M A G A Z I N E Vol. 9 Number 9 • September 2022 Careers In Law Enforcement Homeland SAVE THE BRAVEStrategies & Expectations The Day We’ll Never TRANSITIONForget Veteran Finds Purpose After Loss of Fellow Marines to Suicide
2 WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022 “I’m happier with myself. Having been in therapy, period, has helped me be in a better place now.” 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
options with no down payment1 no private mortgage insurance required interest rate reduction or cash-out refinancing exclusive access to our
you
cash back
agents —earn
Find Your Perfect Home With a VA Loan
© 2022
Insured by NCUA. 1Product features subject to approval. Available for purchase loans only. Loans are subject to an additional funding fee, which may be financed up to the max loan amount. 2The cash-back bonus is offered in most states and is available for individual sales and purchases of property; offer limited to one cash-back bonus per property with no limit on the amount of times you may use the program. In some states, a gift card or commission credit at closing may be provided in lieu of the cash-back bonus. The program is not available in IA or outside the U.S. Cash-back bonus is not available in AK or OK. In KS and TN, a gift card with preloaded points that are ready for spending at specified retail establishments after closing will be issued. State regulations in KS limit the dollar amounts and the type of incentive. In MS, NJ, and OR, a commission reduction may be available at closing. Please check with the program coordi nator for details. This is not a solicitation if you are already represented by a real estate broker. The cash-back bonus is only available with the purchase or sale of your home through the use of a program-referred and -approved real estate agent. The size of your cash-back award depends on the value of the property you are buying or selling. Obtaining the full $9,000 cash-back award requires transacting in a property valued at $3 million or greater. To calculate the size of your potential cash back, please visit the RealtyPlus website: https://realestateperk.com/Re altyPlus/. All real estate transactions are negotiable. Contact RealtyPlus for terms and conditions. Standard listing fees apply. The program award is not available in certain transactions with restricted agent commissions (including many new construction, For Sale by Owner, or For Sale by iBuyer transactions). Your assigned agent can help you identify any transactions where the award would not be available. This program is offered, in part, by Realogy Lead Management Services, Inc. d/b/a Realogy Leads Group (RLG). RLG may receive a co-operative brokerage fee as a result of a referral to the real estate companies listed above. Program terms and conditions are subject to change at any time without notice. Additional terms, conditions, and restrictions apply. Navy Federal NFCU 10299 (5-22) Learn more at navyfederal.org/valoan, call us at 888-842-6328 or stop by our local branch. RealtyPlus® program real estate $400 to $9,000 when buy or sell2 eligible for the special mortgage benefits
Because you serve our country, you’re
of a VA loan, including:
WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022 3
4 WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022 Homeland Magazine 9528 Miramar Road, Suite 41 San Diego, CA 92126 (858) 275-4281 Contact Homeland Magazine AllfortheareIllustrations,monthly.Homelandinfo@homelandmagazine.comat:MagazineispublishedSubmissionsofphotographs,drawings,andmanuscriptsconsideredunsolicitedmaterialsandpublisherassumesnoresponsibilitythesaiditems.rightsreserved. EDITOR’SLETTER 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 Weveterans.appreciate your support and are so happy to have you as a reader of Homeland Magazine. Mike Miller mikemiller@HomelandMagazine.comPublisher/Editor MikeEditor-In-ChiefPublisherMiller mikemiller@HomelandMagazine.com Holly Shaffner Veteran Advocate RanDee McLain, LCSW A Different Lens Jenny Lynne Stroup Real Talk: Mental Health Barbara Eldridge Business For Veterans CJ Machado SD Vets & Homeland Photojournalist Kelly Bagla, Esq. Legal Eagle Tana Landau, Esq. Legally Speaking Joe Molina Veterans Chamber of Commerce Eve Nasby What’s Next - Transitioning Amber Robinson Arts & Healing Paul Falcone Human Resources Dr. Julie Ducharme Successful Transitioning Stories Collaborative Organizations Wounded Warrior Project Raquel Rivas Disabled American Veterans Guest Writers Include National Veteran Organizations, Military & Veteran Advocates www.HomelandMagazine.com
WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022 5 INSIDESEPTEMBERTHISISSUE 6 The Day We’ll Never Forget 10 Caregiving TLC: Never Forget 12 Remembering Kathy Bruyere 14 Veteran Finds Purpose 18 Road Warrior - Save The Brave 20 Force-Con 2022 21 WWP & VA Improve Warrior Wellness 22 Challenged Athletes Foundation 24 Real Talk: Suicide Prevention 26 Allen Simmons - Veteran Suicide Survivor 30 Health Care Careers 32 What’s Next: Ratings Matter 34 HR: Employees in Crisis 36 Successful Transitioning Stories 38 Business for Veterans 40 Legal Eagle: Intellectual Property 42 Legally Speaking: Domestic Violence 44 Guide Dogs of America 46 National Veterans Chamber of Commerce 53 Careers in Law Enforcement FORGETNEVER
6 WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022
WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022 7
8 WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022
WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022 9 Support the 9/11 Memorial Donate today to sustain the 9/11 Memorial. www.911memorial.org WE NEVERWILLFORGET The 9/11 Memorial & Museum is committed to providing relevant and public.andteachers,forlearningengagingopportunitiesstudents,families,thegeneral
RHIA, SHSS, RCFE www.agingwellpartners.com CAREGIVING
By Kie Copenhaver CSA, TLC Never Forget
Each of this month’s topics – 9/11, Gold Star Mother’s Day, and National Suicide Prevention Month – cover somber and heartbreaking subjects. And after much reflection, I think the larger theme of this issue is “Never Forget”. Let us never forget everyone and everything we lost that fateful morning of 9/11/2001. As the towers burned and eventually collapsed into rubble and ashes, the loss we as Americans experienced was staggering, the likes of which we will never get over. Some lost mothers and fathers while others lost husband and wives. Sons and daughters, aunts and uncles, children and elderly were lost that day. Our way of living, thinking, and loving changed forever on 9/11. In recent years, our nation has experienced an unprecedented rise in mental health challenges and our current healthcare systems are struggling to meet the need for mental health practitioners and services to help those in need. Our veterans are 1.5 times more likely to commit suicide than the general population, according to the VA National Suicide Data Report (2005-2016), published in 2018. And the suicide rate of veterans aged 18-34 has been significantly higher than any other age group. Never forget that someone somewhere is struggling to stay in this world and make some kind of peace with their heart and head. Never forget that our men and women in the armed forces are someone’s son or daughter. And as these sons and daughters are sent off to boot camp, tours of duty, and other orders that may send them to corners of this earth we’ve never even heard of, the possibility of them never returning is painfully present. When a service member is killed while serving in our military, the mother who brought that being into this world becomes a member of the Gold Star Mothers – a distinction no mother wants. When we lose a loved one, we experience grief – “a deep sorrow, especially that caused by someone’s death” according to the Oxford dictionary. Our level of grief may vary yet with the loss of a loved, we all experience sadness and loss in a way unique to us. If you are dealing with grief and/or loss, there are resources out there to help you; you are not alone. Grief counselors, bereavement groups, veterans’ groups, and the Gold Star Mother’s network are just a few groups that can help you deal with loss and grief. The suicide hotline is available 24/7/365 for anyone considering suicide or experiencing emotional distress or crisis – call 9-8-8 anywhere in the United States and you will be connected with a specially trained individual who can help. In the San Diego area, you can call 2-1-1 and gather needed resources within the community. We can come through to the other side of grief in perhaps a healthier way when we reach out to family, friends and other resources designed to help with this journey, which is as unique, specific, and special as you. None of us have to take this journey called life alone!
“There is a ‘disconnect’ between those we ask to serve our military objectives and our society at large. This memorial made that connection very dramatically and helped us understand the magnitude of their sacrifices.
- Ed Malloy, Mayor of Fairfield, Iowa
“If the purpose of a war memorial is to help us remember the sacrifices of the Heroes, and to help us heal from our sorrow, then your mission has been accomplished. Thank you for this tremendous gift.”
Please contact us to add a Fallen loved one, host the memorial, or make a donation at: info@RememberingOurFallen.org
- 1LT Daniel P. Riordan’s Mother
Remembering Our Fallen is a national memorialunlike any other -with military & personal photos of 5,000 military Fallen since 9/11/2001 Unveiled at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. in 2017, it has since traveled the nation coastThisto-coast.memorial
WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022 11
also includes those who returned from war, but lost their inner battle to suicide, and those who died from non-war zone injuries while serving in their military capacity.
Tributewww.PatrioticProductions.orgwww.RememberingOurFallen.orgTowers
Please contact us to add a Fallen loved one, host the memorial, or make a donation at: info@RememberingOurFallen.org
Host this CommunityMemorialNationalinyour
By Holly Shaffner
Born was the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act of 1948. President Truman signed it into law and gave women permanent status in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines (the USCG was part of the Dept of the Treasury then). The act also gave the service Secretaries the authority to discharge women without specified cause and restricted women from flying aircraft engaged in combat and from being assigned to ships engaged in combat.
12 WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022
Fast forward to 1977 when the women of this class action lawsuit were being held up with advancements and promotions for doing the same jobs as their male counterparts. Kathy said that one of her fellow plaintiffs (a pilot) was told, “you can deliver supplies on the ship, just don’t land on the ship.”
Photo by: Nelvin C. Cepeda San Diego Union-Tribune
While only gone for two years this month, U.S. Navy Captain Kathy Bruyere’s legacy lives on. We “Flashback” to an article about a San Diegan who wasa truetrailblazer and made history. She is one of the reasons women are serving at sea today.
To set the stage - it all started 30 years earlier as WWII was ending, and Congress didn’t know what to do with all those women who had just served as WAVES, WAC’s, WASP’s, SPAR’s and Marines. Kathy and her team did their research before they filed the lawsuit and they learned that Admiral Nimitz and General Eisenhower
“Remembering Kathy”
This retired Navy Captain knows a little something about being a trailblazer
FLASHBACK
Kathy Bruyere volunteering at Miramar National Cemetery
had stated that we could not have won the war without the women – they were coders, pilots, Rosie’s and served in intelligence positions. She also learned that one of the most influential Congressmen of his time, Carl Vinson (the same Carl Vinson the Navy named an aircraft carrier after), wanted restrictions on what military women would be permitted to do.
The month of March is Women’s History Month and when we talk about someone who blazed the trails, one San Diegan comes to mind – Captain Kathy Bruyere, U.S. Navy retired. What she did in 1978 changed the course for today’s Navy women. This (then) Lieutenant Commander (and five other co-plaintiffs) sued the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of the Navy. It was a very bold move with possible serious repercussions; but what the three enlisted and three officer women did then, laid the foundation for today’s generation. Why would she risk so much? She said, “I just believe we should all have the same opportunities.”
TRAILBLAZER
March 2020
U.S. Navy Captain Retired February 5, 1944 - September 3, 2020
Kathy
In Kathy’s case, she was a well-respected officer on track for command assignments. The problem was that Navy regulations prohibited her from going to sea - but those same regulations stated an officer had to go to sea in order to command a shore unit.
In order to get the law repealed, it would have to be done through Congress. The ladies tried and could not make it work so the next step was to sue the U.S. Government. They hired a civilian attorney and a year later they WON the landmark civil rights case! The judge ruled that the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act of 1948 was indeed unconstitutional. But that wasn’t the first time our local Navy Captain was a trailblazer. You see, there was the one time when she was on the cover of Time Magazine when she (and 11 other women) were named the Person of the Year! Yes, she was front and center with Billie Jean King and Betty Ford in 1976. After being on the cover of Time Magazine and taking the Secretary of Defense to court, where do you go from there? Ironically, years later she was asked to help with a study of the status of Navy women. The study looked at career opportunities for Navy women and as a result opened 9,000 sea duty assignments on 24 ships – but more importantly, gave women an opportunity for command at sea!
WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022 13
She enjoys looking back to see how far we’ve come and says, “there is nothing today’s women cannot do – we need them to keep charging ahead.”
In the 28 years of service to our county, Captain Bruyere epitomized the Navy’s core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment. We salute this trailblazer for opening the doors of tomorrow!
Kathy Bruyere
“When asked what she is most proud about in her distinguished Naval career, she said, “to make a difference and help to open equal opportunities for all.”
The study led to the creation of a women’s policy office that Captain Bruyere would go on to run as well as become the Commanding Officer of the Navy Recruit Training Command in Orlando, Florida. Under her command the Navy studied integrating men and women together for boot camp training and today, the Navy has a co-ed boot camp.
Adam Harris joined the Marines shortly after high school. He was deployed to Iraq three times. Around 2003, he saw combat that would affect him and his fellow Marines for years to come, including getting ambushed daily and witnessing the sniper shooting of a close team leader. Seven Marines from his platoon did not make it home from combat and more than 30 from the larger Marine company would die by suicide after they returned home.
- Adam Harris
“It turned out that he was in Ramadi at the same time I was, so we bonded pretty quickly,” Adam said. After that, reaching out for help became easier, and Adam signed up for a WWP program called Project Odyssey®. The 12-week mental health program focuses on reaching individual warriors’ goals and starts with a week of adventure-based learning. Adam embraced the adventure aspects – they were second nature to an Idaho native who loves hiking in the mountains and doing anything outdoors.
“As I’ve progressed in my own healing, I’ve been able to use my experiences as fuel to continue the drive and the motivation to be positive and be more open with my story”
“I was 20 at that point, and there were guys who were younger,” Adam said. “It’s hard to think about it sometimes, knowing what we all went through in Iraq, and coming [back home] to a dangerous battleground in your head.”
Veteran Finds Purpose After Loss of Fellow Marines to Suicide
14 WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022
By Raquel Rivas, Wounded Warrior Project
On a tough day when Adam was home alone and was having suicidal thoughts, a veteran friend dropped by to check on him. That knock on the door saved his life. It would be years before Adam could talk about how he felt that day. In fact, understanding that post-traumatic stress disorder could “get the best of you” after getting home took some time. But Adam persevered in seeking opportunities to meet other veterans and accompanied his friend to Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) connection events.
Continued on next page >
At one of those events, Adam met a WWP staff member who had been in Iraq.
WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022 15
Adam and his fellow Marines are not alone in experiencing the link between PTSD and veteran suicide. Recent research has shown that more post9/11 veterans have died from suicide than in combat. According to WWP’s 2021 Annual Warrior Survey, nearly 1 in 4 warriors served by WWP had suicidal thoughts in the past 12 months, with 70% having them in the previous two weeks. The report also shows 16% of WWP warriors have attempted suicide at least once in their lifetimes, and the average number of suicide attempts doubled after military service.
Adam did not expect that the physical aspects of some of the exercises during Project Odyssey would have such profound psychological effects on him.
16 WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022
Flipping the Tarp of Life
Adam continued to move forward in his healing and found empowering ways to give back. In the next few years after that first Project Odyssey, he joined other veterans in many other activities through WWP. He got involved in peer support groups and organized fundraisers to help other veterans.
Although he doesn’t remember the exact words used by the Project Odyssey group leader, the impact was powerful. “He gave the analogy of us flipping the tarp and doing the same thing in our lives, with the knowledge that [service-connected PTSD] was a part of our chapter and it’s still there, but how to go about it in a different way,” Adam said.
Tackling Veteran Suicide through Empowerment
According to Veterans Affairs, 17 servicemen and women die by suicide every day.
“I hosted and ran the Red, White and Blue Golf Tournaments in Boise,” Adam said. “That was a personal thing I wanted to start, for what Wounded Warrior Project has done for me – I wanted to help give Adamback.”
“I remember it just hit me so hard. I remember stepping out and just crying for a good 20 minutes. It was a little bit embarrassing, but it was such a pivotal point for me.”
One of the activities involved a group of veterans standing on a tarp and figuring out together how to flip the tarp without stepping off.
WWP approaches mental health from several angles and has programs that address suicide prevention and mental health resilience. Project Odyssey is only one of several WWP programs to tackle veteran suicide. For veterans like Adam, the journey to healing can be a bumpy road. WWP staff work to help smooth the path for veterans, while empowering them to help other warriors along the way.
found comfort in sharing his struggles and getting to know veterans from different backgrounds who were also affected by war.
Adam said that he got to see how life can go on and still be happy, even with all the struggles.
Something about the physical weight and pressure on the tarp reminded Adam of his own struggles to turn his life around. By doing the exercise with other warriors, he internalized that “as challenging as it may seem, anything can be done, so step up and move forward.”
WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022 17
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
Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers — helping them achieve their highest ambition. www.woundedwarriorproject.org
“As I’ve progressed in my own healing, I’ve been able to use my experiences as fuel to continue the drive and the motivation to be positive and be more open with my story,” Adam said.
Learn more about how WWP helps warriors and caregivers through mental health programs and PTSD treatment options at: Aboutwww.woundedwarriorproject.org/CombatStigmaWoundedWarriorProject
After years of suppressing the feelings of guilt, shame, anger, and other emotions brought on by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and survivor’s guilt, Richard Dorr barely recognized himself. His emotional and mental health had declined to the point that he and his family realized they needed help. That’s when he reached out to Wounded Warrior Project® and the Warrior Care Network. Since completing the Warrior Care Network program, Richard feels more alive today than ever before. In partnership with four world-renowned academic medical centers, Warrior Care Network provides first-class treatment tailored specifically for veterans living with the invisible wounds of war. The program features unique and specialized treatments and offerings tailored to help participants manage the difficulties with their injuries.
“When you’re inundated with other things in life, you say, ‘things are good, I’m moving forward,’ and then it creeps back up on you,” Adam observed. “There are definitely some hard days to deal with but knowing coping mechanisms and where to reach out for help when you need it definitely makes it better.”
— RICHARD DORR VETERAN, SERGEANT, U.S. ARMY WITHOUT GOING THROUGH WARRIOR CARE NETWORK, I DON’T THINK I WOULD BE THIS WAY TODAY.” Warrior Care Network® has helped countless veterans take back their lives. Find the treatments, connection, and support you need to heal. “ www.WarriorCareNetwork.org
These days, Adam enjoys spending time with his wife and children. He still enjoys the outdoors and has taken up a new farming enterprise. He’s proud of his service and appreciates his bond with service members of all military branches.
The national crisis of veteran suicide has been at the forefront of headlines for decades, but for Huesing and his team at Save the Brave, it is a very personal issue.
Some believe that gratitude for veterans has recently waned. Still, a retired Marine Corps infantry officer has immersed himself in this culture, Major Scott Huesing USMC (Ret) attests that support for our veteran tribe is as strong as ever if you know where to look. Huesing (52), the Executive Director for Save the Brave, told us, “I saw this firsthand as I took off across the country for the third year on my Harley [2007 Harley-Davidson Road King] — nine cities in nine days to help prevent veteran suicide for Save the Brave.”
By Scott A. Huesing
18 WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022 Road Warrior Class
How One Marine Leads Thousands Cross-Country to Prevent Veteran Suicide
There is no way of knowing if they felt genuinely connected by those they fought for or if they share the same thread as our warriors of today that can only communicate with those who’ve been at war.
Throughout history, every culture has had a warrior class — from the Spartans and Samurai to the Apache and our modern-day military; each earned respect as they went off to fight and defend what they loved and were honored when they returned home. But, equally as important, these same warriors were raised, educated, and cared for by the communities and tribes they fought and died for.
Huesing, who commanded Echo Company, 2d Battalion, 4th Marines in Ramadi, Iraq (2006-2007), saw some of the bloodiest and most brutal urban warfare in recent history. His men that fought alongside were, on average, only nineteen years old and had to do and see the worst that humanity has to offer — for some who fought, that burden never left. As a result, Huesing has seen four of his Echo Company Marines take their own life by suicide, and dozens more he’s personally known kill Whenthemselves.askedwhy this is so important, Huesing said, “Preventing veteran suicide means staying connected, and that’s what we’re trying to do. While our activeduty military is concerned with warfighting, social and cultural assimilation issues, and emerging technology integration, we stay focused on impacting our warrior tribe, and that’s why we continue to do what we do. But, at the end of the day, I want veterans to stop killing themselves because there is a ton of support out here.”
WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022 19
The ride concluded on July 30th in Charleston, SC. Huesing rode 3,008 miles, lost 9 pounds, drank 3 cases of Red Bull, and raised over $52,000 for Save the Brave. But Huesing said that his journey is far from over. He is unwavering in doing his part to help stem veteran suicide by connecting veterans in a safe space through events like the Ride for the Brave each year. Huesing said, “I know what we’re doing makes a difference. It’s a qualitative metric to measure our impact for those we serve, but we feel we’re doing our part to solve this problem — if veterans and families need support, Save the Brave will be there.”
Major Scott Huesing USMC (Ret) is a proven combat leader who planned and led hundreds of combat missions in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Horn of Africa. He is the Bestselling Author of Echo in Ramadi, The Firsthand Story of US Marines in Iraq’s Deadliest City, and the Executive Director of Save the Brave, a certified 501(C)3 that supports veterans and their families. To get involved, visit www.savethebrave.org to make a difference. Follow Save the Brave on Instagram @ savethebraveorg
We asked Huesing why he continues to take on this difficult task, “The people who came out and supported gave of their time and money and did it because they care. We weren’t out riding and sweating and talking about politics — we were trying to solve this problem the way we were trained. If our senior military leaders and elected officials aren’t going to fix this - we’ll do it ourselves.”
The support Huesing refers to was evidenced in July 2022 during his ride across the country. Over four hundred riders joined him on the road as he endured triple-digit heat along the southern route from California to South Carolina — thousands more came out at each stop to show their love and concern for his mission.
Don’t Miss This! In partnership with Army Week San Diego, Force-Con 2022 is expected to be the largest 3-day superhero military convention and Art Festival coming to San Diego, September 23-25. The event is inspired by the POW/MIA historical fiction story “Purple Foxes United” involving heroines who join together to save their brothers in arms. The characters are based on real-life heroes, our service members, and Honor Flight San Diego alumni veterans.
20 WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022
The San Diego Air & Space Museum is hosting ForceCon 2022’s “Opening Night” VIP Experience, celebrating Legends of Aviation and WWII veterans on the red carpet. Opening night is an Honor Flight San Diego fundraiser and takes place on Friday, September 23 from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. There will be a special film presentation of “Into Flight Once More,” produced by the Tunison Foundation, DC-3 Society, Benovia Winery and Sound Off Films. The documentary highlights the D-Day Squadron and their courageous 2019 mission to cross the Atlantic for the 75th Anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France - an amazing feat to celebrate the end of WWII. The film is narrated by Academy Award nominated actor and veteran advocate Gary Sinise.
Introduction trailers will include the Legends of Carrier Aviation produced by the Tailhook Association & Speed & Angels Productions, The League of Wives, and The Monument of Toleranceproduced by Beyond the Call. Many of the Legends of Aviation will be attendance to celebrate 100 years of carrier aviation. Three of the D-Day Squadron aircraft will participate in Airborne Operations during the 3-day festivities including The Spirit of Benovia, Commemorative Air Force D-Day Doll, and Betsy’s Biscuit Bomber. In fact, “WAM,” William Albert Murphy, a retired police horse that was adopted by Joe Anderson, the producer and owner of the Spirit of Benovia will participate in a red carpet reunion with fellow officers of the disbanded San Diego Police Department Mounted Unit. San Diego County Sheriff Anthony Ray will oversee the “Walk of Heroes” hoofprint ceremony that follows the red carpet reunion.
Opening night is a flight themed event, where gowns depicting the evolution of flight will be showcased on the red carpet. Flight costume/military ball dress is encouraged. Many of the predecessors to “Top Gun” will be attending, including Commander Glenn Tierney - Sidewinder test pilot and the last aviator to fly all the Grumman cats from the Wildcat to the Tomcat, and the “Forgotten Hero,” CAPT E. Royce Williams, who took on seven MiGs during the Korean War and shot down four! Thud pilot Colonel Victor Vizcarra, Lt Willie Sharp, the shortest-held POW of the Vietnam War, Holocaust survivor Tibor Spitz, WWII child POW Tom Crosby, WWII Paratrooper Tom Rice, and “Battle of the Bulge” Machine Gunner Vincent J. Speranza are some of the honored Youguests.won’t want to miss this VIP red carpet experience and the opportunity to meet the living Legends of Aviation at the world famous San Diego Air & Space
ToMuseum!purchase your opening night tickets or to sponsor a WWII veteran, go to: https://tinyurl.com/force-con-tickets To sponsor a Legends table, please contact: CJ@Force-Con.com For more information: www.Force-Con.com Into Flight Once More with Gary Sinise: https://fb.watch/fctlrnC39K/ Betsy’s Biscuit Bomber The Spirit of Benovia FORCE-CON 2022
“We’re honored to sponsor this event for the fourth year and work with VA to empower warriors across the country,” said James Herrera, WWP Physical Health & Wellness vice president. “Adaptive sports play a critical role in physical and emotional healing for warriors who were injured while serving our country. It’s important for warriors to know they can still engage with the sports they’ve always loved and even learn new skills.”
WWP’s Annual Warrior Survey confirms these programs and initiatives like the VA Summer Sports Clinic are critical to warriors’ overall wellness.
Army veteran Eric Trinidad-Perez didn’t let his vision impairment hold him back. This was his first time attending the VA Summer Sports Clinic and an adaptive sports event in “I’mgeneral.legally blind now, but I still continue my athletic journey,” said Trinidad-Perez. “I have a spirit of not being a quitter.”
VA’s National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic is a rehabilitative and educational hands-on program that offers wounded veterans from across the country an opportunity to engage in adaptive sports and recreational activities.
Learn more about how WWP programs help warriors manage mental health through physical activity and connecting with other veterans. Visit Wounded Warrior Project: www.woundedwarriorproject.org
By Trevor Fay, Wounded Warrior Project Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) recently teamed up with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to host nearly 80 veterans for the 15th annual National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic in San Diego. In addition to sponsoring the event, WWP was on-site to facilitate the weeklong clinic with cycling professionals from the nonprofit’s Soldier Ride® program.
WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022 21
The event – an extension of rehabilitation care veterans receive at VA facilities – introduces and strengthens knowledge of different sports and the modified techniques designed to address specific injuries, including spinal cord injury, visual impairments, orthopedic amputation, and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
The 2021 survey concluded that 3 in 5 WWP warriors reported physical activity helps them cope with stress or mental health concerns.
Wounded Warrior Project, VA Improve Warrior Wellness at Adaptive Sports Clinic
After being limited to virtual-only participation due to COVID-19, this year marked the clinic’s return to in-person sporting events. Activities included sailing, surfing, adaptive fitness, kayaking, and cycling.
WWP’s Soldier Ride is a nationally recognized injured veteran cycling program that hosts warriors virtually and at in-person events across the country. It is one of three WWP programs – including Adaptive Sports and Physical Health and Wellness – that incorporate adaptive components into athletic sports and physical fitness to serve some of the most seriously injured veterans. These programs are designed to empower warriors to become well-adjusted in mind and body and help increase mobility, improve sleep, and decrease stress.
Pirlo, U.S. Army Veteran
“My family and I have been hiking almost every day. I have been able to see trails I’ve never been able to make it too without the off-road chair. Hiking has quickly become a family favorite outing. My boys wake in the morning and say, where can we take Mama today. Once again thank you so much for my chair. It has been the best gift for my entire family. We are all very grateful.”-Ixchel
The U.S. cares for 9.1 million veterans at a medical cost of $69 billion per year. Approximately 78% of these veterans are overweight or obese, the annual care for whom costs over $2.6 billion; a cost that is entirely preventable. Of the veterans receiving VA care over 90,000 have permanent physical injuries. Many of whom are at greater risk of becoming obese due to a lack of physical activity. This lack of activity contributes to a higher prevalence of chronic disease risk among veterans with disabilities. Fitness programs help veterans become healthy and make them feel that they are a member of a team again. However, barriers, primarily economic, can prevent many from engaging. Sports equipment, travel and training can be cost-prohibitive for veterans. Without financial support many disabled veterans are left on the sidelines, unable to engage in activities that are proven cost-effective interventions for addressing the obesity epidemic. With proper support, veterans can thrive as demonstrated by the following testimonial:
22 WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022
Challenged Athletes Foundation Operation Rebound FLASHBACK September 2021
CAF Operation Rebound provides grants year-around to active duty service members, honorably discharged veterans and first responders with permanent physical injuries for sports equipment, competition and training expenses in the sport or recreational activity of their own choosing. This unique support model is effective in improving both physical and psychological well-being as it allows veterans and first responders to determine their own course towards healing and, in so doing, promotes independence in other aspects of their lives.
Operation Rebound athletes are active duty, military retirees and first responders. They were in top physical shape upon entering the service and often times, in an instant, faced the life- altering challenge. Their motivates them to face their injury as a challenge to overcome instead of a life-limiting disability. Through participation in sports, they demonstrate to others and prove to themselves that they not only have the ability to overcome their challenges, but to excel in a sport that they thought they would never be able to participate in again. Wether participating in a local recreational league or competing at international competition, CAF Operation Rebound provides the resources necessary to reach their sporting goals. The Operation Rebound motto is Frontline to Finish Line.” The motto underlines the program’s importance, embodying the ethos of both independence and team work.
The program supports nationwide and does not restrict support based upon geography, time of year or type of sport in which an individual chooses to engage. Since 2005, the program has supported over 3,000 individuals experience the healing power of sports.
Closing the fitness gap between disabled veterans and their able-bodied peers leads to more equitable health outcomes, less dependence on the healthcare system and more community engagement among disabled Manyveterans.CAF
Through Operation Rebound-specific grant requests and sport clinics, CAF is there to support our service members from Frontline to Finish Line. Learn more at www.challengedathletes.org VETERANS AND FIRST RESPONDERS BACK INTO THE GAME OF LIFE THROUGH SPORTS
CAF’s Operation Rebound® program strengthens the mental and physical well-being of veterans, military personnel, and first responders with permanent physical injuries by providing them opportunities to use sports and fitness to reintegrate into our communities and by empowering them through sports.
WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022 23
One such athlete who embodies the ethos of the Operation Rebound program is Captain Eric McElvenny, USMC (ret.) Eric excelled in both baseball and football throughout high school and went on to major in Mechanical Engineering at the U.S Naval Academy. He carried on his love for sports as a member of the Naval Academy Rugby team. Following graduation and Marine Corps training, Eric deployed three times to the Middle East. On this third deployment to Afghanistan, Eric was working with Afghan soldiers and stepped on an IED in December 2011, suffering the loss of his right leg below the knee in the explosion. It was difficult for Eric to leave his fellow marines behind and return early from deployment, but after a few months of physical therapy, Eric is back in action - this time in the world of triathlon.
For more information visit www.operationrebound.org or contact nico@challengedathletes.org
GETTING INJURED
With the support of the Challenged Athletes Foundation’s Operation Rebound program, Eric raced in his first two triathlons just 6 months after taking his first post-injury steps. Eric hopes to “inspire and motivate others, disabled or able bodied, athletes or not, to get out there, be active, accomplish goals, overcome adversities, build confidence and enjoy life”. In 2021, Eric earned a spot on the U.S. Para-Triathlon team, and is one of 10 CAF Operation Rebound athletes representing our country at the Tokyo Paralympic Games. Eric has not only become an elite athlete in his own right but a mentor for others. “I hope to give back to others as much as Operation Rebound has given to me.”, said Eric, summing up his selfless focus on helping others to adapt to and overcome their own challenges in pursuit of self-improvement.
Talk:
Real Mental Health
According to Mental Health America, “The majority of suicides worldwide are related to mental health disorders; depression, substance abuse, and psychosis are the biggest risk factors.” Additionally, in 2017, a team of researchers looking at data on more than 4.8 million veterans, found that veterans with substance use disorders had twice the risk of suicide compared to those without a substance use disorder (Source: American Addiction Centers).
Can you share some common myths and barriers when it comes to substance abuse counseling? One barrier is that there is a stigma around being considered weak for seeking treatment. Another one I hear is fearing the labels of drug or alcohol addict. Even in my sessions, some clients will not use accurate terms such as recovery, sobriety, and relapse because of the weight of these words.
www.vvsd.net/cohenclinics
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
this September, Ashley Tatum, MHA, Case Manager and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Counselor for The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at VVSD in San Diego, part of Cohen Veterans Network, a national notfor-profit network of mental health clinics for post-9/11 veterans, service members and their families, provides insight on the impacts of SUD within the military community with the below Q&A: Why is SUD Counseling important within our military community? Addiction impacts many veterans. We realized that many of our clients who were dealing with PTSD, anxiety, and other disorders were also struggling with substance abuse challenges. Research shows that between 82-93% of veterans who served in Afghanistan and Iraq with a SUD had at least one co-occurring disorder.
Also, veterans who have a SUD are 3-4 times more likely to be diagnosed with depression. Source: www.veteranaddiction.org/rehab-guide/veteran-statistics
24 WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022
You should know that there is a wonderful community within the recovery world. Many people who work in the field of addiction are either in recovery themselves or have loved people through addiction and have a true passion for helping others on their journey. I am not in recovery, but I have loved many family members through their addiction, and I have witnessed firsthand how beautiful life can be on the other side. I am also big on accountability and often I am told I have a tough love approach. But this is because I believe in my clients. I know they can work hard and rise above the challenges they have faced with drugs or alcohol.
What should family members of someone with a substance abuse issue do? It is important to build a community of support. This can include things such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous or a group with SMART Recovery or a local chapter of The National Alliance on Mental Illness. I am also open to family members attending sessions with their loved ones. This gives them the opportunity to vocalize their feelings and experiences in a safe, neutral setting.
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
The substance abuse counseling that we provide consists of 10-12 sessions. During the first few sessions, we do an addiction severity assessment, treatment goals and a relapse prevention plan. Then we move on to working on tools to obtain and maintain sobriety. Clients can use this service along with therapy at our Cohen Clinic.
By Hope Phifer, Cohen Veterans Network
As we recognize
What should people know before seeking substance abuse counseling?
Understanding Substance Use Disorder Counseling
Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at VVSD
Can you tell us about SUD Counseling at the Cohen Clinic at VVSD?
25 When it comes to suicide prevention, Cohen Veterans Network encourages people to know the warning signs and ask questions. Warning signs may help you determine if a loved one is at risk for suicide, especially if the behavior is new, has increased, or seems related to a painful event, loss, or change. Warning signs include: • Talking about wanting to die • Increased substance use • Self-destructive behavior • Withdrawal or isolation • Reckless or risky behavior • Giving away possessions Are you a veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Did you know that if you dial 988 then press 1 you will be connected to the Veterans Crisis Line? This new number makes it easier for people to remember and for those in crisis to access care. Currently, the majority of people in crisis call 911. But 911 was not designed to handle mental health needs and those who call 911 during a mental health crisis often have to waiting hours or days to get care. The 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. LEARN vvsd.net/cohenclinicsMORE 8885 Rio San Diego Dr. Suite 301 OUR LOCATIONS 3609 Ocean Ranch Blvd. Suite 120 CVN Telehealth, face-to-face video therapy available statewide. Coming Soon San LosOceansideDiegoAngeles
Suicide prevention is a top priority for Cohen Veterans Network and our clinic. The stigma associated with suicide and seeking help are significant barriers to Thistreatment.crisisline will help promote access to critical mental health services while also reducing stigma associated with help seeking. With this critical information, we hope to help empower individuals to act should they be concerned about a loved one. It could help save a life.
You are not alone
Allen was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after his deployment and he needed help. Luckily, he heard a voice that pulled him out of a dangerous situation. Allen began what he refers to as a mind, body and spirit recovery of sorts. He found a community of people within his church, which he found to be very supportive. He started running to become healthy and fit and he also started writing poetry. Sharing his story through poetry was very therapeutic for Allen. He found it easier to write about what he was going through than to speak about it.
26 WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022
From the Unbreakable
Allen Simmons is a combat veteran, a poet, motivational speaker and a survivor. You see, Allen was suicidal. He literally had a gun in his mouth and was ready to pull the trigger. But he heard God say to him, “Who are you to take your life when I brought you back from the land of your enemy?” He removed the gun from his mouth and cried on the floor in a fetal position.
Connecting with friends, family and community is so important to mental health and emotional wellness. It’s what saved Allen and now he’s returning the favor as an ambassador for Give an Hour – promoting the work they do to support military members, veterans and their loved ones. As a veteran, he understands that it’s not just the individual who is suffering. Rather, it’s the entire family unit and that’s what he loves about Give an Hour. “Give an Hour supports the family tree,” said Allen. “They provide counseling and other resources to help treat everyone involved.” This September, Allen invites you to join Give an Hour and Connect to Hope by utilizing their suicide prevention toolkit to connect, spread and give hope. www.giveanhour.org
By: Allen L. Simmons
Don’t let failure imprison your mind or bring scoliosis to your spine and leave you bent. You were born to be great and set aside to be great. Your every breath is more precious than diamonds and pearls, step out from this world and take a leap into your destiny. Look into the mirror and see what others cannot. You are unbreakable, place your feet on God’s word and you will be unshakable. You are royalty, your royalty should be shown by how much you have grown. Seeds of failure and success have both been sown, but please don’t step down form your thrown. Keep marching, keep moving you are almost home. Did anyone tell you that your story was without meaning? Did anyone hear your dreams and instruct you to stop dreaming? If so, let them go. Let them see God take you from the valley into your promised land. Take my hands as I remove you from the quicksand. Fly with me! Gather your feathers and lift up your head, aim for the stars with me. Stretch and reach the heights with me, we are survivors. Through train wrecks, car wrecks, broken bones and life’s test we will all overcome. Unbreakable people will be tested by pressures that measure their durability. Do you believe in God’s ability? Do you believe in your ability? You are able to be all that you ever dreamed to be! No ears have heard and no eyes have seen, all that God has for you and me. Listen! Believe! Achieve! It is time, the time is now. Become; unbreakable.
WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022 27
The Five Signs of Emotional Suffering and Healthy Habits of Emotional Wellbeing give us a common language to identify when someone is suffering and how we can stay emotionally healthy. SPREAD HOPE GIVE HOPE Your generous contribution helps us provide free mental health care to those in need and continue our efforts to change the culture of mental health. statistics
F o r M o r e R e s o u r c e s : w w w . g i v e a n h o u r . o r g
Every September, organizations come together to spread awareness about suicide prevention, advocate for mental health legislation and to let people know help is available for those who are suffering emotionally.
F b In the U S , suicide is the 12th leading cause of death with n by suicide in 2020. That's one person every 11 minutes. And a staggering 90% of those who died by suicide had a diagnosable mental health condition at the time of their death*.
*https://afsp.org/suicide
Share Your Story Sharing a story about your personal experience with mental health challenges can help in your own recovery, as well as provide encouragement and support to others Share Using #GAHConnect2Hope
TOOLKIT CONNECT TO HOPE SUICIDE PREVENTION
Volunteer GET INVOLVED
Interested in making an impact in your community? Licensed mental health providers can join our network to participate in various programs providing mental health services, support and education to those we serve.
e
CONNECT
If you recognize that you (or someone in your life) are suffering reach out and get help. For active duty military, veterans, loved ones of service members or survivors of human made and natural disasters, Give an Hour's network of licensed mental health professionals can help. Visit www.giveanhour.org to find care. TO HOPE
28 WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022 A MODE FOR EVERY OCCAISON
WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022 29 Make it easy to keep family and friends informed during a health journey. CaringBridge offers free websites to connect with the people who matter most. Share updates, receive emotional support, coordinate tasks, and even fundraise for medical expenses, all in one place. Learn more and start a site today. Visit CaringBridge.org/military-service/ It takes just 3 minutes to set up your personal, private and ad-free site. Start a site today and feel the power of your community. KEVIN AMUNDSON, former Army National Guard member, whose family used CaringBridge for support through Kevin’s depression Just know that there are people out there who care about you. And who will help you. “ ” https://military.caringbridge.org/va/
There’s a reason healthcare is an overwhelmingly popular career choice for veterans and their spouses: it’s an industry in which military-specific skills are undeniably relevant. Creative problem solving, adaptability, and effective communication—they’re all valuable skills that healthcare organizations can’t ignore if they want to provide the best possible service and care to their patients. And they’re all skills that veterans and their spouses already possess.
30 WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022
2. Transferable Skills
By Stephanie Lee, Air Force Veteran & Enrollment Manager, CareerStep
Sometimes, the sense of division between life in the military and life as a civilian feels like a vast chasm. In fact, for military families, this sense of division joins a long list of challenges that specifically impact the men and women who sacrifice so much for the country. These challenges couldn’t be more apparent than when it comes to finding a post-military career or one that is flexible enough to align with military spouses’ unique needs—a career that checks all the right boxes: satisfaction, security, and stability.
3. In-Demand Careers
First, it’s important to consider key reasons why a career in healthcare—the fastest-growing sector in the U.S. economy according to BLS data—might just be what bridges that expansive gap between military and civilian life.
People need healthcare. In turn, the industry needs people willing to step up to the proverbial plate.
Healthcare Careers: A Perfect Fit for Military and Civilian Life
Finding industries and employers that understand the skills of veterans and their families can seem like an uphill climb at times, and it shows. For example, the unemployment rate for veterans rose to 6.5% in 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Reasons for this vary, but one contributing factor could be that lessons learned under the harsh conditions of combat don’t always translate to private-sector jobs. And for military spouses—60% of which say they’re looking for full- or part-time work—finding a profession that’s both portable and in-demand is increasingly difficult.
1. Meaningful Work Most who enter the military are looking for fulfilling work—an opportunity to make a difference. A real difference. But few civilian careers allow veterans to make as much of a difference as those found in healthcare. That’s because working in this particular field, regardless of the role, provides the opportunity to impact peoples’ lives in profound ways. From mending wounds and healing minds to saving lives, the difference healthcare workers make is undeniable.
However, there is hope and there are opportunities.
Our online training programs are approved for military education funding—all designed to help military members and their spouses build skills and thrive in careers that are portable, in-demand, and rewarding.
WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022 31
Supportive Training for Success These days, there are multiple training options for learners to pave their road to success. These organizations often have hiring network relationships, so it’s important to keep in contact and inform them when certification is achieved. It’s especially important for members of the healthcare sector to be fully qualified and properly trained. An early step is to start by choosing a specific discipline and then find a provider that can help learners develop the concrete job skills employers are looking for. The good news is that there’s a significant amount of trusted providers who specialize in transforming entrylevel learners into high-performing, certified healthcare professionals. And they all do this with expansive catalogs of fully online career training programs that are fast, portable, and eligible for military education grants—often covering up to 100% of the cost.
Economic and labor experts believe we need to hire 2.3 million new healthcare workers by 2025 if we’re going to keep pace with the needs of our aging population.
ofNextForTrainingHealthcaretomorrow.YourPhaseLifeFormoreinformation,call(877)201-3470orvisitwww.careerstep.com/military
But a persistent shortage of skilled workers with exceptional knowledge and training means hundreds of thousands of positions will remain unfilled. Home health aides, medical assistants, lab technicians, and more are all in high demand.
About the Author: Stephanie Lee served in the Air Force for 11 years as a Munitions Systems Craftsman. She now serves as an Enrollment Manager for CareerStep, (www.careerstep.com/military/), the Allied Health training division of Carrus. (www.carruslearn.com)
Start training today so you can be prepared for meaningful work
Finding the right fit takes a little time and it is important to explore the possibilities. Doing the research is crucial as it can improve the learning experience—and potentially lead to faster employment. Deciding to pursue a career in healthcare is a fulfilling and viable option for veterans and their spouses.
4. Portable Jobs
For a working military spouse, it can be difficult to cultivate a strong professional network, and when the time comes to pack up and move to a new city, the wrong vocation can leave even the most talented pro scrambling to start over. That’s why job portability is so important. Healthcare training provides the skills and certifications that employers are looking for in highgrowth, high-demand fields in virtually every city in the entire world.
Transition to Civilian Life
Abilities and Disabilities: Ratings Matter!
Get the RIGHT DISABILITY RATING!
32 WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022
So, you must network! Ask questions, be curious, and be diligent in getting information you feel is trustworthy before you follow any path that seems promising. Be concerned about your health. What? This took a turn. (Well, repetition is boring!) Tim notes that in addition to doing your research on what types of employers are a fit, and what location would best suit your needs, you need to be very concerned about your health. Tim states emphatically, “most veterans short change themselves as they transition out when it comes to getting a correct disability rating.”
The all-caps is meant to emphasize! If you underestimate your health, you will pay for it later, and it can greatly impact the earnings you are entitled to receive. You need to get the right rating! Tim highly recommends going to a doctor outside of the VA to go over your medical paperwork and history to assess your disability status BEFORE starting communications with the VA. This ensures that everything is accounted for and nothing falls through the cracks.
Doctors and corpsmen in med school don’t major in handwriting. If something is scribbled, or can’t be read, it’s not accounted for. If something goes unaccounted for, and then it’s signed off, you are stuck with that rating. Meaning, you won’t get compensated for as much as you should have. Get as many non-military doctors to assess you before going to the VA. Tim was fortunate to have the services of the R4ST to help him organize all he needed to get his disability rating; however, he recounts instances where veterans only received 50% rating when they should have received 100% because of poor preparation on their part. Once that rating is decided, it’s decided. Be wary of overpromises. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you have a buddy wanting you to work for his startup, you may put all of your eggs in one basket and end up disappointed and back at square one.
Last month, we were delighted to write about the power of the movie, Maverick. This month, we spoke with Tim Fedrick to get his advice on transition. Tim spent over 30 years in the Navy. His journey began from one military movie: Navy SEALS. Tim Fedrick credits this movie to his decision to join the Navy. He watched the much acclaimed Charlie Sheen flick as he was graduating high school. Before seeing it, he planned to play baseball for a small college in Louisiana, and immediately changed his course to join the Navy after seeingit. He eventually made it to BUDs and enjoyed a 30+ year career doing what he loved, before deciding to transition out. He shares his experience to help you transition successfully. Repetition is a good teacher. We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again. And again. You must start EARLY to plan for a successful transition. Starting early will ensure all of your bases are covered, and you’re making the right choices with the right knowledge to propel you forward so you’re not drowning. Choose the right boat to take you to shore.
Translation - there are thousands of organizations out there that will purport to help you transition well. But do your research and make sure it’s the RIGHT one. It’s easy to feel lost and drowning, and grasp on to the islands of opportunity in the horizon. Some of these organizations do mean well, but some may take advantage of your ignorance of the civilian world.
WHAT’S NEXT
By Eve Nasby & Kristin Hennessy
Some say veterans in transition are drowning in a sea of goodwill. This means you’re still drowning! Tim says, “there are thousands of life rafts out there. You need to know which one will take you to the right shore.”
WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022 33
Tim is an Executive Producer and host of a show called “Veterans In Transition” TV Series. He is also a leadership coach and advocate for his fellow veterans. He’s been featured on many podcasts talking about his transition and his success today. He is very well connected with dozens of fantastic nonprofits across various branches of services and areas of expertise, and is happy to have a personal conversation with you to help you find out exactly what you need and make the right connections for you. www.linkedin.com/in/timfedrick/ www.bandofhands.com
For more information or help transitioning contact Eve Nasby at eve@bandofhands.com www.linkedin.com/in/eve-nasby-given-hiring-expert
Tim advises to be aware of the risks of going full force towards a startup. He recounts an opportunity with a startup that had raised millions of dollars and the new employee was promised 20% of the company. Two months later, they had only made $400. If you’re going to go this route, have a back-up plan. Or, if you want to jump into a startup, do that while also investing your time into a full-time opportunity.
34 WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022
Transition to Business
• Management Training
• EAPs to the Rescue Companies often retain the services of an Employee Assistance Program, or EAP. An EAP is an outside organization that the company retains to provide confidential resources to its workers. Companies typically pay a per-employee-per-month fee to the EAP to remain available 24/7 to all workers. EAPs provide a wide variety of free, voluntary, and confidential services and resources, including treatment for mental health, alcohol or drug addiction, access to financial or legal advisors, and more.
Many organizations often management training on warning signs and resources available should workers demonstrate signs of loneliness, isolation, or depression. Training may be live or via video, accompanied by contact information of your organization’s EAP provider. Some basic guidelines that might be shared during a typical training: terminations should occur early in the day and early in the week, not on Friday afternoons late in the day. Why not? Workplace violence often occurs after terminations, and if there’s no opportunity for human contact, questions, or connection over the weekend, then violence may occur the following Monday morning.
Likewise, leadership training may focus on identifying the early warning signs of employees in crisis, especially loneliness, isolation, or changes in normal behavioral patterns. Employees who suddenly display concerning behaviors, including mentioning self-violence or violence toward others, should be brought to senior management’s attention—not to get the employee in trouble but to make sure that the individual has access to the best resources available to help them through a troubling time.I’ve personally trained managers to address matters like this in private with the employee and say, “I’m not your best resource if something’s bothering you that’s not work related, but we have an EAP that’s staffed with experts in that area. You can call them privately and confidentially from my office now, or I can join you on the call if you might prefer that.” It’s a simple but effective way to put the troubled employee in the right hands and not have to go it alone.
Instead, by terminating early in the day and early in the week (for example, on Monday or Tuesday morning), the terminated worker has access to others where questions may be asked, resources shared, and an empathetic ear may be available from a coworker or HR department.
RESOURCES
HUMAN
By Paul Falcone
Employers provide EAP access not only for altruistic reasons: on a more practical basis, EAPs are designed to help employees resolve personal problems that may adversely affect their performance at work. That’s a good use of any company’s money and offers a practical, bottom-line benefit to the company that pays the EAP’s fee. Further, the EAP itself typically covers the cost of a fixed number of visits to a qualified mental health provider (usually around a half dozen visits) before the employee’s health insurance kicks in to continue visits beyond that initial assessment and treatment period.
Dealing with Employees in Crisis in the Workplace
September is suicide prevention awareness month, and you may wonder how employers approach matters of mental health and wellbeing in addition to serious concerns about potential violence in the workplace— to employees themselves or to other members of the staff. First, most organizations take these topics exceptionally seriously. This isn’t a “nice to have” or some perfunctory exercise or policy that sits out on the books unattended. Employers pay special attention to mental health matters during various windows—during September as suicide prevention month, for example, or at the time of mandatory training on workplace violence or during workshops on employee wellness (including mental wellbeing and awareness). Second, resources are available to managers and staff members that can help them through crisis moments, and those resources should be posted prominently in HR departments, lunch- and breakrooms, and other prominent areas on the employer’s premises. Make sure you know where to find them before you or a friend or associate actually needs them.
What’s important for readers to know if that employers take these matters seriously, post resources prominently, and are there to help anyone in a crisis situation. As a coworker to anyone experiencing extreme situations like this, you should likewise hold yourself accountable to stepping in and escalating the matter to management, as appropriate—even if your coworker urges you not to. Every case is different, of course, and one size cannot fit all. But we’re all in this together. After all, “deliberate ignorance,” or “willful blindness,” as the concepts are known in the fields of law and psychology, won’t help anyone in extreme crisis situations. The monkey with its hands over its ears, eyes, and mouth is the last thing that’s needed when someone is in dire need. Be there for others as you hope they would be there for you under the same circumstances. That’s more than being a stellar coworker: it’s being a great human being and exceptional workplace leader.
THE www.HarperCollinsLeadership.com
PAUL LEADERSHIPFALCONESERIESWORKPLACEETHICSEFFECTIVEHIRINGNEWMANAGERSLEADERSHIPOFFENSELEADERSHIPDEFENSE
WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022 35
Dealing with
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.
Employees in Crisis
In November of 2021, Ava and her husband closed escrow on a fixer-upper 7-acre ranch with intention of turning the neglected property into their forever ranch and sanctuary. “It is our hope that with this land we will facilitate healing groups for survivors, military and first responders, host yoga retreats, and continue to rescue and foster animals. We want people to be able to come here and just be.” Ava and Jeremy currently have 5 rescue dogs, 3 rescue horses, and 2 rescue birds, with genuine intentions of more in the future.
36 WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022
“We are more than our experiences, traumas, and ailments, we are intellectual, physical, and spiritual beings that have endured countless trials to expand ourselves, build resilience, and in turn, help others!”
My advice to any military member transitioning into civilian life...
Successful Transitioning Stories
Ava served in the United States Marine Corps from 2010 until her medical retirement in December of 2018 (almost 9 years). However, Ava discovered her passion while serving a secondary billet as a Uniformed Victim Advocate (UVA) for military sexual assault survivors. Within this billet, she served as a referral, confidant, and liaison for survivors, their commands, and law enforcement. Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for youth in foster care. Her recent volunteer endeavors have led her to join a nonprofit operations team for the prevention of human trafficking. Ava earned her Ph.D. in Forensic Psychology, with a specialization in Victimology in 2021, with past academic achievements to include a Masters of Philosophy in Forensic Psychology, a Masters of Arts in Human Behavior, & a Bachelors of Arts in Sociology, minor in Psychology. Ava also took a holistic approach to help others, which grew from her own healing journey while experiencing mental and physical health issues from the military. Ava found yoga in 2016 after being invited to a hot yoga studio by a friend, which ultimately became the dominant healing force in her own life. Through practice and additional trainings, she obtained her 500-hour yoga teacher certification, and specialty certifications in Trauma-Informed approaches, Mindfulness Resilience, By Dr. Julie www.synergylearninginstitute.orgDucharme
Restorative Yoga, and is also a certified Reiki level I/II Practitioner. Ava is currently in training to obtain her Yoga Therapist certification with expected completion in 2023. Ava intends to incorporate all her education and experience to support survivors of trauma and abuse on their unique healing journey, while also advocating for awareness and prevention of these societal issues.
Planningenlistment.should
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.
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
VETERANSINTRANSITION
To follow Sage Haven Ranch progress, check out @sagehavenranch on Instagram
To connect with Dr. Ava for yoga please visit www.theveteranyogi.com or theveteranyogi@gmail.com
Transitioning out of the Military into the Workforce?Civilian www.HomelandMagazine.com
include ideas, trainings, education, certifications, internships, and volunteer hours in fields you are interested in working in during and after the Ifmilitary.youdon’t know, evaluate your hobbies-what do you like to do? read? watch? Start by taking college courses or certifications - make use of Tuition Assistance! Is there a class you really enjoyed? - take another class in that specialty. I will be honest, going to school while on active duty is challenging, but with a little sacrifice, time management, and prioritization it is possible! Also, it is important to seek out mentors while on active duty and after you transition out of the service, find someone who inspires you and/or is in the field you are interested in, and don’t be afraid to try new interests or fields outside of one’s military occupational specialty!
Lastly, return the favor! As you progress through the ranks and/or transition out, ensure to pass on the knowledge and wisdom you have learned to other service members. Encourage them to seek out their interests and support them if they want to go to school.
WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022 37
A great leader is someone who looks out for all! - those around them, above, and below them! Return the Favor!
To connect with Dr. Ava for advocacy, networking, other interests visit @dr.ava.re on Instagram
My advice to any military member transitioning into civilian life is to begin planning from the day you hit the fleet, whether you think you are going to stay in and do 20 years or whether you just want to do one
ACCELERATE: move quickly to understand and satisfy your clients’ needs and demands so you can better serve them.
By Barbara Eldridge Do You Stay Flexible in a
The underlying aspect for business success is the personal growth and development of you the owner, founder, and entrepreneur. Yours is the privilege of having the responsibility of directing the actions and carrying out the vision of the company. Your goals, your attitude, and commitment will allow employees, sub contractors, suppliers and the bank to place their trust CARRY OUT YOUR VISION
LEVERAGE: others Knowledge, Energy, Money, Success, Failures, Ideas, Contacts.
It is also important to know where you are in all areas of the business so you can review and plan each area of Business for Flexibility and Change. To be effective your business needs to have a clear structure, well defined authority, specific responsibilities, written duties (job descriptions) defined standards for attaining results and objectives all aimed at operating for measured results. Your success comes from how well you are able to gauge your customer in the course of distributing your products and services to them. Your Marketing is a long term process of managing relationships with customers whose wants and needs you truly want to satisfy.
Flexibility is the single most important quality you can develop to survive and thrive in the 21st Century.
What do you think flexibility is? It is being able to adapt yourself quickly to changing circumstances and emergencies without panic or loosing you temper. It takes being open, receptive and willing to try new methods and techniques as well as getting EGO out of the way. It means you must be like a chameleon, quick to harmonize with your environment. You don’t shed principles or alter your goals, but recognize that your Mental Attitude determines the effect of what’s going on around you.
www.mindmasters.com BUSINESS FOR VETERANS How
Changing Business Climate
All of us know how terrific it feels to dream of what we want to achieve in the next twelve months, and to precipitate those dreams into the top goals that we choose for our 2022 plan. We also know the joy of taking action on a monthly and weekly basis to bring those dreams and desires to fruition, watching our goals come to life before our very eyes.
38 WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022
But what do we do when we get stuck, when we aren’t taking any action on a goal? Where do we turn when the fulfillment of the dream isn’t unfolding as we had envisioned?
FLEXIBILITY demands clarity, you can’t be wishy, washy, maybe or sometimes about the GOALS you are pursuing. Apply these Essential Elements to keep things more SIMPLIFY:focused:reduce and eliminate activities that contribute little to your goals.
MULTIPLY: create a team to work with (strategic alliances, mentors, joint venture partners).
To keep the business profitable, be aware of difference between Strategic Costs that bring in business and improve the bottom line – sales, advertising, promotion and R&D, (These are Business Building Costs) and NonStrategic Costs which are necessary for running the business but do not bring in business.
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
WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022 39 HR Services Employer of Record Onboarding & Compliance Payroll & Tax Services Job Board & Automated Recruiting Time & Attendance A Veteran Owned Business proudly supporting Veterans, Military Spouses and active duty Military looking for work and employers needing great workers. Contact Eve Nasby, Band of Hands president and passionate military supporter to get started today. eve@bandofhands.com Hiring & Onboarding Filling shifts Payroll HR Policies Compliance with Employment Laws Unemployment Claims Workers Comp Claims Wave goodbye to the challenges of: We handle it all for only $10/week per employee. www.bandofhands.com Hiring and employing made simple.
The franchisee is typically a small business owner or entrepreneur who operates the store or franchise.
Franchises
A trade secret is a company’s process or practice that is not public information, which provides an economic benefit or advantage to the company. Trade secrets must be actively protected by the company and are typically the result of a company’s research and development. Trade secrets could be design, pattern, recipe, formula, or proprietary process. Trade secrets are used to create a business model that differentiates the company’s offerings to its customers by providing a competitive advantage.
40 WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022 legal Eagle
Trademarks
Patents
By Kelly Bagla, Esq. legal tips for Military and Veteran Business Owners
A patent is a property right for an inventor that’s typically granted by a government agency, such as the Unite States Patent and Trademark Office. The patent allows the inventor exclusive rights to the invention, which could be a design, process, an improvement, or physical invention such as a machine. Technology and software companies often have patents for their designs. The patent for the personal computer was filed in 1980 by Steve Jobs and three other colleagues at Apple Inc. Patent rights are granted for 20 years.
Trade Secrets
Straight-forward
Types of Intellectual Property
Intellectual Property can consist of many types of intangibles, and some of the most common are listed below:
Copyrights
A trademark is a symbol, phrase, or insignia that is recognizable and represents a product that legally separates if from other products. A trademark is exclusively assigned to a company, meaning the company owns the trademark so that no others may use or copy it. A trademark is often associated with a company’s brand. The logo and brand name of CocaCola is owned by Coca-Cola Company. Trademark rights are granted for as long as the trademarked material remains active.
Intellectual property is a broad categorical description of the set of intangible assets owned and legally protected by companies or individuals from outside use without consent. An intangible asset is a non-physical asset that a company or person owns. The concept of intellectual property relates to the fact that certain products of human intellect should be afforded the same protective rights that apply to physical property.
Copyrights provide authors and creators of original material the exclusive right to use, copy, or duplicate their material. Authors of books have their works copyrighted as do musical artists. A copyright also states that the original creators can grant anyone authorization through a licensing agreement to use the work. Copyright rights are granted for 70 years after the author dies.
A franchise is a license that a company, individual, or party called the franchisee purchases allowing them to use a company’s, the franchisor’s name, trademark, proprietary knowledge, and processes.
please
product or
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 your family and yourself falls on more information on how to legally start and grow business visit my website at: www.BaglaLaw.com
you. For
WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022 41 Go Legal Yourself ® Know Your Business Legal Lifecycle The last thing an entrepreneur wants is to spend valuable time and resources on legal issues, which is why they often drop to the bottom of the pile. But this can be a COSTLY MISTAKE—and Go Legal Yourself is here to make sure it’s one you avoid. • Gather the right documentation • Protect your brand • Avoid expensive legal pitfalls • Plan and manage growth competatively Rest assured that no nasty legal surprises will stand between you and your success. Get your copy at amazon today! 2nd Edition NOW AVAILABLE!
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.
FROM DAY ONE! www.GoLegalYourself.comONE!
(UPS).
Award-winning attorney, Kelly Bagla shows how to pitfalls
avoid legal
The license allows the franchise to sell a provide a return, the franchisor is paid a licensing fee by the
franchisee.
service under the company’s name. In
Digital Assets Digital assets are also increasing recognized as IP. Digital assets like phone apps, your social media site, computer programs, and your business website can be protected in the same way as other assets. Your intellectual property can be a great value to your company and could drastically increase the brand if you ever decide to sell your company.
your
you
Companies that use the franchise business model include McDonald’s Corporation, Subway Corporation, and United Parcel Services
The greatest expansion of the definition of disturbing the peace has been to include coercive control. As such, coercive control is a form of abuse under the DVPA.
The Domestic Violence Prevention Act (DVPA) and Family Code recognize the profound impact of domestic violence on families and partners. Most people equate domestic violence with physical violence. However, experts have established that physical violence is only one form of abuse. An individual may be emotionally and verbally abused as well. Many domestic violence victims report that, while they do suffer physical or sexual abuse in their relationships, it is the mental and emotional abuse that prevents them from leaving the relationship and makes the trauma more lasting.
Military Focused Family
What is Disturbing the Peace? Disturbing the peace of the other party refers to conduct that, based on the totality of the circumstances, destroys the mental or emotional calm of the other party. This conduct may be committed directly or indirectly, including through the use of a third party. The amendment also recognizes the effect of advances in technology. Disturbing the peace includes conduct through any method or any means including, but not limited to, telephone, online accounts, text messages, internet-connected devices, or other electronic technologies.
1)include:Isolating a party from friends, relatives, or other sources of support.
2) Depriving a person of basic necessities of life.
Examples of coercive control
Domestic Violence - Beyond Physical Abuse
42 WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022 Legally Speaking
4) Compelling the other party by force, threat of force, or intimidation, including threats based on actual or suspected immigration status, to engage in conduct from which the other party has a right to abstain or to abstain from conduct in which the other party has a right to Coerciveengage.control may be less visible than physical abuse. Although coercive control does not necessarily include physical violence, it can be just as destructive to another human being as a punch or slap. Coercive control is a form of domestic violence in which the perpetrator uses a pattern of abusive behavior to dominate their partner and limit their partner’s freedom. Coercive control can often involve a party
By Tana Landau, Esq. Law Facts
3) Controlling, regulating, or monitoring the other party’s movements, communications, daily behavior, finances, economic resources, or access to services.
Effective as of September 2020, the definition of disturbing the peace under the Domestic Violence Protection Act has been greatly expanded. Disturbing the peace has now been recognized as highly significant in terms of domestic violence.
As such, under the Domestic Violence Protection Act (DVPA) the Court may issue a restraining order preventing a party from molesting, attacking, striking, stalking, threatening, sexually assaulting, battering, credibly impersonating, falsely personating harassing, telephoning, contacting, or disturbing the peace of another party.
What is Coercive Control? Coercive control is defined as being a pattern of behavior that unreasonably interferes with a person’s free will and personal liberty.
WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022 43 Legal Experts with Humanity Time for a Fresh Start. Call 858-720-8250 or visit www.frfamilylaw.com to schedule a free consultation. Flat fee law packages available. Military Divorce and Retirement, 20/20/20 Spouse, Survivor Benefit Plans, Support Orders, and more. No nonsense. No hidden fees. Discounts for service members.
Can Children Be Coercively Controlled?
Yes, children can often be trapped in a perpetrator’s system of coercive control. Coercive control can be just as damaging to children as physical abuse. The same attitudes that relates to the perpetrators’ abuse of their partners can also drive the way they parent their children. In studies of children’s experiences of coercive control, it has been found that in families where physical violence was not a regular form of abuse, children exhibited the same negative outcomes as those who had lived with more frequent physical abuse.
What Happens if the Court Finds a Party Committed Coercive Control? If the Court finds a party committed coercive control, they can issue a restraining order against the abusive party. Anyone with a restraining order against them cannot purchase firearms and must surrender any they have in their possession. Violations of a restraining order can be punishable as a criminal offense. Generally, it is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $1,000 and up to one year in jail.
How to Get Help On average it takes a domestic violence victim seven times to leave, before they leave the relationship permanently. Help is available 24/7 through the National Domestic Violence Hotline (800) 799-SAFE (7233). If you are in need of a restraining order, it would be best to seek the advice of an experienced family law attorney.
Move forward without breaking the bank. Our military expert family law attorneys are ready to push your case to the finish line. limiting the other party’s access to financial resources, intimidation, playing mind games, gaslighting, making threats, and using the children as weapons among other Throughexamples.systematic restrictions on freedom and independence, individuals experiencing coercive control are often isolated from friends, family, or other support systems and entrapped within the relationship due to financial, social, emotional, or logistical barriers to escaping. Coercive control can instill fear even in the absence of physical violence and can continue after the relationship ends. However, coercive control can often precede or indicate physical violence in the relationship as well, raising the likelihood that this violence will continue and escalate.
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.
“For some reason, hiking has been something I stopped doing due to the ever-growing lack of solitude and the large groups of people,” he said. Even though it made him uncomfortable, Luis knew he and Shield could conquer a hike with some perseverance and teamwork. The COVID-19 pandemic left his neighborhood streets lonely and quiet — a silver lining of opportunity to work on being outside with no one around. Eventually, their walks progressed and the trust Luis put into Shield prepared them for the milestone “Withahead.plenty of snacks, treats, and water, we made our way to the top of Iron Mountain and spent a few hours at the peak,” Luis said. “As a team, we continue to break barriers I couldn’t have done alone. We are always growing together.”
Our service dogs for veterans are provided at no cost to the recipients across the U.S. and Canada. They become trusted companions and help their partners gain greater confidence, mobility and independence.
A discharge date should be the signal of promise and opportunity in a hero’s life. However, for some, this date could be the beginning of an invisible war known as PTSD. At Guide Dogs of America | Tender Loving Canines, our service dogs for veterans are custom-trained to help wounded warriors gain independence and reintegrate into their families and society.
44 WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022 Open your home and your heart, to a future service dog in-training VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Text “PUPPY” to 51555 Or Call: (818) www.guidedogsofamerica.org362-5834 RAISE A CHANGEPUPPY...ALIFE!
Guide Dogs of America www.guidedogsofamerica.org Luis and Shield
Luis, a graduate from our veterans’ program, achieved a significant milestone because of his service dog, Shield.
How Service Dogs Can Help Veterans Reach the Peak of Independence
WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022 45 www.sheltertosoldier.org
ICE T You know him as Ice-T from either his hip-hop/gangsta rap career or his long stint on television’s Law and Order: SVU, but for a while, he was just Tracy Marrow. Born in South Los Angeles, he enlisted in 1979 after graduating from Crenshaw High School. He served as a squad leader at Schofield Barracks, where he used his GI Bill to purchase stereo equipment and dove into music and entertainment in his spare time.
VETERANS
This world-famous movie actor became best-known for his role as Dirty Harry and then parlayed that into a long and successful acting/directing career. But it was his stint with the United States Army that landed him on this list. Eastwood was drafted in 1951 during the Korean War.
Nominate a Hero: The National Veterans Chamber Radio Show
There are a lot of famous veterans that once served in the United States Army, many of whom later became top celebrities in different ventures in the United States. We can’t talk about all of them, but we will name a few.
By: Joseph Molina National Veterans Chamber of Commerce veteransccsd@gmail.com
• If you have any ideas or a project that you would like to Developed in collaboration with the National Veterans Chamber, send your ideas to: veteransccsd@gmail.com
ELVIS PRESLEY
MORGAN FREEMAN
• Would you like to share your story? Then, be our guest on the show – Here is the REQUEST FORM.
CLINT EASTWOOD
FAMOUS IN HISTORY
The King of Rock ’n’ Roll was drafted into military service in 1958, four years after he officially started his music career. Presley, who by this time had accrued enormous fame and fortune, was determined to prove to the American public and himself that he had the guts to stick out his military service and not take the easy road. He was honorably discharged in 1960.
CHUCK NORRIS Chuck Norris joined the United States Air Force in 1958 and served as an Air Policeman in South Korea. There, he was inspired by locals practicing martial arts. Later, he famously became the first Westerner to be awarded an eighth-degree black belt in Taekwondo.
STEVE MCQUEEN
EILEEN COLLINS Collins attended Syracuse University and then graduated from flight school at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma. Eileen Collins, American astronaut, the first woman to pilot and, later command a U.S. space shuttle. Summary: I hope you found this information useful, and of course, there is plenty more out there to learn and research. Let me know if you find something that will be useful to share with the Veteran Community.
46 WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022
• Would you like to Nominate a Hero? Let us know, and we will announce it on the show.
Sometimes being in the military helps determine what you want to be in life — even if it means not being in the military. Talented young Morgan Freeman was so in love with the idea of flying that he joined the U.S. Air Force in 1955 instead of accepting a scholarship for drama from Jackson State University in Mississippi.
This world-famous on-screen bad boy wasn’t just “The King of Cool” in movies. Steve McQueen had a rough childhood, and his troublesome persona was authentic, which created some issues once he joined the Marines in 1947. Famous for roles in The Sand Pebbles, The Cincinnati Kid, Love With The Proper Stranger, The Getaway, Magnificent Seven and many others. He was honorably discharged in 1950.
WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022 47 NATIONAL VETERANS (866) 365-0543C O N T A C T U S www.NationalVeterans.org
48 WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022 ENROLL NOW AT WFW.ORG Workshops for Warriors is a nonprofit school that provides veterans and transitioning service members with hands-on training and nationallyrecognized credentials in CNC machining, CAD/CAM programming, and welding. Our students earn credentials that open doors to jobs anywhere in the U.S. Call us at (619) 550-1620. CAD/CAM Programming CNC DoDWeldingMachiningSkillBridge Organization HONORABLY.SERVEDBEFOREAFTEREARNED A CAREER IN JUST 4 MONTHS.
WHAT’S NEXT? BECOME A CRANE OPERATOR Discover an exciting new career opportunity after serving your country. Heavy Equipment Colleges of America proudly supports and honors the brave women and men who fight for our country. • VA education benefits and Career Skills Program (CSP) • Job placement help and hands-on, classroom interaction • Get certified in as little as three weeks TRAIN TO BECOME A CRANE OPERATOR TODAY. Visit: www.heavyequipmentcollege.com Veteran Only Locations Joint Base Lewis McChord in Lakewood, WA | Ft. Irwin, CA (active duty, too) Phone: 760-383-1030 | Email: ftirwin@hecofa.com Skillbridge Approved No Official US Government or DOD endorsement is implied
50 WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022 Become a certified IT professional in 15 weeks with no prior experience necessary! Talk to our friendly veterans admissions counselor today! • GI Bill & MyCAA Approved • Flexible Schedule • Online & In-person Hybrid Classes • Small Class Size • Hands-on Training • Lifelong Job Placement and Career Counseling • Technical Support Specialist • IT Support Technician • Network Administrator • Network Analyst • Systems Administrator Why ICOHS College? Career Outcomes: The median IT job salary in the US was about $88,000 last year. READY TO TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR CAREER? admissions@icohs.edu (858)581-9460 www.icohs.edu
PREPARE FOR YOUR CALL TO SERVE { Become a military chaplain by earning a MASTER OF DIVINITY degree { Proven record of more than 200 chaplain graduates IN-PERSON OR ONLINE
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.
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.
Military and law enforcement have had a longstanding relationship with overlaps in training exercises, equipment, and, most important, Itpersonnel.isnotuncommon
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.
Quite understandably, many American military veterans often gravitate to a career in law enforcement when the time comes to rejoin the civilian workforce.
WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022 53 You’ve served your country, now serve your community! OPPORTUNITITES IN LAW ENFORCEMENT
54 WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022 www.rva.gov/police/personnel
WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022 55 Veterans! Join Our Team CHANGEBethe SFPD Salary $103,116 - $147,628 TEXT “JoinSFPD” to (415) www.SFPDcareers.com704-3688
56 WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022 WE PGHJOBS.NETWEVETERANS,JUSTDON’TTHANKHIRETHEM.CITYOFPITTSBURGH-E/O/E
WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022 57
58 WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022
WWW.HomelandMagazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2022 59 www.joinSDPDnow.comSDPDrecruiting@pd.sandiego.gov
Homeland Magazine www.HomelandMagazine.com Voted 2018, 2019, 2020 & 2021 BEST resource, support media for veterans, military families & military personnel. TransitionResourcesSupportHEALTHINSPIRATION A Veterans Magazine by Veterans for Veterans
