Vol. 5 Number 11 • November 2018 www.HomelandMagazine.com
Homeland Veterans Magazine
GOT TEN MINUTES FOR A VET?
Why I Give:
A Story of Perseverance as a Veteran, Former Military Spouse, and Mental Health Professional
Communities Kick Off the Giving Season with Veterans Day
VETERANS DAY A Small Gesture Can Have a Big Impact
TOUR OF HONOR VETERANS BATTLE INVISIBLE WOUNDS OF WAR Careers In Law Enforcement
Homeless to Congress
FINANCIAL READINESS Enlisted to Entrepreneur
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Homeland Veterans Magazine Voted 2017 Best Resource, Support Media for veterans, military families and transitioning military personnel.
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EDITOR’S
LETTER
Greetings and a warm welcome to HOMELAND Magazine! Please take some time to get to know the layout of our magazine. Homeland Magazine focuses on real stories from real heroes; the service member, the veteran, the wounded and the 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 service members, families, veterans and civilians. Homeland is about standing your ground, resilience, adaptation, inspiration and solidarity. HOMELAND is inspirational, “feel good” reading; our focus is on veterans, military and civilians alike. I believe HOMELAND is where the heart is, and our publication covers a wide variety of topics, and issues about real life and real stories. We are honored to share the work of so many committed and thoughtful people.
Publisher Editor-In-Chief Mike Miller Contributing Writers CJ Machado Vicki Garcia - Enlisted Holly Shaffner Honor Flight Joe Molina - VCCSD Lori Boody - VANC Shelter to Soldier Eva M. Stimson Boot Campaign Barry Smith Wounded Warrior Project Vesta Anderson John Roberts • Jennifer Silva DAV - Dan Clare American Warrior Jim Lorraine Operation Homefront Stephen Thomas Chris Martin Kelly Bagla. Esq. Billieka Boughton Public Relations CJ Machado Thomas McBrien Marketing/Sales Mike Miller Gina Henderson Entertainment Media Bob Dietrich Homeland Magazine is published monthly. Submissions of photographs, Illustrations, drawings, and manuscripts are considered unsolicited materials and the publisher assumes no responsibility for the said items. All rights reserved.
We appreciate your support and are so happy to have you as a reader of HOMELAND Magazine.
Homeland Magazine 9528 Miramar Road, Suite 41 San Diego, CA 92126
With warmest thanks, Mike Miller, Publisher
858.275-4281 Contact Homeland Magazine at:
info@homelandmagazine.com 4
HOMELAND / November 2018
DIGITAL VERSION AVAILABLE WWW.HomelandMagazine.com
Inside This Issue 6 On Why I Give: A Story of Perseverance 8 Invisible Wounds of War 13 Homeless to Congress 16 Veterans Day: A Small Gesture 20 The Giving Season with Veterans Day 23 Standing Up For Women Veterans 24 Honor Flight: The best weekend of my life 28 Got Ten Minutes For a Vet? 32 VANC - Our Graduates 34 ENLISTED TO ENTREPRENEUR 36 Serendipitous Moments 38 FINANCIAL READINESS 39 ECONOMIC IMPACT 40 FROM VETERAN TO BUSINESS OWNER 41 Yearly Financial Planning 45 Careers in Law Enforcement 46 Considering Law Enforcement? 54 Shelter to Soldier 57 Saved In America
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On Why I Give:
A Story of Perseverance as a Veteran, Former Military Spouse, and Mental Health Professional by Paige Zeiger, M.S., LPC, NCC, Give an Hour Provider
I am a female veteran, former military spouse, licensed professional counselor, nationally certified counselor, and a clinical provider (volunteer) for Give an Hour. Throughout my life, I have had experiences, and traumatic obstacles, that have shaped me into the person I am today. After high school, I attended Auburn University. The semester before graduating the Psychology undergraduate program, I lost my mother to breast cancer. I continued on, pursuing a Master’s of Education in Community Agency Counseling. As I worked towards completing my internship during the last semester of the master’s program, I found myself ‘alone’ - emotionally, physically, and mentally. I longed for the consistent phone communication and support I had with my mom during graduate school. I knew my father was also having a difficult time with the grief, so I did not reach out to him. Struggling with my emotional wellness, I turned to substances to help me cope with my grief. I thought “Hey, it was only one semester and I would be done,” however, the substances took over my life. Eventually I was removed from the master’s program; losing my job/internship at an Adult Day Center for severe and chronic mental illnesses. Conquering the fear of burdening and disappointing my father, I finally admitted to him that I was struggling and moved home. Embarrassed, alone, and disappointed in myself, I mustered the strength to begin to make a change. I found employment In the mental health field, although I didn’t envision that working with individuals with substance abuse history would be my lifetime profession. The meager salary barely paid bills and student loans! Someone suggested that I join the military and soon after I found myself standing in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air force offices seeking guidance, with a goal of becoming an Officer. I wanted to make a quick transition, but Air Force boot camp was at least a year’s wait and Officer Candidacy Training (Navy) was an 8-month wait. My impression of joining the Navy was that I could travel, gain experiences, and get away from my problems, so when they suggested an enlisted boot camp (with a potential path to officer), I signed up that day to ship out.
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I enlisted as an Aviation Structural Mechanic (AM), completely out of my realm of experience. Upon arrival I was nervous, but hopeful. I checked in to the command and learned that they already knew more about me than I knew about them. I was a woman trying to do a “man’s” job, who had the degrees that could make me an officer, yet I was enlisted. Leadership (at the time) seemed interested in helping me achieve Officer rank but as is common in the military, the leadership changed and I was back to square one. After some time in service I met Steve, a fellow service member, and befriended him as we endured the stress of preparing for our first deployment. On that deployment (7 months), Steve and I were assigned the same location and a group of us took a four-day trip to Rome. Deployments brought everyone close together and I found myself enjoying the adventure. By the time deployment was ending, I had two years left in the military and had decided Steve was the love of my life. With another deployment coming soon Steve and I chose to postpone our relationship so we could deploy together and earn money for the future. Through my military service, I learned that even when service members were experiencing struggles at home or work, they refused to seek mental health services for fear
they refused to seek mental health services for fear of being judges and retributions of potential discharge. I knew that I wanted to help my newfound family and decided to go back to school for mental health. I was Honorably Discharged in 2013. and married to Steve within days of my discharge. I went from “service member” to “military spouse” and “veteran” quickly. Steve stayed in the same command, and with another deployment looming in a year or so- we began trying to have a child. I did not want to have a child while he was deployed, like some spouses’ experience. I also applied for a master’s program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Steve financially supported our family; allowing me to focus on school, grades, and graduation. Our plan was working and we had our beautiful daughter, Lilly who was almost six months old before Steve left for his deployment. Being so young, I do not think Lilly realized Steve was gone, but I definitely did. I was alone, a full-time student, and a new parent with no family nearby.
Throughout my master’s program, I researched articles on military-connected or related issues. From my experiences, my husband’s experiences, and my passion for helping others, I felt that I was called to the mental health profession; however, it was from the experience of losing my husband that I discovered that I might be able to do more with a doctorate of philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision. One day I came across Give an Hour™ and inquired about providing services. Once I obtained my Licensed Professional Counselor license, I began providing pro bono mental health services to military-connected individuals, which has been very fulfilling. Being a part of Give an Hour seems like a small way that I can give back to those who acted as family to me when I was in need, both as active duty, military spouse, and veteran.
The most challenging parts of being a military spouse was not having my partner with me as I experienced our child’s milestones, and civilians not understanding how to be supportive. As a military spouse I did not feel like a civilian, as I had to be ready to transfer duty stations, jobs - just like the active duty. When Steve was Honorably Discharged in 2015, I knew the transitioning process may be difficult but I felt prepared to help him through it. I took that summer off of school to spend quality time our little family and help him secure civilian employment. Steve went through two auto mechanic jobs before he finally secured a job on base. In December 2015, as I was beginning the final internship requirement to graduate, everything changed expectantly and suddenly. On December 18th, Lilly’s birthday, Steve got sick and was hospitalized. A few weeks later, I had to make the decision to move Steve into hospice care. I lost Steve on January 6th 2016 at 2:11 am. I found myself in complete shock when he passed away and I knew that, this time, I had to reach out for help immediately. As a relatively young widow, I had no idea what needed to be done to take care of affairs after a death. My stepmother stayed with me before a militaryconnected friend from Hawaii took a week of leave to help me. Other military friends were checking on me frequently; bringing me food or simply sitting with me. I had never experienced such support and love in my life. If it were not for my amazing military family, my supervisors, and Lilly’s daycare teacher, I am not sure if I would have been able to navigate the loss and still graduate school.
It Is my hope that through reaching out for help - you know that you too can overcome obstacles and achieve your dreams and aspirations, even when you do not feel it is possible. I am a testament to this and I hope you are or become one too. Give an Hour™ is a national nonprofit that provides no cost mental health counseling for military and loved ones through a network of nearly 7000 mental health professionals. To find a provider near you, visit www.giveanhour.org/get-help. We Invite all licensed mental health professionals to join us in serving at www.giveanhour.org/give-help.
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CHRIS TALCOTT AND KELSEY SMITH HELP FELLOW VETERANS BATTLE INVISIBLE
WOUNDS OF WAR
By Barry Smith Boot Campaign U.S. Army Colonel (Ret.) Chris Talcott and U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant (Ret.) Kelsey Smith have both separated from the military but remain in the trenches fighting invisible wounds of war. At the Texas-based national non-profit Boot Campaign, Talcott and Smith offer perspective and a compassionate commitment to helping fellow vets successfully transition from military to civilian life.
“Invisible wounds DO NOT have to be a permanent condition,” Talcott emphasizes. “Don’t be ok with not being ok… seek help. We truly fill the gap between the VA (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) and the Department of Defense that may not have known the extent to which some of these veterans were injured before they left the service.” According to a 2016 survey of post 9/11 veterans conducted by the George W. Bush Institute’s Military Service Initiative, less than 50 percent of military personnel and veterans who experience invisible wounds receive care, compared to 83 percent who have visible injuries. The survey also found that a staggering 80 percent or more of warriors surveyed believe that the significant barriers to veterans seeking care for invisible wounds is based on societal stigmas such as: embarrassment or shame, belief that their family will not understand, and belief that seeking care will result in negative repercussions in the workplace. Talcott and Smith are working to improve those percentages one veteran at a time through Boot Campaign’s Health and Wellness program. Focused on the “big five” invisible wounds – traumatic brain injury (TBI), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic pain, self-medication and insomnia – the program gets veterans access and funding to individualized and comprehensive treatment and training programs. “Boot Campaign’s values, mission and goals certainly align with my dream job to continue to serve our nation and its veterans and service members and tell their story to our communities,” reveals Talcott. 8
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“It’s an opportunity to truly make an impact with veterans struggling with invisible wounds. I love our small team of focused and dedicated patriots who are working extremely hard to make a difference in this crowded space of veteran non-profits across the nation.” During his 24-year career in the Army, Talcott developed a true understanding of both psychological and onthe-ground aspects of military service. He garnered 26 military awards, including the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Star and six Meritorious Service Medal awards. However, perhaps his most profound take-away from the Army was a deep regard for human life and a desire to help others achieve. After rising to the rank of Colonel, Talcott turned his focus to empowering others through military science education. Intrigued by military psychology and driven by the desire to create great future leaders, he
changed his trajectory to instruct at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point from 2001-04. After that he taught at UCLA and then Texas Christian University in Ft. Worth, Texas. There he closed his military career leading more than 300 cadets in the ROTC programs at TCU, Baylor University and the University of North Texas. “It was an honor and a blessing to be in the Armed Forces serving for more than 20 years with the finest men and women warriors from the greatest nation on earth,” confides Talcott, who was born into a military family with two grandfathers serving in World War II. “I considered it a calling as opposed to a job. It was a blessed career and I accomplished more than I ever dreamed or was worthy of.” When Talcott retired from the Army in 2014, he looked forward to sharing important time in Argyle, Texas, with his wife and three kids who were finishing up high school and preparing for college. He also remained committed to his military brothers and sisters. As deputy director for the Brain Performance Institute in Dallas, part of the UT-Dallas Center for BrainHealth, he was responsible for the organization’s strategic planning and operations at the $34 million facility. While the building offered programs for all people, one initiative especially resonated with him and the organization’s scientists and researchers: brain training for our military – active duty, reserves, retired, injured and even healthy veterans. At the institute Talcott worked alongside Boot Campaign CEO Shelly Kirkland who, at the time, was the Center for BrainHealth’s director of public relations. He also met Boot Campaign’s former Interim CEO Morgan Luttrell, the twin brother of fellow Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell. It was Marcus’ best-selling book Lone Survivor that inspired five Texas women to create Boot Campaign in 2009, and Morgan’s pursuit of a cognitive neuroscience graduate degree in 2016 that inspired Boot Campaign’s flagship health and wellness program. When Kirkland took the Boot Campaign reigns as the CEO in 2017, she invited Talcott to join her as COO, an opportunity he’s been hoping for since retiring from the military – to be in a position to help veterans disregard the stigmas and stereotypes of invisible wounds and get the assistance they need and deserve from a grateful nation.
Like Talcott, Smith also hails from a family of public servants. The Nevada, Mo., native followed in the footsteps of two grandfathers, multiple uncles and an older brother who served in the military when he enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2003. “I think service was the honorable thing expected within my family, whether that be in the military or other civil service, but September 11th was a defining moment for me,” explains Smith. “My dad was a firefighter and my mother a paramedic turned nurse at the time of the terror attacks. I remember seeing my dad’s fire department coming in for the local memorial service after 9/11 and seeing them emotionally distraught wearing their mourning badges. That was a driving factor in my determination to serve.” During his 10-year military career, Smith deployed to Iraq four times and spent a total of 28 months in country in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was awarded a Purple Heart for activities associated with his deployment to Ramadi, Iraq in 2005 with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines Regiment. The infantry rifleman and combat instructor also received two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medals, a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medal and the Combat Action ribbon. A current resident of Fort Worth, Texas, Smith started as a Boot Campaign volunteer after medically retiring from the Marines in June 2013. “I fully embraced the Boot Campaign mission the first time I heard it,” remembers Smith. “I loved representing and spreading the word of what Boot Campaign was up to and getting others to support us, so that was a pretty natural fit. “I look at this Boot Campaign opportunity as a continuation of my service,” he adds. “I spent years of my life keeping my fellow Marines alive and training others how to keep theirs going. I can’t do that anymore, but I can do that for my new peer group of veterans. Being able to contribute to the mission with this great team and help my fellow brothers and sisters in arms is an incredibly rewarding career.” As program manager at Boot Campaign, Smith says his most important role is working directly with veterans.
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To date, Boot Campaign has raised more than $19 million and is giving more than $2 million annually to help service members, veterans and their families from every generation. Of the more than 45,000 Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) currently registered with the IRS, only four percent work within the Health category and less than one percent gift or grant more than $1 million to those who have served. Boot Campaign is able to do both, thanks in part to the efforts and commitment of veterans like Talcott and Smith. “Chris and Kelsey are completely committed to helping fellow veterans,” says Kirkland. “It’s more than a job to them, it’s a personal mission to help make sure veterans and military families are getting what they need and, at the same time, figuring out how we, as an organization, can do better for them.
Talcott Family
“I’ve worked with Chris for more than three years prior to becoming Boot Campaign’s CEO,” she adds. “As a former Army Colonel, he is an insightful strategist with a servant heart. I feel so fortunate to have both Chris and Kelsey on our team.”
Smith Family
“I conduct initial screening and vetting of applicants and explain the program and next steps,” clarifies Smith, who completed his bachelor’s degree in human resources and organizational behavior from the University of North Texas in 2016. “I think it’s really great being that first touch-point for the guys and gals who need what we’re offering, especially hearing the excitement in their voices after learning all about it.”
Chris Talcott, Shelly Kirkland, Kelsey Smith
Learn more about Boot Campaign and its health and wellness program at www.BootCampaign.org.
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THE POSSE VETERANS PROGRAM
Go to a TOP college with the support of other veterans and FULL TUITION GUARANTEED. Posse is selecting veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces to attend:
UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
VASSAR COLLEGE
POSSE IS LOOKING FOR VETERANS WHO: • Have not previously received a bachelor’s degree • Have served at least 90 consecutive days of active duty since September 11, 2001, and have received or will receive an honorable discharge by July 1, 2019 • Can commit to a one-month pre-collegiate training program in New York City in the summer of 2019 • Are leaders in their places of work, communities and/or families
WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE POSSE VETERANS PROGRAM? Visit our website at www.possefoundation.org/veterans or email the Posse Veterans Team at veterans@possefoundation.org. GET TO KNOW A POSSE VETERAN SCHOLAR...
WHAT IS THE POSSE VETERANS PROGRAM?
GRANT KILLIAN
COLLEGE DEGREE: Each cohort—a Posse—of 10 veterans attends college together to pursue bachelor’s degrees.
University of Virginia Navy Gallatin, TN
FUNDING: Vassar College, The University of Virginia, The University of Chicago, and Wesleyan University guarantee four years of full tuition funding after GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon benefits have been applied. SUPPORT: Comprehensive training from Posse prepares veterans for the college experience and support continues on campus through graduation. CAREER: Posse offers internship opportunities, career coaching and connections to a large professional network to prepare Posse Scholars for leadership positions in the workforce.
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Grant joined the Navy after graduating from high school in 2015. He developed into a strong and effective leader while training at the Naval Special Warfare Preparatory School. At UVA, Grant hopes to study physics and international relations while actively engaging with the university and surrounding communities. Grant says, “the Posse Foundation is investing in groups of driven individuals with incredible leadership potential to have an impact on conversations, campuses, communities, and the world."
From homeless to congress, this military family continues to serve by Project Sanctuary
They were tired. Seeking hope. In need of a reset. For Nicki and Jeff Swindle and their children, something had to give. Jeff had deployed twice to Iraq, returning from his second tour with post traumatic stress disorder and a traumatic brain injury – forever changing his life. Nicki had just returned from Iraq herself, serving as a Department of the Army Civilian in support of Iraqi Freedom. They were exhausted and needed help, so they called Project Sanctuary for support. At Project Sanctuary, we believe that the everyone has the right and the ability to heal. Through six-day therapeutic retreats and two years of follow up support services, we empower service members and their families to reconnect with themselves, with each other, and ultimately with their communities, restoring resiliency and purpose. And that purpose is often continued service to their communities and their country. When the Swindles arrived at their retreat, they felt anxious. It took a little time to relax, but once they did, they were able to reconnect with one another in ways they could not have imagined. “What impressed me most was that nothing was demanded from us,” recalls Jeff. “The last thing a military family needs is to have more demands.” But it was after the retreat ended that the Swindles realized their greatest breakthrough. “Jeff was in the process of separating from the Army medically, and we had no place to live,” remembers Nicki. “We were temporarily homeless, living out of our travel trailer. Project Sanctuary took care of us, helping with follow-on care and gas cards when we had no money.” Once on their feet, Jeff, Nicki and their children reached out again, this time to give back by serving as Project Sanctuary volunteers. “We wanted an opportunity to feel ‘whole’”, Nicki explained, and through volunteerism, the family felt a sense of restoration.
Since their family retreat, Jeff, Nicki and their children have gone on to provide volunteer support at five additional Project Sanctuary retreats, supporting other military families beginning their own reconnection journeys. And they didn’t stop there. The Swindles became foster parents and have cared for more than 20 children to date. Their oldest son, Hunter, enlisted in the Army and deployed for a year to Iraq and Kuwait. Nicki, feeling called to serve in another way, commissioned in the Alabama Army National Guard as a chaplain candidate and is now running for public office – a House seat in their home state of Alabama. And the Swindles younger son, Drake, has taken his oath and enlisted in the Army as well, waiting to deploy. No matter where their lives take them, they keep in touch and keep coming back to serve with Project Sanctuary. Because they truly understand that given a chance, hope and healing are possible for all. “It has been so powerful to be able to give back, particularly to families who arrive like ours - with their guard up,” said Nicki. “I feel like Project Sanctuary is family, and I feel like I’m home when I go to volunteer.” More than 2,400 at-risk military families have taken the first step toward hope and healing by reaching out to Project Sanctuary and are currently waiting to begin our program. To learn more about how we are changing the way military families heal, visit our website: www.ProjectSanctuary.us.
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Veterans Day:
A Small Gesture Can Have a Big Impact
By Dan Schnock National Alumni Director, Wounded Warrior Project
I felt a tug on my jacket. It was 2006, I was in Washington, DC, and I was standing in line to order food at a restaurant when a young girl of about 10 tugged at my uniform to get my attention. She said, “Sir, I’d like to pay for your food.” It was a bold step that I deeply appreciated. I gently thanked her and waved at her parents, accepting their kindness with a humble heart. I still think about them and send them blessings. It was such a kind thing, and it might look like a small gesture, but has had positive ripple effects for years. That same gentle wave of kindness is what I wish for every Veterans Day. When people say, “thank you for your service,” I feel both humbled and proud. It’s great that people want to express thankfulness. I don’t think the average American has a chance to say thank you to our military service men and women very often. The beautiful thing is that no matter what political climate we’re in, that thankfulness shows that the American people back every branch of the military including every soldier, sailor, Marine, airman and Coast Guard member who makes our way of life possible. When you ask why they serve, most members of the military will say they don’t do it for the recognition. Most of us served out of a sense of duty (just doing my job) and selflessness (if not me, then who). But it’s important to recognize the sacrifices service members, and their families, make every day. On Veterans Day in particular, service members want to feel honored and welcomed into our everyday lives. Maybe all we do is fly the U.S. flag. A simple tribute. That’s all it takes to make someone feel appreciated. Let’s not wait until Memorial Day to remember the fallen heroes. Let’s celebrate the lives of those who are among us and go unnoticed. The Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) veterans you’ll read about here come from all walks of life. They have families, send their kids to school, work in our communities, and want to continue contributing – just like the rest of us, but with a perspective that makes them wise, unique, and appreciative of all the things others might take for granted.
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On Veterans Day in particular, service members want to feel honored and welcomed into our everyday lives.
Anthony Villarreal, U.S. Marine Corps How do you respond when your fellow Americans express gratitude for your military service? I feel grateful that people want to recognize and help wounded veterans and active service members. It’s good to know people are watching out for those still serving our country. I joined the military because I wanted to give back. What amazes me is how many have given back to me – their time, emotions, and wisdom –
all because they want to show thanks for my service and sacrifice. We’re all in this together. It makes me want to help my country even more. What would you like people to know about you as a veteran? I would like people to realize that veterans have goals and dreams like everyone else – some of those dreams can be outside of the military. After my injuries, I wanted to reenlist and keep serving. Later, I remembered I always had an interest in becoming a chef. I worked in the restaurant industry for two to three years before joining the military. The art of preparing dishes continues to intrigue me. How do you observe Veterans Day? I cherish Veterans Day. It’s not just a day off anymore. Now I know there are people who sacrifice. I am one of those people, and I was close to guys who didn’t make it back. To my young child, I’d try to explain there are people like Dad who joined the military because they want to make things better. On Veterans Day, we celebrate service members and let them know we’re thinking about them.
Anthony Villarreal, U.S. Marine Corps
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Lisa Crutch, U.S. Army
I observe Veterans Day in respectful ways, and by flying the flag. My neighbors know I’m a veteran because I have a flag that says, “a veteran lives here.”
How do you respond when your fellow Americans express gratitude for your military service? I feel like I was just doing my job in the Army, and sometimes I feel uncomfortable being thanked. I’ve wondered if they would thank me if they knew the things I had to do. I talk to a lot of groups representing Wounded Warrior Project, so I do have a chance to practice accepting recognition from people. What would you like people to know about you as a veteran? There are a few things I would want people to know. For instance, there are women veterans. I feel I constantly have to affirm that fact as a female veteran. Yes, I am a female veteran. Yes, I am a wounded veteran. Yes, I was the .50 cal gunner in the back of a gun truck in Iraq. Women serve in the military just like men. We serve on the front lines and do the same jobs. I also want people to know that not all wounds are visible, and just because I look OK, it doesn’t mean that I am. How do you observe Veterans Day? I observe Veterans Day in respectful ways, and by flying the flag. My neighbors know I’m a veteran because I have a flag that says, “a veteran lives here.” 18
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I will attend a parade if I have a chance, but I don’t get in line for free food, and I’d rather avoid barbecues. I think many people confuse Memorial Day and Veterans Day and miss the chance to show appreciation for living veterans in appropriate ways. Every day that I’m doing something for or with veterans is Veterans Day. I think it’s important to educate people on the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Memorial Day is for those who have passed away. Veterans Day is for living veterans like myself. The important thing about educating people is that when you know better, you do better. After my military service, I have a better understanding of many things including Veterans Day. What does Veterans Day mean to your loved ones? (from Donald Crutch, spouse) I am honored that I married a veteran who served our country. I think about what she went through, and I’m here for her. I like to say that I observe and listen like a sponge. I’m here for her to talk to and express how she feels. I know she’s been through a lot, and I like to help her get out, have fun, and stay positive.
Michael Matthews, U.S. Army
What does having veteran parents mean to you? (from Jayden Matthews, son) It makes me very happy and proud to be their son. My dad doesn’t talk a lot about being in Iraq or getting injured, but he loves sharing stories about serving. My mom now works for Texas Veterans Commission and helps veterans find employment.
As you can see, veterans continue to answer the call to service long after they stop wearing a uniform. WWP is committed to helping wounded veterans keep their sense of purpose. When they’re ready to start their next mission, WWP stands ready to serve.
How do you respond when your fellow Americans express gratitude for your military service? I feel grateful to hear people say, “thank you.” I, myself, feel thankful that I had the opportunity to serve and make a difference. I make the most of exchanges with people who want to say “thank you,” and I share positive stories about my time in active duty service. What would you like people to know about you as a veteran? That even though I’m not currently on active duty, I’m still finding ways to serve my country and my fellow citizens. I’m still serving – I’m just not in uniform. I’m still dedicated to making my city, state, and country a better place. My wife shares that dedication, and she’s also a veteran. How do you observe Veterans Day? I participate in activities with the Military Order of the Purple Heart in the Houston area, around Veterans Day, and also year-round. This might be parades, service projects, or feeding homeless veterans in collaboration with other veteran service organizations. I also get to visit schools and talk to students about veterans. I tell them, as I tell my children, that Veterans Day is a time to thank someone for their current service or for having served in the military in the past. It’s good to say “thank you” for taking time out of your life to serve your country. It’s about simply expressing gratitude to someone who has done something that only about 1 percent of our population does.
About Wounded Warrior Project Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers – helping them achieve their highest ambition. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization accredited with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), top rated by Charity Navigator, and holding a GuideStar Platinum rating. To get involved and learn how WWP connects, serves, and empowers, visit http://newsroom. woundedwarriorproject.org/about-us. About the author Dan Schnock joined Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) in 2011 and serves as national alumni director. He oversees the operation of the Alumni team, which interacts daily with wounded service members, veterans, and their families. The team provides education on WWP programs and facilitates events and opportunities for wounded veterans to connect with each other and build camaraderie. With 22 years of leadership experience in the U.S. Army, Dan brings a wealth of knowledge to the WWP team. Dan started his career as an Army lieutenant. He held numerous positions including aide-de-camp, military instructor, and operations officer. He has had the honor of commanding and leading from all levels of the Army. He deployed numerous times and culminated his military career as the U.S. military exchange officer in Albury/Wodonga, Australia
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Communities Kick Off the Giving Season with Veterans Day By Jim Lorraine, President and CEO of America’s Warrior Partnership Our team at America’s Warrior Partnership is dedicated to empowering communities to empower veterans. We believe communities can take many different forms from small neighborhoods to local outposts for groups such as the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and AMVETS. Offices and workplaces also serve as communities where employees working side by side can support each other. Every year, we see more and more businesses looking for ways to engage veterans in their employ by cultivating a workplace culture where veterans and civilians feel comfortable sharing their experiences and building camaraderie with each other. November 11 marks Veterans Day and November 27 marks Giving Tuesday, so it’s a perfect time to think about the ways that individuals and businesses alike can connect with and support fellow veterans now and throughout the rest of the year. One of the more popular ways we are seeing individuals and organizations collaborate to support veterans is through peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns. These type of campaigns enable supporters to do more than simply write a check for a donation; they provide opportunities for participants to connect with one another. Peer-to-peer fundraising typically involves individuals setting up personal pages on a campaign website where they can raise funds for a cause. By enabling individuals to set up their own fundraising page, participants are empowered to further support a cause by asking friends, family members and other members of their network to give donations through their personal page online. Participants often take this opportunity to share their own stories as they reach out to their networks. It all adds up to a more involved and personal process through which participants can not only support a worthwhile cause, but also connect with others through sharing their personal experiences. As an example of how these type of campaigns work in veteran communities, we ran our first peer-to-peer fundraising initiative last year, which we called the I Am A Warrior campaign. 20
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Our employees kicked off I Am A Warrior by creating their own fundraising pages on the campaign website and sharing links to their page with their personal networks. They each conducted outreach on their own via email, social media and other channels to help raise donations for veteran support programs offered within our affiliate communities across the nation. On social media, I Am A Warrior participants included the hashtag #IAMAWARRIOR in posts that talked about why they were fundraising through the campaign. As they posted personal stories and photos about the veterans in their lives using #IAMAWARRIOR, participants could search on social media for other people using the hashtag to see what they were sharing. This provided an invaluable opportunity for fellow veterans, family members, caregivers and civilians to connect with one another while honoring the veterans in their lives and communities. We are ramping up I Am A Warrior again this year, and we’re excited to see other nonprofits and businesses already planning to start their own pages through the campaign. Diamond Resorts, a membership organization that connects vacation goers with memorable destinations, events and experiences, will be offering their employees the opportunity to contribute to a company I Am A Warrior page or start their own fundraising page. The Four Star Alliance, our network of recreational health and wellness organizations committed to serving veterans, is also participating in this year’s campaign. As this year’s giving season approaches, we hope more businesses and organizations across the country will follow the lead of Diamond Resorts and other companies in honoring the veterans in their workplaces and communities. Starting or joining a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign in support of veteran-serving programs is a great way for companies and broader communities alike to go above and beyond fundraising to help individuals share their stories and connect with one another. Those interested in giving back to veterans, their families and caregivers this year can learn more about how they can get started by visiting AmericasWarriorPartnership.org/IAmAWarrior. About the Author Jim Lorraine is President and CEO of America’s Warrior Partnership, a national nonprofit that helps veteranserving organizations connect with veterans, military members and families in need. Learn more about the organization at www.AmericasWarriorPartnership.org.
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Standing up for
WOMEN VETERANS DAV report recommends improvements for growing demographic By Ashleigh Byrnes
A
rmy veteran Shaelynn Casserly spent four and a half years recovering after an improvised explosive device blast in Afghanistan, undergoing more than 60 surgeries. But from the moment she arrived at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, she found that the majority of people around her failed to make the connection between her injuries and her wartime experience. “Instead of asking what happened or how I got hurt, people would ask if I fell—like I was a 10-year-old that fell off my bike,” said Casserly. “From the beginning, no one would assume I was a combat veteran.” Experiences like hers are why DAV introduced its new report Women Veterans: The Journey Ahead. The publication spotlights how the expanding role of women in our armed forces necessitates policy and program changes in the VA and other federal agencies. It includes 45 key recommendations covering a broad range of issues affecting women veterans, including primary and gender-specific health care, mental health and readjustment services, and disability and employment benefits. “With major reforms underway to modernize VA’s health care and benefits processing systems, it is imperative that Congress and VA focus on fully addressing the unique needs of the more than halfmillion women veterans using VA services,” said National Legislative Director Joy Ilem. “Although progress has been made in recent years, there remain long-standing, systemic barriers preventing many women from accessing the health care and benefits they have earned through their military service.” The new DAV report pointed out the unique set of
Read the full report at www.davwomenveterans.org.
circumstances and needs of women veterans compared to male counterparts. For example, female veterans tend to be younger, more racially and ethnically diverse, and to have child care responsibilities. They are more likely to be divorced or not married, but when married, they are five times more likely to be in a dual-servicemember marriage. As a result, women veterans are less likely to have a family support system and often shoulder greater economic stress. Additionally, the suicide rate among women veterans is 2.5 times higher than their civilian counterparts. Additionally, the report shares personal stories, like Casserly’s, that demonstrate how cultural shortcomings have continued to plague the VA and other federal agencies as they learn to meet the unique needs of this demographic. “Stories like Shaelynn’s are the reason we’re working so hard to correct this,” said Ilem. “As women veterans, we have gotten used to the surprised looks when we volunteer during a conversation that we served, too. But we shouldn’t have to. And now is the time for the VA to consider how to change the culture to ensure that the role of women in the military and the sacrifices they made are understood, acknowledged and appreciated.” n
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“It was the best weekend of my life!” By Holly Shaffner
Our nation’s World War II veterans served between 1939 and 1945. If they enlisted at 17 years old, that makes our youngest WWII veterans around the age of 90. So when a WWII veteran returns from their “Tour of Honor” and tells a reporter that his/her trip was the best weekend of their life…that is HUGE! The “Tour of Honor” trip is provided by Honor Flight San Diego, a local non-profit organization that takes the most senior veterans and veterans who have terminal illnesses to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials dedicated to their service and sacrifice. The trip is more than just visiting memorials - it is also a time for these veterans to make new friends, share their stories and build that military camaraderie they may have missed for the last 70+ years. For three straight days, they are honored, thanked and appreciated for their military service and for some it is emotional. For the majority of the WWII veterans, they answered the call of duty and did what our nation asked of them. After war there was no celebration, no homecoming when they returned from war and the majority of them went back to work in the civilian job they had left behind. One of the biggest challenges for Honor Flight San Diego is locating the remaining Southern California WWII veterans. According to census results, there are about 240,000 military veterans living in San Diego County. David Smith is the founder of Honor Flight San Diego and said, “Finding those remaining WWII veterans and getting them on their “Tour of Honor” before it is too late is one of our greatest challenges.” Honor Flight San Diego has been flying veterans since 2010 and after this past September trip, the organization has taken over 1,300 veterans – the vast majority being WWII veterans. The trip is at no cost to the veteran and is 100% funded through donations. That is the next biggest challenge. Each flight costs about $240,000 and they do as many as they can fund, usually two flights per year. Julie Brightwell took over as chairman in January 2017 and had to make the heart-wrenching decision to cancel their spring 2017 flight due to lack of funding. Ms. Brightwell said, “If funding were not an issue, we could take two to four trips a year, including a special flight such as an all-woman veteran flight and we could get to the Vietnam era veterans sooner.”
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Every flight is unique with the veteran’s stories, backgrounds and military service. What remains the same is that each flight is comprised of 80 veterans from either WWII or Korea era and each veteran has a guardian - someone who is their “battle buddy” for the weekend. Even though these veterans do not consider themselves heroes, the organization calls them heroes and a typical flight could have men or women from any of the five armed services, former Prisoners of War, Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipients, veterans over the age of 100 and veterans who served in every battle during WWII or Korea. Some of those heroes over the years have been men who saw the flag being raised on Iwo Jima, men who parachuted into Normandy on D-Day, Pearl Harbor Survivors, Bullfrog 1, Chosin Reservoir Survivors, and military women supporting those efforts. Each trip is filled with unique stories - one of the Navy’s first black Chief Petty Officers who recently had a building named for him at Naval Air Station North Island, brothers who served together, a veteran who was a child and survived the Holocaust to become a U.S. military member, and a Korea era veteran who was just eight years old when he and his family were taken as prisoners in WWII – he and one of the camp’s liberators who freed him were together on the trip. A typical flight starts with the Honor Flight San Diego volunteer team leaders arriving at the airport at 0400 on the Friday they fly out. They set up and are ready for when the first veteran arrives to check-in. The veterans are told to be there by 0600 but many are so excited that many can’t sleep the night before and arrive to airport as the team is setting up.
The veterans are flown by charter aircraft to BWI airport and it is on this leg of the trip they receive a big surprise – Mail Call. They are given letters, cards and pictures made by local scout troops, elementary schools and organizations. But the ones that are most special are those from their family. Each veteran receives a package of mail and they open every envelope and handle every letter and picture with great care. On Friday night they get checked into their rooms, have a group dinner and then retire for the night. On Saturday they board charter buses and head to Washington, D.C. Their first stop is the National WWII Memorial, followed by the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, the U.S. Air Force Memorial and the U.S. Navy Yard Museum. One of the most impactful stops is at Arlington National Cemetery where they witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony. The women veterans stop at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial where they are greeted by retired Air Force Brigadier General Wilma L. Vaught and are presented with certificates and entered into the memorial’s database. Continued on next page >
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TOUR OF HONOR Since 2010, Honor Flight San Diego has flown more than 1,300 veterans on their “Tour of Honor�
Do you know a WWII or Korea War veteran who has never flown on Honor Flight and would like to go on the next trip? Please complete the Veteran Application at:
www
. honorflightsandiego.org For more information, email us at:
information@honorflightsandiego.org
The Next Trip to Washington, D.C. is May 3-5, 2019 26
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The final surprise of the trip is the San Diego homecoming. The doors open to the plane and they can already hear the crowd cheering for them – but they don’t know it is for them. They get to the top of the escalator or the elevator and it is a sea of red, white and blue, American flags and 800-1000 people chanting – USA! USA! USA! When they realize this is THEIR homecoming, it is hard to control the emotions, even for the most hardened of the military men and women. That is the homecoming they deserve, because after all, they are our HEROES!
If you know a WWII or Korea War veteran who wants to go on Tour of Honor, or to learn more about the organization, or donate to the non-profit, please go to: www.honorflightsandiego.org. You can also follow them on Facebook@HonorFlightSanDiego.
Honor Flight San Diego’s next trip will be in May 2019. Photo Credits: Zach Coco, Dian Self, Heather Shough, Holly Shaffner, Dave Ballek
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GOT TEN MINUTES FOR A VET?
Recently an Air Force veteran in San Diego had a tough time finding a job using his airframe skills and resorted to living in his car. He had heard about San Diego’s Vet’s Community Connections (VCC) and decided to contact them. Calling 2-1-1 he reached VCC’s Vet Connector and spoke to him about what he was looking for in a career. VCC referred him to the Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 206, where he learned the steps he needed to take to get the career he was looking for. The veteran is now awaiting his board interview and scheduled for training. VCC also introduced him to an Easter Seals representative who was able to help him find temporary housing and a quick part-time job while waiting for his training. In essence, what this veteran really needed was simply connections.
VCC is the brainchild of the initiative’s co-founders: Former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs Doug Wilson and organizational management specialist Kari McDonough, who now serve as VCC’s Board Chair and President, respectively.
Hundreds of men and women who served America in uniform on battlefields across the world are finding that Vets’ Community Connections in San Diego, South Bend (IN) and Phoenix/Maricopa County (AZ) -- with connection success rates of more than 92% -- are providing a direct, human and personally relevant solution for expanding their networks and getting answers to their questions about life in their community. The three sites were selected from more than 20 nationwide options as VCC’s launch communities and have been in operation for more than two years.
who did; and wanted to do more than just say “thanks for your service”, but didn’t know how.
Both had long been actively involved in civilian-military relations, and both shared a frustration that little was being accomplished at the community level to bridge the civilian-military divide. Wilson and McDonough knew that most Americans had never served in uniform; greatly admired those who did; and wanted to do more than just say “thanks for your service”, but didn’t know how.
They also knew that returning veterans and their families lacked the personal connections and community networks that would enable them to find the normalcy and sense of community belonging for which so many of them were searching unsuccessfully. The core of the VCC initiative is involvement by community residents from all walks of life. In San Diego and the other launch sites, the community plays a significant role in VCC’s design and implementation. “Got Ten Minutes?” summarizes VCC’s key outreach message to local residents: you can provide information returning veterans, military and their families need, and you can do so using your own experience and knowledge and based on your own time and schedule. VCC doesn’t reinvent the wheel. But it does understand that veterans aren’t looking for more impersonal websites – they’re looking for direct, human connections to get information, a finding reinforced by a 2015 San Diego Chamber of Commerce survey of area veterans and their families. Building upon existing community resources, VCC partners with local 2-1-1 call centers, which already connect residents to nonprofit or government
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The Vet Connectors link veteran and military family callers with local residents who can use their experience and expertise to personally tailor the answers to questions like: Can I talk to someone in the health field to find out if that career is really for me? What are the schools like in this neighborhood? What museums and venues offer discounts or special engagements for veteran/military families? Can you recommend a trusted home or car repair expert? VCC also partners with the myriad of local veteran support organizations adding to their service offerings by finding ways to involve local businesses and individuals. VCC is a low cost operation, capitalizing on partnerships with 211 call centers, local Chamber of Commerces, Americorps/VISTA, and the National Association of Counties, which facilitates connections with county leaders across the nation. Wounded Warrior Project has provided VCC with its major national financial support to date, with additional funding coming from local counties, foundations and corporations. VCC has reached out to residents from all walks of life to participate, and the response has been significant: handymen, business leaders, restaurant owners, lawyers, doctors, dentists, school administrators, arts and entertainment professionals, religious leaders, police and firefighters, state and local officials, and recreation organizations have been part of some or all of VCC’s operations in their three launch sites.
“Careers in the Community” VCC’s “Careers in the Community” was designed with the input of leading local veteran organizations that identified a gap in current career education for veterans, military, spouses: While job fairs give them access to organizations that may/may not be hiring, and job training programs give them access to specific skill sets, there are few opportunities to explore upclose and personal what career tracks are available in local organizations. “Careers in the Community” is looking for organizations to participate in the upcoming year. Participating organizations are asked to host a 1 ½ - 3 hour program on-site for 8-15 participants to include:
The success stories are powerful. In San Diego, a veteran and former accountant contacted VCC asking how she could get back into the workforce following a few years as a stay-at-home mom. VCC linked her with a local CPA who had signed up to help and had previously owned his own accounting firm. He spoke with her about future business plans, government contracts, and non-profit grant writing -- and she left with some clear options and next steps for restarting her career. “Our actual lives are influenced by millions of events that interact in mysterious ways,” wrote columnist David Brooks in a recent New York Times piece on the concept of collective impact. “And when life is going well it’s because dozens of influences are flowing together and reinforcing one another.” In applying the collective impact concept to successful community reintegration for returning veterans and their families, VCC is having considerable success. This Veteran’s Day, you can be part of that success:
if you have ten minutes for a vet, take a minute, go to www.vetscommunityconnections.org and learn how quick, easy – and meaningful – that is to do.
• A meet and greet with an HR professional who provides an overview of organization careers, how to apply, and what makes a strong application • A networking coffee, breakfast, or lunch (optional) • Follow-up with VCC to evaluate the program
For further information please contact: Shya Ellis-Flint, VCC Program Manager, Shya@VCCSanDiego.org
• A small panel of employees (preferably including some veterans) from various areas of your company to engage in a question and answer session
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© 2018 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved.
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“The men and women who serve our Nation deserve our support — Today, Tomorrow, Always —” www.vancnorthcounty.org
Congratulations to our graduates! After the first four week presentation of our new Military Transition Services classes, I have to say we all had a real good time! Congratulations to our graduates, our faculty and our VANC Board for their involvement, their efforts and the results which speak for themselves. Every night we started in the bar for dinner and libations as most of us had just gotten off of work. Dinner was always something special; delicious, different every night, and made from scratch by VANC Executive Director Lori Boody. Classes started after everyone was fed and the classes were taught by a combination of Human Resources professionals and business people some veterans and some not. The team that taught, had spent months putting together the curriculum for each class to follow a logical progression. The first class included a panel of veterans who had transitioned from the military into careers in the community. The opportunity to hear from people who have already walked the path our students were preparing for. Next class we identified the strengths and skills of the class members individually. We used this screening process to help identify the kind of work that our graduates were best suited for and compared this to their interests. After we helped our graduates consider the jobs they were interested in and that matched their skills, we spent the next series working on their communications skills. Networking skills and LinkedIn skills were the start of this. It is crucial for our graduates to begin to use the tools that much of the civilian population use every day. This includes connections they have made in organizations they may be interested in working. Then we worked on the resume that would help them apply for the jobs they were interested in. Our time on resumes provided a great deal of style and substance discussion.
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Now that our class had the tools, knew their talents and were prepared to communicate them to their target companies, we introduced them to ideas on how to reach out within the local community. We had both husbands and wives in our classes so we made sure to include tools for spouses. We practiced our interview skills and conducted mock interviews so that, when we were finished, our graduates had the skills, the practice and most importantly a group of dedicated professionals cheering for them, supporting them and making sure that they knew we were here to help them be successful in their transition from the military, to the community. Again, a big thank you to our faculty, congratulations to our graduates, and a big thanks for dinner to our beloved Executive Director: Lori Boody! On Monday November 12th one of most honored traditions will take place. The Veterans Day Ceremony honoring all who served. Join us and the VANC choir, gold star wives and guest speaker Col Philip G. Antekeier, Commanding Officer, Headquarters and Support Battalion MCIWEST - MCB Camp Pendleton for a morning of celebration to honor our American heroes. The ceremony is from 10 am to 12 noon followed by lunch. If you would like more information you can go to www.vanc.me or follow us on facebook at VANC.
If you are a veteran or an active duty military family member, there is a lot of things we can do for you at VANC. If you live in our community, we would love to see you at VANC. You can volunteer, you can donate, or just come and enjoy our events. If you are a member of the veteran service community, join us on the first Monday of each month at noon for an opportunity to network with others serving our veterans. And when you walk in the door, sign in to our guest book. Welcome to Veterans Association of North County.
H
RIN O N O
G
ALL
WHO
SERV
ED
Veterans Day Ceremony
NOVEMBER 12, 2018 @ 10:00 AM 1617 Mission Avenue, Oceanside, CA | Call 760.722.1277 for details
Lunch and refreshments will be served after the ceremony www.vanc.me |
VANC
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ENLISTED TO ENTREPRENEUR By Vicki Garcia
Instant Business:
DROP SHIPPING
If you’re looking for a business you can run from your office chair or the beach with minimal financial outlay, you might want to consider Dropshipping. When you search for a product, let’s say a Santa Claus costume for your Weimaraner, several sites come up with products. These sites (including Amazon) don’t have a warehouse filled red fur-trimmed get-ups for your lanky, perpetual canine energy machine. Instead, you’re looking at a “retail fulfillment” method that doesn’t stock the products it sells.
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(Part 1)
When that online store sells a product, it purchases the item from a third party and has it shipped directly to the customer. The merchant never sees or handles the product. This means you can get into selling almost any product with no big investment or physical office. Pretty cool, huh?
The Good Side
VS The Down Side
The Dropshipping model has several benefits and drawbacks:
The Good Side 1. No Capital Required – One of the biggest
Do you hear a celestial chorus singing? Does it sound like all rainbows and blue skies? Hold it! There is a price to be paid and here it is.
The Down Side
advantages to dropshipping is that it’s possible to launch an ecommerce store without investing thousands of dollars in inventory up front. Actually, little money at all.
1. Low Margins – People are out there shopping their heads off, but since there many websites, they are looking for the lowest price. You may need to keep prices competitive and sell a large volume of goods.
2. Cash Flow Joy - You don’t have to purchase a product unless you already have made the sale and have been paid for it. You buy the Santa Costume with the money from the customer, keeping your markup.
2. Competition- Since it’s easy to get started and the overhead costs are low “etooties” (ttps://tinyurl.com/ y8r8fzb4) will set up shop and sell items at rock-bottom prices. They’ve invested so little they can afford to operate on minuscule margins.
3. Get Started Quick – Running an ecommerce dropshipping business is much easier when you don’t have to deal with physical products. You don’t worry about -
3. Cutthroat Jerks - Sellers with log-quality websites and poor customer service can quickly destroy the profit margin in a niche.
• Managing or paying for a warehouse • Packing/shipping your orders • Tracking inventory • Handling returns • Continually managing stock levels 4. Low Overhead – With dropshipping, your overhead expenses are low. Many successful dropshipping businesses are run from home for less than $100 per month. And, these expenses will still be low as you grow. 5. Freedom – You can run a dropshipping business while you’re laying on the beach in Jamaica sipping on a Pina Colada if you have an internet connection. If you can communicate with suppliers and customers easily, you can run and manage your business. 6. A Wide Product Range – Since don’t have to prepurchase the things you sell, you can offer a wide range of products to your potential customers. If suppliers stock an item, you can list if for sale on your website at no additional cost. 7. Growth Potential – By leveraging dropshipping suppliers, most of the work to process additional orders is done by the suppliers, allowing you to expand easily.
4. Inventory Issues –Inventory can change daily and syncing your inventory with suppliers can be vexing. (But it can be done) 5. Shipping Complexities – The products on your website may be sourced through several different drop shippers. This complicates your shipping costs. 6. Customer Service – If you don’t like helping people, you may not like the customer service element inherent in dropshipping. People will complain. Suppliers will make errors. You need to be willing to take responsibility for things that are not your fault. This is starting to sound like work. I didn’t say dropshipping is a passive side hustle. It’s a business. You must work it and make good decisions.
In Part 2 we’ll look at how to pick the right products to sell (probably your most important decision), how much to mark up your products, how to market your business, and more stuff.
Vicki Garcia is the Co-Founder of Operation Vetrepreneur & President of Marketing Impressions, a 30+ -year- old marketing consulting firm. Apply to join Operation Vetrepreneur’s FREE Think Tank Groups at www.veteransinbiz.com or visit www.operationvetrepreneur.vet for more info.
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Serendipitous Moments “So, what is it Like to be a Veteran?” by Colleen Schuste
The other day I was asked what it feels like to be a veteran. I was surprised at how speechless I was, and my mind suddenly went blank as I scrambled for how I would answer this question. I then realized it wasn’t the question of being a veteran that stumped me, but the context of the question; this question didn’t single out my gender like the others. “What’s it like to be a woman veteran” is how I was usually asked about my veteran experience. This however, was a question I had always hoped to be asked, but I guess I never really had an answer prepared. I had spent so long answering that last question I had conditioned myself to an automated response. What a refreshing question. Lately I have to say I am more so than ever feeling the inclusiveness of “veteran” status, I feel this through a new emerging network of resources I have started accessing. These resources I stumbled upon one day during an internet search. I recently attended a women’s networking event and found contact information for the San Diego Women’s Veteran Network. I connected with Chair, Billiekai Boughton one morning and since I have been connected to a rabbit hole of supportive resources, empowerment and friendships I feel are unconditionally there for me. I was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in 2007 and immediately transitioned into civilian life by trying to leave my Marine past behind me. I enrolled in college and started a part-time job at a local bar. Suddenly all my shirts read ‘San Diego State University’ rather than USMC. My status was student, not military, and hardly ever veteran. I didn’t really enjoy all the male heavy veteran groups and even though I was a strong 36
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athlete, I didn’t want to be a part of the competitive military and veteran athletic clubs or teams. Where were all my fellow lady veterans? I would join a group for that. Flash forward to 2016 when I started volunteering with San Diego women nonprofit organizations. This is what I was missing! Through this network I have cultivated friendships, ambition and knowledge on what opportunities are available to me as a veteran. My teammates encourage and foster inclusiveness with other veteran organizations to partner with and support each other in the fight for our entire veteran family to have access to what we need to thrive post military service.
When I think I about what it means to be a veteran, the first thing that comes to mind are the faces of the men and women I’ve served with. Funny how specific people come to mind rather than a catch phrase or an agenda and goal. Family. Being a veteran means being part of a family of those who have shared our most intimate moments and toughest experiences. These people will forever have a place in our thoughts and personality just as any blood relative could. Being part of that comradery is something I would not have if I wasn’t a veteran. I truly believe in what my dad, a Marine Corps Vietnam Veteran, calls “serendipitous moments”, where something happens at that specific moment in time for a specific reason. Maybe time was saving that question for me only to be asked at the moment I am ready to answer.
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FINANCIAL READINESS Your source for a “wealth of information”
By Lara Ryan & Mark Alberts
SP NLT 1500 IOT BIAW BDE LD & OBJ DTG Start patrol • no later than • 3pm • in order to • be in accordance with • brigade • line of departure • and • objective • date time group
Can you translate this? For (most of) you reading this magazine, this sentence makes perfect sense. It says – in other words, get on it and start patrol at 3pm and not a second later than that in order to be in accordance with the brigade’s overall requirement to be at the line of departure and meet the time on target/deadline for the objective. But, for a civilian, it looks like a string of typos. Similarly, when talking to military/veteran and military-connected individuals and families, common civilian understanding of commercial insurance, employer benefits like 401k, disability insurance, quarterly and annual taxes, and terms of a conventional mortgages are all unfamiliar. Servicemembers and their families often haven’t had the exposure to and experience with usual civilian financial terms and concepts. We haven’t had to! But military members and their families have also not been given enough opportunity to even master military pay and benefits. How can that be? While the military is exceptional in so much of the training it provides, financial readiness is typically a struggle point. Military servicemembers are highly-educated and extensively trained at making difficult split-second decisions and performing highly technical procedures. However, in the course of their service, they receive little to no training in: • Personal finance • Investing • Insurance • Taxes • Budgeting, and • Achieving financial independence. Sure, there are courses and classes available to servicemembers and spouses, but the focus on financial readiness is usually emphasized at military milestones like PCS, deployment, and transition. Unfortunately, in the fray that is those three high stress times, the ability to address and act on best practices in financial planning is largely overshadowed by a focus on moving, leaving, and finding a civilian job. Our goal is to change that – to help you create FINANCIAL READINESS to establish FINANCIAL FREEDOM. This column will make sure you get the FIN(anancial) GOUGE – with some information specifically applicable to servicemembers and your families – and to be your financial flak jacket to prepare you to be bulletproof. We want to increase the odds of success – financial and otherwise – and arm you with the necessary intel to come out ahead and win on the financial battlefield. 38
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So rather than let your transition become a financial war zone, where debt is the enemy and wealth is the goal, and instead of losing a battle you don’t even consciously realize you’re fighting, let’s address the two major issues and then make COA recommendations. There are two basic issues we see in the financial discussions we have with military servicemembers and their families: • Lack of information, and • Lack of certainty over how/where to start. We would suggest you approach your finances with the same mindset you’ve learned in service – prepare for the battle, understand your mission and your enemy, know the weapons and resources at your disposal, set up your plan of attack, improvise, adapt and overcome, and – in the end – conquer the enemy and complete the mission. Look to us each month to offer some FIN(ANCIAL) BASIC training. We’ll address questions like these: • Do you plan to use your veteran education benefits? For yourself? For a dependent? Have you looked into how to make the assignment of that benefit and/or the service requirements to do so? • Do you know about CALVET education benefits? Can you confidently answer whether it is dependent on your state of residency of that of the dependent? • Have you thought about when you’d like to be in a position not to have to work after post-military civilian career? How much does it cost to retire? • Did you contribute to TSP? How is your TSP allocated? • Do you know the five options you have for your TSP postservice? • Do you plan to contribute to the group retirement savings plan at your next job? Do you know contribution limits and tax advantages? • Knowing you’ve had $400,000 of SGLI, how much life insurance do you really need and want? How does the cost of VGLI compare to commercial life insurance? Each month the column will focus on a military/veteranrelevant financial topic. We want you to be fully mission capable, and we’ll help you understand the concepts and context, be comfortable making financial-related decisions and arriving at your answers to questions like those above.
THE ECONOMIC IMPACT Of VETERANS By Joe Molina www.vccsd.org Veterans Chamber of Commerce veteransccsd@gmail.com
According to the 2017 reports released by Small Business Administration (SBA), veterans owned majority interest in 2.52 million businesses as at 2012. Their commitment to serving the country via entrepreneurship and job creation is evident by the data provided below by the SBA. Veteran-owned firms employed 5.03 million people and boasted of an annual payroll of $1.14 trillion in 2012 Representing 9.1% of all US businesses, the presence of veteran-owned firms cut across industries like mining, quarrying, oil and gas, accommodation, food services, fire insurance, utility, manufacturing, technical services, etc. With over 40% of veteran employers offered their employees’ health insurance contributions, 49.7% offered paid holiday, vacation, and sick leave, and 4.4% offered tuition assistance and/or reimbursement. Studies by the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics from 1979 to 2003, 2014, and 2016 showed that veterans had a higher self-employment rate than non-veterans. Compared to 35.7% of non-veteran owners, 42.4% of veteran-owners were reported to have prior business excellence. Military experience is a strong indicator of selfemployment! Efforts by the government, private organisations, and individuals to promote veteran-owned businesses have been positive. The U.S. Small Business Administration has worked to boost veteran-owned business by loaning $1.1 billion to 3,500 veteran-owned businesses in 2017 and providing them with counselling, training, and mentorship. Another commendable effort is the enactment of the Veteran Entrepreneurship Act of 2015 which allows veteran or military spouses to gain access to capital with ‘zero’ up-front guarantee fees for SBA Express loans. It is important that veteran-owned businesses be offered better access to credit and financing products. Veteran-owned businesses have been able to contribute to the economy despite the fact that over 50% depend on personal or family savings and just short of 8% depend on loans from banks and other commercial lenders, one could only imagine the greater impact they would have should they get access to better credit products and have more financing available to them.
Employers still have some learning to do, in a poll conducted by RallyPoint/Rasmussen Reports say that private companies do not count their military service as a professional asset. Veterans demonstrate that their years in active service have equipped them with the skills and leadership abilities they need to contribute meaningfully to the growth of the U.S. economy. According to the Small busiess.com report states that in the US over 2.5 million businesses are owned or have majority ownership in the business. And that some of these businesses have employees and some are selfemployed own businesses. It is remarkable to note that almost half of million of the veteran-owned businesses have employees, but the most exiting detail is that over 2 million veterans like to be in control and drive their own path, by creating small businesses or becoming self-employed (no employees) a reflection of an increase gig economy trend within the veteran community. By the Numbers: Veterans contribute to the economy with over Trillion in revenue sales, this is an amazing impact and amazing contribution into our communities. Veterans are also Employers! Veteran-owned business contribute into the payroll system with over $190 Billion dollars in payroll and over 5 Million hired employees. Not all Businesses are the same! The areas that tend to have a higher “taste” for veterans is technical services and construction. Veterans who understand the process of government contracting and are in these two fields may see a wealth opportunities and the ability to have consistent contracts. There are other areas where veterans have a good match for business, like in Franchising, Due to the strict structure of the business model, it does appear to be a great fit for veterans. In Summary: Veteran-owned businesses have a great impact in the US economy contributing sales and job opportunities, helping keep our communities thriving and vibrant!!! Of course, entering the world of business after the military may have its own challenges, The Veterans Chamber of Commerce will be happy to provide a step-by-step guide on the process of registering and obtaining contracts, starting a business and managing your business. No cost to join! - Of course!
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legal
By Kelly Bagla. Esq.
FROM VETERAN TO BUSINESS OWNER Did you know out of the 27.9 million businesses in the Untied States, 2.45 million of them are owned by Veterans? 70% of American consumers are more likely to buy from a veteran owned business than from a business not owned by a veteran. Starting or running a business takes courage, discipline and dedication. It also takes knowing the legal aspects that could safe guard your hard work. Before starting, running or buying a business consider the following: HAVE A BUSINESS PLAN. A complete, thoughtful business plan is one of the most valuable tools in helping you reach your long-term goals. It gives your business direction, defines your objectives, maps out strategies to achieve your goals and helps you to manage possible bumps in the road. OBTAIN FINANCING. Whether you are starting a new business or buying an existing one, small businesses need money. If you or your spouse served in the military and would like to fund your small business, you can take advantage of a few different favorable loan options geared towards veterans. INCORPORATE YOUR BUSINESS. Many small business owners launch their companies as sole proprietorships in which they and their businesses are essentially one and the same. However, changing the format of a small business to a corporation or a limited liability company can offer a range of advantages for entrepreneurs. The advantages of incorporating a small business include:
• Compete for more contracts. Some businesses require vendors and contracting companies to be incorporated before they can compete for contracts. • Entice and hold employees with stock options. A corporation has an advantage in attracting talented employees by offering employees partial ownership in the business through stock options. 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 you. For more information on how to legally protect your business please pick up a copy of my book: ‘Go Legal Yourself’ on Amazon or visit my website at www.baglalaw.com - (760) 784-9109 NOTHING COMPARES at this price to Go Legal Yourself ® Startup Essentials Package. This specialized, customizable package of legal contracts and documents includes everything a startup company needs to protect its assets from the beginning. You won't find these contracts online anywhere but here. Compare Go Legal Yourself ® Startup Essentials Package against the rest:
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• Personal asset protection. Both corporations and limited liability companies allow owners to separate and protect their personal assets. • Additional credibility and name protection. Adding “Inc.” or “LLC” after your business name can add instant legitimacy and authority. Consumers, vendors and partners frequently prefer to do business with an incorporated company. • Perpetual existence. Corporations and limited liability companies can continue to exist even if ownership or management changes. Sole proprietorships and partnerships just end if an owner dies or leave the business. • Deductible expenses. Both corporations and limited liability companies may deduct normal business expenses, including salaries. 40
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-4 E m ployer Identification N um ber
x x
x
FINANCIAL
By Chris Martin
Yearly Financial Planning
I would also recommend that you check your credit reports once a year. This is a good way to verify that all of the information is correct and that some fraudster has not gotten credit cards in your name. If you have tackled your debt during the year, this is a good way to check to make sure those accounts have been closed out. Consider having your insurance policies reviewed on a yearly basis. Do you need to increase or decrease coverage? Can you combine coverage of items for a discount? Don’t forget to check your beneficiary information on your insurance policies or you’re bank accounts to make sure those are up to date.
It is always a good idea to check your finances on a regular basis to see where you stand. This could mean checking your tax withholding mid-year to see if you need to adjust it, checking your health savings accounts, and checking your credit reports. If you had to write a check to the state or IRS for last year’s taxes, you might consider increasing your withholding so you don’t have to do that again next year. If you had a large refund, you might want to consider decreasing your withholding so you have more money in your paycheck every month. Checking your withholding is simple. Take your latest paycheck that shows year-do-date balances. Pull out last year’s taxes and pencil out what you would be paying in taxes if you ended the year today. If you did change your withholding at the beginning of the year, this is a great way to see if you are on track or if you need to adjust you’re withholding. You might want to do the same thing with your health savings account if you have one. What is your balance? Do you need to increase or decrease your health savings account for next year? You don’t want to leave money available in that account and forget to use it.
If you have tackled that debt and are now debt free, then do you need to increase your savings or retirement accounts? Do you need to seek out an investment or retirement counselor to maximize your savings and retirement? Other things to consider: Did you know you can add to a savings account by having a certain amount automatically moved from your checking account to a savings account? Did you know that you can often change the due dates of some bills to better align with pay days? Did you know that some companies will offer a small discount for you being in the military or with a certain employer? Some companies will even offer a discount if you have their bill automatically deducted every month. Yearly financial reviews are not sexy or entertaining, but are an essential part of your financial health and your future. Consider it like changing the batteries in your smoke detectors, a function that simply needs to be done every year.
Chris Martin, Army veteran, spent 32 years working for IRS as a Revenue Officer, Collection Manager and Fraud Specialist before retiring. She currently works for an national bank as a senior fraud investigator.
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JOBS FOR VETS
Careers In Law Enforcement Visit Today For Law Enforcement Profiles & Job Openings
HomelandMagazine.com JOBS FOR VETS LAW ENFORCEMENT 44
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Military service can be a perfect entrance into a law enforcement career. Military and law enforcement personnel have had a long-standing relationship with overlaps in training exercises, equipment, and, most important, personnel. It is not uncommon for a service member to make the jump from the military to law enforcement, as both professions look for the same characteristics; leadership, fidelity, chain of command, and teamwork are all common themes in both professions. Quite understandably, many American military veterans often gravitate to a career in law enforcement when the time comes to rejoin the civilian workforce. The two professions have many fundamental similarities; from the uniforms they wear with pride, to the firm command structure they serve under, to great personal risk they endure while protecting those who cannot protect themselves.
Opportunities in Law Enforcement
You’ve served your country, now serve your community! The following agencies are actively hiring & proudly support our veterans, active military and the families that keep together.
We thank you for your service, to all the men and women in law enforcement around the world for your courage, your commitment & your sacrifice. - Homeland Magazine -
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Considering a Law Enforcement Career? By Special Agent Ray Baez US Army Veteran & Father of a United States Marine
Today’s soldiers, marines, sailors and airmen have a wealth of resources available through their specific branch’s Transitional Assistance Programs (TAP) in preparation for their separation of service. During my time as a Senior Background Investigator/Recruitment Coordinator for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), I have spoken to many young men and women who serve our country and desire a career in law enforcement after separation from service. And why not? It’s an honorable profession and a natural transition from military service to public service with many similarities such as rank, uniform and chain-of-command. It’s the path that I chose. I enlisted into the delayed entry program for the U. S. Army on October 25, 1984. That path was clear to me; I knew entering my senior year of high school what I was going to do after I graduated. However, what was unclear to me was my path after my military service. I initially enlisted for two years and remember reporting to Fort Jackson, South Carolina for Basic Training on August 1, 1985, and after eight weeks of training, I reported to my MOS school. On January 3, 1986, I reported to the 3rd Infantry Division in Wurzburg, West Germany where after a few days I officially received orders to report to the Headquarters Troop, 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Ledward Barracks, Schweinfurt, West Germany. I enjoyed my time with the Cav so much so that my Expiration Term of Service (ETS) date of July 31, 1987, quickly arrived. At the time of my ETS the Army offered no Transitional Assistance Program that I was aware of. I had nothing lined up as far as employment so two days before I was supposed to fly to Fort Dix, New Jersey to separate from the Army, I extended for a year and reported to United States Army, Information Systems Command (USAISC, Site R) Fort Ritchie, Maryland. The year extension went fast and once again, I was approaching my ETS with no plan. I was unemployed for three months and my wife and I were not financially prepared for that. I share this so that service men and women can start thinking about what they want to do when their military service is complete. Ideally, eighteen months prior to your ETS you should start your transitional phase. If law enforcement is something you are interested in eighteen months is ideal. 46
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The process to become a law enforcement professional can take up to two years but normally, it takes around twelve to eighteen months. It starts by choosing the department that you would like to be a part of. There are many law enforcement agencies throughout our country that are seeking well qualified applicants and, these days, all are in competition for the most qualified of them. From cities to counties to state, a law enforcement profession offers you great pay, benefits and retirement. The process usually starts with a written test, a physical fitness test, oral interview, background investigation, and medical/psychological evaluation. In California, most agencies will accommodate out of state applicants by scheduling multiple phases of testing in a one or two day period. The cost to travel for testing is absorbed by the candidate but generally, most agencies will limit it to two trips. If you happen to complete the process and are offered a position, prior to your ETS date, agencies will usually accommodate you by holding a position at the academy until you are able to attend, up to a reasonable amount of time (differs by agency). Now here’s where I tell you about my department. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) is one of the largest law enforcement agencies in the country, employing approximately 33,000 sworn peace officers. It is one of the higher paid law enforcement agencies and offers you endless opportunities to advance in your career. CDCR has 35 institutions, three youth facilities, parole offices, fire camps, and specialized units in gang management, internal affairs and fugitive apprehension throughout the state. With a starting base salary of approximately $70,000/year and with the opportunity to work overtime, a 1st year officer can earn up to $100,000/year. For CDCR, the process starts by going to www.joinCDCR. com and completing an online application which takes about ten minutes. You will then be scheduled for a written test in either of three regions; Northern Region in Sacramento, CA; Central Region in Fresno, CA; or Southern Region in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. After successfully passing the written test, you will be scheduled for the Physical Fitness Test (PFT). If you successfully complete the PFT, which all of you should, you will be scheduled for the Computerized Voice Stress Analyzer and fingerprinted by Live Scan. I suggest at the same time you apply online, also print out the Personal History Statement (PHS), which is an extensive 38-page document used to collect information regarding your past residences, acquaintances, employment history, etc., and begin completing it. The PHS is not a document that can be filled out the night before it’s due and your accuracy in completing it is extremely important.
After successfully completing the first 3 phases, you will be assigned to a Background Investigator and the background investigation process will take approximately 90 days to complete. If you are successful in the background investigation process you are given a conditional job offer. The condition is that you pass the medical exam, vision test and the psychological written and oral evaluations. Once you have successfully completed all phases, you will be placed on an eligibility list awaiting an academy date. If you have not yet left service, CDCR will keep you on the eligibility list for up to 2 years.
There is a wealth of information including a practice written test, videos of the PFT, the PHS and Frequently Asked Questions on our website www.joinCDCR.com. Additionally, there is a toll-free recruitment hotline which you can call and speak to a recruiter if you did not find your answer on the website. 866-232-JOBS (5627) Monday – Friday from 8 am to 5 pm excluding Holidays. Thank you for your service! I look forward to working with you.
Now I failed to mention that if you are a veteran you may apply for Veteran’s Preference which gives you a formidable advantage. A passing score on the written test is 70% but if you have applied for and been awarded Veteran’s Preference and pass the written test, you will be placed in the first rank for hiring. That gives you priority in scheduling your testing phases and academy date. But wait there’s more! The Basic Correctional Officer’s Academy (BCOA) located in Galt, California is a paid 13-week academy followed by a 2-year apprenticeship program. The Academy and apprenticeship programs are an approved, accredited Post 911 GI Bill Program, which means if you qualify, you can be collecting benefits while attending the academy and for the first two years as a Correctional Officer. Depending on the institution you are assigned to and the cost of living in that county, you could be receiving up to an additional $2,900 a month via your Post 911 GI Benefits on top of your base salary. WOW! That’s as much as $7,300 a month from the get-go (salary example for assignment at San Quentin State Prison in the high-cost San Francisco Bay Area). The normal promotional pattern within CDCR’s institutions are Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Associate Warden, Chief Deputy Warden and Warden. You can further your career into the executive management positions in Sacramento like Associate Director, Deputy Director and Director. Additionally, there are many opportunities for advancement throughout the State outside of the Division of Adult Institutions. There are career advancement opportunities within the Division of Juvenile Justice (Youth Facilities), Division of Adult Parole Operations (Parole Agents), Office of Internal Affairs (Special Agents) and the Office of Correctional Safety-Special Services Units and Fugitive Apprehension Teams which are regionalized throughout the State. If you are considering a law enforcement career, I urge you to look into CDCR and all it has to offer veterans and active duty military. CDCR strongly supports our military men and women and will accommodate you if you continue your military service in the Reserves or National Guard.
About the author: Special Agent Ray Baez has worked for CDCR for approximately 23 years and is currently assigned to the Office of Internal Affairs – Southern Region (OIA-S). He began his career as an officer with CDCR in 1996 at the California Men’s Colony State Prison in San Luis Obispo, CA where he served in the Investigation Services Unit (ISU) as a Drug Interdiction Officer and Evidence Officer. He promoted to Sergeant in 2008 assigned to a Program Sergeant position before returning to supervise the ISU unit in 2009. Baez promoted to Lieutenant in 2013 with the Office of Peace Officer Selections where he served as a Recruitment Coordinator and Senior Background Investigator. In 2016, Baez promoted to the rank of Special Agent with OIA-S. Special Agent Baez is a US Army Veteran & Father of a United States Marine. Special Agent Ray Baez California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation Office of Internal Affairs – Southern Region US Army Veteran & Father of a United States Marine
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Two Veteran-Graduates from the Shelter to Soldier Service Dog Program Progress to Vital Roles Within the Non-Profit Organization by Eva M. Stimson
Without the aid of San Diego-based non-profit organization, Shelter to Soldier, combat veterans Ben Kilhefner (US Navy ret.) and Jonathon Marroquin (US Army ret.) would not be as well-equipped to manage the wounds of war while trying to re-enter civilian life. Shelter to Soldier helped these heroes alleviate symptoms related to mental health diagnoses they suffered from combat, by pairing them with homeless shelter dogs to form a unique and lasting partnership. Shelter to Soldier adopts dogs from local shelters and trains them to become psychiatric service dogs for post-9/11 combat veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS), Traumatic Brain (TBI) and/or other afflictions associated with traumatic combat experiences. Ben and Jonathon graduated from the Shelter to Soldier service dog training program and have since progressed to lead meaningful, productive lives with their dogs by their side. Both of these men now contribute largely to the Department of Veteran Services for Shelter to Soldier and are sharing their expertise with their military brothers and sisters. Peer support is now available at no cost to approved veteran applicants and recipients thanks to the volunteer support of Ben Kilhefner, a Certified Peer Support Specialist. Jonathon Marroquin assists veterans through the initial application process and provides support to veterans throughout the program to final graduation and beyond, and is now a part-time employee for the organization. Every day on average, twenty (20) U.S. veterans and one (1) active duty service member commit suicide (Department of Veteran Affairs) and every day, 3200 dogs are euthanized in the U.S. Shelter to Soldier provides hope for both veterans and dogs facing life-threatening challenges and offers its services for free to veterans upon completion of a screening process. As a Corpsman in the United States Navy, Ben treated almost 1,000 casualties on his first deployment to Afghanistan. For his second deployment, he was with the Marines as a Fleet Marine Force patrolling hundreds of miles with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and shots being fired. He lost many fellow soldiers in his first deployment and a few friends of sister companies. After being medically retired, Ben had a very difficult time transitioning on the home front, largely due to the trauma he faced while deployed. Additionally, Ben lost 15 members from his company to suicide within the last four years. Ben applied to the Shelter to Soldier program in the spring of 2015, and was perhaps one of the most driven 54
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Ben, Tank and wife Jordan applicants. When he met with the training team to interact with all of their service dogs in training, he knew that Tank was the one for him. Ben explains, “Since graduating with Tank a little over three years ago, it has been amazing. Before, I couldn’t be the father or husband I should’ve been, and I wouldn’t go out of the house for months at a time. Tank has shown so much love being a part of the family, it’s almost like I have had him forever. Tank has given me so much through our years together as a team, and without him, I would be another statistic to suicide. I couldn’t be more thankful to Shelter to Soldier for everything they have done for me and my family and I’m grateful to continue to be the light for other veterans that are in the dark”.
Jonathon served a tour of duty in 2006 and 2007 in Hawijah, Iraq, where his unit lost 18 soldiers. He suffers from PTS and Major Depressive Disorder as a result of his combat experience, with much difficulty in social situations. Today, with his dog Berkeley by his side, he is making steps toward living a more comfortable life and completing his education. According to Jonathon, “Shelter to Soldier has helped not only myself with my service dog Berkeley, but the organization continues to be a household name in my home. Having Berkeley (besides the very personal ways she helps me) has also allowed me to become an engaging father --- focused and driven --- and helped me complete school (Dec 2018). Before all of this success, though, Berkeley assisted not only me but also my son Joey, who died at the age of 4 on October 27, 2017.
When Joey was alive, I wasn’t able to be a father to Joey and when I graduated from Shelter to Soldier with Berkeley, she supported me to be the father my son needed for the last 8 months of his life. Since Joey’s death, Berkeley has continued to make me feel empowered and safe.” Upon qualified match, veteran-handlers train for an average of four to six months depending upon handling abilities and how well the team picks up on training.Handlers learn to communicate effectively with their dog to create a loving bond while learning all commands and service dog laws/ regulations to prepare them for a life with a service animal. Shelter to Soldier dogs are trained over 12 to 18 months to be highly obedient and handlerfocused in all environments, to ignore distractions, and to mitigate symptoms of stress, anxiety, hypervigilance, insomnia, fear, over stimulation, and depression through task-related work. Both Ben and Jonathon are now critical to the process of ensuring that as many qualified U.S. veterans as possible have a chance to progress through the Shelter to Soldier program and move on to lead happier, healthier lives. According to Shelter to Soldier Cofounder, Kyrié Bloem, “We’re so proud to be expanding our Department of Veteran Services, under the expert direction of Vic Martin, (US Navy Ret.) along with the immeasurable support of Ben and Jonathon’s new roles within the department. Not only are we able to expand our services to more veterans with their assistance, the veteran experience through our program has far exceeded our expectations by their meaningful contributions.”
Shelter to Soldier is located at the Pacific Pet Resort and Dog Training Center located at 2909 San Luis Rey Road in Oceanside, CA, www.pacificpetresort.com. The non-profit organization is a gold participant of GuideStar and accredited by the Patriot’s Initiative. For additional information, or to make a donation for as little as $10 per month, visit www.sheltertosoldier.org.
Jonathon, Cris and Berkeley
To learn more about veteran-support services provided by STS, call (855) 287-8659 for a confidential interview regarding eligibility.
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Saved In America would focus on preventing gangbanger/ pimp/predator/slave traders from securing girls to traffic here in the United States. This meant targeting children before they could be trafficked. Saved in America would find the missing children, the runaways like Brittanee. In December 2014 SIA recovered its first child.
A California Non- Profit Organization of Former Police Officers and Navy SEALs turned Licensed Private Investigators who assist Parents and Law Enforcement in locating Missing & Exploited Children Narrative by Founder: Pastor Joseph A. Travers, CPI, CCDI, CMECI
The Saved In America team model consists of three pillars; 1. We never charge parents/ guardians to find their children. 2. We do this voluntarily, refusing pay. 3. We only use former Special Operators and retired/ current Police Detectives who become Licensed and Insured Private Investigators. Saved In America currently has over 30 operators; all licensed and insured Private Investigators consisting of former Navy SEALs, Marine Recon Raiders, British SAS, and retired Police Officers. In addition, SIA has an Executive Director, Legal Director, Policy Director, Training and Child Rehabilitation Director, Social Networking Investigator, Licensed Drone Operators and State Licensed Firearms Instructors. Since our initial operation in December 2014 Saved In America has performed 133 successful child recoveries (out of 133 cases). The approach and techniques used by Saved in America help guide the rest of the nation on how to stop child sex trafficking before it happens, by focusing on runaway and missing children. Saved In America has taught it’s investigative techniques to the Human Smuggling &
On September 21, 2009 I was reading an article from the Orange County Register, “Retired Terror Hunters Hope to End Child Sex Slavery” (in foreign countries). This brought to mind the news I heard recently regarding a missing 17-year-old girl who left her parent’s home in New York. Brittanee Drexel was last seen in a hotel video in South Carolina on April 25th. Where was she? (In August 2016 the FBI reported that Brittanee was taken from the hotel in Myrtle Beach by a gang member pimp to a stash house in North Carolina for several days then repeatedly raped by gang members, shot dead and fed to alligators.) As a former Police Detective and current Licensed Private Investigator, I have seen countless cases of missing children. The statistics are grim and disheartening. I knew many children ended up being trafficked into human slavery and felt compelled to meet the “Terror Hunters”, to see if there was a way to perform these rescues here in the United States. I immediately made arrangements to meet these former special operations ‘Terror Hunters’. Through a series of meetings, I met a former Navy SEAL who helped form Saved In America (SIA). It was decided after several meetings and operational discussions that
Trafficking Center, Washington, DC, Licensed Investigator Associations in Texas, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Alabama, and, for the Naval Special Warfare Command in Coronado, California. Thank you ‘Terror Hunters’ for your inspiration, and in the remembrance of Brittanee Drexel, who started and continues to drive Saved In America’s work. On November 1, 2018 at the 2nd annual Saved In America ‘Child Saved Not Sold event in Del Mar, California, Saved In America awarded its first ‘Brittanee Drexel Scholarship’ to a survivor of Child Sex Trafficking. Brittanee’s mother Dawn presented the award. For further information please visit our website: SavedInAmerica.org. The Saved In America story has also been published in a book titled- “Investigation of Missing & Exploited Children: The Gateway of Child Sex Trafficking, 2nd Edition October 2018, available at LuLu.com.
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