Homeland Veterans Magazine September 2018 by HOMELAND MAGAZINE

Vol. 5 Number 9 • September 2018

Homeland Veterans Magazine

Soldier Ride Across America

9/11 Never Forget STANDING TALL

Helping Veterans Become Assets To Their Community

America’s First 9/11 Response

“Six Days of Courageous Cinema”

2018 Military, Veterans and Spouse Entrepreneurs Summit

G.I. JANE

Transitioning To Civilian Life

Careers In Law Enforcement Veteran Entrepreneurship

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VETERANS

HOMELANDMAGAZINE.COM Resources Support Inspiration

Homeland Veterans Magazine Voted 2017 Best Resource, Support Media for veterans, military families and transitioning military personnel.

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EDITOR’S

LETTER

Publisher Editor-In-Chief Mike Miller Contributing Writers CJ Machado Vicki Garcia - Enlisted Joe Molina - VCCSD Holly Shaffner Honor Flight Shelter to Soldier Eva M. Stimson Boot Campaign Barry Smith Wounded Warrior Project Vesta Anderson John Roberts DAV - Steven Wilson USO - Sharon Smith Andrew McClure Operation Homefront Stephen Thomas Chris Martin Kelly Bagla. Esq. Bob Bechill Public Relations CJ Machado Thomas McBrien

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.

Marketing/Sales Mike Miller Gina Henderson Entertainment Media Bob Dietrich Calvin Goetz

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

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inside this issue 8 Soldier Ride Across America 13 Honor Flight Welcomes Home Veterans 14 America’s First 9/11 Response 20 TUNNEL TO TOWERS FOUNDATION 22 GI Film Festival 29 Military Youth Bash 30 G.I. JANE What’s Next? 33 Veterans Become Assets 34 VANC - First Monday 36 Enlisted To Entrepreneur 40 Cody J. Perron Stories of Life 41 Protecting Your Assets 42 The Part-Time Entrepreneur 43 Budget Planning 45 Careers In Law Enforcement

DIGITAL VERSION AVAILABLE WWW.HomelandMagazine.com

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IMAGINE KATY ROBERT PLANT FOO FIGHTERS DRAGONS PERRY & THE SENSATIONAL SPACE SHIFTERS

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PAS S E S O N S A L E 6

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SEPTEMBER 14-16,2018

R D E F DEt. 30 F O ENs Sep T end X E urry, H

E ONLIN

ONFLEYR OF

SAN DIEGO’S TALLEST & FASTEST COASTER

We Salute Our Veterans SeaWorld® San Diego invites any U.S. veteran to enjoy a one-time free Single-Day Admission, along with up to 3 guests.*

This limited-time offer plus more exclusive deals Online only at WavesofHonor.com *ONLINE ONLY — Tickets must be obtained in advance by registering online July 5–Sept. 30, 2018. Visitation is valid through Dec. 31, 2018. Offer not available at the SeaWorld ticket windows. Excludes SeaWorld waterparks, Sesame Place® and Discovery Cove.® Ticket is non-transferable, non-refundable and not for sale. Not valid with any other discounts, offers and has no upgrade value. © 2018 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Soldier Ride Across America:

An Empowering Cycling Revolution Turns 15 By James Herrera – Physical Health & Wellness Director, Wounded Warrior Project

Injured veterans are bringing a wave of change as they roll from New York to California from Sept. 8 to Oct. 7 during Soldier Ride Across America. This coast-to-coast bicycle ride marks both the 15th anniversary of Soldier Ride® and 15 years since the founding of Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP). The 3,300-mile journey from ground zero in New York City to San Diego, California has never been done before at this scale. Three teams collaborate to cover between 80 to 150 miles daily – pausing in multiple U.S. cities to interact with local communities. On top of celebrating the many triumphs of Soldier Ride during the last 15 years, warriors, families, and supporters have an amazing collective story to tell.

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“Beyond the physical challenge and the connection to other warriors, the opportunity to engage with the community in an era when there’s limited chance for returning warriors to share their experiences with the average person is unlike any other experience,” said U.S. Army veteran John Fernandez. John lost his left foot and right leg below the knee during a deployment in the early days of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He cycled his first Soldier Ride in 2006, three years after his injury. The collective effort of a cross-country journey of this magnitude is physically taxing, yet emotionally uplifting. It’s difficult to contain the feelings of pride and elation at the outpouring of support the warriors receive. “It’s hard to put into words that feeling you get when both sides of the street are lined with people cheering you on and there are American flags suspended from fire trucks as you ride in,” John said.

“The teamwork comes full circle as we help others, sometimes literally pushing another rider who might be in a hand trike,” John said. “We embody the Wounded Warrior Project logo, and we move from being the guy who’s being carried to becoming the guy who’s carrying another warrior to the finish,” John explained as he visualized what has come to be known as “living the logo.” Soldier Ride uses adaptive cycling technology to help wounded veterans redefine limitations and achieve milestones. Along the way, they receive the care they need to maximize recovery and live active and healthy lives. “You can’t forget what you’re a part of,” John said. He described watching an injured veteran, whom he had previously helped through recovery, doing the same for another veteran. “It was a sort of out-ofbody experience – to remember riding with him and now watch him help another veteran and effectively pay it forward,” John said.

Now multiply that feeling for dozens of communities that will welcome WWP bicyclists in the three portions of Soldier Ride Across America. The warriors divide the journey among three teams: East Coast (New York to Tennessee), Central (Tennessee to Texas), and West Coast (Texas to California). The three stages make the journey manageable and reinforce the teamwork warriors are accustomed to in the military. Each rider trains hard for their portion of the journey – with expertise and logistical support from WWP – and knows others are counting on their efforts to reach the finish line. www.homelandmagazine.com

Starting a Movement John embodies what Soldier Ride is about, and why the cycling event has been so important to the mission of WWP. He was also a big part of how Soldier Ride came into existence. After John was injured in Operation Iraqi Freedom, he became one of the first warriors seriously hurt in Iraq to receive media coverage. As a well-known member of his community in Long Island, New York, John became the inspiration for a local fundraiser, which evolved into the first coast-to-coast bicycle ride in 2004. Continued on next page >

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Before Soldier Ride became one of WWP’s most iconic events, there was a lone rider: Long Island native Chris Carney. He cycled more than 5,000 miles across the nation in 2004 to help raise awareness for injured veterans – after hearing about John Fernandez. The following year, several combat warriors who returned from Operation Enduring Freedom with visible and invisible injuries joined Chris for another crosscountry ride. Despite many obstacles, the group of warriors refused to give up – using the experience as a catalyst to show the public and themselves that with support and motivation, anything is possible. John was physically active and was busy finishing his master’s degree in 2004, so he joined the growing group in 2006. His determination and unflinching drive have inspired countless riders since then. “Other than using prosthetics to move around, I was physically unaffected by my injuries,” John said. “I do everything I used to do prior to getting injured.” Most people in his community, where he has lived all his life, are familiar with John’s remarkable story. He and his wife Kristi are raising five children who are gaining an understanding of veterans’ injuries and the limitless possibilities of warriors to continue new missions as they return to civilian life. The Journey Ahead In the time of an all-volunteer military force, most service members go back to households and communities where few people around them have had the honor of serving in the military. Fewer even understand the experiences of today’s men and women in uniform. “There are not many people who share in my experience, and many times there is no forum for warriors to bring up what it was like to serve,” John pointed out. “As an amputee, it may be as simple as sharing ‘What legs have you tried?’ or talking about what you’re able to do now with a new device. In the community, sometimes people just want to have the opportunity to say, ‘Thank you,’ and those interactions are so important,” John said. The significance of encountering and interacting with people who share our experiences makes us human. The chance to introduce someone from a different background to our experiences, and now have shared experiences, is monumental to our development as a society.

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Soldier Ride helps our communities heal and come together collectively around a common purpose as it continues to inspire warriors in their next mission in life – a healthy recovery and successful transition to life after injury. For many individuals, the journey signifies their emerging new selves, overcoming obstacles and achieving a higher level of mind-body balance than most people have. “For me and for warriors I’ve met along the way, the opportunity to connect, to accomplish a feat together, and to share our accomplishments with others is a feeling that has no comparison,” John said. Today’s warriors are taking a stand for each other and finding purpose in the journey ahead. WWP is committed to helping injured veterans achieve their highest ambition. When they’re ready to start their next mission, WWP stands ready to serve.

About the Author James Herrera is the Physical Health and Wellness director for Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP). He is an exercise physiologist and professional coach who helps drive the organization’s Soldier Ride®, adaptive sports, and health and wellness programs. James holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Texas at El Paso, where he also served as instructor in the departments of Exercise Science and Professional and Continuing Education. He is an international presenter and has worked as an adjunct faculty member with the Center for Creative Leadership for over a decade. In 2011, James served as the national team coach for USA Cycling BMX and was selected as the U.S. Olympic Committee’s coach of the year for cycling. He later coached at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

About the Featured Warrior John Fernandez is a U.S. Army veteran who lost his left foot and right leg below the knee during a deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He graduated from West Point in 2001 and was a first lieutenant commanding a field artillery platoon in 2003 when his injuries occurred. His military service earned him various awards and decorations including the Purple Heart and Army Commendation Medal with “V” device for Valor. He and his wife Kristi have five children. He has participated in Soldier Ride since 2006. 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. SIDEBAR: Four Things to Know About Soldier Ride • Soldier Ride Across America kicks off in Manhattan on Sept. 8. Warriors will visit numerous cities on the cross-country journey – including Washington, DC; Somerset, Pennsylvania; Louisville, Kentucky; Nashville, Tennessee; Little Rock, Arkansas; Lubbock and El Paso, Texas; and Tucson, Arizona – all before ending in San Diego, California, on Oct. 7. • Soldier Ride Across America has a 3,300-mile route – with each team riding more than 1,000 miles. • Soldier Ride Across America consists of three teams of wounded warriors representing the U.S. East Coast, Central, and West Coast regions. • Soldier Ride Across America commemorates the 15-year anniversary of Chris Carney’s historic coastto-coast trek in support of injured veterans, which spurred the creation of Wounded Warrior Project’s Soldier Ride program.

www.homelandmagazine.com

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Research Opportunities

VETERANS: WE NEED YOU

Stanley Troutman

VA San Diego Healthcare System and Veterans Medical Research Foundation are looking for participants for human subject research studies on Veterans health issues. Findings will help provide better treatments for Veterans and the general population. • We are one of the largest VA research programs in the nation • We employ the most advanced research technologies • We employ some of the best, talented and world renowned researchers in the country • We conduct approximately 400 human subject studies annually

Some studies provide medical care and/or reimbursement for participation.

September 30th Check out our current list of research opportunities. Arrive at 1:30

Visit: www.sandiego.va.gov/studies.asp and www.vmrf.org/studies.html 12

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Join Honor Flight San Diego in Welcoming Home Veterans Honor Flight San Diego will be coming home from their fall 2018 trip on Sunday, September 30 after spending three days in Washington, D.C. with 80 WWII and Korea era veterans. The veterans will visit the memorials built for their service and sacrifice but the trip is so much more than that â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it is a way to say Thank You for your service! The flight arrives at 2:30 p.m. to Terminal 2 baggage claim of the San Diego International Airport and guests should arrive by 1:30 p.m. There will be over 1,000 people wearing red, white and blue and waving American flags to give these heroes the homecoming they may not have received when they returned from war. For more information about the homecoming, go to: www. honorflightsandiego.org or follow them on Facebook @HonorFlightSanDiego.

www.homelandmagazine.com

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U.S. Army’s Elite 160th SOAR Puts Arkansas Native John Woodie into Mix of America’s by Barry Smith First 9/11 Response Boot Campaign If you are looking for a job, a relationship, a place to live or even a new pair of boots, it is important to find a good fit. When a soldier enlists in the United States military, rarely do they come upon a role very early that turns into a long-term career, but that is exactly what happened to U.S. Army Sergeant First (Ret.) Class John Woodie III. After enlisting in November of 1995 at the age of 25, the Helena, Ark., native volunteered in 1998 for the elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), or SOAR. Woodie successfully completed his assessment with the Green Platoon training program and was selected to join the 160th, a regiment he served with for 18 years. “I was helping one of my friends with fixing MH-47s when they came into Fort Bragg (N.C.) where I was stationed, and I saw they had the best equipment to work with,” explains Woodie. “I wanted to work with the best, the best people, best equipment, the best missions out there and that was with the 160th. “It was an amazing fit, something that I was kind of called to do,” adds Woodie, who served with SOAR in a variety of roles such as crew chief, flight engineer, and company standardization flight engineer instructor. “Not everyone can do it. I had some great leaders, teachers and NCO’s that showed me what it was to be a Night Stalker, and I tried to pass that on as well.” According to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC), the 160th SOAR are known as Night Stalkers because of their proficiency in nighttime operations. The Night Stalkers are highly trained and ready to accomplish the very toughest missions in all environments, anywhere in the world, day or night, with unparalleled precision. Skillfully utilizing the world’s most state-ofthe-art equipment, Woodie specialized as 14

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a weapons systems operator and honed his craft in the back of MH-47 Chinook and MH-60 Black Hawk helicopters during his decorated military career. He was deployed overseas 16 times as part of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom and flew close to 3,000 missions before retiring back to his home state in March 2016. One of those missions and many after were in response to the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001 when terrorists hijacked four commercial airplanes and carried out suicide attacks on United States targets, causing nearly 3,000 Americans to perish.

Because of military logistics, Woodie and his team were actually a few of the final Americans to learn about the 9/11 attacks that much of the country witnessed live on national television. “On September 11th we were in Europe preparing to do what we do, and we were probably one of the last groups of people to really find out what happened,” remembers Woodie. “At first it was shock, the second feeling was anger, and then we thought we would be the first group to actually go do something in regard to that (attack), because we were already pretty far forward. “In turn, they brought us back to the states,” he continues. “We were one of the first airplanes let back into the country, and the group actually flew us over New York. We had an armed escort and they flew us all the way back to Fort Campbell (Ky.).” After thorough planning back at SOAR headquarters, Woodie and his unit embarked on a response mission to Afghanistan, and the 160th has been actively engaged ever since. Today, according to the USASOC, the 160th continues a sustained and active forward presence in the U.S. Central Command area of operations at multiple locations. “We were America’s first answer,” reflects Woodie. “We put boots on the ground in October (2001), a little more than a month after September 11 happened, and it was an absolute honor to do that. Then we never really got out of the fight, and the 160th is still in it. They are still in the fight on terrorism.” Woodie was a recipient of numerous military honors during his career, including multiple meritorious service, air and army achievement medals, parachutist and combat action badges, the distinguished flying cross and master aviation crew member wings. Understandably, he admits his accomplishments did not come without experiencing an untold number of life-threatening situations. “Yes, there were some close calls,” acknowledges Woodie. “I have crashed twice, been shot at more times than I can count, and lucky to be alive.” While he actively sought out the opportunity to work on some of the most dangerous operations in the military, Woodie has always been confident of his decision to join SOAR.

Donna Woodie, John Woodie, Jane Woodie

“It was great for myself and my family,” says Woodie, who has returned to civilian life in Farmington, Ark., with his wife Donna, and sons Sam (21) and Tanner (19) who are attending the University of Arkansas. “Organizations and units like SOAR take care of your family, so you can take care of the missions that you have to do abroad.” Woodie also admits he could not have made his duties with the 160th work without the extraordinary efforts of his wife of more than 22 years. “My wife Donna has been amazing,” Woodie confides. “She had to do so much during all my deployments, schools, and TDY (temporary duty) trips. When you join any service, your whole family joins. That sometimes is very hard for a lot of people to understand. She had to be everything from mom to coach. I can’t say enough about Donna!”

Continued on next page > www.homelandmagazine.com

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According to Donna, it was on that fateful day of Sept. 11 that she knew the Woodie family’s future would change dramatically. “Watching the second plane crash into the World Trade Center, I knew that the life we had planned for our family would never be the same,” Donna recalls. “My husband was away, so I knew I had to try to keep things as normal as possible. “Now, on the anniversary of 9/11, I always think of those who died so tragically that day and all of our Gold Star families,” she adds. “I’m so grateful that our children have had the privilege to grow up in the presence of heroes, none greater than my husband and their father.” In addition to his wife, Woodie credits his parents for giving him the preparation and inspiration to succeed for

John Woodie Family at retirement Sergeant (Ret.)and Robert “Bobby” Henline 16

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more than 20 years in such a challenging and hazardous profession. John (II) and Jane Woodie raised two sons who both serve their country and spent most of their professional careers in secondary and elementary education, respectively. “I am a second-generation soldier as my father served in Army, and he taught us a lot at an early age,” reports Woodie, whose brother James serves in law enforcement. “The values that my mom and dad instilled in me were similar values that they taught us in the military, so to me it was an easy transition.” Now Woodie is transitioning back to civilian life. He is spending much of his time with family, as well as working on his 12-handicap golf game, doing a little hunting and fishing, and volunteering to the military community as a Veteran Ambassador for Boot Campaign,

the national military non-profit based in Texas. “It’s extremely different,” admits Woodie. “We lived in a very fast pace for many years, and now it is extremely slow, but I am enjoying it. That’s for sure.” Giving back to his fellow veterans is high on his list of post-military priorities, which is one of the reasons why the opportunity to work with Boot Campaign appealed to him. “I was asked to help out with Boot Campaign and it turned into becoming a Veteran Ambassador,” says Woodie. “It is a great organization that gives so much to veterans, and I’m happy to do whatever I can. There are so many people that need help or assistance, and I would recommend Boot Campaign to all veterans, absolutely!”

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Visiting the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City, the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial in Washington D.C. and Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pa., also are trips he would like to make in retirement. “Some of my friends have been able to attend those sites, and said it was a great part of their closure to their military career,” concludes Woodie. “I deployed over 16 times to the near-East and some of my friends are in the mid-20s on deployments, and it has helped a lot of those guys going to those different memorial sites. So, absolutely, I’d love to go to all three sites if I could.” Learn more about Boot Campaign at www.BootCampaign.org

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Support and Celebrate Our Military! Helping Military and Their Families

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Lomas Santa Fe Country Club, Solana Beach

Veteran Recognition Dinner Follows the Golf Game $1.2 million raised since 2006 Sponsorship/Registration Info:

www.holesforheroes.org psullivan@holesforheroes.org

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TUNNEL TO TOWERS FOUNDATION STANDING TALL FOR THOSE WHO STAND TALL FOR US

By Andrew McClure

The losses suffered as a result of the worst terrorist attack in the country’s history on September 11, 2001 were virtually immeasurable. However, the death toll would have been far greater if not for the heroism carried out by many brave men and women who went beyond the call of duty at the Pentagon, aboard United Flight 93, and, of course, at the World Trade Center. NYC firefighter Stephen Siller was one of those heroes. Stephen, who was assigned to the FDNY’s Squad 1 in Brooklyn, had just finished his shift and was on his way to play golf with his brothers when he got word over his scanner that a plane had hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Determined to carry out his duty, he strapped 60 lbs. of gear to his back, and raced on foot through the tunnel to the Twin Towers, where he was one of 343 FDNY brothers who was lost that day while saving others. Stephen, who was the youngest of seven children, had everything to live for; a great wife, five children, a devoted extended family, and friends. Being as his parents were lay Franciscans, he grew up under the guiding philosophy of St. Francis of Assisi, whose encouraging, inspirational phrase “while we have time, let us do good” was one that he lived by. The Siller Family started the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation to honor Stephen’s memory. The goal of the Foundation is to continue his legacy by supporting our nation’s first responders and service members.

Upon hearing the news, Stephen called his wife and asked her to tell his brothers that he would catch up with them later. He returned to Squad 1 to get his gear, and then headed to Manhattan. Stephen drove his truck to the entrance of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, but it had already been closed for security purposes. 20

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On the last Sunday of each September, the Foundation holds the Tunnel to Towers Run & Walk in New York. The event symbolizes Stephen’s final footsteps from the foot of the Battery Tunnel to the Twin Towers, and pays homage to the FDNY members, law enforcement officers, and civilians who lost their lives. Over 25,000 people participate in what is now considered by many to be one of the top 5K runs in America Thanks to corporate partners and generous donors, the Foundation is able to carry out its programs, which include building mortgage-free smart homes for our most catastrophically injured service members, and supporting the families of first responders who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

Smart homes host a myriad of features such as automated doors and lighting, wider halls and doorways, special showers to accommodate wheelchairs, back-up generators, central heating and air conditioning systems that can be controlled by tablets, and cabinets, counters, and stove tops that can be raised and lowered.

To date, the Foundation has pledged $3.2 million in the form of trust accounts and mortgage payoffs, and will continue to provide significant financial support. The Foundation is very proud of its track record when it comes to sound fiscal management, organizational efficiency, and program integrity. Just 3.7% of expenses went toward administrative costs in 2017.

These homes enable our most severely injured heroes to live better, more independent lives. To date, 56 homes have been completed or are under construction or in the design stage, and over $30 million has been allocated toward building smart homes.

The Foundationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s program service ratio was 93.1%; over 93 cents out of every dollar went directly to program services. It also boasts a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest and most-utilized independent evaluator of charities.

Every day of the year, our brave first responders put their lives on the line for us. When thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an emergency, while most are seeking safety, firefighters, police officers, and other first responders are running toward danger to save and protect the citizens of their communities.

To learn more about the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, visit its website at

www.tunnel2towers.org

To honor the legacy of police officers, firefighters, and emergency service technicians who have made the ultimate sacrifice, the Foundation has created a special program to support the families of first responders who have lost their lives while protecting and serving the people of New York City.

www.homelandmagazine.com

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GI Film Festival San Diego Boasts Six Days of Courageous Cinema ‘American’ starring actor and activist George Takei opens 2018 military film festival Since World War II, San Diego has been a major military and defense epicenter in the U.S. With seven military bases between the Navy, Marines, and the Coast Guard, San Diego is home to one of the largest active-duty military populations in the U.S. with more than 100,000 active duty members. San Diego County also has the third largest veteran population in the U.S. with more than 240,000 veterans. It is evident that the military is a significant and vital part of the San Diego community, but the voices of our active duty personnel, veterans, caregivers, and military-connected youth are often underheard, underappreciated, and underrepresented. This was an opportunity for a better connection between our local military community and public media. It’s because of this KPBS, San Diego’s public media organization, took action to build on what public media does best: tell great stories. In 2015 KPBS launched the GI Film Festival San Diego in partnership with the DC-based GI Film Festival, becoming one of only a few film festivals in the entire U.S. to exclusively feature stories for, by and about military service members and veterans.

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Now in its fourth year the GI Film Festival San Diego will present 34 films over six days, from Sept. 25-30, 2018, with a lineup that features the untold and underrepresented stories of America’s military through film. The San Diego military film festival, features nine world premieres and five West Coast premieres, as well as several screenings, filmmaker appearances, and panel discussions. GI Film Festival San Diego attendees have opportunities to not only watch films, but to also have conversations to tackle tough topics that are usually unspoken. “Every year the GI Film Festival San Diego brings together the untold military stories from around the globe,” said Nancy Worlie, associate general manager of content and communications at KPBS. “From full-length documentaries to narrative shorts, all audience members are given a chance to see the underrepresented stories that make up our military history. Attendees will also be able to experience life through the eyes of veteran filmmakers, including stories around the hardship of coming out to your grandparents and the dilemma of fighting for a country that could deport you because of your citizenship. This year’s film festival is once again filled with diverse stories that are for, about or by military service members that truly exemplify courageous filmmaking.”

Opening Night is Tuesday, Sept. 25 34 films over six days, from Sept. 25-30, 2018

The depth of the GI Film Festival San Diego covers an array of topics, giving attendees a glimpse of what military service members, and their families, have done and sacrificed for the U.S. This year, films feature diverse stories ranging from LGBTQ+ military members, women service members, the themes of resiliency and recovery, and caregiving post-deployment. Selections also highlight multicultural military experiences from the Hispanic, African American, Asian and Jewish point-of-views. Opening Night is Tuesday, Sept. 25 The six-day San Diego military film festival begins with the ever-popular Opening Night Screening and Reception on Tuesday, Sept. 25 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Museum of Photographic Arts in iconic Balboa Park. The evening includes screenings of the narrative short “American,” followed by the documentary short, “The Registry.” Special guest George Takei, who is the lead actor in “American,” is anticipated to attend the Opening Night Screening and Reception. Both films focus on World War II events and emphasize the important roles and services that JapaneseAmerican military members provided throughout the war. In addition to Takei, the directors of each film are expected to attend the Opening Night celebration and will participate in a panel discussion after the screenings.

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Screenings then continue through Friday, Sept. 28 at the Museum of Photographic Arts. The festival moves to UltraStar Cinemas at Hazard Center for the Saturday, Sept. 29 and Sunday, Sept. 30 screenings. All Access Passes, general admission tickets for the Opening Night Screening and Reception, as well as the rest of the festival screenings can be found at GIFilmFestivalSD.org. Many of the events will be open to the public with discounted opportunities for active duty personnel and veterans. Additional titles confirmed for the GI Film Festival San Diego this year include: • “I Am That Man” – John Beckett is a soldier without a war. While struggling to adjust to civilian life and the breakdown of his marriage, Beckett considers returning to his life as a Navy SEAL. When his beloved friend and mentor is brutally murdered in a racially motivated attack, Beckett calls on his specialized skills to bring the perpetrators to justice. Has he found a new sense of purpose or will this be his last mission?

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• “G.I. José” – A Mexican-American U.S. Army soldier comes back home and faces the dilemma of whether to defend his family, or the laws of the country he vowed to protect. • “The Hello Girls: The Story of America’s First Female Soldiers” – By the end of World War I, American female telephone operators, known affectionately as the Hello Girls, had connected over 26 million phone calls. They served with distinction, wore Army uniforms, were subject to military law, and swore Army oaths. Several received military awards and decorations. They also served during the occupation of Germany and the Paris Peace Conference in 1919. The last of the Hello Girls returned home in 1920, only to be told they were never soldiers. Led by Merle Egan from Helena, Montana, they fought the U.S. government for 60 years for recognition. In 1977, they won; unfortunately, only 36 were still alive. Told through 100-year old letters, photos, archival footage, and interviews with family and historians, the “Hello Girls” reveals the relatively unknown story of 223 American women who served overseas during WWI as telephone operators. • “From Baghdad to The Bay” – This film follows the epic journey of Ghazwan Alsharif, an Iraqi refugee and former translator for the U.S. military. Wrongfully accused of being a double agent, tortured by the U.S. military, and ostracized from family and country, we follow Ghazwan as he struggles to rebuild his life in the United States while coming out as an openly gay activist.

“From Baghdad to The Bay” 24

HOMELAND / September 2018

• “Kilimanjaro Warriors: A Monumental Goal for Recovery” – In February 2014 a group of amputee military veterans set forth on a monumental goal for physical and spiritual recovery. They would train and climb the world’s tallest free-standing mountain, Mt. Kilimanjaro (19341ft) in Tanzania, Africa. Consisting of six amputees and five wing man climbers, the Kilimanjaro Warriors hiked the mountain for eight days overcoming insurmountable obstacles and new challenges with each passing mile, trusting that if you have heart and believe in yourself, anything is possible. • “Major Capers: The Legend of Team Broadminded” – This film is an honest and unflinching documentary that portrays the extraordinary life story of Major James Capers, Jr. an American hero, who persevered through adversity and after 50 classified missions rose to become one of the most decorated Force Recon Marines in history. • “Sgt. Stubby – An American Hero” – Army Pvt. Robert Conroy is adopted by a stray, stump-tailed terrier. Conroy names his new friend Stubby and gives him a home, a family, and a chance to embark on the adventure that would define a century. The two quickly find themselves in the trenches of France during WWI and on the path to history. French soldier Gaston Baptiste befriends the duo and accompanies them along their epic journey through harsh conditions and incredible acts of courage. The film celebrates the 100-year anniversary of the end of World War I and the first official Veterans Day. Rated PG.

The festival is organized by KPBS in partnership with the GI Film Group and Film Consortium San Diego. Official sponsors of the 2018 GI Film Festival San Diego include:

Kaminskiy Design & Remodeling, The Super Dentists, TriWest Healthcare Alliance, BAE Systems, Lewis University, National City Mile of Cars, San Diego Opera, Altus Schools, Bob Baker Subaru, and Miramar National Cemetery. Additional support is provided by Scatena Daniels Communications.

The GI Film Festival San Diego is a proud member of the San Diego Veterans Coalition. Full Lineup, venues and showtimes available at:

GIFilmFestivalSD.org www.homelandmagazine.com

HOMELAND / September 2018 25

VETERANS, MILITARY JOIN US WE UNITE CURRENT AND FORMER MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY WORKING IN THE MEDIA, FILM AND TELEVISION INDUSTRIES

WWW.VMECONNECT.ORG

HOMELAND / September 2018

September 25-30, 2018 TICKETS NOW ON SALE

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Full lineup, venues, and showtimes available at

GIFilmFestivalSD.org

PRESENTED BY

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

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KPBS is a public service of San Diego State University.

HOMELAND / September 2018 27

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HOMELAND / September 2018

MILITARY YOUTH BASH

“This is fun!”

Exclaimed the kids jumping up and down in the bounce house. The Veteran’s Park in Imperial Beach turned into an amusement park for the much anticipated “Military Youth Bash.” Bounce Houses, inflatable slides, photo booth and games such as tug-owar were enjoyed by all. The best part, admission was free. “Military Youth Bash” served almost 300 Imperial Beach families with back packs and school supplies. The event was organized by Darnisha Hunter, veteran advocate to San Diego Mayor Faulconer’s office. Over 73 volunteers joined forces to hand out back packs and school supplies to our Military youth at the Veterans Park in IB. The event was sponsored by the County Board of Supervisors, SDMAC, Urgent Care on Palm Ave., NASSCO, VFW Post 5477, Seaside Candy and Palm West Realty, Chula Vista Elks Club and Latter Rain Ministries of Imperial Beach. Several veteran organizations pitched a booth in support of the event. Members of the local Mar Vista HS JROTC and Boy Scouts of America, Troop 895 led the colors and the pledge of allegiance. “I loved volunteering for the Military Youth Bash, because it was impactful for the community as well as providing a fun day for local residents to enjoy with their families. I’m proud of Darnisha Hunter for putting this event together with her committee as it took a lot of coordination and effort. Darnisha is one of the most influential people that I know and I am honored to be her friend. She is an incredible role model for all!” -Major Kevin Cortes, USMC, Retired. Many organizations from the Imperial Beach community lent a hand. Latter Rain Ministries and VFW Post 5477 provided the hot dogs, chips and waters. US 4 Warriors manned the crushed ice, popcorn and snacks. Everyone played a big part in making the event fun and memorable. It was a great time for all that attended. ”What a tremendous event. Darnisha has an amazing ability to bring so many people together to do something great. ”What a tremendous event.

www.homelandmagazine.com

Darnisha has an amazing ability to bring so many people together to do something great. It was such a pleasure sitting at the park, consuming delicious libations and watching the kids have fun with the activities. They were so appreciative of the backpacks and school supplies. What a wonderful day. As a member of the VFW Auxiliary I could never have organized such an event. Without Darnisha’s knowledge on planning such events, Imperial Beach would have missed out. ” - Joyce Huddleston, VFW Auxiliary Senior Vice President 2018-2019. Darnisha resides in Imperial Beach and she was concerned with our military families not having the resources to provide their children with the necessary school supplies. “Low pay, extensive budget cuts in our school systems, cause many families to struggle” Darnisha stated. She understands the hardships of the Imperial Beach residents and Darnisha does whatever she can to support her neighbors and our military families. Thank you Darnisha Hunter for your endless dedication to our military and their families. Homeland Magazine wishes you much continued success in all your endeavors. May God Bless you for all you do. -CJ Machado, veteran advocate and photo journalist

HOMELAND / September 2018 29

G.I. JANE Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Next?

TRANSITIONING TO CIVILIAN LIFE By Billiekai Boughton

HOMELAND / September 2018

Jane didn’t know what to do next. The actual transition process out of the military is documented, openly discussed, and paths to successfully finding a new career are mapped out. Jane went to the resume workshop, took the exit classes, took the skills tests, career placement tests, created her LinkedIn profile, started networking, and landed a great job about 3 months after her service ended. But there was important information missing from the process, and it quickly become a problem in Jane new job. She’s super productive in her new position, shows up to work early and keeps focused on learning her new skills for her job and is doing her best. But about 6 months in she sensed something was off. When the odd feeling started happening it was invisible, nearly imperceptible, and she could not identify the specific issue. However, her colleagues were becoming increasingly less accepting of her, but had no idea why. Also, their behavior was so subtle that she couldn’t say they were doing anything unprofessional. This mystery thing was frustrating and stalling her professional progress. At her first annual review Jane received the feedback that her coworkers thought she was rude. This surprised and baffled Jane. She had never said a rude word to anyone in the office. If fact, Jane was extra careful to not use the ‘colorful’ language she was accustomed to while wearing the uniform. She made sure emails contained proper greetings, salutations, avoided military colloquialisms, and made sure that all relevant parties were copied on emails. How could anyone think she was rude when she worked so hard to be polite? Even worse, how could she change a behavior that no one could specifically point to as rude? The feedback she received was a general statement, not attached to any specific examples. She even asked for some, but her supervisor didn’t have any. What happened to Jane happens to women veterans every day in the civilian workforce. Jane doesn’t have a character defect and she isn’t doing anything wrong as her coworkers would implicate. What Jane faced was a problem of perception about femininity. American women in the work place have a series of unspoken expectations that they are supposed to live up to - that women in the military do not learn. Because these expectations are entirely cultural, they are often so deeply imbedded that most people don’t even realize they have them and often don’t know why they don’t like a person when that individual is not meeting an invisible or unstated cultural norm. For example, women in corporate America are expected to greet each person they meet with a smile and a www.homelandmagazine.com

cheerful salutation – regardless of time of day or multiple interactions. Walking past an open office in the morning without saying “Good Morning” is considered rude. This is a news flash to most folks in uniform, and this is not expected of men. Women are expected to attend social events AND help plan them. Women who do not attend the office Halloween party, birthday party, retirement, etc, are seen as thinking too much of themselves and not team players – regardless of a track record of excellent teamwork and team communication. This is also not expected of men. Women are expected to appear feminine. This isn’t to say ladies can’t wear pants, but they should be a woman’s cut and in feminine prints and colors. Women who dress too comfortable are deemed unprofessional, while women who dress more like their male counterparts are seen as aggressive, power hungry, and rude. This can be tuff for women veterans that have been dressing like men for years and have been rewarded for blending in with them. Men are in their own gender trap, expected to appear masculine, with very limited clothing and color options. These unspoken expectations are just the tip of the iceberg. There are others that are even trickier to navigate, such as civilian women are not allowed to directly say no to any work-related request. They are expected to yes to every task or are required to try and bow out with complicated statements like “I’m sorry, I just don’t have the bandwidth for that right now” or “my plate is overflowing, and I just don’t see how I could get that done to meet your standards in time.” Otherwise, they face the repercussions of not being liked by peers and supervisors. Sometimes, no matter how polite they are when they say no, they are still disliked. Our modern First World country still expects women to be servile in the office and those women that dare set some reasonable boundaries are harshly punished with poor reviews, refused promotions, coworker retaliation, harsh gossip, and getting let go from jobs. So what’s a Jane to do? Stomp off and disappear? Use the colorful language we’re all so familiar with? Of course not.

Veteran women are strong, smart, and resilient. We must stand for ourselves and stand for our sisters and brothers because know that as long as women are trapped in gendered stereotypes, so are men. Continued on next page >

HOMELAND / September 2018 31

We must begin to educate the workplace about how this inequity hurts us all. Here’s a few ways that we can empower ourselves to have some of those tuff conversations to bring about the change we all want: 1. Find other women veterans to hang out with. Seriously. Being with other women who get you and don’t judge you for wearing men’s sweatpants or dropping some profanity can help restore your soul. You can’t pour from an empty cup. 2. Say Good Morning to people in the office. It won’t kill you, but it might be uncomfortable for a while. Why? Because people who don’t like you won’t listen to you. It’s up to us to educate our civilian brothers and sisters to what equality looks like. To do that, we need to make some allies. 3. Attend a few of the office social events. You don’t have to go to ALL of them and you don’t have to be on the committees (unless that is your job). Find the organizers and thank them for their hard work putting the event together and compliment the parts of the event that you enjoyed. This must be authentic. Don’t say the punch was wonderful if it made you have flash backs to bug juice or suicide tea. 4. Find clothes that meet cultural expectations that you like, and are comfortable in. This might be a good excuse to shop in new places or try a box service. Remember you don’t have to break the bank. Several of my favorite suits came from a local consignment shop and more blouses than I can remember came from girlfriends and second-hand stores.

Also, scarves and costume jewelry are an inexpensive way to dress up nearly any basic top/bottom set. 5. Learn how to speak civilian. You will not find books on how to do this. There are no coaches to guide you. This is on-the-job training in a joint field exercise. The best thing to do is listen to the way the civilian women ask for what they want, express an idea, how they agree or disagree with others, how they say no (they never say no flat out…it sounds more like an excuse for “not right now”), how they negotiate, etc. This will be the number one key to a veteran woman’s success in the civilian work place. The importance of learning the language of the workplace cannot be over emphasized. This will not come naturally, and it most certainly will take practice. Take on the task of learning this new way to speak like your livelihood depends on it, because it does. Cultural norms are uncharted territory. Most people don’t know they have them, don’t know they hold others to that invisible standard, and could not articulate a cultural norm even when pressed. And yet, we live our entire lives by them.

Dear Jane, you can do this. Being in the military is no small feat and it is a challenge that only 1% of our nation’s population can even qualify to attempt – let alone beat. Own it. Own that victory. Then carry that knowledge with you as you join the new ranks of women and men working toward transforming the civilian workforce into one of equity. We’ve got work to do, but anything is possible when we work together for a common goal.

Own it. Own that victory. 32

HOMELAND / September 2018

Helping Veterans Become Assets To Their Community Our team at America’s Warrior Partnership works with community organizations throughout the country, and we have heard countless stories of veterans who became valuable resources to their community after receiving assistance to fulfill their basic needs. These stories underscore the fact that many veterans are willing to continue serving in a civilian capacity if they are given the opportunity. An example of such a story centers on a woman named Nicole, a veteran who was assisted by the Upstate Warrior Solution in Greenville, South Carolina, an affiliate organization of America’s Warrior Partnership. After serving in the Navy for 24 years, which included a tour as an Evidence Custodian at Guantanamo Bay, Nicole faced uncertainty when she returned home. “When I got out of the service it was overwhelming to me because you spend so much time thinking about how I want to complete this,” Nicole says. “And, then when you’re faced with it all of the sudden, you’ve reached the top of this hill, and you’re not prepared for what’s down the other side. It’s just a free-fall.” This feeling of being overwhelmed was amplified by the fact that civilian life was almost the complete opposite of what Nicole experienced in the Navy. “It took me a while to make that transition, because the Navy was all that I knew, and that’s what I trusted,” Nicole says. “And in the back of my mind, I always thought it was going to be there. And they were like, okay, you’re no longer a part of this organization. And that was a very big transition for me.” “I didn’t want to go out in public,” she says. “I didn’t want to go to the grocery store. And I knew I had to go back to work, and I had to get on my feet, but it was overwhelming.” It is common for veterans like Nicole to experience this difficulty in transitioning to civilian life. The difference for Nicole is that she had supportive community resources that could provide holistic services to help with her situation. Her mother’s church introduced her to the Upstate Warrior Solution, which was able to connect her with a job within two weeks.

www.homelandmagazine.com

www.AmericasWarriorPartnership.org Once her employment was secure and her confidence had returned, Nicole decided to give back to the community that had helped her by becoming a volunteer peer mentor. She now helps other veterans struggling with their transition to civilian life by sharing her own experiences and perspectives. Thanks to the assistance she was able to receive, Nicole had the opportunity to become a valuable resource for her community. Nicole is not alone in seeking opportunities to continue serving in a civilian capacity. America’s Warrior Partnership conducts an annual survey asking veterans about their strengths, needs and satisfaction so community organizations can prioritize offering the programs and services that veterans need. For two years in a row, our survey has found that volunteerism is one of the top three most sought-after opportunities among veterans nationwide. Organizations that proactively connect with veterans learn about their unique needs and guide them toward resources that can help create an environment where veterans are positioned to become civic assets like Nicole has in her community. 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 AmericasWarriorPartnership.org.

HOMELAND / September 2018 33

“The men and women who serve our Nation deserve our support — Today, Tomorrow, Always —” www.vancnorthcounty.org

The First Monday Of Each Month For those of us who volunteer our time to help veterans, sometimes it is nice to be able to see and hear the success stories from the people out there meeting with, and solving the problems of our veterans. On the First Monday of each month, at noon, we get that opportunity. This past month we had the opportunity to hear from our friends at Veteran’s Village of San Diego (VVSD) as they re-counted the number of veterans we were all able to help during the San Diego Stand Down. During our last Monday meeting, Ray Sibley from VVSD provided an after action report on the San Diego Veteran’s Stand Down. Serving about 900 homeless veterans, the Stand Down has been a crucial part of getting the homeless served by VA Doctors, fed, clothed and provided with a safe place to sleep for the weekend. Once the connection is made with these homeless veterans, our veteran service organizations can support their needs for housing, job opportunities and other services. This month, we will hear from the North County Veterans Stand Down. The NCVSD provides a second opportunity in January, for homeless veterans to be served. After these presentations, our veteran service organizations will attend the events and provide support throughout the year to our veterans in need. We had a chance to meet Doug Brandt, a docent from the Midway Museum who gave our fellow veterans a chance to participate as volunteers at one of the top tourist spots in San Diego and, for that matter, the US. Each month we have four speaking spots so that members of the Veteran Service Community can share their successes, their opportunities or even introduce themselves to the rest of the community of veteran groups doing their best to serve our veteran

community. 34

HOMELAND / September 2018

So please, put the first Monday of every month on your calendar. Come visit us at the Veterans Association of North County, grab a slice of pizza, or a cup of coffee and listen to, and participate in a great networking meeting. It is our objective to provide our veteran service community a venue to meet, have events and serve our veterans. We home to see you soon. 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.

HOMELAND / September 2018 35

ENLISTED TO ENTREPRENEUR By Vicki Garcia

Operation Vetrepreneur Takes Off in San Diego: Veterans, Spouses & Active Military Entrepreneurial Support Be the Boss Have you thought of starting a business as the answer to the grueling job hunt? Want the freedom, independence, flexibility and unlimited income that business ownership provides? Already have a business and want to see it grow? Then Operation Vetrepreneur program is the answer! No More Looking for a Job. Do Your Own Thing. We have it on good authority, from none other than Cal Vet, that as many as 25% of post 9/11 veterans aspire to be self-employed. The skills, discipline, and maturity gained in the service can prepare veterans to succeed in entrepreneurial enterprises. More than 3 million men and women who have defended our nation’s freedoms have made the choice to start their own small businesses after their military service. Jeff M is a great example. After looking for a job for nearly a year, he decided to purchase a sunglass cart. He found an empty spot in Old Town and set up shop. Now he flies to China to purchase sunglasses and nets $35,000 per year. He has plans to grow more sunglass huts around town soon. Operation Vetrepreneur is an innovative, free program under non-profit National Veterans Transition Services, Inc. (http://rebootworkshop.vet/). The Operation Vetrepreneur program is dedicated to supporting vets, particularly veterans with service-connected disabilities, active military, as well as military spouses to start up and maintain a business. Deploying local subject matter experts and successful vetrepreneurs as mentors, Operation Vetrepreneur harnesses community resources to support veterans to become independent, successful entrepreneurial job creators. A Different Model Proven to Accelerate Success Our experience has shown that veterans thrive in the company of other vets. Operation Vetrepreneur launched its first “think tank” coaching group for post-911 veterans who currently own a business or are actively starting up a small business in 2015. The Operation Vetrepreneur unique group think tank program format is the first of its kind in the nation, 36

HOMELAND / September 2018

although it has a long history of success in the civilian world. In the civilian world the cost for joining this kind of program is $465. You can get it for free. Operation Vetrepreneur brings entrepreneurial minded veterans who are underserved and otherwise could not afford to have access to essential services during the critical, early stages of building or growing a new business.

Through think tank brainstorming groups, and one-on-one mentoring participants learn essential skills, discuss challenges, bounce around ideas, learn from subject matter experts, set goals and action steps. Meeting in the early evening weekly over 13 weeks, participants account for their actions to the rest of the group. This is the “secret sauce” that makes the Operation Vetrepreneur program so effective.

The program is open for any veterans who currently run a business or have taken concrete steps toward starting up a small business. An interview is required. We welcome spouses, homeless, and disabled veterans as well. Operation Vetrepreneur In a Nutshell

FREE Business Growth Support

Topics Covered: Management | Marketing | Money Management Commitment to Attend13 Weekly Evening Brainstorming Group Meetings Required One-on-One Mentoring Available Interviews Start September 10 Last Group in 2018 Launches September 24 For More Info: www. operationvetrepreneur.vet Questions? We want to hear from you! Email: Vicki@ veteransinbiz.com Don’t Wait! Apply Now or Miss Out! Go Strait to the Application: www.veteransinbiz.com

HOMELAND / September 2018 37

2018 Military, Veterans and Spouse Entrepreneurs Summit & Pitch Contest Saturday 15 September, 2018 | 0800 - 1700 Liberty Station Conference Center 2600 Laning Road, San Diego CA 92106

SHARE - SUPPORT - SUCCEED “Inspiring Veteran Entrepreneurs to Achieve Their Goals At Warp Speed”

Keynote Speaker

Liz Perez, Deputy Secretary, Minority Veterans Affairs, California Department of Veterans Affairs

Panel Discussions/Pitch Off Competition/Tracks

Workshops & Networking

EVENT REGISTRATION FEE $25

($35 After September 07) Includes Continental Breakfast/Lunch 38

HOMELAND / September 2018

TO REGISTER VISIT:

www.veteranentrepreneursummit.vet #ShareSupportSucceed

Presented by

calling all Vets & Military startups! growing business owners!

OperatiOn

Free helP is here!

r u e n e r p e r

building a Foundation For your success. one-on-one coaching | certiFication suPPort | think tank grouPs Veterans make great entrepreneurs. Building a company is tough & requires lots of work. It can be lonely. The vets & active military we work with, from start-up to experienced owners, polish their business smarts the same way they learned skills in the military.

Need A Coach? We’ll Match You with A Mentor

Think Tank Groups 13-Weeks, 1 Night A Week, Accelerates Business Growth

THE BASICS Management / Marketing / Money Presented by Recognized Local Experts in San Diego

DoN’T GET LEfT ouT!

JoIN uS!

Takes off where to the SBA’s Boots Business left off!

New Think Tank Group forming Now! Apply at www.veteransinbiz.com Questions? Call 619.660.6730 operation Vetrepreneur is a Project of the National Veterans Transition Services, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit

IN THE TRENCHES . . . What You Can Expect Certification & Supplier Diversity Concept Review for Startups Perfecting Your Pitch Speaker Training Brainstorming with Experts Publishing Knowhow Personal Branding Mind Mapping Crowdfunding Writing a Business Plan Branding, Graphics & Visuals Internet Marketing Social Media & SEO Legal Issues Budgeting Where & How to Get Money High Velocity Growth Strategies Employees & Contractors

HOMELAND / September 2018 39

Cody J. Perron, former special agent, Shares Stories of Life in the U. S. Diplomatic Security Service

As a special agent with the DSS, Perron spent much of his time in the Middle East and in Southeast Asia. He’s traveled to over 40 countries, protected some of the highest level dignitaries in some of the most volatile places in the world.

In late October of 2015 I found myself in the back of a U.S. special operations aircraft with only my interpreter, an Army analyst, a pistol, a go-bag, and $500 dollars in cash. I was en route to a northern Iraqi town called Duhok, approximately 65 km from the Syrian border. At this time, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria had taken Mosul, and pockets of land in Syria. This was going to be the most important and impactful interviews I’d ever conducted. The two girls I was to meet were from the Mosul area, both were Yazidis, and both had just escaped the grasps of ISIS. I was there to interview the girls in an attempt to collect the initial information on behalf of the United States Government, but these were no ordinary girls. The ISIS home they escaped from was holding one more girl, the first female American prisoner of ISIS. The information I’d retrieve would be the catalyst to a much bigger operation in an attempt to rescue a fellow American and eliminate an ISIS leader.

In Baghdad, Perron was part of the security team that protected Vice President Biden’s visit in 2010. He was there when rockets began flying into the U.S. Embassy compound and when Biden had to be rushed inside. He’s protected congressional delegations at refugee camps in Sadr City, in Khadamiya to visit where Saddam Hussein was jailed, stood trial, and was hanged.

Cody J. Perron is a former United States Marine and former Special Agent of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS). The DSS is the federal law enforcement branch of the U.S. Department of State, with a global force of U.S. agents, operating in over 170 countries around the world.

In 2012-2014, at the U.S. Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Perron was deputy in charge of security and law enforcement when he played an instrumental role in uncovering a multi-million dollar fraud scheme perpetuated by a U.S. diplomat. He protected Secretary John Kerry during his visit to Ca Mau, Vietnam, where secretary fought during the war. He protected the U.S. Consul General when flying around to visit POW/MIA sites with the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) of downed U.S. pilots. In Erbil, northern Iraq, Perron led a 150 personal security detail conducting protective diplomats from the Syrian to the Iranian border, and up to the Turkish border. He led the ground team during an attack on the U.S. Consulate on April 17, 2015, helped facilitate the successful recovery of Iraqi-Americans fleeing ISIS grasps, and was part of the team to evacuate Americans, as ISIS made their push towards Erbil. Before his life overseas, Perron worked domestically as a Special Agent conducting federal fraud investigations and protection of dignitaries. He resigned in 2018 to begin a life with his new family in San Diego. He is currently the co-founder of Fidelis Global Group, a security consulting firm that customizes security training and strategies for organizations. Some of the training offered consists of active shooter awareness and preparedness, workplace violence, women’s selfdefense, and personal safety strategies. Perron is also the author of Agents Unknown – True Stories of Life as a Special Agent in the Diplomatic Security Service, now available on Amazon, which can be purchased for $16.49 in paperback and $9.99 on Kindle. For more information on Perron, to get a signed copy of his book, or order other merchandise, visit www.AgentsUnknown.biz.

HOMELAND / September 2018

legal

THINGS YOU MUST DO TO PROTECT YOUR ASSETS

3.USE PROPER CONTRACTS AND PROCEDURES. One of the easiest ways for creditors to pierce the corporate veil and attack your personal assets is if you act negligently or fraudulently. This can be avoided by having good lease agreements for your rentals, placing property and equipment titles in the company name, having independent contractor agreements and if hiring employees, make sure you know the employment laws for your State. 4. PURCHASE BUSINESS INSURANCE. Insurance is an important part of your business and should be included in your startup budget. Insurance gives you the ability to take care of an incident in your business, which could cost you thousands of dollars you don’t have. Make sure you get the correct insurance policy for your business as insurance policies are not all the same.

By Kelly Bagla. Esq.

Every year I’m in practice, I’m further convinced

that fundamental asset protection begins with implementing affordable, tried and true strategies and simple habits. There are laws on the books you can easily implement that will provide you with incredible protection in the event of a claim or lawsuit. Here are 5 critical strategies to consider as part of your personal asset protection plan: 1.CHOOSE THE RIGHT BUSINESS ENTITY. There will certainly be multiple tax-planning considerations, but operating as a sole proprietorship definitely isn’t your best choice for asset protection. As a sole proprietorship, your personal assets are completely exposed to a potential lawsuit. Setting up an entity, such as an S corporation or a limited liability company is an important step in the development of your business and protection of your assets. 2. MAINTAIN YOUR CORPORATE VEIL. If you’ve set up an entity, don’t think that just having the entity’s articles of incorporation in your drawer will save you when a lawsuit comes knocking. You need to maintain a separate bank account, use the company name on all documents, title the property in the name of the company, and most important, maintain corporate records and along with the minutes of your annual meeting.

5. CONSIDER THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION. One of the most powerful exemptions available is the protection afforded to our individual personal residence, commonly referred to as the homestead exemption. This is a statutory exemption available in most states that protects a certain amount of the value of a person’s home from a creditor or bankruptcy. If you are self-employed, the responsibility of protecting your family and yourself falls on you, so take the above actions and limit your risk. 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 Contact Kelly at: (760) 784-9109 Kelly@baglalaw.com www.baglalaw.com

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

HOMELAND / September 2018 41

The Part-Time Entrepreneur

The key in business is identifying a product or service many people look for and are able to purchase multiple times. Once you have evaluated your skills and have identified the product or service people really want or need, you are ready to start your Part-Time Entrepreneurship venture. Below are few of the Part-time business ideas that are easy to start and require low investment: 1. Loan Assistance Service: People who are looking to finance their businesses often need help with completing the loan application and compiling documents to be presented to the lender. If your skill is “Administration” and you are organized and understand legal forms, this business opportunity may just be the right fit for you. How do you get paid? Payment for your service (consulting service) is paid by the customer; you can charge a reasonable fee to help client complete documentation.

By Joe Molina www.vccsd.org

“There are many ways to start a business. It is all about choosing a starting point” The Military does an excellent job at transforming a civilian into a soldier. Regardless of the branch of service, every civilian is rapidly transformed into a military person in just a few months. As the individual moves up the ranks, he/she is given a level of responsibility and authority to lead personnel and manage projects. The Military builds people who know how to work in teams and have the ability to adapt and face new challenges which are the key factors when starting a business. Becoming an entrepreneur may be exciting, scary, challenging and rewarding. One way to enter the business world is by starting a business Part- Time. Part-Time Entrepreneurship: This is probably the best way to “test-drive” a business idea, see if there is a market that will sustain the business, as well as enough customers and potentials for the growth of the business. Under this option, people usually keep a job and operate the Part-Time business after working hours or during weekends. Where could one find these Part-Time business opportunities? In today’s market, we have world of opportunities, some come in a way of selling products or providing a service. How to choose the business that is right for us: Take a look at your skill-set; identify the skills you have learned to master, that others may be interested in paying you for. Next, try to match your skill-set with something that people have needs for or really want.

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2. Business Coach: Business owners often need help with their existing businesses. They may need help with identifying new markets, testing new products, creating business strategies or simply bounce ideas off and getting a new perspective. If you have a skill set and the knowledge on how business works, have good listeners and have the ability to facilitate groups, this may be a good Part-time option for you. Clients pay directly to you per hour or by project, the average rate of a business coach varies on many factors, but if you are new to the industry it is normal to charge $90 to $120 an hour. 3. Workshop and Mini-events: Many people are looking for information on how to start business, increase sales, manage profit, manage books, etc. If you have in your skillset in the ability to speak in public and good at networking, you may be able to set up workshops and or mini-events in your community. You don’t need to be the Instructor at these workshops or have the knowledge of the topics, what you need to have is just a good list of professionals, subject matter experts that can be your instructors. For the minievents, you just need a good size list of local resources, willing to attend and share their services. In the workshops, you will get paid by selling tickets, and by sponsors to the workshop. In the case of the mini-events, each resource/vendor will pay a fee ($250 average) to have a table at the event and display their services. Attendees should have free admission to have a higher attendance. The more people attend the event the more you can charge resources/vendors at future events. In Summary: These are just three of the many Part-time business opportunities available out there that require low investment and will allow you to keep your full time or part time job. Regardless of your choice of Part-Time business, keep in mind that it takes time for the business to develop into a successful venture, be patient and have fun in the process. HAVE QUESTIONS? Happy to help: Email me at veteransccsd@gmail.com

FINANCIAL

What is a budget? It is an estimate of income and expenses for a set period of time. The key word in that statement is estimate. For some reason, the word budget makes people nervous and uncomfortable. To put it simply, if you bring in $3,000 each month in income, you need to plan where that money is going to be spent. To start, you need to determine what your goals are. It could be getting out of debt, saving for that new car, planning for retirement, college savings for your children or paying off your mortgage. It all starts with a plan. Some people put their budget down on paper and follow it religiously. Others put money in envelopes for certain expenses and when the envelope’s money runs out, there is no taking money from another envelope. There is a commercial that recently aired showing a child saving his money in a coffee can for a baseball mitt, then later on in life for a car, then towards the end of the commercial, he is showing his son how to do the same thing. The key is to figure out what works for you and stick to that budget and remember your goals. It is also helpful to track your spending. Where does your money go every month? Are you spending money on things that you can cut back on, such as that morning coffee or lunch out? Consider making your coffee or lunch and taking it with you from home to save some money. Entertainment is another expense that can easily be reduced if needed. www.homelandmagazine.com

By Chris Martin

What about your car payment? Can you sell that new car and purchase a less expensive vehicle to reduce your monthly payment? If you have a lot of debt you need to sit down and figure out how to pay those off quickly. Some people like to pay off the highest interest rated cards first. Personally, I like the idea of paying off the smallest balances first as you get a sense of accomplishment once you get rid of that card, then the next card, and so on. Don’t forget that cutting up those cards is also a good way to stop going into further debt. In this modern age, there are so many methods for budgeting available. There are Apps for your smart phone or computer. Some banks even have this as an option when using online banking. There are community college classes or other financial coaching opportunities out there, and some are available to veterans. Consider talking to your local veteran’s center as well as they might have some suggestions that can help you. The key is to see where you stand financially, develop a plan to either get out of debt or increase your wealth, and stick to it. If you need help – ASK!

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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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

Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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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Become A Part of Our Story!

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Apply today at www.oakgov.com/jobs

The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office is dedicated to the safety and protection of the citizens and businesses within our boundaries. We are committed to the task of keeping our courts and correctional system secure and our service is built upon integrity, respect, vision, and leadership.

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Oakland County Sheriff’s Office •Corrections Deputy I $37,787 - 62,021 • Deputy II - Road Patrol $52,787 - 71,831 • Dispatch Specialist $39,426 - 60,805 • Mounted Deputy (Part-time) $17.39 / hr. • Park Deputy (Part-time) $17.39 - 22.38 / hr.

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PTSD TREATMENT DECISION AID: THE CHOICE IS YOURS

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WHO IS IT FOR? PATIENTS: The Decision Aid teaches you about your options and gets you ready to work with your provider to choose the best treatment for you. PROVIDERS: The Decision Aid educates your patients about evidence-based PTSD treatments. Review it together in session, or have your patients work through it at home.

There are effective treatments for PTSD. You have options. The choice is yours.

The PTSD Treatment Decision Aid is an online tool to help you learn about effective treatments and think about which one might be best for you.

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