Vol. 5 Number 3 • March 2018
Homeland Veterans Magazine
WE CAN DO IT
Women’s History Month Teaching Patriotism, Safety & Survival Skills
Linda Schwartz: Nurse, Veteran, Advocate, & Woman Making History
Brenda Allen Patriotism And Love of Country
Female Veterans Healing Through Programs
ENLISTED TO ENTREPRENEUR Careers In Law Enforcement
What Does A Woman Veteran Look Like ?
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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 Women Veterans Alliance Melissa Washington 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.
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Women’s History Month
inside this issue
09 We Can Do It - Women’s History Month 10 Linda Schwartz: A Women Making History 14 What Does A Woman Veteran Look Like 20 Teaching Patriotism, Safety & Survival Skills 26 Brenda Allen For Love of Country 32 Female Veterans Healing Through Programs 36 Benefiting Shelter Dogs & US Veterans 38 Enlisted To Entrepreneur 40 Military Spouses “Working From Home” 45 Careers In Law Enforcement
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WID San Diego Chapter Women In Defense (WID) engages, cultivates and supports the advancement and recognition of women in all aspects of national security Come join us at our upcoming events, for more information please check out our website at www.WIDSanDiego.org or contact us at admin@WIDSanDiego.org. 19 April - Membership Drive, Cosmopolitan Hotel, San Diego, CA June - Scholarship Fundraiser Event, Negociant Winery, CA 22 August - Annual Sympsoium, Brick, San Diego, CA October - Annual Event, Women’s Museum of CA, San Diego, CA December - Holiday Mixer, TBD, San Diego, CA
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Women’s History Month
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Linda Schwartz: Nurse, Veteran, Advocate, & Woman Making History By Emily Dieker Board of Directors National Women’s History Project
Retired Air Force nurse Linda Schwartz is among 15 women selected as 2018 Women’s History Honorees by the National Women’s History Project.
After Vietnam, Schwartz trained to be a flight nurse and served several years in the USAF command post in Europe. In the 80s she transitioned to the reserves and joined the 69th Air Evac Squadron out of McGuire Air Force Base.
Recognized under the theme Nevertheless She Persisted: Women Fighting All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, Schwartz overcame a military injury to become one of the nation’s leading veterans’ advocates focusing especially on women vets.
It was while serving with this unit that Schwartz was in the 1983 aircraft accident that would end her military career. While flying at 30,000 feet one of the doors blew off her plane and Schwartz suffered a blast concussion causing stroke-like symptoms and leaving her paralyzed on her left side. Suddenly an unemployable vet with no health insurance, Schwartz turned to the VA for help.
Linda Schwartz began her military career in 1967, right out of nursing school, she enlisted in the Air Force to serve in the Vietnam War. Military nurses regularly worked round the clock and often saw more death and dying than combat soldiers.
As a nurse, Schwartz was shocked by the VA’s pervasive attitude of neglect toward women vets (inadequate facilities, lack of privacy, and physicals that didn’t include breast or gynecological exams).
The VA now estimate that nearly 50% of women who served in the Vietnam War will suffer PTSD sometime in their life, however, for decades the diagnosis of PTSD was not open to nurses or women.
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Told by doctors to go home and give up nursing, Schwartz refused to give up on her recovery or the VA. After completing both a Masters at the Yale School of Nursing and Doctorate in Public Health from the Yale School of Medicine, she turned her attention to veterans’ advocacy.
Schwartz took her fight for women vets to Congress where she has testified more than 24 times. In her first testimony, she openly contradicted two woman generals who had just attested to the VA being well equipped to serve women (noting the canteens offered women’s underwear and cosmetics). She spearheaded legislative efforts to authorize VA’s “Center for Women Veterans, served as Chair of VA’s Advisory Committee on Women Veterans, and on the board of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Schwartz served as Connecticut Commissioner of Veterans Affairs from 2003-2014. Under her tenure a new state-of-the-art VA hospital opened and programs for women and homeless vets were improved. In 2013 President Obama nominated Schwartz to be Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Policy and Planning where she continued to fight for issues such as suicide prevention and ending military sexual assault. Now back home in CT, Linda Schwartz is still fighting for veterans. She helped launch the “Have You Ever Served in the Military?” campaign to better equip non-VA health providers to serve the complex medical needs of veterans. She also chairs the steering committee of an ongoing National Vietnam Veteran Mortality Study through the VA.
Women in the Military: Rising to the Challenge When Linda Schwartz first enlisted, service women could not be married, pregnant, or parenting. 260,000 women served in the U.S. military during the Vietnam War, accounting for only 2% of the total force. But when the war ended in 1973, the military returned to an all-volunteer force and the share of women service members has steadily risen ever since. In 2013 the ban on women in combat roles ended, opening up more than 250,000 jobs to service women. Women now comprise 16% of all active duty military personnel, 19% of active reserve personnel, and 25% of all military academy cadets and midshipmen. Since 9/11, more than 300,000 women have deployed to Iraq & Afghanistan. There are 2.2 million women veterans nationwide (out of a total 22 million). Service women and men face many of the same challenges; family strain, PTSD, and difficulty finding work after leaving the service. But women face unique challenges too. Nearly 25% of women in the military report being sexually assaulted by a coworker (men are significantly less likely to experience such trauma). Service women also often place extra pressure on themselves to overcome gender norms, fighting to prove that they are just as strong and capable as their male colleagues. Despite these challenges, it is a testament to service women’s strength and resilience that all formal ceilings to their success have been eliminated.
Linda Schwartz
Photo Credit: Michael Keating Vietnam Veterans of America.
Continued on next page
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March is Women’s History Month: The National Women’s History Project Established in 1980, the National Women’s History Project (NWHP) is a nonprofit educational corporation dedicated to the promotion and recognition of multicultural American women’s history. NWHP led the successful Congressional campaign to recognize March as National Women’s History Month, first celebrated in 1987. A special Presidential Proclamation is issued each year, and National Women’s History Month is celebrated in all federal agencies. NWHP materials are used to celebrate women’s history in classrooms, government agencies, civic organizations and military bases around the country and around the world. Linda Schwartz and other 2018 NWHP honorees will be celebrated at a luncheon on March 24, 2018 in Washington DC. Visit nwhp.org to purchase tickets and learn more.
Past Military Women Honored by the National Women’s History Project
• Oveta Culp Hobby was Director of the Women’s Army Corps (WACs) in World War II.
• Dorothy C. Stratton was Director of the SPARS (Coast Guard Women’s Reserve) in World War II.
• Brigadier General Rebecca Halstead was the first female graduate of West Point to become a general officer.
• Iraq War veteran Tammy Duckworth was the first female double amputee from the war; she went on to serve as Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and is now the Junior Senator from Illinois. 12
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Often Health Care Providers are unfamiliar with the complexities of the risks encountered by military personnel and the consequences these pose on them and their families for short and long-term health and quality of life. Asking about military service is rarely established or factored into health assessments or care. The effort to increase awareness about the importance of a Military Health History began 15 years ago and was championed by Vietnam Veterans of America to encourage VA Clinicians to ask about the military service of their patients. • Brigadier General Wilma Vaught was the Air Force’s first female general and was instrumental in the creation of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial.
Have You Ever Served? Let Your Healthcare Provider Know Linda Schwartz A man visiting his mother became very ill and had to be transported to a nearby hospital. Eventually admitted to the Intensive Care Unit in Critical Condition, physicians had no leads on a diagnosis. Hours later, a visitor to the unit, learned the patient was veteran who had served in Vietnam. With the help of a Nursing Supervisor, who also served in Vietnam, they quickly ascertained that the Veteran had been in contact with areas sprayed with Agent Orange and identified common diseases associated with these exposures. These factors opened the door for Physicians to confirming a diagnosis of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The veteran had no idea of the diseases linked to exposure to Agent Orange. He reported he had been sick for years but rarely went to a Doctor because he did not have insurance or money to pay for the care.
Later adopted by the Veterans Health Council and American Academy of Nursing to raise awareness of Health Care Providers and all who care for military, veterans and their families, about the importance of identifying Veterans of military service in their patient populations and increased risk factors that need to be considered when diagnosing and treating these individuals. For More Information on HAVE YOU EVER SERVED?, check out www.HaveYouServed.com. which is rich with information on exposures, risk factors and diseases you need to be aware of so you can educate your health care providers and encourage them to include this information in their routine health exams. In 2003, as a result of the veteran encounter described above, then Connecticut Commissioner of Veteran Affairs Linda Schwartz began an effort to develop and refine a program of increasing awareness of veterans and care givers about the importance of including questions about military service in all health encounters. Since then, the increased use of non-VA and Non-DOD health care has increased a sense of urgency to get this very powerful question and issue included in all Health Records and Health Assessments.
While there are over 20 million living Veterans of US Military Service, the US Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) has acknowledged that approximately only 16% of this population uses VA Health Care exclusively. In 2014, Congress authorized the “Choice Act” which authorized health care for Veterans in the Community at VA expense. In 2017 VA paid 19 Million Claims for Veteran care to Community Providers. Thus, the majority of America’s Veterans are receiving health care from non-VA Providers. Military Service has many unknown challenges, dangers and exposures to hazardous agents and environments.
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Operation Homefront Treats Military Moms to Star-Spangled Babies® Showers
Christina Weber, then of Virginia Beach, Va., attended a recent StarSpangled Babies® shower in the Hampton Roads area. At the time, she was three months pregnant, and she and her husband, Thomas, were expecting their second child. Thomas was preparing to deploy. The baby shower was memorable. “It was just amazing,” Christina said. “It blew my mind seeing such a nice event. I felt like I was appreciated.” Christina and the other expectant moms also received free diaper bags and other gifts. New and expecting military moms will be able to register at OperationHomefront.org this spring to attend a 2018 Star-Spangled Babies® shower near them.
Shawn Robison Shawn and her husband, Allen Robison, are assigned to Buckley Air Force Base. Welcoming a new baby is a life-changing event often celebrated with a baby shower. For many military moms, a baby shower is not an option. Operation Homefront, a national nonprofit serving America’s military families®, reaches out to help new and expecting military moms by hosting Star-Spangled Babies® showers for them in communities across the country. Starting a family is challenging. The StarSpangled Babies® program provides baby showers to expectant service members and their growing families. Due to deployments and frequent relocation, military parents-to-be often live far from their extended families and support systems. And like many new parents, they have questions, concerns and fears. The Star-Spangled Babies® showers provide these new and expectant parents with early childhood education tips and a support system when loved ones are far away. Since 2008, Operation Homefront has served nearly 17,000 new and expecting military moms through the Star-Spangled Babies® program.
Robert and Sara Hartland
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Teaching Patriotism, Safety and Survival Skills Are Key Priorities For Texas Mother Serving In The U.S. Air Force Reserves By Barry Smith Boot Campaign
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” 20
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That famous quote from 40th U.S. President Ronald Reagan is a favorite of Staff Sergeant Danielle Vaughn, an Aircrew and Flight Equipment (AFE) Technician in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, whose career is fundamentally based on education and passing on lessons of patriotism, safety and survival skills so those she comes in contact with can make the most of the freedoms America provides. A native of Tyler, Texas, Vaughn is in her ninth year in the military and eighth as a reservist. Based out of Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, 113 miles outside of her current home in Chandler, Texas, Vaughn’s job the past two years in the Operations Support Squadron is to maintain and train aircrew members on safety and survival equipment and skills. It is a new role she takes great pride in after beginning her career as a medic.
While it was far from her master plan after graduating from Winona High School, she ultimately realized she needed the discipline of the military to get her adult life headed in the right direction. “I had a lot of growing up to do in 2007,” admits Vaughn, who majored in pre-med at Texas A&M for a year before changing course and entering the military. “I wasn’t responsible, and I didn’t have very much going for me at the time. Coming from a military family, I had always been a very patriotic person, so it just seemed like a great way to get out of the rut I was in, gain some life experience, instill some structure and discipline in my life, find out who I was as a person, and get money for college.”
Away from the base, Vaughn keeps her plate full by serving as a mother to nine-year-old daughter Maddison, fourth-grade teacher, student in pursuit of a post-graduate degree, and Veteran Ambassador for the Texas-based military nonprofit Boot Campaign. It is her passion for teaching and love of daughter, children and country that keep her motivated to make a difference in the lives she touches.
While Vaughn was making her decision to follow in the footsteps of her male relatives and become the first female in the family to sign up for military service, she says the opportunity was never a subject she privately discussed with them.
“I try to remember President Reagan’s quote,” explains Vaughn, “because, to me, there are few things more important than our future generations understanding the meaning of freedom and how lucky we are to have it.” In 2007 when Vaughn first enlisted in the Air Force, her understanding of patriotism had already been well established, but her selfless attitude towards others had not yet taken shape. With her father and maternal grandfather veterans of the U.S. Marine Corps, and her uncle, paternal grandfather and two great grandfathers vets of the U.S. Army, Vaughn’s family made sure to teach her the principles of service and patriotism. While it was far from her master plan after graduating from Winona High School, she ultimately realized she needed the discipline of the military to get her adult life headed in the right direction.
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“They inspired me in that they were all extremely patriotic, and they taught me to love and appreciate my country, however I never really talked to any of them about me potentially serving before I enlisted,” she remembers. “They were all very encouraging. They know the military is a male dominated profession, but they also know that I never let anything stop me from achieving my goals. I may have to work twice as hard to prove my worth, but I have always loved a challenge.” While her decision to enlist did not come without its challenges, it nevertheless evolved into a golden move for her future. She began her military career on active duty status and was stationed at Northern California’s Travis Air Force Base, before returning home to Texas to raise her daughter and continue in the Reserves. Along the way she earned the John L. Levitow Award, the highest award for enlisted Professional Military Education in the Air Force. It is presented to the student who demonstrates the most outstanding leadership and scholastic achievement throughout Airman Leadership School.
She also went back to college to earn her bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from the University of Texas-Tyler, where she is currently finishing her master’s in educational leadership. After obtaining her teaching credential in 2014, she embarked on a career in elementary education teaching writing, social studies, and her most valued subject – reading. “One day in the airport I picked up a book called Gifted Hands by Dr. Ben Carson, thinking it would be all about medicine,” explains Vaughn. “At that time I was a medic in the Air Force, so it seemed like a fitting read. Turns out that book was all about the hurdles Dr. Carson overcame growing up in poverty, struggling in school, etc. I related to him on a deep level. “One thing that really stuck out is how Dr. Carson’s mother always pushed for him to be a successful reader,” she continues. “I began to think about all the children in this country in similar situations and I became very motivated to be a part of promoting literacy and education.” While there was no stimulus for Vaughn to become an award-winning brain surgeon after reading the book, she certainly pulled inspiration out of its pages that would motivate her to help others in significant ways. “This is my fourth year teaching reading, and I feel so blessed to wake up every day and go teach children a skill that is the basis of all other skills,” Vaughn confides. “The most hungry, dirty, socioeconomically disadvantaged child can work themselves into a better life, beginning with learning to read.”
Command Chief Randall Noble 22
Chief Brian Huber
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Staff Sergeant Danielle Vaughn
In addition to reading, students in Vaughn’s Tyler classrooms at Caldwell Elementary Arts Academy received a healthy dose of the good ole’ red, white and blue. “I try to promote patriotism in each of my classes,” says Vaughn. “I love being able to be a part of shaping and molding the minds of today’s youth, giving them hope for a future and also ensuring they know and appreciate these opportunities we have because we live in a free country.” Vaughn was first introduced to Boot Campaign by one of her former students, Mary Hopson, whose her mother Melissa serves as its vice president of finance. She was moved by Boot Campaign’s mission of providing life-improving programs for America’s veterans and military families. When invited to participate as a Veteran Ambassador, she was thrilled to join her fellow comrades in support of the military community. “The Boot Campaign mission that I most identify with is igniting the inner patriot in Americans,” explains Vaughn. “I truly enjoy spreading my love for this amazing country to my child, my students, and anyone else I meet.
“I tell my daughter and students all the time, the wonderful thing about this country is that it doesn’t matter what color you are, which gender you are, or what socioeconomic status you are born into,” she adds. “What matters is that you are an American, and in America, if you work hard enough, you can achieve anything. We were all very blessed to be born in this land of endless opportunities, and we should never take that for granted.” According to Vaughn, one of her favorite command chiefs would often repeat the same advice when trying to inspire his troops, and it has stayed with her ever since. “He would always say, ‘Hard work pays off and nothing comes easy,’” she reflects. “I pass that advice on to my students. The harder you work, the better that finish line is going to feel. No matter which direction they choose to go, I encourage them to work hard and be the kind of person who takes pride in what they are doing, to set high goals and achieve them, and find a way to help others along the way.”
Vaughn has never been afraid of hard work herself, but she acknowledges one of her biggest challenges has always been trying to make sure she balances her time between being an airman, teacher, student and mother. Fortunately, she has one person in her life who makes juggling those challenges all worthwhile. “My daughter Maddi is my inspiration,” beams the proud parent, who loves to read, cook and appease her “gypsy soul” by traveling the world in whatever spare time she has left. “Everything I do, I do for her. When things are tough, and I feel like quitting, she is the person I think about. She has seen me struggle, but she has never, and will never, see me quit anything. She is the reason I keep pushing to be better.” Learn more about Boot Campaign at www.BootCampaign.org.
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Brenda Allen Patriotism and love for her country By Holly Shaffner
The year was 1969 and she was one of the four Taylor Sisters performing for the troops during the war. Brenda “Crazy Legs” Allen and her “sisters” were not drafted into going to Vietnam - they volunteered.
She may not have worn a uniform, but she certainly served her country. Brenda Allen has performed with (or for) some of the biggest musical stars of our time – Johnny Cash, Boxcar Willie, June Carter, Minnie Pearl, Jimmy Wakeley, and the Statler Brothers. She has been entertaining audiences for 62 years and the time she spent in Vietnam still means the most to her.
Johnny Cash & Brenda 26
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The year was 1969 and she was one of the four Taylor Sisters performing for the troops during the war. Brenda “Crazy Legs” Allen and her “sisters” were not drafted into going to Vietnam - they volunteered. She had (and still has today) a deep sense of patriotism and love for her country. Early in 1969, the Taylor Sisters crossed paths with Shelby Fredrick “Sheb” Wooley who told them, “they (the troops) really need you over there, please go.” She went and it was an experience that she will never forget – the good and the bad. The all-girl country western band performed three to four shows every day at bases throughout Vietnam for almost four months. They were not part of the heavily guarded and supported USO shows; they were on their own to get military men to transport them in country and to return them to home base before curfew. They traveled by boat, airplane, helicopter, and by trucks. Every show was filled with music, singing, dancing and lots of laughs. As a natural comedian, Brenda wanted the young men to have a break from what was happening outside the gates and sometimes inside the gates. The date was June 8, 1969 and the Taylor Sisters had been in country for a short time when the 312th Evacuation Hospital in Chu Lai was hit by rockets. Killed in the attack was the first military woman, Army First Lieutenant Sharon Lane. Brenda was just a few hundred yards away and it made the reality of being in country all too real. When she hears people say that women didn’t serve on the front lines, she tells her story about how they were in range of enemy fire. One of the most significant experiences in country was the time she approached after a show to go to a prisoner of war camp. Brenda says that a Green Beret Colonel asked her to come with him into “Charlie Country” to help him to get a Vietnamese prisoner to talk. She told the other sisters what she was doing.
They urged her not to go but she told them, “I want to be there for the men.” She does not know where that camp was because she was blindfolded for the ride and the Colonel who took her asked that she trust him. The Vietnamese prisoner wouldn’t eat for fear the U.S. was going to poison his food so the Colonel brought Brenda to the camp for her to perform for the prisoner in hopes of gaining his trust. When they arrived, the prisoner was already down for the night and so she performed for the U.S. troops which she learned were U.S. Special Forces. As nightfall was approaching and she knew she had to get back to base before curfew, she performed a few more songs then bid her audience farewell. She still gets choked up when she talks about what happened next. As she was leaving, the troops helped her off the bar and lined the aisle to the door. The Commanding Officer saluted her, took off his Green Beret cover and placed it on her head. He told her, “I lost this in the swamp; you have no idea where it came from.” Today that is one of her most prized possessions. She tried to learn who he was after she got back to the United States and the inquiries always resulted in, “He is fine, he is still an operative and he thanks you for your service.” The Taylor Sisters came home that summer and landed a multi-year gig at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas. They worked their way up from night shift to day shift to headliners and performed for four years together until their leader, Helen Taylor got sick. At age 41 and just six years after returning from Vietnam, Helen passed away. Many of Helen’s friends and family suspected it was due to complications from Agent Orange exposure during an attack while in Vietnam. Continued on next page
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Vietnam Women’s Memorial designed by Glenna Goodacre, dedicated on November 11, 1993
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After the Taylor Sisters disbanded, Brenda continued to sing, play guitar and entertain. In the 1980s she was asked to sing at a Nebraska Vietnam Veterans Memorial dedication ceremony. During this event, she met a woman named Diane Evans whose passion and determination would spur Brenda into her next adventure - helping to honor the women of the Vietnam War.
Diane and her team were tenacious and ten years after inception, the memorial was dedicated in the nation’s capital in the same hallowed grounds of their military brothers.
Over the course of almost 20 years, more than 265,000 military women served voluntarily in the Vietnam era and of the 11,000 who served in country, 90 percent were nurses. In 1984, Diane (an Army nurse in Vietnam) began her crusade – to build a memorial to honor the women of the Vietnam War.
When asked why she got involved in the Vietnam Women’s Memorial, she said, “When you see something that isn’t right, you have to change it” and she did just that.
The project was riddled with controversy from the beginning and obtaining Congressional support and a location to build it was an uphill battle.
She sings and entertains the men and women who served their country and even though she didn’t wear a uniform, she is still serving today.
On November 11, 1993 the women of the Vietnam War were finally honored for their service and sacrifice and Brenda was there to sing and deliver remarks about the project.
At 77 years young, Brenda lives in Nebraska and still enjoys playing the guitar and going to local VFW’s and nursing homes.
She sings and entertains the men and women who served their country and even though she didn’t wear a uniform, she is still serving today.
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Tour of Honor
“now for THe aTTenTion of all Hands...�
Honor Flight San Diego provides, at no-cost to the veteran, an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, DC to visit the memorials built for their service and sacrifice. Priority is given to the most senior veterans, currently WWIIera, and any veterans who have terminal illnesses. The next trip to Washington, DC is in May 2018. For more information, go to
www.honorflightsandiego.org
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Research Opportunities
VETERANS: WE NEED YOU 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
Sign up for a research study TODAY!
Some studies provide medical care and/or reimbursement for participation.
Check out our current list of research opportunities.
Visit: www.sandiego.va.gov/studies.asp and www.vmrf.org/studies.html
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Female Veterans Heal Through Wounded Warrior Project Programs By Jennifer Silva – Chief Program Officer, Wounded Warrior Project
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Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) is proud to recognize the devoted patriotism and bravery our female service members have shown throughout our nation’s history. They are an integral part of our national pride and heritage. We also recognize that such responsibility can come at a heavy cost. Fatalities and injuries among women warriors are climbing each year as their involvement in military campaigns increases. WWP is committed to honoring injured female warriors of this generation by providing them with programs and services they’ve earned through their service and sacrifice to our country. Breaking through the Brass Ceiling Throughout American history, women service members have served our nation honorably in a variety of essential roles as they rose through the ranks. One inspirational example is Air Force Gen. Lori Robinson, whose military career has taken her from the ROTC program at the University of New Hampshire in 1982 to her present-day positions as commander of the U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command, becoming the highestranking woman in U.S. military history.
Take for example, Marine Corps veteran and WWP warrior Lindsay Linkes. She successfully used her military and leadership experience to open a custom hotrod and motorcycle business with her husband after her injuries forced her out of the service. WWP built on that and helped her learn about other business tools, many of which she is using to expand their business. She recently learned new photography skills through a WWP workshop and is using her creative images to document projects for their business. She uses the techniques she learned to tell stories by showing how their projects evolved, as well as promoting their business online. She expressed the photography class helped her think out of the box and provided her with a network of fellow veterans and business people in her community. How WWP’s Programs Can Change Women Warriors’ Lives WWP acknowledges female warrior sacrifices, and our programs provide hope and healing opportunities on the civilian side of life for injured veterans. WWP is equipped to serve warriors with every type of injury – from the physical to the invisible wounds of war.
Lori and many other female veterans have capitalized on the leadership opportunities they’ve gained through military service and inspired generations of young women who have followed. Helping Female Veterans Develop Skills to Take On the Entrepreneurial World For many women, their military skills and experiences have helped them transition to a lifetime of achievements in their communities, with their families, and in their careers, including successfully opening their own businesses. Continued on next page
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Women’s Mental Health Workshops WWP’s mental health workshops give women the confidence to reach out for camaraderie and regain the sense of sisterhood they enjoyed inside the military. The workshops give warriors new emotional coping skills that allow them to recover from the invisible wounds of combat. Project Odyssey® offers all-female multi-day adventure workshops. The program challenges women warriors through activities like hiking, rock climbing, scavenger hunts, and high-rope courses. These events push warriors physically, mentally, and emotionally — all of which helps with coping and problem-solving skills. The program provides unique tools to help warriors with stress. The gatherings recharge mental and emotional health and help female warriors discover new things about themselves. Army veteran Jill Franco said bonding with other women warriors during a mental health workshop was the best thing she had done for herself in 10 years. Besides acknowledging WWP events are one of the few things she leaves her house for, she also expressed the mental health workshop allowed her time to focus on her recovery by removing outside distractions. Jill also stated WWP’s mental health workshop gave her a chance to be around other female wounded warriors and experience firsthand how their similar stories and recoveries made her feel stronger and facilitated her healing. She felt the camaraderie she experienced during the workshop reminded her of the positive bonding experiences she had in the military. Warrior Kendra Simpkins is also an Army veteran and a WWP Peer Support mentor. She’s a firm believer in the power of connecting and talking with other injured female veterans. She lets them know about recovery and bonding opportunities available through WWP and how the programs do wonders to empower female warriors struggling to cope. Physical Health & Wellness Through health and nutrition education, intensive coaching, and recreational activities, WWP helps warriors achieve independence and pursue an excellent quality of life.
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Navy veteran Meosha Thomas said because of her leg injury, she found it difficult to find help with her workouts before she started attending physical health and wellness expos. WWP showed her modifications for her workout routine to give her better results. She said this gave her the confidence to do more and stick to her fitness goals because instead of hearing she what couldn’t do, WWP showed her what she could do to recover. Physical health and wellness events help reduce stress, combat depression, and promote an overall healthy and active lifestyle by encouraging participation in interactive and educational activities. When women warriors are ready to commit to making positive changes in their physical recoveries, WWP will help them set goals, build skills, and offer coaching for their physical training. Connection Events WWP connection events provide safe, enjoyable environments for warriors to develop interpersonal bonds with peers and learn more about other WWP services.
WWP helps warriors achieve independence and pursue an excellent quality of life.
Connection events are points of entry to the many free WWP programs, services, and events available to warriors and their families. If they’re interested in WWP programs, the first step is registering with the organization. At all-female WWP summits, injured female veterans and their family members can connect, get sage recovery advice, and share inspiring stories of strength, sacrifice, and endurance. Erin Inman, wife of Army veteran Andrew Inman, attended a recent all-female family support weekend connection event. She expressed that both she and her husband love the network of veteran support they find through WWP events. She feels the friends she and her husband make at WWP events help them, as a couple, cope with issues because most attendees have similar experiences and needs. Connection events help warriors build or reinforce bonds with their families and communities. Registered warriors and family members receive weekly emails listing upcoming opportunities in their areas. All they have to do is click the event they want to attend and enter their information online.
Celebrate National Women’s History Month During this month of remembrance for women, please realize that veterans, especially female veterans, are not alone in this journey. Whether you are just starting on your path to recovery, or if you’ve been at it for a while, WWP is here to support you.
To get involved and learn more, visit woundedwarriorproject.org.
About Wounded Warrior Project We Connect, Serve, and Empower The mission of Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors. WWP connects wounded warriors and their families to valuable resources and one another, serves them through a variety of free programs and services, and empowers them to live life on their own terms. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. WWP is an accredited charity with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), is top rated by Charity Navigator, and holds a GuideStar Platinum rating.
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Shelter to Soldier Co-Founder/Board Member Devotes Expertise to Advance Charitable Mission to Benefit Shelter Dogs and US Veterans by Eva M. Stimson
In 2012, Krystyna Holc enlisted the dog-training expertise of renowned dog trainer, Graham Bloem, owner of Specialty Dog Training, to help coach her 120-pound German Shepherd Molly Fae. It was during that time that Graham shared his vision with Krystyna to develop a non-profit entity to rescue shelter dogs and teach them to be trained as psychiatric service dogs for post-9/11 combat veterans. With her professional expertise in accounting and financial services, Krystyna recognized an opportunity to donate her skills to help launch the non-profit organization that Graham and his wife, Kyrié, had envisioned. She completed applications to obtain both Federal and State (CA) non-profit designations and the philanthropic organization was launched under her guidance.
The death of these family members left an indelible impression on Krystyna and she recognized the benefit that Graham’s non-profit organization could have on future veterans suffering from combat-related afflictions. She also realized that extended family members could be relieved of emotional pain in dealing with the impact of familial suicide. Krystyna remarks, “When I meet a veteran who has entered the Shelter to Soldier program, I see similarities in character and stature to both of the cousins that I lost ---- I fully comprehend their anguish but also see the good in them. If I can just save one person from themselves and their family suffering through what I went through, then I know I am making a significant contribution.”
Shelter to Soldier is a San Diego-based non-profit organization that adopts dogs from local shelters and trains them to become psychiatric service dogs for post-9/11 combat veterans suffering from PostTraumatic Stress (PTS), Traumatic Brain (TBI) and/or other afflictions associated with traumatic combat experiences. 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. The services Shelter to Soldier provides for free to veterans and their commitment to adopt dogs, fulfills the mission of this organization by “Saving Lives, Two at a Time”. Krystyna was particular interested in helping Graham establish his charitable organization as she was personally familiar with the traumatic affect military service has on injured veterans who try desperately to integrate back into society after their military commitments are fulfilled. She lost two family members to veteran-related suicide; one male cousin who was akin to an older brother fell victim to ending his life after multiple attempts to seek medical help once he completed active duty in the US Army, and another male cousin who served in the Royal Air Force in England who quietly reserved his anguish and succumbed to suicide by a similar manner. Graham and Kyrié Bloem 36
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Krystyna is the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Goodsell and Company CPA firm. She is the Financial Manager for Specialty Dog Training, Shelter to Soldier and Pacific Pet Resort. Krystyna is one of the Founders and current Treasurer of the Board of Directors of Shelter to Soldier and provides all of their accounting needs pro-bono. According to Shelter to Soldier CoFounder and President, Graham Bloem, “Krystyna’s elite financial services help our organization stay on task by follow budgeting guidelines and assisting us in reaching our financial goals. We’re so grateful to have Krystyna on our team ---- she has been there in such a huge capacity from the very beginning and is extraordinarily selfless. Not only is she kind in every sense of the word, but she also truly cares for dogs in need along with our military veterans.” Whenever Krystyna comes into contact with a veteran who has learned about the Shelter to Soldier program, she is quick to lend a hand in a personal manner, often walking them through the application requirements and introducing them to the Shelter to Soldier website. She equally takes great pride and joy whenever she comes into contact with dogs that have graduated from the program.
Krystyna received her Bachelors of Science in Business with an emphasis in Accounting from the University of San Diego and specializes in tax planning for her clientele. She is a licensed CPA and the audit partner at Goodsell & Company (http://www.goodsellco.com). She has over 20 years experience in public accounting and has extensive audit and tax knowledge. She has a 70-pund male German shepherd named Cooper, which she rescued from Coastal German Shepherd Rescue and always has a faithful shepherd by her side. Shelter to Soldier is the recipient of the ABC 10News Leadership Award, The Red Cross San Diego/Imperial Counties Real Heroes Award, the Honeywell Life Safety Award and the 2016 Waggy Award in the Animal Welfare category. Shelter to Soldier recently relocated their headquarters to the Pacific Pet Resort and Dog Training Center located at 2909 San Luis Rey Road in Oceanside, CA, to better serve the increasing number of veterans in need of their services. www.pacificpetresort.com. Shelter to Soldier is a gold participant of GuideStar and accredited by the Patriot’s Initiative. www. sheltertosoldier.org. To learn more about veteransupport services provided by STS, call (855) 287-8659 for a confidential interview regarding eligibility.
She recently reminisced about an encounter she experienced while out and about in San Diego. “One day, I while I was walking through Balboa Park, I recognized one of the dogs that had graduated from our program with their veteran-handler. I observed such a high-level of confidence in the veteran immersed in a densely populated public environment, with a variety of people milling around --- the veteran looked like he was genuinely having a great time. As documented, veterans who suffer from PTS and/or TBI often avoid public places due to their condition, but with a service dog by their side, they can overcome their fear and anxiety. It made me so happy to see the two of them together. I didn’t approach them as I wanted to honor their personal space, but I reflected on how much this veteran’s life had been transformed by having the help of a Shelter to Soldier dog, not to mention how pleased the rescued dog was to have a new purpose in life!”
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(Krystyna’s) personal pet (Cooper)
(Griffin) a veteran service dog who graduated from the Shelter to Soldier program
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ENLISTED TO ENTREPRENEUR By Vicki Garcia
Choosing the Right Business Entity for You! Every month, courtesy of Homeland Magazine, I offer up my best entrepreneurial intelligence. Not being a practicing lawyer (I do have a Juris Doctorate), legal tips are above my pay grade. Kelly Bagla, Esq., Attorney at Law and bestselling author of Go Legal Yourself has kindly offered to provide the following valuable information. Kelly has a special interest in helping vets and active military to become financially independent through business ownership. As a San Diego business attorney, I am frequently asked: “What type of business should I be?” It generally depends on what kind of business you want to conduct. The type of business entity should reflect the kind of business you do. “What business entities are commonly used?” There are generally six most common business entities used today which are: • Sole Proprietorship • General Partnership • Limited Partnership • Limited Liability Company • Corporation • Subchapter S Corporation “What is the difference between the different types of business entities?” Here is a breakdown of the differences: 1. SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP A SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP = is a business owned and operated by an individual. Sole proprietorships are the basic forms of business organizations, which require no formal type of government filings to form the business and are not required to follow any type of operating formalities. The BENEFIT = of a sole proprietorship is the taxability of business income and the deductibility of business losses on the business owners individual tax returns. The LIABILITY = of a sole proprietorship is that the business owner is personally liable for all liabilities and obligations of the business, which liability extends, not only to liabilities in excess of the amounts invested in the business including any insurance coverage, but also to the business owner’s personal assets. 38
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2. GENERAL PARTNERSHIP A GENERAL PARTNERSHIP = is an association of two or more persons to carry on a business. A general partnership is another type of business entity which is easy to form but requires a written partnership agreement to govern the operations of the partnership and the relationship among the partners. COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS = for a partnership are minimal and require that a Statement of Information be filed with the State and the partnership maintains records to provide to the partners in connection with the proper exercise of the partner’s rights and duties under the partnership agreement. MANAGEMENT = in a general partnership extends to each partner whereby each partner is an agent of the business and their actions generally bind the business. The LIABILITY = of a general partnership is that a partner’s liability not only extends to that partner’s percentage interest in the business but also to the partner’s personal assets as well. 3. LIMITED PARTNERSHIP A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP = is a partnership formed by two or more persons that has one or more general partners and one or more limited partners as co-owners of a business. A written partnership agreement should be established between the business and its partners and a written partnership agreement should also be established between the partners themselves establishing the classes of general or limited partners. COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS = for a limited partnership require more formal filings with the State, such as, filing a Certificate of Limited Partnership and obtaining an agent for service of process. MANAGEMENT = in a limited partnership extends to one or more general partners who have exclusive management authority thus limiting the decisions of the limited partners in the business. The LIABILITY = of a limited partnership is that the general partner is personally liable for the partnership’s debts, obligations and liabilities. However, the limited partnership allows limited partners to avoid subjecting their personal assets outside of their investment. A limited partner is granted limited liability as long as the partner does not participate in the control of the partnership business.
• Sole Proprietorship • General Partnership • Limited Partnership • Limited Liability Company • Corporation • Subchapter S Corporation
4. LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY = is an entity having one or more members, organized under State statute. Limited liability companies have all the powers of natural people, which include the ability to transact business, sue or be sued, make contracts, own and transfer real estate, and issue stock subject to limitations. COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS = for a limited liability company require more formality in formation and operation, such as, filing Articles with the State, filing a Statement of Information with the State, obtain an agent for service of process, and establish an operating agreement. MANAGEMENT = in a limited liability company can be conducted by all its members or by one manager. Officers may be appointed to conduct the affairs of the business. The LIABILITY = of a limited liability company is limited for all its members, managers and officers. As long as the State’s statutory requirements are followed, the members, managers and officers of the business are not personally held liable for any debt, liability or obligations of the business arising in contact, tort or otherwise solely by being a member, manager or officer of the business. 5. CORPORATION A CORPORATION = commonly known as a C or regular corporation, is by far is the most common and wellknown form of business entity. All corporations are governed by the State of incorporation and are treated as separate and distinct legal entities separate from its owners with all the rights to own property, make contracts and sue in its own name.
COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS = for a corporation require strict statutory compliance, such as, filing the Articles of Incorporation with the State, filing a Statement of Information with the State, obtaining an agent for service of process, establishing bylaws, issuance of stock, establishing a board of directors, appointment of officers, holding annual shareholder meetings, holding annual director meetings, and maintaining books and records of written minutes. MANAGEMENT = in a corporation is generally conducted by the board of directors with the day to day operations of the business ran by the officers. The overall decision making lies with the shareholders of the business. The LIABILITY = of a corporation is limited for all its shareholders and the shareholder’s personal liability is limited to the investment. As long as the State’s statutory requirements are followed, the shareholders, directors and officers of the business are not personally held liable for any debt, liability or obligations of the business arising in contact, tort or otherwise. 6. SUBCHAPTER S CORPORATION A SUBCHAPTER S CORPORATION = commonly known as an S corporation, is a corporation that has elected to be taxed under Subchapter S of the Internal Revenue Code and is treated as a partnership for most tax purposes. The income of the S corporation is passed through to its shareholders therefore avoiding double taxation. Other than the different tax treatment, the S corporation operates identically to that of a C or regular corporation. COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS = for an S corporation are identical to that of a C or regular corporation, however, for a corporation to qualify as an S corporation certain requirements must be met. MANAGEMENT = in an S corporation is identical to that of a C or regular corporation. The LIABILITY = of an S corporation is identical to that of a C or regular corporation. 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. Kelly can be reached at (760) 784-9109, and kelly@baglalaw.com. Her website is www.baglalaw.com
Vicki Garcia is the Co-Founder of Veteran Entrepreneurs Today (V.E.T.) & President of Marketing Impressions, a 30+ year old marketing consulting firm. Email her at vicki@veteranentrepreneurstoday.org for free help in starting and running your business. www.homelandmagazine.com
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Military Spouses
“Working from Home” The New Job Alternative
By Joe Molina,
Executive Director, Veterans Chamber of Commerce veteransccsd@gmail.com www.vccsd.org
What if we desire to earn some extra money to help our family? What if we have the need to move around frequently making it difficult to land a consistent, permanent job? Active Duty and Veterans ask me all the time,
“My spouse is having difficulty landing a permanent job, previous job was lost due to deployment. I want to help my family. Please advise” Understanding Employers:
Most employers are set to hire permanent employees and have a hiring system in place to accomplish that. It is important for these employers to retain employees for long periods of time since training new employees is expensive. Employers equipped to hire seasonal employees have a hiring system that accommodates frequent personnel changes and it is and it is set up for frequent training of new employees.
Possible Solutions:
What if there was a type of job that could be flexible enough, that could be transferable and could be implemented anywhere. We now have many options for employment, some may call it Self-employment, working from home, independent contractors, these are all different names used for what we now call the Gig Economy. 40
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Under the gig economy, we may work for an employer to perform specific tasks or projects, but we may also choose to create our own company and become an Independent contractor. What’s a gig? Examples of a gig would be: tutors, quick book consultants, Life coaches, a part time CFO, accountants, graphic designers, loan processing agents. The list can go on forever. We (at the Veterans Chamber of Commerce) completely support the idea that if you can’t find the job you are looking for, create your own!!! The Opportunities are there and are almost endless.
“How To” Tips:
Gigs and Where to find them:
• Don’t go at it alone – Join groups, get a mentor, join a chamber (Veterans Chamber) Join a trade organization or group that is involved in your type of industry.
Once you are ready to start offering your product/service, there are “platforms” set up already to showcase your service.
Search online for associations that serve homebased businesses and independent contractors. You may also want to connect with a networking group in your area, like Meet Up. These groups are a great way to network with people in similar industries. • Don’t re-invent the wheel - Creating a concept that only you know about, or that very few people understand is great, but be aware that it will take longer, cost more and be more challenging to get your idea off the ground. You are okay with the extra investment of time and money. It can be a great experience to start something out Just from an Idea. However, if what you are looking for quick cash, then align yourself with a service or product that many people currently know and use. I always tell my clients to “Imitate, then Innovate”. There are plenty of business opportunities out there that are already successful, it might be quicker to try one of those first.
One platform I often recommend is UpWork. In this platform, you don’t have to sign a contract and charge what you want. There are other platforms out there, but this platform is an inexpensive and easy to set option for someone starting out.
Get the help: You are not alone! Many good, well intentioned organizations are available to help you in your search for the right work from home venture. The Veterans Chamber of Commerce is a great resource and can guide you in the process.
www.vccsd.org
How to Start: 1. Identify what skills you have to offer, and whether those skills are best offered to Individuals or to businesses 2. Answer these simple questions to know if your product/service has potential: a. Who currently buys my type of product/service? b. Where are those buyers geographically located? c. How many buyers are located in that area? d. Are those byers able to purchase my service/ product? e. How often do they currently buy the product/ service? Answering these questions will let you know the “level of need” for your product/service. The higher the “level of Need” the higher the possibility of success. 3. Even if you are providing a small/simple service, research your county and city for licensing requirements (Let us know if we can help) www.homelandmagazine.com
HOMELAND / March 2018 41
communities built to support those who serve.
. 24/7 Maintenance . No Security Deposit . Gas & Water Included Roadside Assistance . Average Electrical Use Included . Intrusion Alarms
Free Family Events
Call 866-779-5434 or visit www.lincolnmilitary.com
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JOIN US
Veterans Chamber of Commerce www.vccsd.org
We are the Voice and Action of our Veteran Community. Access a Network of Veterans, Service Providers and Resources to Help your business Grow! We support programs that Improve the quality of life of our Families and our
For more information please visit our website www.vccsd.org or send us an email veteransccsd@gmail.com
Communities.
We encourage and Support New and Existing Entrepreneurs
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Military, Firefighters, Teachers, Medical Field, Law Enforcment, Veterans
The Thank Heroes Home Rebate Program! We are Honored to Serve Those Who Serve
Get 100% of your closing costs covered and up to a 20% return on commissions... cash! Contact us today at 619-937-3659 or visit us at SDThankYouHeroes.com to find out how our program can help you! CalBRE#01990368
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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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JOBS FOR VETS
Careers In Law Enforcement Visit Today For Law Enforcement Profiles & Job Openings
HomelandMagazine.com JOBS FOR VETS LAW ENFORCEMENT 46
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Colorado Springs Police Department Safeguarding Our Community As Our Family (719) 444-7437 cspd.coloradosprings.gov Recruiting@ci.colospgs.co.us Facebook: Colorado Springs Police twitter@cspd.pio
Visit our website for further information and fill out a job interest card today! cspd.coloradosprings.gov
We strive to maintain the trust and confidence of our citizens while working to improve your quality of life.
Answer The Call!
Accepting Applications November 13th through December 28th, 2017
Seeking qualified Men and Women with:
If serving and protecting the community is your passion, Answer the Call.
• A Strong Moral Compass • A Desire to Serve the Community • Dedication to Upholding the Law 48
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www.JoinOPD.com • Phone: 402-444-3507 Facebook: JoinOPD • Twitter: JoinOPD
JOIN
PGH POLICE
LEAD. SERVE. PROTECT. The City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police is looking for individuals to lead, serve, and protect. We value our service members and offer the following benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance Tuition Reimbursement Veterans Preference Points Career advancement through our specialized units Join us in one of America's most livable cities
Visit joinpghpolice.com for more information
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Join A Great Team! We find that our Veterans are the Very Best!
“We are currently hiring for Deputy, Detention Officers, and Nurses.” • Exciting Career opportunities in the cool pines of Northern Arizona. • Military preference given. For employment questions call Sheriff’s Office Human Resources
(928) 226-5069 or (800) 338-7888 www.coconino.az.gov/sheriff.aspx
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• At Coconino County Sheriff’s Office our Service to the Community is accomplished by hiring the Best! • [Check out our agency and find a home where you can apply the skills you’ve learned in the military.] • Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is committed to providing responsive and effective Service to Community.
www.homelandmagazine.com
Santa Monica Police Department THE BENCHMARK OF EXCELLENCE.
Benefits:
Join Us.
• • • • • •
Annual Salary Ranges of $80,988 - $99,984 Compressed work schedules Paid vacation, sick, and personal leave City paid medical, dental, and vision insurance 2.7% at 57 Public Employee Retirement Plan Educational incentives- 6% for Intermediate POST Certificates, 12% for Advanced POST Certificates • Uniform allowance • Additional bilingual pay • Court standby pay • Longevity pay • Sick leave buy back incentive
(719) 444-7437 cspd.coloradosprings.gov Recruiting@ci.colospgs.co.us
santamonicapd.org/join
Facebook: Colorado Springs Police twitter@cspd.pio
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP TOWARD A REWARDING CAREER In addition to Patrol, our core service, the Department offers a wide range of special assignments: • Crime Impact Team • Criminal Investigations Section • Crisis Negotiations Team • Downtown Bicycle Unit • Field Training Officer Unit • Gang Unit • Homeless Liaison Unit • K-9 Unit • Mounted Patrol Unit • Neighborhood Resource Officer Unit • Personnel and Training Unit • School Resource Officer Unit • Special Weapons and Tactics Team • Traffic/Motor Unit • Vice/Narcotics Unit
Visit our website for further information and fill out a job interest card today! cspd.coloradosprings.gov
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HOMELANDMAGAZINE.COM “As Good As It Gets”
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PTSD TREATMENT DECISION AID: THE CHOICE IS YOURS
Wondering which PTSD treatment is right for you? Use the PTSD Treatment Decision Aid to learn about and compare treatments.
HOW DOES IT WORK? Watch Video Interviews with Providers Compare the Treatments You Like Best Find Answers to Frequently Asked Questions Get a Personalized Summary
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.
www.ptsd.va.gov/decisionaid 56
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