who both served their respective countries honorably during America’s longest war in Afghanistan. Sharif served with the Afghan National Army for 12 years before resigning to work for the U.S. Department of State in 2014. Pulliam was twice deployed to Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012, first as a U.S. Marine Corps Captain whose four-man team lived and patrolled with Afghan Army units and second as a company commander for the storied 1st Reconnaissance Battalion. Today, Sharif is the warehouse manager of Paul Davis Restoration of Pasadena CA, in a 9,600-square-foot space owned and operated by Pulliam.

It’s a wonderful ending to a dastardly beginning and none of it would have been possible without the benevolence of many in the Southern California community who have opened their arms to Afghan refugees as our country celebrates Veterans Day and all members of the United States Armed Forces.

Philanthropy is also at the forefront of the hundreds of locations across North America of Paul Davis Restoration, (www.pauldavisbusiness.com) recognized as one of the most trusted brands in the insurance restoration industry, whose teams are recognized as Difference Makers™, honoring daily the company’s mission to “deliver an experience of extraordinary care while serving people in their time of need.”

“When my wife and I found out that there was an Afghan family in need of help and support through my church, we needed to be involved. Having served there, I knew what these families had gone through to get out of Afghanistan. When I found out that the patriarch of this particular family had served in the Afghan National Army and had worked for the U.S. Department of State there in security, I had an instant sense of camaraderie and was glad to be able to do my part as an ally.”

Pulliam, who also earned an MBA from The UCLA Anderson School of Management, said he chose Paul Davis because “it was the best opportunity and a remarkable group of people aligned with my core values, which are still honor, courage, and commitment.”

His father was a noted architect and urban planner who taught at the USC School of Architecture. “I grew up on job sites,” said Pulliam, who before joining Paul Davis served as Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Vice President for a full-service commercial construction contractor in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.

“Esmatullah and his family endured much in their journey from Afghanistan to a new life and a promising fresh start with Paul Davis, a company with rock solid values that mirror our own. Building my own team and creating opportunities for my community were fundamental motivators compelling this entrepreneurial leap. I’m humbled by Esmatullah on a daily basis and honored to have him on our team. Some things are just meant to be.”

Rhonda Sanderson is a franchise PR expert specializing in traditional, social media and crisis PR in the franchise space since 1986. Her new column for Homeland Magazine will feature profiles of veterans who have delved into franchising and transitioned into career independence through this popular business model. Tips, reference materials and resources will also be part of this new advice feature.

Esmatullah Sharif (left) and Graham Pulliam (right)

Have You Found Your “Silver Rocket”?

By Barbara Eldridge

looking for that “silver rocket” for success? The “silver rocket” of success means different things to different people. During times of economic change I have found business owners questioning what success really means to them. It was not too long ago that many thought going back and getting a “job” was that silver rocket. Funny how things change.

So, what is it inside of people that makes them willing to risk everything they have to be in business? Is it to join the league of greats like Ford, Carnegie, Hearst, Jobs, Gates or just to have the freedom of being in a business of their own?

Perhaps it is the spirit passed down by parents or grandparents who ran the butcher shops, bakeries and small service businesses from the beginning of time. Some say it is a burning desire that hits like a flash of lightening or an idea that begs to be developed.

When we first go into business the dream and desire may seem clear, but then events and circumstances start to affect the business climate, competition ramps up their marketing and customers seem to need more information, a better deal or just more of our time.

We start to shed doubt on the wisdom of our decision, and pressures mount because cash flow is slow.

Success is very personal, and it is up to each of us to discover it for ourselves. It requires a vast reserve of inner strength which is based on your personal purpose, a direction that guides the choices you make at any given moment. People often confuse purpose with goals. When you discover purpose then the goals you achieve bring a rich sense of fulfillment.

As business owners, grabbing this “silver rocket” does several things:

1. Your decision making is congruent with the core of your being AND moves you closer to your ultimate vision of success.

2. It helps you define what constitutes a successful business and life for yourself.

3. It enhances your personal motivation, inner strength, determination and desire.

4. It strengthens the courage to overcome any adversity that interferes with the vision you have for your business.

Your personal purpose “silver rocket” is not discovered overnight. One of the best sources of encouragement is to record your achievements. Reviewing them as you plan each month helps to maintain a high level of motivation and an ever-increasing keenness for achievement. List the achievements in your life that have given you the most sense of fulfillment. Look at the people you admire, what are the qualities in them that stand out for you. Do some self assessment about your own strengths and qualities.

Consider all areas of your life, they add to your belief in your potential and your motivation to achieve even more. When you look within, you will find your “silver rocket” of success.

Barbara Eldridge has built a solid reputation as a Success strategies specialist, within industry and business over the past 40 years.

Her unique message, since starting Mind Masters 30 years ago for entrepreneurs and small business owners, continually stresses vision, purpose and values as the key elements of business philosophy. www.mindmasters.com

RISKY BUSINESS

Insurance Info & Risk Management Tips

By Hadley Wood www.hlinwood-insurance.com

I’m Hadley Wood, a Business Insurance Specialist, a Certified Risk Manager and the Founder & CEO of H. Linwood Insurance Services in Carlsbad CA. I am so excited to be able to share my 20+ years of knowledge and experience in the insurance industry with all the Veteran-owned businesses out there through my new monthly column.

As a business owner myself, I am keenly aware of the challenges small business owners face today. Often, we are required to wear many hats and be proficient in a variety of areas – much of which, are far from the nuts and bolts of our operation. Small business owners are sometimes faced with playing the roles of HR Manager, Social Media Marketer, Contract Administrator, Bookkeeper and more. One area that many owners do not tackle is Risk Management, although proper understanding of business exposures and risk coverage can protect your business and personal assets, especially in the litigious world we live in today.

I have learned so much about what-to-do and notto-do from my company start-up in 2010. All the entrepreneurs, seasoned business owners and strategic business associates I have worked with have contributed to my knowledge bank over the years. Yet sometimes trial and error and falling flat on my face was the painful way the lesson stuck.

I’ve worked with all kinds of clients and have seen a variety of successes and failures along the way. It has been proven over and over that knowledge is important BUT persistence, grit, resourcefulness and the will to succeed is the key. As a business owner, you will have hair-pulling days and not enough rest; you may encounter people that want to keep you down and revel in your missteps; you will likely work weekends and nights and friends and family may not understand your drive and intensity. And to cap it off, if you’re in business long enough, chances are you will face some type of legal claim or issue with a client, employee, vendor or partner.

The journey is not for everyone, and it is definitely not easy, but is it worth it? Heck yeah! But it IS risky, and the Risk Business is what I specialize in.

My goal is to provide readers with key insight related to the most common business insurance concerns and offer my risk management tips to help navigate the ups and downs of owning a business.

Upcoming monthly column topics will include:

· What Kind of Businesses Insurance Should I Have.

· What Should I Expect from my Broker/Agent.

· Uninsurable Business Exposures.

· Commercial Auto Coverages.

· Liability Coverage – the Nuts & Bolts.

· 1099 Subcontractors and Insurance.

· Insurance vs Bonds – What is the Difference.

· No – Your Homeowners Policy Does Not Cover Your Business.

· Employment Practices Insurance – Lawsuits from Employees.

· Non-Profit Organization Risks.

· Workers Comp and Employee Injury.

· Cyber Liability.

· What the Claims Process Involves.

· Business Growth & Safely Scaling Up.

· Tail Coverage when Selling a Business.

Each month I will include a ‘Strange but True’ claim filing that I have come across and some of these are funny, eye-opening or just plain crazy.

I hope you will find the information relevant and helpful, and I am always open to questions and welcome feedback.

For more information about me and my company, please visit www.hlinwood-insurance.com

Start your own business with the right legal documents drafted by an attorney. To express our appreciation, GoLegalYourself.com is offering a Special Discount to all veterans during the month of November.

Receive an additional 10% off any legal package on the website. To place your order, please call (760) 579-6789.

legal Eagle

Straight-forward legal tips for Military and Veteran Business Owners

By Kelly Bagla, Esq.

• “The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.”

– G.K. Chesterton

• “Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the world, but the Marines don’t have that problem.”

– President Ronald Reagan

• “Duty, honor, country: Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be.” – Douglas MacArthur

VETERANS – THANK YOU

Any day is a good day to thank a veteran for his or her service. Veterans Day is a legal holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars. In 1918, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in World War I. One year later, in November 1919, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day.

Armistice Day was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918. In legislation that was passed in 1938, November 11 was dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated. In 1954, after having been through both World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S. Congress amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word “Armistice” and inserting the word “Veterans.” With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, November 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

Bagla Law Firm, APC, Business Formation and Asset Protection firm would like to honor our soldiers past and present by sharing these patriotic quotes about our military:

• “The highest obligation and privilege of citizenship is that of bearing arms for one’s country.”

– George S. Patton Jr.

• “Never was so much owed by so many to so few.” – Winston Churchill

• “This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.” – Elmer Davis

• “America without her soldiers would be like God without his angels.” – Claudia Pemberton

• “I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free. And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.” – Lee Greenwood “God Bless the U.S.A.

• “Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility.”

– Eleanor Roosevelt

“The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.” – President George Washington

•

• “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather, we should thank God that such men lived.”

– George S. Patton Jr.

Veterans Day is a good time to remember that our freedom isn’t guaranteed. It’s protected by the men and women in our Armed Services. To those who secure our way of life… and especially my Marine Husband, Brent Waters, and our Marine Son, Legend Waters –thank you and Semper Fi!

Bagla Law Firm, APC is proud to be a monthly legal contributor who provides legal business help to all veterans starting, growing, and selling their business.

This month we wanted to just say “Thank You.” We always provide a 20% discount on all legal services to our veterans and active military. Its what we can do for you since you did so much for us.

As a fellow entrepreneur, I have authored four books that educate and support business owners in starting, running, and growing a business. I’m particularly excited to announce the launch of my new book called Legal Pearls, Pearls of Wisdom for Avoiding Business Litigation, releasing in November 2022. Becoming a business owner, you control your own destiny, choose the people you work with, reap big rewards, challenge yourself, give back to the community, and you get to follow your passion. Knowing what you’re getting into is smart business because the responsibility of protecting yourself and your family falls on you.

For more information on how to legally start and grow your business please visit my website at www.BaglaLaw.com

Disclaimer: This information is made available by Bagla Law Firm, APC for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, and not to provide specific legal advice.This information should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.

Legally Speaking

By Tana Landau, Esq. Military Focused Family Law Facts

Child Support Modifications

The actual child support formula is as follows:

CS = K[HN – (H%)(TN)]

- CS = the amount of child support

- K = the amount of both parents’ incomes that is allocated for child support;

- HN = the high earning parent’s net monthly disposable income;

- H% = the high earning parent’s approximate timeshare with the child;

- TN = the total net monthly disposable income of both parents

If you obtain a child support order, it is not uncommon for that order to be modified at some point in time. One common question often asked is when can child support be changed. In order to modify a child support order, you typically must show a material change in circumstances. There are certain situations where a child support order may be modified without a substantial change of circumstances, such as when the parties stipulated to an amount below the state guidelines set forth in Family Code. In that case, no change of circumstances need be demonstrated to obtain a modification of the child support order to the applicable guideline level or above.

What Factors Does the Court Consider in Setting Child Support?

Both parents have a duty to support their children in California, whether they’re married to one another or not. The California Child Support Guidelines lay out a complex formula to calculate child support that includes several factors. The two main factors include the disparity in the parent’s incomes and the disparity in the timeshare (parenting time of each party). In general, the greater the disparity between the parents’ incomes, the higher the child support obligation. Likewise, the greater the difference in the amount of time each parent spends with the children, the greater the child support payment.

The formula is too difficult for the average person to utilize and apply. Therefore, there are a number of computer software programs designed to calculate guideline child support. One of the most common programs utilized in San Diego is DissoMaster. These programs just require the user to input the proper information and they will calculate child support for you.

What Reasons Can be a Material Change in Circumstances?

There are many reasons why child support may be modified which include, but are not limited to, the following:

• A change in income for either parent: The change in income can be due to loss of employment or reduced hours at no fault of that parent. One parent may have increased income due to new employment, a pay raise, or is receiving additional income from another source.

• A change in parenting time: If your child custody and visitation orders are changed, the court may modify the child support orders. For example, if one parent now has more time then when the child support order was made, or their time has significantly decreased.

• A change in family size: If you have a child from another relationship, the Court can consider this factor in modifying support due to the additional expenses you may incur.

• Imprisonment: If one parent is incarcerated, the Court can modify child support due to the loss of income.

• A change in the child’s needs: If the child’s care, education or healthcare needs have significantly changed, the Court can modify support. One example is a child may receive medical care for a new illness or condition that justifies a change in support. Another example is where a child needs special support or therapy for a physical or learning disability. These factors can all impact child support payments.

When Does Child Support Legally End?

In most situations, child support ends upon the first of the following:

• The child reaches the age of 18, “age of majority”. However, there is an exception to this law when an 18-year-old child is still a full-time high school student. In such situations, child support ends when the child turns 19 or graduates from high school, whichever is sooner.

• The child marries;

• The child joins the military;

• The child is legally emancipated; or

• The child dies.

There is an exception for child support extending beyond the age of majority or 19 years of age when still in high school if a child can be found to be incapacitated from earning a living and without sufficient means. For example, an if an adult child has a severe mental or physical disability that prevents the child from being able to work, that child may be found as incapacitated. In those cases, the law requires both parents to equally share the responsibility of continuing to support their incapacitated child. Child support can also extend beyond the age of majority where the parents agree to it such as an agreement to pay college tuition and living expenses for their children while attending college.

The Most Common Mistake for Modifying Child Support Parents often wait, to their detriment, to try to modify child support. Many parents wait to file a formal motion and are disappointed to learn the Court cannot modify child support retroactively beyond the date of filing. Pursuant to Family Code, the earliest a child support order can be modified is the date of filing of a motion to change it. There are no exceptions to this law. Therefore, a judge cannot modify the amount of child support until a parent formally requests that change.

For more information about choosing an attorney in your military divorce, check out our website: www.frfamilylaw.com or call (858) 720-8250 and ask to speak with military family law attorney Tana Landau

This article is intended only for informational purposes and should not be taken as legal advice.

Innovative Employee Benefits to Help attract more Veterans

By: Joseph Molina National Veterans Chamber of Commerce veteransccsd@gmail.com

The International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans notes that employers are getting creative by developing new benefits to keep employees happy and healthy and attract new talent. As baby boomers continue to retire, organizations need to recruit highly qualified people to fill vital roles.

Providing enhanced benefits can help an organization’s bottom line by creating goodwill within the workforce, which can result in better customer service and higher productivity. So here are a few popular incentive ideas, presented to you by The National Veterans Chamber.

Coaching and Mentorship

Mentoring can be beneficial in helping entry-level employees learn their roles and develop their skills. Additionally, it assists long-term workers who are moving to new positions. The process encourages personal growth, builds strong leaders, and increases job satisfaction, enabling the organization to retain talent, cost-effectively manage knowledge transfer to new hires, and strengthen leadership within teams.

Tuition Coverage/Reimbursement

More companies have realized the benefits of helping employees pay for college. Employees have the chance to advance their careers, while employers can put that new knowledge to work for the business. By offering to help pay for college tuition, you’ll be showing your staff that professional development is important to your company, and you can engender a lot of good will and loyalty. Consider also promoting online colleges so your staff can more easily balance work and their personal lives when going back to school.

Empower a Remote Workforce

Today’s business environment has already embraced a remote workforce, so give employees as many remote work options as possible. This is very appealing to those who love to travel and want the freedom to work from anywhere. All they’ll need is a laptop, a cell phone, and a secure internet and/or satellite connection.

On-Site Fitness Classes

A growing number of organizations are offering onsite fitness classes as a benefit. As Corporate Wellness magazine points out, this supports the organization’s

culture and encourages healthy lifestyles, reduces absenteeism due to illness, improves team communication and productivity, and builds company pride by giving employees a shared experience that brings people together.

Improved Work Environment

Offering free healthy snacks in the break area can make employees happier. Healthy snacks are better for them than candy or microwaveable meals. The organization benefits because healthier workers take fewer sick days, require less medical insurance coverage, produce higher quality work, have decreased absenteeism rates, and have higher morale.

On-Site Mental Health Support

Employers are considering various ways to provide mental health support in the workplace. This can be a considerable asset in raising awareness, destigmatizing mental illness, and encouraging people from all walks of life to feel comfortable opening up about their conditions. Employees have access to an intellectually safe environment for sharing their challenges without fear of being judged or ridiculed, which leads to increased productivity and more substantial retention rates.

Childcare Support

More employers are offering childcare support to help recruit and retain talented employees. This can be a strong differentiator when trying to compete with other companies. In today’s highly competitive job market, employees have many choices for employment and can be selective about which companies get their time and expertise.

Pet-Friendly Offices

Pets make humans happier and healthier. Studies show that spending time with furry friends increases morale, alleviates stress and anxiety, improves blood pressure and heart rate, speeds up recovery from illness or injury, reduces loneliness, and encourages physical activity. Organizations that offer pet-friendly office areas benefit because they demonstrate a willingness to accommodate a broad range of employee needs, build camaraderie among the workforce, and improve employee retention.

Employee Satisfaction Surveys

Many companies conduct an employee satisfaction survey each year to give employers the necessary information to implement changes and keep employees happy. These anonymous reviews are ideal for measuring how employees feel about specific programs and acquiring ideas for new incentives.

From Military to Police Officer

Why choose a law enforcement career?

By Holly Shaffner

Transition and career changes can be difficult at any point in life, so why not take out some of the unknowns? In the military, you have camaraderie between your brothers and sisters, there’s a mission to accomplish every day, the work can be challenging and exciting, plus you get to serve your country.

Much of the military work and values parallel to law enforcement work as well. This month, we interviewed San Diego Police Officer Bob Thatcher about his transition from military service to police service, and why it was an ideal fit for him.

Officer Thatcher served on active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps and today as a Gunnery Sergeant, he continues to serve as a drilling reservist. He is in the infantry field and has deployed on several overseas tours to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Japan. At the 10-year mark, he had to decide about re-enlisting or releasing from active duty. For him, the decision was guided primarily on one thing – continuing to serve others and work for a greater good.

“I have always been big into service of others,” said Officer Thatcher. “I wanted to give back to my country, my community, and those who sacrificed for me.”

For Officer Thatcher, his transition was from military fatigues to police uniform. He had done his research and met the requirements and deadlines to be selected for the police academy as soon as he left active duty.

Police departments often actively recruit for people leaving the military. San Diego Police Department Sergeant Jason Tsui said that in addition to important qualities such as work ethic, dedication, and integrity, military personnel also possess valuable life skills too. A good law enforcement candidate would be able to work in changing/fast-paced situations, in stressful conditions, can easily be part of a team, and be selfless. These are all attributes that most military men and women possess and learn during their military service.

When asked what the favorite part of his job was, Officer Thatcher said, “I like that my job is diverse. I am in the community every day, get to problem solve from call to call, and every day is different.”

• First, go on at least one ride along with law enforcement to see the different kind of calls and responses. Talk to the officers and ask questions.

• Be open and honest in your application and interviews.

• Keep at the process even if it takes a while to move along.

• Work hard each and every day to earn that spot.

• Go “all in” in everything you do.

• Academically, make the time to study.

• Physically, be able to run 5-6 miles at about an 8 minute/mile pace and do cross-fit exercise to build stamina.

Some of the benefits of working for the San Diego Police Department include:

A four-day work week, 11 paid holidays/year, 13-21 days of paid annual leave/year (depending on length of service), yearly uniform allowance, flexible benefits plan (Health, Dental, Vision), excellent retirement program, 401K/Deferred Compensation Plans, tuition reimbursement, and 30 days paid military leave/year.

For more information about applying to SDPD, go to: www.sandiego.gov/police or email: sdpdrecruiting@pd.sandiego.gov

Officer Thatcher’s advice to men and women looking to get into law enforcement:

San Diego Police Officer Bob Thatcher

Military and law enforcement have had a longstanding relationship with overlaps in training exercises, equipment, and, most important, personnel.

It is not uncommon for a service member to make the jump from the military to law enforcement as both professions look for the same characteristics; leadership, fidelity, chain of command, and teamwork are all common themes in both professions.

Quite understandably, many American military veterans often gravitate to a career in law enforcement when the time comes to rejoin the civilian workforce.

The two professions have many fundamental similarities; from the uniforms they wear with pride, to the firm command structure they serve under, to great personal risk they endure while protecting those who cannot protect themselves.

The following agencies are actively hiring & proudly support our veterans, active military and the families that keep together.

As a military service member or veteran making the transition to a new career path, law enforcement can feel like a natural fit.