HomelandMagazine JULY2019

Homeland

Vol. 7 Number 7 • July 2019 www.HomelandMagazine.com

Veterans Magazine

CELEBRATING AN AMERICAN ARTIST SCOTT LOBAIDO

The Month of Independence

The Path of Positivity:

Journeying Back to Independence and Well-Being

CYBERATTACKS Our Personal Security

Military Veterans Setting Sail

A Different Lens - TBI Enlisted To Entrepreneur LEGAL EAGLE Careers In Law Enforcement Resources • Support • Transition • Inspiration

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“If your personal information is stolen, the thief can go to the car dealership and open up an auto loan in your name,” he said. “If you aren’t monitoring your credit information you won’t know about that loan. You won’t be paying on that loan – because you don’t know about it – and your credit will be negatively affected.

“If you are actively monitoring your credit and identity information, you will be alerted to the new auto loan and be able to report it as fraud.”

Recent cyberattacks targeting military members may lead to theft of personal information Cyberattacks are on the rise. These attacks not only compromise our national security but our personal and financial security as well.

Cyberspies from Russia to China to Iran have recently targeted individual active duty and veteran military members, using false personas on social media networks as well as other tactics to obtain sensitive information.

Military branches and the Pentagon also have experienced data breaches in the last few years.

These events have put military members and veterans especially at risk, said Scott Hermann, IDIQ℠ co-owner and CEO and one of the nation’s leading experts in credit monitoring, identity theft protection, and data breaches.

Hermann said military members and recently retired veterans are doubly vulnerable because of the low number of transactions on their accounts, making them attractive to identity thieves.

“Thieves tend to target people who don’t make a lot of transactions,” he said. “If you are in the military or just came out of the military, often you haven’t been making a lot of credit or financial transactions. Identity thieves see this as an easy target who typically won’t be monitoring his or her accounts.”

Hermann said actively monitoring credit and identity information is important so you can receive alerts for suspicious activity and act quickly before identity thieves can strike.

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Along with attempting to take out loans with stolen personal and financial information, identity thieves can attempt to open new credit cards, clone ATM or debit cards, change a billing address, obtain a new driver’s license or other

forms of ID, and use that false identity when questioned by police.

“It’s important for everyone to have credit monitoring, but especially for someone in the military or a military veteran,” he said. “When an identity theft occurs, it may have a significant negative impact on credit.

“Credit monitoring is the most important thing you can do. If you aren’t monitoring, you aren’t paying attention to your personal information.”

Hermann said education also is an important part of identity theft protection. He said, along with regularly updating passwords, be aware that methods a thief uses don’t always include hacking. Phishing scams and other tactics are used to gather personal information over the phone, text, and emails.

For more information and education on credit monitoring and protection against identity theft, visit identityiq.com.

Based in Southern California, IDIQ is recognized as one of the fastest-growing industry leaders in credit and identity theft monitoring and data breach management. IDIQ operates the flagship IdentityIQ℠ brand for active delivery of credit and identity monitoring and protection. IDIQ and its IdentityIQ brand are a proud supporter of active duty and veteran military members and their families. ©2019 IDIQ provider of IdentityIQ

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EDITOR’S

LETTER

Publisher Editor-In-Chief Mike Miller mikemiller@HomelandMagazine.com

Contributing Writers Holly Shaffner Honor Flight

RanDee McLain, LCSW A Different Lens

Vicki Garcia

Enlisted to Entrepreneur

CJ Machado

Homeland Photojournalist

Kelly Bagla, Esq. Legal Eagle

Joe Molina Veterans Chamber of Commerce

Maurice Wilson

Military to Civilian Transition

www.HomelandMagazine.com 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.

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

With warmest thanks, Mike Miller Publisher/Editor mikemiller@HomelandMagazine.com 6

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Collaborative Organizations Wounded Warrior Project DAV • American Warrior Shelter To Soldier Father Joe’s Village Flying Leathernecks Give An Hour Courage To Call Boot Campaign National Women’s History Operation Homefront National Veteran Advocates & Guest Writers 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.

Homeland Magazine 9528 Miramar Road, Suite 41 San Diego, CA 92126

858.275-4281 Contact Homeland Magazine at:

info@homelandmagazine.com

HAPPY 4th of JULY

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 4 Cyberattacks - Personal Security 9 Independence Day - History 10 Your Month of Independence 12 Art Brings Awareness (22) 14 Independence & Well Being 18 A Different Lens - TBI 22 Veterans Setting To Sail 27 Helping Hands 28 Advantages of Real Estate 32 Freedom - VANC 34 Enlisted to Entrepreneur 38 Reintegration - Transitioning 41 Legal Eagle - Partnerships 43 Careers in Law Enforcement

DIGITAL VERSION AVAILABLE www.HomelandMagazine.com

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Independence Day Independence Day is annually celebrated on July 4 and is often known as “the Fourth of July”.

It is the anniversary of the publication of the declaration of independence from Great Britain in 1776. Patriotic displays and family events are organized throughout the United States.

On July 4th, 1776 the United States laid down its claim to be a free and independent nation by adopting the Declaration of Independence.

Today, Independence Day is celebrated and honored in many forms such as fireworks, BBQs and parades. It is an opportunity for Americans to express patriotism and love of country including reflecting on the sacrifices from those in the military.

Independence Day History On June 11th, 1776 the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia to formally sever ties with Great Britain. Thomas Jefferson, who considered an esteemed writer, was selected to draft the document. After 86 revisions and on July 4th, 1776 the Continental Congress signed the final version.

The first readings of the document included ringing of bells and band music. The following Fourth of July Congress was adjourned in Philadelphia and everybody celebrated with bells, bonfires and fireworks. Soon these customs spread to other areas within the 13 colonies and new customs began to develop such as picnics, speeches, games, military displays and of course fireworks. These traditions continued for almost a century before Congress finally established Independence Day as a holiday.

Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration states, “We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness….”

Independence Day Facts • The original copy of the Declaration is housed in the National Archives in Washington, D.C. and July 4 has been designated a national holiday to commemorate the day the United States • Independence Day 2015 is the 239th Independence Day. • 56 People signed the Declaration of Independence.

• John Hancock was the first signer and famously had the largest signature.

• In July 1776 there were an estimated 2.5 million people living in the Colonial United States.

• Currently there are approximately 316 million Americans.

• The Declaration of Independence was revised 86 times.

• The first Independence Day was celebrated on July 8, 1776.

• Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died on the Fourth of July, 1826.

Things to do on the Fourth of July • Barbecue with friends and family • Watch a fireworks show • Go to a blockbuster movie release • Have a block party • Light some fireworks (safely & legally of course) • Attend a baseball game • Find water – Boating, beaching and water skiing • Rent a 4th of July themed movie • Find a National Park hosting a July 4th event

Patriotic Things to do on the Fourth of July • Fly the American Flag • Wear Red, White and Blue • Volunteer to help our veterans • Take a trip to a special fort, park or monument near you.

• Go to a Fourth of July celebration • Attend a Revolutionary War reenactment • Send Letters, Care Packages, and Other Ways to Support the Military

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Make July Your Month Of Independence

By Kevin Dunn

• Have you given this goal your best effort?

• If you have – what are the reasons you could not be successful? Is it a lack of resources, knowledge or skill?

• How can you learn from where you are and make a plan to acquire what is missing – the resources, knowledge or skills – to allow you to be successful?

The great Roman general Marcus Aurelius asked the question a different way: “Does what’s happened keep you from acting with justice, generosity, self-control, sanity, prudence, honesty, humility, straightforwardness?”

In other words, does what you perceive as failure change your basic nature as a human being? If not, don’t waste time being held back by the failure. Instead use it as an opportunity to learn and grow. Take that learning and growth into the future and continue on to achieve your goals.

Declare your independence from fear.

Television personality Mike Rowe tells a story when he stood before the camera to begin his first night as a host on the shopping channel QVC. He had a product he knew nothing about, he had no experience in live television, and he knew that QVC was not interested in on-air personalities who could not sell products.

In his story, Mike points out a key in declaring your independence from the tyranny of fear: Don’t hide your fear. Acknowledge that you are scared to

In the United Stated we have just finished celebrating the 4th of July. It’s a special time to Americans.

Not only are there picnics and parades, there is an understanding that over 200 years ago people got fed up with the way things were and pledged their “lives, fortunes, and sacred honor” to making the changes they saw necessary for long-term success as a nation.

July is also halfway through the calendar year, six months away from the hopeful exuberance of New Year’s resolutions. This makes it a perfect opportunity to make July a month to declare your personal independence from the things that are standing in the way of your resolutions and goals. Revisit those grand dreams and declare your independence from the tyranny holding you back – pledging with the same revolutionary fervor as the patriots did to make the changes necessary for your success.

Declare your independence from failure.

How are you doing on the goals you made at the first of the year? Have you fallen so far behind that you haveshoved them back into a corner, pointedly ignoring them because you feel that you have failed?

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The self-made man is a myth. Throughout history, leaders who have been successful have had carefully developed support systems around them. Whether they are formal advisors, technical assistants, or just sounding boards who can help in the development of ideas, a support system is invaluable in helping you reach a goal.

Make yourself accountable to those who care about you. It does not have to be a formal accountability framework; something as simple as online social media can be very powerful. When I first started a fitness program, I posted each day’s run to my Facebook account. This was not so much that I wanted to be sure that my friend saw me run, rather, it was my motivation when I did not want to go run.

Declare your independence.

Make this July your personal “Independence Month” – a month to recommit to the goals that you want to achieve this year.

Adjust where necessary, learn from the attempts of the first half of the year, banish your fear, and re-engage with your support system. yourself and to those around you. In Mike’s case, he started out his segment letting the entire television audience know that it was his first time, he didn’t know anything about what the product did, and then he asked them to get involved and help him out.

You have the second half of the year to make your goals a reality, and the experiences of the first half of the year to get you there.

The audience responded by filling the phone lines to talk about their experience with the products, encouraged by Mike’s willingness to be truthful and authentic with them.

Most importantly, they were willing to purchase the products being pitched.

What Mike Rowe did was eliminate the best weapon of fear, which is the uncertainty that comes with doing something that you have not done before. By openly acknowledging the fear he made it clear that he was committed to success, and was able to tap into those who were waiting for an opportunity to make that success possible.

Declare your independence from going it alone.

The story that Mike Rowe tells also shows the futility of trying to go it alone. Many people set goals – whether they are related to education, fitness or career – then attempt to achieve those goals in the absence of any type of support system.

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The Truth Hurts: Bringing Awareness To Veteran Suicide Through Art Mike Finney Delaware State News The number 22 sticks in artist Scott LoBaido’s mind like a painful embedded thorn. It’s not just the number, but rather, what it represents.

It’s been that way ever since that day four years ago, when Mr. LoBaido found out that 22 veterans a day commit suicide in the United States. That number, he says, is not only disgusting, but it is unacceptable.

So, the patriotic Staten Island, New York-based artist decided to do something about it to bring awareness to the tragic situation. He created a powerful ‘22’ sculpture that he is currently touring among the original 13 U.S. colonies, hence, the name of his “22-13” tour.

“It’s been about four years since I found out about the number 22 in my last tour,” said Mr. LoBaido, who was visiting veteran’s posts in all 50 states in 2015 and painting American flags on them when he discovered the grim reality of veteran suicides. “I went to every state and I found out about that number 22 and I wrote that number on the palm of my hand with a Sharpie.

It has been there ever since.

“That number is absolutely disgusting. I knew right then that I needed to bring attention to this issue.”

Mr. LoBaido’s ‘22’ sculpture depicts a pair of twos facing each other covered in an American flag design, in which the white stripes feature a collage of all the wars the United States has participated in. The opposing numbers create an empty heart between them.

The sculpture’s base features 22 pairs of empty boots, each lit up with battery-operated candles, and it is surrounded by 22 life-size figures lit up with LED lighting that represent the 22 veteran souls lost each day.

It is a powerful — and chilling — sight.

“I’ve see a lot of the pain first-hand. You can see guys sitting at the bar having a beer at the Legion and all of a sudden they start to cry. Taking care of our veterans is important and I think that’s the biggest reason I want to share my art.

A ‘calling’ to create patriotic art Mr. LoBaido said that he found his calling for patriotic art while working in New York City.

“I’ve been an artist my entire life,” he said. “Back in the ’90s, I was invited to work at a gallery in big city New York and when I walked in there was an American flag on the floor and visitors were invited to wipe their feet on it. It was during a time when patriotism had taken a big dip in this country.

“I was completely dumbfounded by the great deal of hatred there was towards the American flag and all that is good in America. In the art world we have more rights than most people with the art that we create. It’s because of men and women who fought (in wars) that we have this flag – this right.”

Since then, Mr. LoBaido has completed three cross country state tours since 2006 painting flags across America to promote patriotism and celebrate veterans.

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“A lot of people don’t realize it, but I never served in the military,” he said, ‘but it’s an honor to help celebrate those who did.”

I am no history scholar, but I sense in the basics of my being, preserving our past is the truest way to honor our future.”

Tour all about changing outcomes

The great thing about America is the fact that it can always be better, and our gift is that “we the people” have the freedom to make it better. Anyone who knows me knows I passionately advocate for the First Amendment.

I encourage us all to passionately question, protest, express, assemble, and petition - but always, always be grateful that you can.

The “22-13” Tour was particularly close to his heart, adding that it was an important creative mission.

“Each day 22 of our veterans die by their own hand,” Mr. LoBaido said. “Now it is time to help the injuries and pain in the minds of these heroes.

“Post-traumatic stress disorder is the number one issue.

Many organizations are now taking notice, but not enough, fast enough. Some new data says the number (of veteran suicides per day) is 20, but that survey does not include all states. Be it 20 or 22, these numbers are horrendous.”

To commission Scott for original canvas paintings or murals in your state, please contact Scott directly at scott@scottlobaido.com Scott LoBaido

When it comes to creating patriotic art, Mr. LoBaido’s goals are: — Invent new ways to portray Old Glory and promote the greatness of America through his vibrant paintings, sculptures and installation.

— Use art to unify a nation, especially in troubling times.

— Attract the attention of children to view the American flag on a contemporary, bold stage.

— Bring attention and awareness to the real celebrities of America, our heroes, our veterans.

The ultimate goal, for Mr. LoBaido, is not to get rich but to just make a difference.

“With my art, I’ve sought to make a difference in the world as a man and as an American,” “Whether a Boomer, Gen-Xer, or Millennial, it’s easy in modern times to forget the origins of our prosperity and freedom. The wondrous and instant nature of our technology and culture can make it easy to forget how we got here.

“And so, I became fascinated with preserving the symbols of the countless brave Americans who stood, fought, marched and sacrificed so much for our livelihood.

Photo by Sean Sweeney

Get the latest on Scotts work at scottlobaido.com Honoring the rich symbolism of this beautiful country and saluting the valiant efforts of our veterans.

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John Goubeaux has made a big comeback since his traumatic brain injury nine years ago. “I just like to follow the path of positivity in trying to get back.

I’d like to one day be a peer mentor for brain injuries, showing others that you can do a lot more than what you think you can. Each brain injury is different, but just don’t give up.

Press on.”

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The Path of Positivity: Journeying Back to Independence and Well-Being

By Jennifer Silva – Chief Program Officer, Wounded Warrior Project

Many people approach fitness with objectives like losing weight or gaining strength. John Goubeaux had two important goals: to avoid narcotic painkillers, and to exercise daily again like he did when he was an active duty airman.

Both those goals were challenging for an injured veteran who went through major surgery to save his life nine years ago after a traumatic brain injury. John’s positive attitude and a healthy dose of coaching from Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) are helping him defy the odds and reach his goals.

John went from being an active 41-year-old with a long career in the U.S. Air Force to being in an induced coma after a fall from the back of a flatbed vehicle at Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina. Because of brain swelling, doctors removed part of his skull to allow the brain to heal, and they closed the opening once the swelling went down.

“At first I could hear, but I couldn’t move,” John recalled. “I couldn’t brush my teeth, and I couldn’t really feed myself. My skull was open for 10 weeks before they could close it back up. When I returned home, I lived on the recliner because I had vertigo so bad that the room would constantly spin when lying down. I lived on the recliner for three and a half years.”

John heard about WWP through a TV ad. He called to register and started attending WWP events with his wife, Vicky. They soon learned about WWP’s Independence Program.

The program is a partnership between WWP, the warrior, and his or her family or caregiver, and is uniquely structured to adapt to their everchanging needs.

Warriors who rely on others because of moderate to severe brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or other neurological conditions are paired with specialized case managers. This allows them to develop personalized plans to restore meaningful levels of activity, purpose, and independence into their daily lives. For many, this is an opportunity to participate in the types of daily tasks and meaningful activities others take for granted.

“When John got hurt, he went from being an active person to an injured person who was healing but who wasn’t moving a lot,” Vicky said. “After becoming part of Wounded Warrior Project’s Independence Program, he’s been able to do things the doctors said he wouldn’t do again.”

Vicky remarked on John’s ability to do day-to-day things like going to the grocery store and riding a bicycle. “John has come out of his shell and has been able to tackle a lot of these independence issues. The turnaround has been amazing.

Wounded Warrior Project makes it work for him.”

Independence for John translates into well-being for Vicky. “The emotional side – that’s where Wounded Warrior Project has made an amazing difference not only for John but in my life, too,” Vicky said.

John’s routine now includes morning physical therapy at a local health center with a coach provided by WWP. “I go swimming with my wife, I do an hour on a gym’s recumbent bike, and I do senior strength training,” John said. “Then I shower and go get lunch with my coach. We do this twice a week from 8 am to 1 pm every Monday and Wednesday.”

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“My coach gets the menu from the restaurant and gives me a chance to read it and mark what I would like to have before we walk into a line or a crowded place,” John said. The advance preparation helps ease any tension.

For the first three years of John’s recovery, Vicky was by his side day and night. When it came time to graduate to the next level of health coaching, they wanted to do it together.

“Understanding all the information together is nice,” John said. So, John and Vicky attended a WWP physical health clinic and signed up for wellness coaching together.

“The wellness coach makes the exercises adaptable to me,” John said. “They were able to figure out things so that I could participate.”

As an immediate result of their physical health wellness coaching, they each lost about 20 pounds. They learned to use TRX equipment, which they continued to practice with at home. John and Vicky have also been able to control their portion sizes whether they eat in or out.

“We use smaller plates, and we cut the meal in half and put it in a to-go box right away,” John said. “It really makes a difference. The wellness coaching has helped both my physical and mental health.”

There were many things doctors didn’t think John could do, and he’s steadily marking them off his to-do list. Among those things was riding a bicycle. In 2015, after participating in Soldier Ride®, John received a recumbent bike for his personal use, as well as an upright bike for Vicky to ride along with him.

Getting outside has been beneficial for John, and he partakes in various WWP activities. John tried surfing in the ocean in Wilmington, North Carolina, in 2017. “They helped me figure out how to use a longboard to ride the waves lying down. They took me out in the ocean and kept me steady so I could participate.”

“There are no limits to what John can do,” Vicky said.

“He’s proving you can do anything despite traumatic brain injury.”

John understands the importance of working on both mind and body. John and Vicky participated in a WWP Project Odyssey® mental health workshop for couples, and John’s independence coach has helped him manage PTSD and triggers when going to restaurants or the grocery store.

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“Even without a brain injury, our bodies degrade every year,” John said. “It’s good to start taking care of your body early. The wellness coaching through Wounded Warrior Project has helped control my blood sugar, lower my blood pressure, and manage my mental health. My ultimate goal is to wear the clothes I wore during active duty, which means going from my previous 262 pounds to 189 pounds.”

John and Vicky have become an inspiration to other warriors and families. John said it’s empowering that now he can be the warrior carrying others – as illustrated in the WWP logo.

“I feel empowered because I’m able to give back.

That’s why we’re here, to make it better than when you arrived in your day. You never know how a small gesture of positivity can last a lifetime in somebody else. It comes back to you, too. That’s why we press on.”

John and Vicky continue to attend WWP events and meet new families. And John talks about his experiences with other warriors and outside groups.

“Feeling positive, knowing that I’m encouraged by others, and that I can still do something helps me move forward,” John said.

“I remember the neurologist said my life’s a blank sheet of paper. And the way that I felt back then was like a wind-up toy, like a wind-up tin soldier that keeps running into a wall. But Wounded Warrior Project set me on a positive path, one step at a time.”

John and Vicky Goubeaux found a supportive extended family at Wounded Warrior Project. “The emotional side – that’s where Wounded Warrior Project has made an amazing difference not only for John but in my life, too,” Vicky said.

About the Author As Chief Program Officer, Jennifer Silva oversees strategy and innovation for current and future Wounded Warrior Project initiatives. She leads Wounded Warrior Project staff in creating cutting-edge programs that assist warriors as they transition to civilian life. Jennifer is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and served in the Army as a logistics officer. Before coming to WWP, Jennifer worked in the financial field, owned her own business, and was a secondary school educator.

John Goubeaux’s routine includes morning physical therapy at a local health center with a coach provided by WWP. Every journey is different. WWP’s independence Program and Physical Health and Wellness coaching are designed to meet warriors where they are on their journeys, and help them plan paths forward.

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.

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A Different Lens Mental Health Monthly

By RanDee McLain, LCSW

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) I was looking forward to this night for weeks. I was going to dinner at one of my favorite restaurants with one of my favorite people. As we drove down to the restaurant, I told him how thankful I was to have this time away from work and just to enjoy his company.

As we began walking into the restaurant, I stopped and said I love this restaurant but have never been to this location….it was so beautiful. He chuckled a little and said RanDee we used to live across the street you have been here many times! What how could I forget that?

As we sat at the table I noticed him looking at the menu closely…..I joked …do you need glasses? He said…you know we did Lasik at the same time? …haha. Well, no that slipped my mind too.

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My memory isn’t the same as it used to be.

I occasionally lose my words. I get migraines much more now than before. All of these are reminders that my TBI is a part of me and will always be. I just find ways to manage.

What is TBI? TBI may happen from a blow or jolt to the head or from an object penetrating the brain. When the brain is injured, the person can experience a change in consciousness that can range from becoming disoriented and confused to slipping into a coma.

The person may also have a loss of memory for the time immediately before or after the event that caused the injury. Not all injuries to the head result in a TBI. TBI injuries result in a range of symptoms from mild to severe.

The rate of PTSD after brain injury is much higher in veterans than civilians due to their multiple and prolonged exposure to combat. It is estimated that up to 35% of returning veterans with mild brain injury also have PTSD. Range of TBI Symptoms: Symptoms can appear immediately or weeks to months following the injury. Depending upon the severity of the wound, TBI injuries fall into different categories: Most people with mild injuries recover fully, but it can take time. In general, recovery is slower in older persons.

People with a previous brain injury may find that it takes longer to recover from their current injury. Some symptoms can last for days, weeks, or longer.

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (MTBI): Is a brief loss of consciousness or disorientation ranging from a few seconds to 30 minutes, or no loss of consciousness.

Severe Traumatic Brain Injury (STBI): Possible loss of consciousness for over 30 minutes, or amnesia.

• Confusion • Lightheadedness/ Dizziness • Blurred vision or tired eyes • Ringing in the ears • Bad taste in the mouth • Fatigue or lethargy • Change in sleep patterns • Behavioral or mood changes • Trouble with memory, concentration or attention • Headaches that gets worse or do not go away • Repeated vomiting or nausea • Convulsions or seizures • Inability to awaken from sleep • Dilation of one or both pupils of the eyes • Slurred speech • Weakness or numbness in the extremities • Loss of coordination • Increased confusion • Restlessness or agitation • Sensitivity to light • Poor Balance • Poor judgment • Impulsive Behavior • Slowed performance • Difficulty putting thoughts into words • Depression/Anxiety • Angry outbursts/ Irritability

What Brain Injury Survivors Need YOU to Know • Please listen to me with patience.

• Try not to interrupt.

• Allow me to find my words and follow my thoughts. It will help me rebuild my language skills.

• Please have patience with my memory. Know that not remembering does not mean that I don’t care.

• Please don’t be condescending or talk to me like I am a child.

• If I seem “rigid,” needing to do tasks the same way all the time; it is because I am retraining my brain.

• If I seem “stuck,” my brain may be stuck in the processing of information. Coaching me, suggesting other options or asking what you can do to help may help me figure it out. Taking over and doing it for me will not be constructive and it will make me feel inadequate.

• I work best on my own, one step at a time and at my own pace.

• If I repeat actions, like checking to see if the doors are locked or the stove is turned off, it may seem like I have OCD — obsessive-compulsive disorder — but I may not. It may be that I am having trouble registering what I am doing in my brain.

Repetitions enhance memory. (It can also be a cue that I need to stop and rest.)

TBI effects day to day living, but with advances in research we are finding more and more ways to live a healthy full life.

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Make it easy to keep family and friends informed during a health journey.

CaringBridge offers free websites to connect with the people who matter most. Share updates, receive emotional support, coordinate tasks, and even fundraise for medical expenses, all in one place.

Learn more and start a site today.

Visit CaringBridge.org/military-service/

“

Just know that there are people out there who care about you.

And who will help you.

”

KEVIN AMUNDSON, former Army National Guard member, whose family used CaringBridge for support through Kevin’s depression

It takes just 3 minutes to set up your personal, private and ad-free site.

Start a site today and feel the power of your community.

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Military Veterans Set Sail at Figawi

By Maeghan Beahm, Development Manager of Corporation & Foundation Relations at America’s Warrior Partnership

The annual Figawi Sailboat Regatta is an iconic tradition with more than 200 boats competing in a 25-mile race off the coast of Nantucket. Taking place over Memorial Day weekend, the race serves as the unofficial start of the summer season for New England. This year’s event saw several military veteran-crewed ships compete, and I was proud to participate with one of those teams on board a ship called “Defiance.” While competition is always fun, the race itself was not the most important part of the event – for Defiance, it was about the experience of working together and raising support for programs dedicated to serving veterans, their families and caregivers.

The Defiance crew included the ship’s captain, Martha Kristian; her husband, U.S. Army veteran Chris Kristian; and a team of veterans sporting gear with the America’s Warrior Partnership logo to help raise awareness of our organization’s mission: empowering communities to empower veterans.

The experience of sailing with the Defiance crew truly captured the spirit of this mission. The focus of the race was not on winning or losing, but on providing veterans with an opportunity to participate in a hands-on event that offered some rigorous fun and good oldfashioned camaraderie.

We also had the honor of sailing alongside other vessels crewed by veterans, including “The Valkyrie,” which was captained by Jack Keating, and the “Summer Wind,” which was captained by Bob Solomon.

Jack has crewed his ship with veterans for several years, including many who served with his son John.

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Bob brings together a crew of wounded warriors for an all-expenses paid trip to sail in the Figawi race through the Holidays For Heroes program. The program provides vacation retreats across the Nantucket area for veterans and their families.

About the Author Maeghan Beahm is the Development Manager of Corporation & Foundation Relations at America’s Warrior Partnership, a national nonprofit that empower communities to empower veterans.

Some of the veterans in our crew had no prior sailing experience, so the race was also a great learning experience for those who had always been interested in sailing but never had the opportunity to try it.

AMERICA’S WARRIORS FOUNDATION Providing an alternative resource for vocational and technical education benefits to our honored veterans, and active duty military members transitioning back into the American workforce.

The importance of programs like Holidays For Heroes and the recreational experiences offered by the Kristians cannot be understated. In fact, our annual survey at America’s Warrior Partnership has found for multiple years in a row that recreational programs rank as one of the top three most-sought after resources among military veterans. The challenge is that many veterans across the nation may not be aware of, or have access to, programs that can provide the recreation they are seeking.

The Four Star Alliance, one of our programs at America’s Warrior Partnership, is addressing this challenge by creating a community of adaptive sports, therapeutic

To learn more about America’s Warriors Foundation visit: http://www.americaswarriorsfoundation.org

veteran, r de i v o r p & r e h t fa ed. i am empower

recreation and wellness organizations. This community serves not only as a resource for veterans to find and contact recreational programs near them, but also as a network for service providers to connect their veterans with the programs that they are not able to provide in-house.

After sailing with the Defiance crew, it is easy to see why so many veterans are searching for recreational opportunities. The weekend spent preparing with the crew, participating in the race and bonding over our experience is one I will never forget.

#IAMAWARRIOR

™

Veterans, families and caregivers who may be looking for their own recreational getaways can visit FourStarAlliance.org to learn about the programs and service providers near them.

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The Mission Development of an 18 bed Transitional Housing Facility for homeless Veterans living with Post Traumatic Stress.

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THE POSSE VETERANS PROGRAM

Go to a TOP college with the support of other veterans and FULL TUITION GUARANTEED. Posse is selecting veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces to attend:

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POSSE IS LOOKING FOR VETERANS WHO: • Have not previously received a bachelor’s degree • Have served at least 90 consecutive days of active duty since September 11, 2001, and have received or will receive an honorable discharge by July 1, 2019 • Can commit to a one-month pre-collegiate training program in New York City in the summer of 2019

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WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE POSSE VETERANS PROGRAM? Visit our website at www.possefoundation.org/veterans or email the Posse Veterans Team at veterans@possefoundation.org.

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• Are leaders in their places of work, communities and/or families

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COLLEGE DEGREE: Each cohort—a Posse—of 10 veterans attends college together to pursue bachelor’s degrees.

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FUNDING: Vassar College, The University of Virginia, The University of Chicago, and Wesleyan University guarantee four years of full tuition funding after GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon benefits have been applied.

SUPPORT: Comprehensive training from Posse prepares veterans for the college experience and support continues on campus through graduation.

CAREER: Posse offers internship opportunities, career coaching and connections to a large professional network to prepare Posse Scholars for leadership positions in the workforce.

Grant joined the Navy after graduating from high school in 2015. He developed into a strong and effective leader while training at the Naval Special Warfare Preparatory School. At UVA, Grant hopes to study physics and international relations while actively engaging with the university and surrounding communities. Grant says, “the Posse Foundation is investing in groups of driven individuals with incredible leadership potential to have an impact on conversations, campuses, communities, and the world."

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LEAVE NO NEIGHBOR BEHIND. For nearly 70 years, Father Joe’s Villages has been taking care of the immediate needs of homeless Veterans, while also helping end their homelessness for good.

Call 1-619-HOMELESS or visit NEIGHBOR.ORG to learn more.

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Helping hands VolunteerforVeterans.org connects disabled Marine veteran with help to ‘grow’ farming business

By Janice M. Hagar

W

hen Rick Hayes was deployed as a Marine Corps infantryman, he was troubled by what he saw in combat in Iraq, but also by the impoverished conditions there and in the African country of Djibouti.

In particular, he saw the devastating impact of people being cut off from access to food and clean water, and it inspired him to connect with his local food community when he eventually left the military.

Now a disabled veteran healing from the wounds of post-tramatic stress disorder, Hayes has become involved with the Veteran to Farmer Training Program at Turner Farm near Cincinnati. Due to spring weather conditions, he found himself in need of help preparing his veteran training garden—and he got the boost he needed thanks to a group of volunteers he connected with through DAV’s VolunteerforVeterans.org initiative.

More than 30 volunteers from Cincinnati-based Total Quality Logistics gave a few hours of their time to help Hayes prepare his acre of land for the season.

“The work we did in just three hours would have probably taken me two weeks to do on my own,” said Hayes. “The help today was tremendous, and it helps set me up for a successful growing season.”

Meggie Strawser, corporate giving coordinator at Total Quality Logistics, had been searching for ways to help local veterans through Volunteer for Veterans.

“We are happy to be out here in the garden today,” said Strawser. “We are so thankful for our military and our veterans, and we’re so excited to help Rick get this work done.”

Through Volunteer for Veterans, users like Stawser can identify volunteer opportunities they may never have found elsewhere that are unique and specific to their local communities.

“This is a fantastic example of how Volunteer for Veterans works,” said National Voluntary Services Director John Kleindienst. “It allows volunteers to use whatever skills, talents or abilities they have to fulfill unmet needs.”

By continuing to promote and grow Volunteer for Veterans, DAV chapters can use this platform to bring in new volunteers, find assistance for local events and activities, or help connect veterans in need with volunteers who want to help.

Visit VolunteerforVeterans.org to sign up. n

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Advаntаgеѕ Of Rеаl Estate Fоr Active Duty & Vеtеrаnѕ Joseph Molina Veterans Chamber of Commerce www.vccsd.org Nеw соmеrѕ intо thе rеаl еѕtаtе mаrkеt аrе taking advantage of the Investment opportunities in Real Estate. Veterans have a special advantage when it comes to real estate purchases. Veterans are able to purchase Homes with “0” down and backed by the VA. This makes it attractive for those interested in purchasing a home for their family or purchasing a home to use as an income opportunity (following VA guidelines) a great opportunity to help fellow veterans who need a place to rent.

Veterans who decide to follow the investment/purchase option must demonstrate the ability to sustain the property for a period of 6 months demonstrating positive cash flow, but before we start looking for a propery, veterans should first: • Identify a veteran friendly realtor who understands the intricasies of the VA Loans and will be able to help make the right decision and avoid overextending on the loan.

• Identify a lender who knows the VA process and is aware of the qualifications for a property under the VA guidelines.

• For a list of qualified Realtors and Lenders contact the Veterans Chamber of Commerce a good effort is placed in embedding professional who have a good understanding and a passion for working with veteras.

While thе VA lоаn is Mostly аvаilаblе as a рrimаrу residence, it саn be uѕеd repeatedly аnd for multiuits.

Many militаrу mеmbеrѕ tаkе advantage оf this exceptional lоаn bу uѕing it to рurсhаѕе a residence at a duty station аnd then retaining thе рrореrtу аѕ a rеntаl аѕ they mоvе tо thеir nеxt assignment. But, in some cases thеу may be able to use the VA lоаn аgаin while at their new station or residence.

Sоmе Advantages Of Rеаl Estate 1. Veterans саn ѕаvе mоnеу whеn it comes to mаintаining аnd operating properties аѕ well: Veterans have ассеѕѕ tо less expensive property аnd саѕuаltу inѕurаnсе from USAA whilе their RE роrtfоliо remains ѕmаll, generally lеѕѕ thаn 4 properties.

2. Local Home Improvement Stores: Veterans could take advantage саn rесеivе valuable diѕсоuntѕ оn materials for maintenance аnd rераirs frоm hоmе imрrоvеmеnt ѕtоrеѕ like Home Dероt аnd Lоwеѕ.

3. Access to purchase рrореrtiеѕ fоr futurе purposes: Buying рrореrtiеѕ with the еxресtаtiоnѕ оf аn long term аррrесiаtiоn vаluе, low cost purchase from a less populated region.

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Just know that you may hаvе to retain the property fоr a period оf time. Invеѕtmеnts in rеаl estate iѕ based on the purchase with the potential for positive cash flоw.

4. Purchase a hоmе аt a competitive intеrеѕt rаte: Oftеn withоut rеԛuiring a dоwn рауmеnt or mоrtgаgе inѕurаnсе. This is definatelly a great savings for veteras.

5. Obtаin a lоwеr intеrеѕt rаtе with thе Intеrеѕt Rate Rеduсtiоn: In some cases you may be able to purchase lower intersts and lower your monthly payment.

6. Vеtеrаnѕ with a permanent аnd/or tоtаl ѕеrviсесоnnесtеd disability: Veterans with connected disability may get hеlр рurсhаѕing аn аdарtеd home with аn Adарtеd Hоuѕing Grant. Thе grant саn аlѕо gо tоwаrd mоdifуing аn existing hоmе.

7. Real Estate as passive income: Entering the Real Estate market could be a good way to create wealth and passive income for you and your family. There are plenty of opportunities out there such as; 0 down home loans, Multi-unit to be used for renting to other veterans, Fix and Flip opportunities, Wholeselling opportunities, etc.

The trick here is to identify which “Nitch” or area of the market you would be interested. Always make sure to seek assistance from a Veteran Mentor who understands the market. He/She may be able to help you lower the level of risk.

8. Things to Avoid: Sellers who Presure you on the sale; Spending more than 50% of your assests; Properties with no equity; properties that require repeirs (VA may not approve the loan) SUMMARY: Grоwing wеаlth through invеѕtmеntѕ in rental real еѕtаtе in is аn incredible opportunity fоr vеtеrаnѕ. It is fundаmеntаl to keep in mind thаt invеѕting in rеаl еѕtаtе must аlwауѕ bе dееmеd оvеr a long term. Evеn thоugh thе рrоѕресt for a fаѕt turn over mау рrеѕеnt itself, thе key advantage to ѕоund real estate invеѕtmеntѕ is the аbilitу tо use it properly, invest only what you can afford to loose, alwys be causious, and always seek advice from people who are in the Industry and are happy to support veterans.

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communities built to support those who serve.

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Call 866-779-5434 or visit www.lincolnmilitary.com

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MODERN STYLE MADE SIMPLE Lake Ridge in Weston

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Receive a $1,500 design studio credit and/or closing cost credit, plus make only a $1,000 earnest money deposit, when you purchase an eligible home at one of Pardee Homes’ participating new home communities, while supplies last. Please visit the community New Home Gallery to learn which homes are eligible for the incentives. Actual amounts and value of incentives may vary. Certain loan programs may not qualify for the full incentive value. Incentives may not be applied to the purchase price of the home. The offer to pay closing costs may be subject to a cap and does not include payment of prepaid taxes, property or mortgage insurance, or mortgage installments. Certain features and design studio selections may not be available on all homes. Any unused portion of the incentives will be forfeited. Incentives applied upon close of escrow. May not be exchanged, redeemed in cash, or combined with other offers. Subject to availability and change without notice. Additional conditions or restrictions may apply. See New Home Advisor for details. Federal and state taxes are the responsibility of the recipient. Void where prohibited. The prices of our homes, included features, plans, specifications, promotions/incentives, neighborhood build-out and available locations are subject to change without notice. Stated dimensions, square footage and acreage are approximate and should not be used as a representation of any home’s or homesite’s precise or actual size, location or orientation. No information or material herein is to be construed to be an offer or solicitation for sale. Any photographs used herein reflect artists’ conceptions and are for illustrative purposes only. Photographs of people do not depict or indicate any preference regarding race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, familial status, or national origin. Some amenities may not yet be constructed. Builder reserves the right to change the size, design, configuration and location of amenities not yet constructed and does not warrant the suitability thereof for any use or for any person.

No warranty or guarantee is made regarding any particular area public school/school district or that any particular public school/school district will service any given community. Schools/school districts may change over time. Our name and the logos contained herein are registered trademarks of TRI Pointe Group, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. CA Contractor’s License No. 251810. CA DRE License No. 02027320. © 2019 Pardee Homes, a member of the TRI Pointe Group. All rights reserved.

HomelandMagazine.com / JULY 2019 31

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

Freedom comes at a great price As we approach July 4th, 2019, the 243rd Anniversary of our Declaration of Independence, I consider the challenges our forefathers had with deciding to become a sovereign Country. The power of England and the many attachments of history between the colonies and the King made this a debate across this new land.

While many people argued for status quo and reconciliation after the brutal attacks of the Boston Massacre and the injustices of the Stamp Act and other taxes on the colonies. The battle of Lexington and Concord would be the shot heard round the world.

Thomas Paine, in his pamphlet titled: “Common Sense”, considers the attacks by British soldiers on Boston: It is the good fortune of many to live distant from the scene of present sorrow; the evil is not sufficiently brought to their doors to make them feel the precariousness with which all American property is possessed. But let our imaginations transport us a few moments to Boston; that seat of wretchedness will teach us wisdom, and instruct us for ever to renounce a power in whom we can have no trust. The inhabitants of that unfortunate city who but a few months ago were in ease and affluence, have now no other alternative than to stay and starve, or turn out to beg. Endangered by the fire of their friends if they continue within the city and plundered by the soldiery if they leave it, in their present situation they are prisoners without the hope of redemption, and in a general attack for their relief they would be exposed to the fury of both armies.

Men of passive tempers look somewhat lightly over the offences of Great Britain, and, still hoping for the best, are apt to call out, “Come, come, we shall be friends again for all this.”

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But examine the passions and feelings of mankind: bring the doctrine of reconciliation to the touchstone of nature, and then tell me whether you can hereafter love, honour, and faithfully serve the power that hath carried fire and sword into your land?

If you cannot do all these, then are you only deceiving yourselves, and by your delay bringing ruin upon posterity. Your future connection with Britain, whom you can neither love nor honour, will be forced and unnatural, and being formed only on the plan of present convenience, will in a little time fall into a relapse more wretched than the first. But if you say, you can still pass the violations over, then I ask, hath your house been burnt? Hath your property been destroyed before your face? Are your wife and children destitute of a bed to lie on, or bread to live on? Have you lost a parent or a child by their hands, and yourself the ruined and wretched survivor? If you have not, then are you not a judge of those who have.

But if you have, and can still shake hands with the murderers, then are you unworthy the name of husband, father, friend or lover, and whatever may be your rank or title in life, you have the heart of a coward, and the spirit of a sycophant.

-Thomas Paine “Common Sense” This Independence Day is our annual reminder that our freedom comes at a great price and that the patriots that freed these colonies from the British Crown were the first veterans of a brand new nation.

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.

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ENLISTED TO ENTREPRENEUR

By Vicki Garcia

Show Me the Money All the advice that’s appeared in this column is worthless if you don’t manage your money well. Nobody goes into business wanting to hassle with the money side of the company. Entrepreneurs want to do what they’re good at, not crunch numbers. But when you start and run a business you must quickly come up to speed on many things. Sales, marketing, product improvement and distribution, IT, and much more. Now I’m telling you that managing your money is one of your most important roles. Get used to it.

Money Management 101 You’re in the business of making money, no matter your mission. Money management is the process of handling your business’s finances through budgeting, setting goals, tracking expenses and income, and investing. More than anything, you want to avoid the horror of negative cash flow! Negative cash flow means your business has more outgoing than incoming money. This is common with startups. It’s not sustainable over the long haul of course, so here are some tips to avoid it.

11 Tips for Staying on Top of Your Money

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(1) Do Not Mingle Your Personal Funds and Your Business Funds. It’s critical to have a separate business bank account. Business bank statements are useful for tracking profitability, reconciling your books, and monitoring spending. Besides, the IRS isn’t going to like it if they ever knock on your door (and they will sooner or later).

(2) Watch Your Receivables. Piling up receivables is the Achilles’ heel of small busy businesses. It’s tempting to offer customers credit terms, especially when you’re new and hungry, or have close personal relationships with clients.

Sharks can sense when you’re too generous, and they will often push it to the limit. Many small companies end up with thousands of dollars uncollected, which gets harder and harder to get paid.

And, while we’re at it, bill for your work or products quickly. It sounds stupid, but some business owners are so overwhelmed, they put off their own billing! “Bill fast.

Pay slow” is an old business adage. You can encourage payments by sending out invoices immediately, setting a due date, and notifying customers when they are late.

If your business needs money earlier than the due date, you can offer an early payment discount.

(3) Accept Payment by Credit Cards Waiting for a check to arrive is annoying and anxiety producing. If you “require” payment in advance, or invoice a customer monthly, the ability to automatically receive payment by credit card can eliminate a common small business headache. Yes, you will pay a small percentage for the convenience, but you will make up for it in getting paid quickly. If you sell on the fly, consider getting a “square” to use with your phone. See a comparison of mobile swipers at https://tinyurl.com/y5o3u27z (4) Pay Your Vendors and Bills on Time. Want to earn a good reputation? Treat your vendors like you like to be treated. When you need a little flexibility, a vendor who trusts you will come through. Do you like to make collection calls? Neither do they. Credit card and loan payment late fees can add up. Frequently paying small late fees on vendor and other bills adds up, too. And then there are tax deadlines…Arg-g-g-g!

(5) Use a Business Accounting Software That Suits Your Business There are a bunch of apps that help you to track your money. Some even help you track hours if you need to show your client billable hours. PC Magazine has a wonderful comparison chart at https://tinyurl.com/ y6myb9eq. The one thing that is critically important is to set your software up correctly when you start. You would be well served to hire a consultant and pay a few dollars to do this. You might also consider taking a class, since few of us are born with this skill.

(6) Go Lean. Try to avoid borrowing money if you can. Loans make for debt service, an extra expense putting pressure on your cash flow. Buy furniture and major equipment secondhand and go green to save money. Consider joining a coworking space with the idea to combine the independence of freelancing with the structure and community of a shared office space.

Coworking spaces typically provide you with meeting space as well, pay as you go equipment and training events.

(7) Consider Trades. If you sell something desirable, and cash flow is an issue for you, consider trading your products or services for what you want. Usually trades work best for construction when demand is low, B2B services, or even ad media. You might find opportunities to do trades just by being open to the idea and suggesting it. (I just had my bathroom remodeled by a contactor client in trade for my marketing service.)

(8) Do it Yourself. There are numerous online resources to help you produce marketing materials such as Lucid Press FREE marketing templates of all kinds, including brochures, banners and fliers. https://tinyurl.com/ yynz3462. Canva is another popular do it yourself graphic design platform at https://www.canva.com/, and Vista Print can keep your printing costs under control https://www.vistaprint.com. Search for sites that can help you make your own videos, such as Powtoon https://www.powtoon.com. There are too many such sites to list here.

(9) Explore Fiver.com. Fiverr is an online marketplace for freelance services. Founded in 2010, the company is based in Tel Aviv, and provides a platform for freelancers to offer services to customers worldwide. As of 2012, over three million services were listed on Fiverr.com You can find almost anything you’re looking for deeply discounted, sometimes for only $5, which is the genesis of the name.

The most popular services are logo design, voice overs, animation, and blog posts, but there is much, much more.

(10) Create a Budget and Stick to it. With a good small business accounting software creating and sticking to a budget is much easier. Budgets make you think about reality and help you set expense and revenue projections.

When you know how much you can spend, you can more easily manage your spending money. Once you’ve been in business for a while, this becomes second nature.

(11) Keep a Cash Reserve. It’s not a good idea to spend all your money and leave nothing in the bank. A little fall back fund will make you more confident in negotiations, and avoid you looking hungry (which is self-defeating).

Much of small business is a confidence game where the winner is usually a good bluffer. Cash in reserve helps.

Vicki Garcia is the Co-Founder of Operation Vetrepreneur & President of Marketing Impressions, a 33+ -year- old marketing consulting firm.

Apply NOW to join Operation Vetrepreneur’s FREE Brainstorming Groups for veteran entrepreneurs at www. veteransinbiz.com and visit https://www.nvtsi.org/ov/ for more info.

We welcome your feedback on https://www.facebook. com/groups/OperationVetrepreneur/ or https://twitter.com/VeteransinBiz

HomelandMagazine.com / JULY 2019 35

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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

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The transition from military service to civilian life can be a difficult one, especially when it comes to your career.

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“The strength and power of veteran entrepreneurs comes from other veteran entrepreneurs” Unlike most highly competitive entrepreneurial environments, veteran entrepreneurs share information much more easily.

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If you or someone you know is a veteran looking to start a business, please feel free to contact Vicki Garcia.

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Vicki is the Co-Founder of Operation Vetrepreneur & President of Marketing Impressions, a 33+ -yearold marketing consulting firm. If you want support for starting up a business, email her at vicki@ veteransinbiz.com.

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For advice, tips and programs you can read Vicki’s monthly column at SD Vets Magazine or visit www.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com and click on the banner:

ENLISTED TO ENTREPRENEUR

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re·in·te·gra·tion The action or process of integrating someone back into society. “soldiers are beginning the process of reintegration into civil society”

By Maurice Wilson, MCPO, USN (ret) President/Executive Director, National Veterans Transition Services, Inc. aka REBOOT

How Should We Measure the Success of Reintegration?

It’s not that America doesn’t care, because we do.

Reintegration is a hairy problem. President Trump received $200 Billion for FY2019 and has requested $220.2 billion for the FY2020 Veterans Administration budget.

That’s what our team at the National Veterans Reintegration Services, Inc. (aka REBOOT) has focused on for the past nine years. At REBOOT, we are a mixture of veterans and business executives. For us, success begins with Metrics, knowing what we’re shooting for.

Take veteran employment, especially for post 9/11 veterans who suffer the highest unemployment.

Other government agencies also dedicate portions of their budgets to support veterans. In addition, there are over 45,000 nonprofit Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs), staffed mostly by volunteers – veterans, military spouses and other caring folks – all trumpeting different problems and proposed solutions.

Although job placement is critical to reduce unemployment, what is equally if not more important is job retention, for both employee and employer.

Problems caused by PTSD, TBI and a host of war-related maladies notwithstanding, veteran job retention is far worse than for their non-veteran counterparts.

Why Do Problems Persist in Reintegration?

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And the period of unemployment following release from active duty is lengthening. Why? Fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan doesn’t help a young person acclimate to a civilian job, especially if she or he joined the military straight from high school or college. Because these veterans do not qualify for Social Security Unemployment Insurance, DoD’s Unemployment Compensation for Ex-service members (UCX Program) has exceeded $1 billion annually.

Should We Focus on Cheaper Prevention Costs?

At REBOOT’s Centers for Military and Veteran Reintegration, we not only help transitioning military and veterans with resume writing and interviewing skills but, as funding allows, invite them to attend our free 3-week REBOOT Workshop™. Our mantra is

RELEARN, REBUILD, REBRAND. We devote one week to each, with the curriculum based on the science of helping people change their psycho-social behaviors. For the past nine years, our placement rate of graduates (into gainful employment or post-secondary education) has been 97%, and our second-year retention rate is 93%.

Who Are the Players in the Social Enterprise?

It’s all of us in America. While it sounds almost trite to say that it takes a village, it does take a village, or a community of caregivers and willing partners. It took us a few years at REBOOT to realize that we are part of a larger Social Enterprise that caters to the needs of each single veteran.

In addition to our dedicated volunteers and staff at REBOOT, we have a symbiotic relationship with our sister nonprofits, providing what we each do best. And partnering with us are funding institutions – individual donors, institutional philanthropies, academia and other research organizations, VA and other government agencies, and most of all, prospective employers – together we constitute a Veteran’s Ecosystem. It’s based on a pull system wherein prospective employers who are interested in hiring our country’s veterans are able to capitalize on our increasing pool of Veterans Ready for Hire.

NVTSI provides returning military personnel with the tools and retraining they need to return to civilian life as productive, acclimated, and effective individuals capable of attaining success and thriving in their new lives. War veterans return from a life of vigilance safeguarding our everyday existence, and are unable to find the life they left behind.

Their culture: the military culture is out of place and at odds with the job market. Society is foreign, their families are strangers, they do not know what they want to do with their new lives – they are out of sync with what used to be home. For many, societal reintegration is out of reach without help.

The government does a great job introducing separating military personnel to the job search and veteran’s benefits, but the community has to help returning service people reintegrate, making the leap to a new independent mindset, reversing the boot camp experience that has given them the skills and mentality they need to survive in a combat-driven environment.

To learn more about the REBOOT Workshop™ visit us at www.rebootworkshop.vet

We have all heard or read about returning veterans from Iraq or Afghanistan and the psychological and physical problems they face from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury to substance dependency and alienation from their families.

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JOBS FOR VETS

Careers In Law Enforcement Visit Today For Law Enforcement Profiles & Job Openings

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legal Eagle Straight-forward legal tips for Military and Veteran Business Owners

By Kelly Bagla, Esq.

IMPORTANCE OF A PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT As a business attorney, I frequently encounter disputes between business partners, which can be easily avoided.

Even the best of friends or close family friends should create and sign a business partnership agreement to avoid miscommunications and legal problems that can arise even when there’s no disagreement.

A partnership agreement is a contract between partners that contains terms like the business’s purpose, partner contributions and voting rights. The purpose of a partnership agreement is to protect the partner’s investment in the partnership, clearly define the rights and obligations of the partners, and determine the rules of engagement should a disagreement arise among the partners. A well written partnership agreement should reduce the risk of disputes between the partners.

OWNERSHIP A partnership agreement spells out exactly who owns what percentage of the business. A majority partner might take on more of the responsibility in exchange for more of the profits. A majority partner might ask for the opposite scenario, taking less day to day responsibilities in exchange for putting up a bigger investment and taking a larger share of the profits. If the business is sold, a partnership agreement decides who gets what.

CONTROL When two partners who each own 50 percent of a company disagree, this can lead to problems that include one partner making decisions without consent of the other. Even when one partner is a majority owner, both partners can make decisions without approval of the other unless a partnership agreement limits that decisionmaking authority. An effective partnership agreement places limits on decisions either party can make or awards control of the business to one of the business to one of the partners. For example, the agreement might contain a clause that neither partner can spend more than a certain amount of money, add or change products or services, relocate the business, sell to a new partner, hire or fire key staff or close the business without the written approval of the other.

LIABILITY Some partnerships are general partnerships with the partners sharing responsibilities and liabilities. Other agreements are limited partnerships with one or more partners acting as an investor with limited or no activity in the business and little or no liability. A partnership can protect partners who want to share in the profits without becoming actively involved in the operations and opening themselves up to legal problems, such as lawsuits or tax liens.

DISSOLUTIONS When on partner wants to end a partnership, it can cause significant hardship on the other. A partnership agreement should lay out how the business can be dissolved or a partnership transferred. Partners often go into business together because they trust one another and enjoy working together. Some put a clause into their contracts that one partner may not sell his or her share to a third party without offering the original remaining partner an opportunity to buy out the other. In other cases, partners might need approval before they can sell to a particular party. Several partnership agreements protect partners in the event of the death of one partner. In many general partnerships, the partnership usually ends with the death of one of the partners. The remaining partners may draw up a new agreement.

Some partnership agreements address the rights of heirs, with some agreements allowing the remaining partners to buy the shares of the deceased partner’s interest, rather than allowing a spouse or child to become a partner.

Partnership agreements can lay out who owns assets, such as the business name, customer list or other assets if the business is dissolved.

You have already put in the hard work to get your business up and running, don’t let a simple and most often costly legal mistake cause you to lose it all.

For more information on how to legally protect your business please pick up a copy of my bestselling book: ‘Go Legal Yourself’ on Amazon or visit my website at www.golegalyourself.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.

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Military service can be a perfect entrance into a law enforcement career.

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

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

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

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

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.

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