CAREER SUPPORT
Strategies, Advice & Tips
The Veterans Beer Club Trust, Authenticity and Organic Growth
The Transition Process SIMPLIFIED HISTORY
MIDWAY MAGIC 444 Days to Liberty
VETERANS EVENTS & RESOURCES
Serving since 2003, Operation Gratitude is the largest and most impactful nonprofit in the country for hands-on volunteerism in support of Military, Veterans, and First Responders.
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1 Million Military, Veterans and First Responders Impacted VOLUNTEERS
To forge strong bonds between Americans and their Military and First Responder heroes through volunteer service projects, acts of gratitude and meaningful engagements in communities Nationwide.
Actions speak louder than words
Saying “thank you for your service” is the start of a conversation that leads to a better understanding of service
Hands-on volunteerism, acts of gratitude and meaningful engagements are the best ways to bridge the civilian-service divide
We focus on empathy, resilience, service, and sacrifice rather than sympathy, challenges, needs, and pity
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SDVM is a veteran-focused magazine throughout ALL San Diego & Southern California. It serves to assist all veterans, active military as well as their spouses and families.
It is the leading veteran magazine emphasizing resources & support and focusing on topics and issues facing today’s veteran community. SDVM focuses on resources, support, community, transition, mental health, inspiration and more...
The content is the driving force behind our magazine and the connection it makes with our veterans, service members, military families, and civilians.
The magazine is supported by the city of San Diego and a distinguishing list of veteran organizations & members, resource centers, coalitions, veteran advocates, and more. We are honored to share the work of so many committed and thoughtful people.
Despite all the challenges, our team has upheld their focus and let not one opportunity go to provide resources and support to our veterans & military personnel.
On behalf of our team, we wanted to take this moment to say THANK YOU to the readers and our military-veteran community for supporting our magazine. With that support we aim to make a difference and continuing to make a profound impact on the quality of life for our veterans, military personnel and their families.
If you want to catch up on the current and past issues, please visit: www.sandiegoveteransmagazine.com/archives
Mike Miller Editor-In-Chiefmikemiller@sdvetsmagazine.com
www.sandiegoveteransmagazine.com
Publisher Editor-In-Chief
Mike Miller
Monthly Columns
What’s Next Transition
Eve Nasby • Kristin Hennessy
Human Resources
Paul Falcone
Veterans in Business
Barbara Eldridge
Successful Transitioning Stories
Dr. Julie Ducharme
Risky Business
Hadley Wood
Franchise Frontline
Rhonda Sanderson
Real Talk: Mental Health
Hope Phifer
PTSD: Reclaiming Control
Robert ‘Bob’ Cuyler, PhD
TLC Caregiving
Kie Copenhaver
Art & Healing
Amber Robinson
Legal Eagle
Kelly Bagla, Esq.
Family Law
Tana Landau, Esq.
Midway Magic
David Koontz
Veterans Chamber Commerce
Joe Molina
Contributing Writers
Wounded Warrior Project
Raquel G. Rivas, WWP
Disabled American Veterans
San Diego Veterans Coalition
Veteran Association North County
(In-House) Correspondents
Holly Shaffner
CJ Machado
Sponsored by Miramar National Cemetery Support Foundation
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11
4:00 PM
Duty, Honor, Country
"50th Year of the U.S. Major Troop Withdrawal from Vietnam and the Return of American POW's Return from Captivity”
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: CDR Jim Bedinger Former POW, USN, Retired
FEATURED SPEAKER: Dr. Pha Le
Five decades ago, in October 1973, the USS Midway (CV-41) became the first American aircraft carrier to be permanently based in a foreign country. On the 50th anniversary of this historic occasion,former Midway crewmembers reflectedon the unique experience of calling Yokosuka, Japan, their home away from home.
“Living in Japan was great,” said Dan Woodward, who was a senior chief petty officer in Attack Squadron 56 (VA-56) assigned to Midway’s airwing in 1982. “The Japanese people were fun. Once a month, we would go eat at their house and they would eat at ours.”
The decision to forward deploy Midway to Japan was the result of an agreement reached between the United States and Japan in 1972. The move had strategic significance because it continuously positioned an aircraft carrier in the Western Pacific. Midway became the Navy’s on-call carrier.
For Midway sailors, they referred to their operational status as always being at the “tip of the spear.”
“I loved Japan, but to be honest, being the forward-deployed carrier, our at-sea schedule was very busy,” said retired Navy Cmdr. Keith Morris, who was a young air traffic controller when he joined Midway in 1988. “I am proud to have been a part of something so great.”
On average, U.S.-based naval ships spend roughly 25 percent of their time deployed overseas, while the ships based in Japan are operating in the waters from the Western Pacific to the Middle East nearly 70 percent of the time.
“While it was personally challenging being out of our homeport most of the time, professionally, it was the best job I’ve ever had,” said retired Navy Capt. Jim Reily, who was Midway’s supply officer from 1989-1991 and now leads the museum’s volunteer docent program. “I’d wake up in the morning knowing we would be doing important things defending freedom.”
The Navy currently has more than 20 warships based in Japan and sailors make up more than one third of all U.S. military personnel stationed there. While the operational schedules for these forward-deployed naval forces are tremendously demanding, the opportunities to be immersed in a unique foreign culture are exceptional. Midway’s crew were the first to experience life in Japan as temporary residents.
“I enjoyed living in Yokosuka,” said Craig Dever, a dentist assigned to Midway in the early 1980s. “I took advantage of a Japanese language course given on the ship. Wherever I went in Japan, the people were friendly, helpful and honest, and most everyone wanted to practice their English on me.”
As their time off was often short-lived, Midway crewmembers tried to soak up as much of Japan as they could. Participating in local festivals and outdoor activities often rose to the top of the list of things to do, and more than few came back to the states as sushi lovers.
“Climbing Mount Fuji was a highlight,” said Woodward, a who also served the museum’s safety team until 2021. “At each level, I got my walking stick branded in Japanese. Looking down on the clouds as the sun came up, what a sight to behold.”
“I took full advantage of the Navy’s special services tours,” said Dever, who also climbed Mt. Fuji while living in Japan. “I went on three ski trips to the Japanese Alps and did a summer trip to Nikko.”
For Morris, while Japan was an unforgettable life experience, his favorite memory of being deployed overseas was a bit more personal.
“With so many experiences on board the USS Midway, it is hard to single out just one,” said Morris, who now works for the U.S. Space Force. “But if I had to pick one, it would be meeting my wife of now 33 years. She too was a sailor stationed in Japan and since I met her, my second day in there, we were inseparable.”
The Navy continues to permanently base an aircraft carrier at the Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan. When Midway returned to the states in 1991 to be decommissioned, she was relieved by the USS Independence (CV-62). The USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is the fifth carrier to call Japan home and is celebrating its eighth anniversary of arriving in Yokosuka in October 2015.
Kevin Hermening was on his way to evening chow in 1978 when a giant banner inviting him to learn about the Marine Security Guard program caught his eye. The life-size cutouts of Marines in dress blue uniforms standing in front of the Eiffel Tower, the Taj Mahal and on the Great Wall of China were enough to sell the young Marine on the special duty.
“One thing that the military does a great job of is recruiting,” he said. “It’s about the image, it’s about patriotism, and it’s about all the things that resonate with those of us who raise our right hand.”
But the Wisconsin native got more than he bargained for when the U.S. Embassy he was assigned to was overrun in 1979.
“That was the biggest group of people I had ever seen in my life descending toward me,” recalled Hermening,
a member of DAV Chapter 64 in Wittenberg, Wisconsin. “And I made a beeline for the front door of the main embassy building.”
That was Nov. 4, 1979, when 66 Americans were initially taken hostage. Hermening and 51 others would spend 444 days as prisoners during the Iran hostage crisis, a major international calamity that shattered U.S.-Iran relations and forever changed Hermening’s life.
The seizing of the embassy in Tehran sent shock waves down the spines of Americans everywhere.
Hermening was selected for Marine Security Guard training in mid-1979 and, initially, was assigned to West Germany. However, his dreams of skiing the Alps and driving at lightning-fast speeds on the Autobahn were trounced as the Marine command switched his assignment to Iran.
For the first few months, Hermening loved it there. He dedicated time to studying Farsi, the official language of Iran, and took opportunities to visit the shopping district in the city. Two weeks later, however, the embassy was overrun.
The attack occurred on a cool, drizzly Sunday morning. Hermening was in the main embassy planning a ball for the Marine Corps birthday, just six days away. That’s when he caught wind of a demonstration at the front gate.
In 1979, the U.S. Embassy in Iran was overrun, with 66 Americans captured. This DAV member lived through it.Marine Sgt. Kevin Hermening (center) and four other released American hostages arrive in Germany after being held captive for nearly 15 months at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, Iran.
“Looking out onto the front grounds, I saw hundreds of Iranians already gathering and thousands more smashing through and eventually opening the front gate,” he said.
The Americans used tear gas to delay the entry for as long as possible.
For over a year, Hermening was at the mercy of his captors. They would wake Americans in the middle of the night, place an unloaded gun to their heads and pull the trigger in a mock execution. Army Col. Charles Scott, chief of the Defense Liaison Office at the embassy, was beaten severely during an interrogation, and three of his teeth were broken off at the gum line—injuries that went untreated until after they were released.
Bill Keough’s health visibly declined while in captivity. The then-superintendent of the American International School in Islamabad, Pakistan, was visiting Tehran to obtain student records when the embassy was seized. A hulking man at 6 feet 9 inches tall, Keough lost 80 pounds before being released. He died in 1985 from Lou Gehrig’s disease.
“We begged the guards all the time as we saw Bill's health starting to deteriorate,” recalled Hermening. “‘Please bring him to a doctor, bring a doctor in to see him, anything.’ And they never did.
“I’m not saying he would’ve survived [after being released], but frankly, he never had a chance,” he added.
With the crisis stretching into its sixth month, a military attempt to rescue the hostages ended in tragedy. On April 24, 1980, the ill-fated special operations mission saw three of the eight helicopters fail, prompting President Jimmy Carter to cancel the mission. That’s when an American helicopter collided with a C-130, killing eight service members and injuring five. The next day, Carter took full responsibility.
“Our rescue team knew, and I knew, that the operation was certain to be difficult and it was certain to be dangerous,” Carter said in an address to the nation. “We were all convinced that if and when the rescue operation had been commenced that it had an excellent chance of success.”
“They were the real heroes in the hostage crisis,” said Hermening. “The rest of us were just survivors. We were the ones who got to come home.”
All of the hostages were released the day President Ronald Reagan was inaugurated. At the same time, the U.S. unfroze $8 billion in Iranian assets. After 444 arduous days, Hermening and the others were finally freed.
Ironically, Hermening was initially awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the nation’s highest peacetime military decoration. However, in 2001, he received the Prisoner of War Medal.
“Our nation must ensure we properly recognize and honor the service and sacrifice of veterans like Kevin,” said DAV National Commander Nancy Espinosa. “Although his time in captivity is considered peacetime, the experience he and others went through is anything but. We at DAV are proud to have Kevin within our ranks.”
More than four decades later, Hermening reflects on his catharsis when speaking about his experience.
“I managed to get all the bad stuff out of my system,” he said. “And so that’s a big part of the reason why I adjusted fairly well.” n
What started as a few military women wanting to get together for lunch in 1989 has evolved into an annual tradition that is now 33 years old - The tradition is actually older than some of the women who attend!
The luncheon is marketed as the “Kick-off to Veterans Season” and typically 150+ women attend from WWII era to today’s active duty. The women who are just beginning their service to our nation truly enjoy meeting those who paved the way for them to serve.
This year’s luncheon is on Saturday, Oct. 21 at Veterans Association of North County (VANC) in Oceanside. The guest speaker is the newly selected Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Navy Veteran, Lindsey Sin. An added feature this year is a screening of a 13-min documentary titled, “Time for Change: The Kathy Bruyere Story.” It is about a local trailblazer and long-time luncheon attendee who paved the way for women to serve at sea.
Check-in and social hour are at 10:30 a.m., with lunch and program beginning at 11:30 a.m. The cost is $40 per person and tickets must be purchased in advance by scanning this QR code:
If you cannot make the luncheon and want to sponsor an active duty or veteran woman to attend, there are options for that too.
For more information about the luncheon, please email: sdmilitarywomensluncheon@gmail.com
You are invited to the 33rd annual Military Women’s Luncheon! Women from WWII era to today’s active duty will be in attendance to celebrate our sisterhood. This luncheon is always the kick-off to Veterans Day events in San Diego with women from every branch and every era. This year’s program includes keynote speaker, Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Navy Veteran, Lindsey Sin. There will also be a showing of a 13-min documentary titled, “Time for Change: The Kathy Bruyere Story” about U.S. Navy CAPT (Ret.) who blazed trails for women in the military.
When: Saturday, October 21, 2023
Time: 10:30 a.m. arrival, 11:30 a.m. lunch, 12:30 p.m. program
Where: Veterans Association of North County (VANC), 1617 Mission Ave in Oceanside
Over 200 women are expected to attend so get your tickets today. Tickets are $40 and must be purchased in advance. To purchase a ticket, go to: https://33rdMWL.eventbrite.com
For more information, please email: sdmilitarywomensluncheon@gmail.com
Active-duty women and female veterans – are you looking to make a career change? If so, then this event is for YOU!
Operation Dress Code is back in San Diego for an 8th year. It is an annual event that EMPOWERS Women to Reimagine Possibilities, Reinvent Careers, and Redesign Post-Military Lives. It is accomplished by collecting new and slightly used business attire, shoes, purses, and accessories then hosting a pop-up boutique for the ladies to “shop” for new wardrobes.
The event will also have resources and breakout sessions to help with resumes, professional headshots, and so much more to make a seamless transition. New for 2023 is a Job Fair that provides a rare and unique career fair that is for, and about women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
How can you help?
• Donate new and slightly used business attire, shoes, purses, and accessories.
• Host a donation box at your place of business or your local organization.
• Volunteer to help sort clothes and pick up donation boxes.
• Volunteer to help set up and tear down the event on Nov. 4 & 5.
• Volunteer as a personal shopper on Boutique Day –Nov. 5.
• Donate to help sponsor this event – all donations are tax-deductible.
• Register as an attendee for your personalized shopping experience.
• Tell your friends, family, and networks about the event!
The pop-up boutique will be held on Sunday, Nov. 5th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Paradise Point Resort in San Diego. Registration for attendees begins on Oct. 4th. There is no charge for active-duty women or female veterans to attend.
For more information about the event, scan this QR code: Or go to: www.operationdresscode.org
Sunday, Nov. 5th at Paradise Point Resort in San Diego!
Operation Dress Code is an annual event to help women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces transition to the workforce by providing them with the professional attire and resources needed for civilian life. There is no charge to attend.
Clothing Drive - Oct. 4 to Oct. 20. Look for pink Operation Dress Code clothing bins stationed at businesses throughout the San Diego area, where supporters can donate new or gently used professional clothing, shoes, jewelry, accessories, and handbags.
Boutique Day – Sunday, Nov. 5. This is a free shopping day at our pop-up boutique designed specifically for women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. They are treated to a personalized shopping experience designed to help them get the clothing needed to start the next chapter of their professional lives. There will also be hair and make-up experts on hand to help prepare the women for free professional head shots, and a variety of workshops for job success!
Registration is important to ensure all women who enter the Dress Code Boutique receive a personalized experience. Registration will open on Oct. 4th at: www. operationdresscode.org
Volunteers are needed to help sort clothing in the weeks leading up to Boutique Day, plus on Nov. 4th for set-up, and Nov. 5th as personal shoppers and to help tear down the event.
For more information about clothing donation, registration, or how to help, please scan this QR Code:
Transitioning Service Members, Veterans, and Military Spouses are both blessed and cursed in San Diego and many military towns across the United States. We have numerous supporting organizations to help with our basic needs, health and wellness, education, social connections, employment, and transition groups. Unfortunately, many military members and their families are not familiar with most of these parties, nor do they know how to utilize them effectively. It was this same problem I faced during my transition in the summer of 2015. It caused a lot of difficulties at home as I had failed to quickly acquire a job, and honestly even with a great network, I was in unsuccessful in utilizing many of those aforementioned resources properly. “Transition fatigue” is a real thing, and I didn’t understand either that “networking is a skill, and a lengthy practice” to be truly effective for oneself and the others within your circle.
Because of some of the challenges I and another of my Marine Veteran friends personally encountered, we grabbed another Veteran and came up with a plan to help navigate this crazy maze of opportunities. In April of 2016 Kevin Cortes, Brian Grana and I created the Veterans Beer Club (VBC) and had our first meeting the next month at the Second Chance Beer Company.
We felt it was important that we discuss our struggles and ensure other Veterans would have a vetting outlet to help them more easily navigate their transition. We also believed by supporting and assisting noteworthy organizations which legitimately help Veterans; this also helps the entire San Diego community.
We then developed three goals to establish the VBC’s “purpose”: one, to assist transitioning service members through networking, discussions of important events, introductions to all industries in the region, and ensuring service members are personally introduced to leaders in said groups. Two, to translate our military service to community service, ensuring we continue our leadership into non-profit, volunteer, and civil service organizations. Three, to continue our sense of camaraderie, thus safeguarding the bonds established during our military service, and ensuring there is a safety net of resources for veterans. For this last tenet we were surprised on how important it was as several months into our events, we had people traveling from out of San Diego, and even out of state, to attend our meetings. We also established rules that we were not a “drinking club” (our name might be a bit tongue-in-cheek, but it is memorable), and sales, fundraising, and politics were not to be discussed.
It was a necessary part of our organization that we treat everyone with honorable intentions.
Our vision developed into a monthly rotation of gatherings at different brewery locations across San Diego County in a relaxed environment. At each event everyone is issued a color-coded nametag depending on: looking for employment, have jobs to offer, or just a VBC-supporter. As we have grown and bring a very social and giving crowd, we have been fortunate to keep all events free as breweries have welcomed us with open arms, especially our Veteran owned breweries. We maintain Facebook and LinkedIn pages to disseminate important information, including job opportunities, connections within companies, finding veteran owned businesses, and important upcoming events.
Additionally, we have been very fortunate to partner with various university alumni associations, business chamber/economic development councils, the San Diego Military Advisory Council, and the Mt Soledad Memorial Association (to name a few). This collaboration has been important as we have noted that many non-profit and Veteran-related organizations at many times are competing instead of combining their synergies. For the past two years, we have developed a very strong relationship with many of our local major league and collegiate sports teams. As military leaders move on, we have a network of sports ambassadors that help with disseminating tickets to our service members, their families, and Veterans. A stable group of leaders able to also help with flyovers, Color Guards, National Anthem Singers, and more, the VBC has created an easy process to help with our teams who are also supporting our military. We also continue to interface with senior Veterans and business leaders in the community and leverage their passion for assisting fellow Veterans. Many of our VBC’ers have also assumed positions on various boards and leadership positions within their various communities, this has also greatly helped our network branding, and for good reason, the VBC is comprised of quality caring Veterans who give back to the community.
Ironically, one of our co-founders benefited himself. In March 2020, Kevin Cortes was working as a commercial airline pilot when the pandemic hit and left him without pay. Through the VBC network, he found a job listing which landed him the career he has today. He is now currently the Flight Operations Base Consultant for SDG&E, helping run the fleet of firefighting and patrolling aircraft in the utility’s Aviation Services Department out of Gillespie Field in El Cajon. He literally has discovered “his dream job”.
While the VBC was started in San Diego, it has now spread across the Nation with various chapters, especially active in Murietta/Temecula, Orlando, Denver, Washington D.C., Oregon, Colorado Springs, and we are excited about our Annapolis (another up-andcoming chapter). We welcome additional chapters but always ask for an additional group to have at least three Veterans to help start it off as we have found this works best, when especially many of us have very busy schedules, families, etc. While the co-founders appreciate attending each event, we also recognize it is not about us, but the group and this Veterans’ “grass roots movement” which have made the VBC concept so successful.
We took some liberties (pun intended) with Ben Franklin’s well-known quote that “Beer is proof God loves us and wants us to have a happy transition”. We believe he would agree with that latter portion too.
www.theveteransbeerclub.com
US Navy (1987 – 1993) US Air Force (1993 – 2013)
PTSD treatment can turn your life around. For more information visit: www.ptsd.va.gov/aboutface
“I’m happier with myself. Having been in therapy, period, has helped me be in a better place now.”
Rogelio “Roger” Rodriguez, Jr
Cohen Clinics provide therapy to post-9/11 veterans, service members, and military families, including National Guard and Reserves.
All sexual orientations and genders welcome. LEARN MORE vvsd.net/cohenclinics
Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) is a common, normal, and often adaptive response to experiencing a traumatic or stressful event. However, for some individuals, including veterans and service members, witnessing life-threatening events like military combat, natural disasters, terrorist incidents, serious accidents, or physical or sexual assault in adulthood or childhood could have serious, long-term impacts. Those experiencing flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, uncontrollable intrusive thoughts, and emotional numbing are often clinically diagnosed with PostTraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Did you know?
• 3.7% of Americans ages 13 years of age and older have a diagnosis of PTSD every year.
• 5.7% of Americans 13 years and older develop PTSD during their lifetime.
• Women are more than twice as likely as men to develop PTSD during their lifetime, and three times as likely to develop the disorder annually.
(Cohen Veterans Bioscience)
While it is incredibly difficult for the individual, it can be more challenging for those in their immediate circle of relationships, including caretakers, family members and friends.
It is important to recognize that they need help, too. Shari Finney, Clinic Director at The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Veterans Village of San Diego (VVSD), says any moderate to severe illness, both physical and mental health illnesses, can have a ripple effect on the entire family system.
Finney speaks from both clinical and personal experiences. “When I decided to set up hospice care for my dad who had cancer, people thought I was a saint. When I took care of another family member through severe depression and PTSD, people avoided talking about it altogether. These stressors increase feelings of isolation and elevate risks of depression for those surrounding the individual with the illness.”
As the nation recognizes PTSD Awareness Month, Finney provides the following advice for loved ones caring for those experiencing post-traumatic stress:
• First and foremost, get educated. There are many online resources, such as NAMI.org (National Institute of Mental Health), that can help provide information on the symptoms of PTSD.
• Don’t personalize loved one’s behaviors, think of them as symptoms. You wouldn’t personalize a sneeze if someone has a cold, or hair loss from someone going through chemotherapy.
Women are more than twice as likely as men to develop PTSD during their lifetime
• Acknowledge ambivalent feelings. For example, when a spouse seems more like a patient or a child than a partner, it is normal to feel uncomfortable emotions such as resentment, anger, and loss.
• Keep safety first. If symptoms are out of control, have a back-up plan or call 9-1-1. Note: a clinician can help you make a back-up plan.
According to Finney, PTSD has the biggest drop-out rate by diagnosis. It may be due to the fact that it requires more commitment and work. “It is not just about ‘talking to a therapist,’ there is frequent homework, sometimes every day, and the work can leave a patient feeling raw in the middle, especially during these challenging times.”
She added, “Even still, it’s important to remember that treatment is worth it. Don’t give up. There is hope for symptom reduction if treatment is completed. Families and relationships can be saved by the reduction of symptoms, as well as psycho-education around the disorder and external support.”
“Cohen Veterans Network has Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinics across the nation staffed with competent professionals who provide therapy in culturally a confidential setting, which helps make recovery possible for many,” Finney added.
The Cohen Clinic at VVSD is part of Cohen Veterans Network, a national network of clinics staffed with trained clinicians who treat a variety of mental health challenges including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, adjustment issues, anger, grief and loss, family issues, transition challenges, relationship problems, and children’s behavioral problems.
The Cohen Clinics provides confidential, high-quality therapy, and referrals to local support services around housing, employment and education to post-9/11 veterans, service members (TRICARE referral needed for active duty), National Guard and Reserves, and their family members, including spouse or partner, children, parents, siblings, caregivers, and others.
Care is available regardless of discharge status, role while in uniform, or combat experience. Insurance or ability to pay is never a barrier to care.
For more information, visit www.cohenveteransnetwork.org
For the past two decades, Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) has been honored to serve those who serve our country. WWP will continue to provide life-changing programs and services — at no cost to post-9/11 veterans, service members, and their families — for the next 20 years and beyond.
Wounded Warrior Project helped me find the strength to go further than I ever thought possible.
In this ongoing series, we introduced the four ‘clusters’ of PTSD symptoms: intrusive thoughts and memories, avoidance, hyper-arousal/hypervigilance, and now, changes in mood and thought.
Trauma intimately influences our moods and thoughts. Even for events decades old, distressing feelings can emerge as strongly as at the time of the trauma.
In time, for many, PTSD can lead to mood disorders such as clinical depression, influencing the person’s thoughts. Individuals may feel persistent thoughts of hopelessness and sometimes even thoughts of suicide. The sense that one’s future is dim and diminished is common as well. Among veterans, survivor’s guilt is especially common, where the loss of those they served with weighs heavy on the mind causing psychic wounds to the individuals who survived.
(Part 2 of 2)
Over time, new emotions emerge. Anger and irritability are common emotions in PTSD and can greatly affect family, work, and relationships with friends. These often sudden mood flares or outbursts can seem unprovoked and out of proportion to others, but are an understandable reaction to unresolved trauma.
Then there is the concept of ‘moral injury’, where guilt, shame, or a sense of betrayal compound the traumatic events, influencing a person’s thoughts and perception. Moral injury occurs when one believes they are the cause, witness, or victim of injustice or betrayal associated with a trauma. Imagine a combat medic
who dwells on their inability to save a life when they thought they should have, or on a decision to prioritize life saving resources on one soldier over another.
For the past three months, we have explored the PTSD of a veteran who had been robbed in a grocery parking lot. His justifiable fear of the robbery location morphed into a broader avoidance of all parking lots. His replaying of events from the incident dominated his thoughts. His identity as a survivor and protector was shattered. He began to doubt how he could keep his wife and children safe when he, trained as a warrior, could not protect himself against a common criminal. He imagined scenarios of the robbery occurring, in which he died, leaving his family behind unprotected.
You can see how these painful thoughts are overwhelming and dominating the mind, leading to uncharacteristic behaviors. He felt a moral injury, as his sense of injustice was intense; he blamed and threatened to sue the grocery store for having inadequate lighting and failing to have security. He was convinced that the police investigating the robbery made little effort in tracking down and arresting his assailant. These thoughts kept rippling into bitter
cynicism that local bail policies were responsible for allowing a revolving door for criminals to victimize people like him.
While those around him were quite understanding and sympathetic to his concerns for the first six months, some began to limit contact or change the subject from his ‘rants’. This withdrawal from family and friends magnified his sense of injustice and isolation even more.
This is only one example of millions that show the ripple effect at play in PTSD, as memory, emotions, and world view get combined into one lens. It is important to remember reclaiming control, rekindling confidence, and rediscovering joy on your path to recovery is possible, just as this veteran had done.
As we explore the role of panic symptoms in PTSD and treatments over the next month’s column, we will dive into how you can heal too.
Cuyler is chief clinical officer of Freespira, an FDA-cleared non-medication treatment that helps people with panic and PTSD manage their symptoms by learning how to regulate their breathing. - www.freespira.com
www.freespira.com/veterans
info@mobiusmobility.com
By Kie Copenhaver CSA, RHIA, SHSS, RCFE www.agingwellpartners.com
One of this month’s themes is the Transition Assistance Programs, for those transitioning out of active military service and into civilian life. Our active service men and women have access to TAPs to learn valuable skills and tools to help ease them back into civilian life. And like many other major transitions in life, it takes time, patience (if we can find it) and sometimes a good amount of grace for ourselves and others.
Summer is transitioning into fall. The leaves are changing, daylight hours are dwindling, and the temperature is getting colder. This seasonal transition causes most of us to make transitions of our own – put away the tank tops and t-shirts and sweaters; toss to make way for the long-sleeved shirts and sweaters. Toss the flip flops to the back of the closet and start looking for those weather-proof boots and shoes. And once we’ve found the appropriate clothing, begin to transition the house from summer to winter, taking care to blow out the sprinkler systems, clean the gutters, and have the furnace and duct work inspected before we need to turn up the thermostat.
I have recently transitioned from the beautifully sunny and warm city of San Diego back to my home state of Montana, where my folks live. And talk about a transition! I am gearing up for the snow to fly at lower elevations any day now, gathering necessary supplies for the trunk of my car and bulking up on my cold weather clothing. I have also transitioned into a new job with Fort Harrison VA Health Care. While I have worked in healthcare for over 25 years, it has always been in the civilian world so working at the VA has been and continues to be a big transition.
We all experience transitions in our lives. Some of them are small and we handle them quickly and easily with little interruption to our every day lives. Others are monumental and can knock the wind out of us. The aging process is one of continual transition. As we age, we are forced to transition in many ways.
We may transition from one music style to another; a renter to a first-time homeowner; being single to becoming married; having no children to attending play dates, soccer games, and school plays; and from our own home that we’ve owned for 50 years to a supportive living community because we are needing more assistance with our activities of daily living.
Like it or not, change and transition is inevitable. It’s how we approach and handle each change and transition that matters. Mindset is key. I have found that with an attitude of gratefulness and/or a deep breath and mantra of “I’ve got this”, the change feels more manageable. And once we’ve successfully navigated a change or transition, we are better prepared for the next one that comes along.
If you are in the process of or about to be transitioning out of the military, it’s never too early to start planning your next steps. Civilian employment is a different world than jobs in the military. The following pages will help you lay the ground-work and connect you to tools and resources that are available to help you make the military to civilian transition a smooth one.
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Each quarter, I have the privilege of delivering the Executive TAP class to esteemed senior leaders in San Diego who are transitioning from the military. Recognizing the no-nonsense nature of this distinguished group, here is a simplified version of the transition process designed to ensure a successful transition from military to civilian life. These crucial points are presented in a Bottom-Line Up Front (BLUF) fashion:
The military to civilian transition process can be a daunting and challenging experience, but it can also be an opportunity for personal growth and development. In Step 1 of this process, it is crucial to personally manage your transition in order to successfully navigate the complexities of the civilian world. This entails taking ownership of your own career and actively seeking out resources and support networks that can aid in your transition. It is important to evaluate your skills, experiences, and interests to identify potential career paths that align with your goals and aspirations. Additionally, managing relationships and networking with professionals both within and outside the military community can provide valuable insights and connections for job opportunities. Transitioning from the military requires adaptability, resilience, and a proactive mindset. By personally managing your transition, you are empowering yourself to take control of your future civilian career path.
In step 2 of the military to civilian transition process, it is crucial for service members to find their career DNA. This step involves a deep exploration of their skills, interests, and values to identify the most suitable career path in the civilian world. It requires a thorough self-assessment that goes beyond just technical abilities and considers one’s personal aspirations and passion. By understanding their professional DNA, veterans can align their skills with potential job opportunities in order to achieve long-term career success and job satisfaction. This process may involve
informational interviews, skill gap analysis, aptitude tests, and self-reflection exercises that help individuals narrow down their options and define clear career goals. Armed with this knowledge, veterans can confidently navigate the civilian job market with purpose and conviction as they transition into a fulfilling post-military career.
Step 3 of the military to civilian transition process, which involves upskilling, reskilling, or participating in a SkillBridge program, is a crucial phase that promotes the successful integration of veterans into the civilian job market. Upskilling refers to enhancing existing skill sets by acquiring new qualifications or certifications within a chosen field. Reskilling involves learning entirely new skills that are in demand in the civilian workforce. Both options provide veterans with opportunities to bridge any competency gaps and align their capabilities with the requirements of their desired careers. Additionally, participating in SkillBridge programs enables service members to gain civilian work experience while still on active duty, thereby increasing their chances of successful post-service employment. This transitional step is critical as it empowers veterans with the necessary competencies and credentials required to compete effectively in today’s highly competitive job market.
Step 4 of the military to civilian transition process focuses on rebooting one’s military mindset and adjusting to the civilian world. This critical step requires individuals to reassess their perspectives and adapt their thought processes accordingly. Transitioning from a structured, hierarchical military environment to a more flexible and diverse civilian workplace can be daunting. Hence, it is crucial for veterans to recognize and confront any potential challenges they may face during this transition. This includes shifting their mindset from following orders without question to becoming proactive problem-solvers and critical thinkers. Veterans must also modify their communication style, abandoning military
jargon in favor of clearer, more relatable language. Additionally, they need to embrace change, seek continuous learning opportunities, and develop new networks within the civilian sector. By rebooting their military mindset in these ways, veterans can successfully integrate into civilian life while leveraging their unique skills and experiences acquired through military service.
Step 5 of the military to civilian transition process involves seeking assistance in navigating the sea of goodwill that awaits veterans as they reintegrate into civilian life. This step acknowledges that while there is an abundance of support and resources available, it is essential to know how to effectively access and utilize them. From non-profit organizations to government agencies, numerous entities aim to aid veterans in areas such as employment, healthcare, education, and housing. However, unraveling this complex network can be overwhelming for individuals unfamiliar with the civilian landscape. Seeking help from fellow veterans who have already undergone a successful transition or utilizing guidance offered by dedicated transition organizations can prove invaluable during this stage. These individuals possess extensive knowledge and understanding of the resources available, assisting veterans in making informed decisions that align with their unique needs and goals. By obtaining expert guidance, navigating the sea of goodwill becomes a structured process rather than a daunting challenge.
Step 6 of the military to civilian transition process involves volunteering, networking, and connecting to the community. This crucial step helps veterans establish themselves within their new civilian environment and build a support network outside of the military. By engaging in volunteer work, veterans can not only give
back to their communities but also develop new skills and experiences that can enhance their resumes. Additionally, networking becomes essential as it allows veterans to connect with individuals who can provide valuable insights into specific industries or job opportunities. Attending career fairs, joining professional associations, and participating in online platforms that cater to veteran employment can all serve as effective networking strategies. Connecting to the community further enables veterans to integrate into their surroundings by building relationships with local organizations, fellow residents, and business leaders who may offer guidance or assistance during this transition period. Through these efforts, veterans lay a solid foundation for a successful post-military career and find fulfillment in contributing to society once again.
By adhering to these six SMPLIFIED principles, you will be equipped with the necessary tools and mindset to navigate the transition from military to civilian life successfully.
I encourage you to embrace this transformative journey with confidence and determination.
Good luck with your search!
Maurice D. Wilson National Veterans Transition Services, Inc.If you’re still having trouble transitioning, don’t hesitate to cotact Maurice Wilson at maurice@nvtsi.org
I never served in the military, but I attended a Jesuit, military (Army JROTC) high school in New York City with the intention of going to the Naval Academy. By my senior year in high school, I received my nomination to Annapolis. But my family had just moved to the west coast, and UCLA was pretty much in my backyard, so off I went, excited to experience a new part of the country that—in the late 1970s at least—was the state of choice for many Americans looking for “sun and fun” and a growing job market. Still, my natural connection to the military never dissipated, and I involved myself in supporting our military in a number of ways, including contributing to Homeland and San Diego Veterans Magazines. I also became a career mentor for The Honor Foundation (www.honor.org), supporting Navy SEALs and Special Operations Forces transitioning into the private sector. In fact, I cowrote a book called Boots to Loafers—Finding Your New True North with John W. Phillips, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army (Retired). And in writing that book, I researched various organizations, resources, and tools to help those transitioning from the military to the private sector.
And I found a lot. The spirit of support in today’s business community to help and support military service men and women and veterans has likely never been higher. Still, making that transition—like any other major transition in life—can be a bit overwhelming. This article is for those of you who “need to start somewhere.” You won’t need to master every website listed below, but you should visit the ones mentioned and select a chosen few that resonate most with you. Capitalize on today’s positive sentiment towards our military, and short cut your job search by accessing some of the following:
• Military Headhunters
Search firms exist to find qualified talent proactively and present them to companies that have a specific need for that individual’s skills, knowledge, and abilities.
Companies pay search firms, sometimes referred to as “headhunters,” a fee for their efforts. The more specialized your field or skill level and the more flexible you are geographically, the greater the chances that you’ll be a successful “candidate” in a search firm’s portfolio. The two most well-known search firms with specialty recruiters for military candidates are:
www.BradleyMorris.com
www.oriontalent.com
• Military-to-Private Sector Job Boards and Training Resources
Next, the following veteran-specific sites will likely come in handy during your job search:
www.FedsHireVets.gov
www.GIJobs.com
www.HireAHero.org
(Search military-friendly employers)
www.HireVeterans.com
www.MilitaryFriendly.com
(Search military-friendly employers)
www.MilitaryHire.com
(Virtual job fairs)
Likewise, for education and training, look to www.GIBill.va.gov along with any of the following MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) that provide free training and certification and are taught by leading universities. (The certification itself may require a nominal fee.):
Coursera: www.coursera.org
edX: www.edx.org
Future Learn: www.futurelearn.com
Udacity: www.udacity.com
Udemy: www.udemy.com
In fact, you can begin these free online training courses at any time, including when you’re still in the military and preparing to transition into the private sector.
A rich variety of career and family resources can also be found online at:
Khan Academy: www.khanacademy.org
(Personalized student learning)
Veterans Opportunity Network: www.Benefits.VA.gov/VOW
(Transition assistance program)
Veterans Employment and Training Service: www.DOL.gov/VETS
Overall, the sheer volume of the content available online to help you can quickly become overwhelming. Don’t let it be. Dedicate an afternoon to making quick visits to the sites above and seeing which ones “just feel right” to you. Focus on those. In your search, you may find additional resources that have even greater appeal. Whatever the case, share this article with your friends, associates, and family members so that you can share the experience together as well as “divide and conquer.” The more eyeballs visiting these sites and sharing new ones, the better. Transitions tend to work better as “team sports,” so find a buddy, if possible, and launch away. Approach your job search methodically. Be able to explain your “transition strategy” to prospective employers. That, in itself, will reveal a lot about your problem-solving, collaboration, and creative skills.
As a final piece of wisdom, don’t overly fret about landing the “perfect job” right out of the military. In truth, you’ll likely need to kiss a few frogs before you find your prince. It’s not uncommon to hold two or three jobs within your first five years out of the military, out of high school, out of college, or out of grad school. If you wait for the perfect job to come along, you may be waiting a long time. (Hint: It’s a bit of a unicorn.) What’s important is that you start. Start somewhere. And be sure to build your network, add achievements and certifications to your resume and LinkedIn profile, and pay it forward: many more transitioning service men and women will follow you over the years to come. Be there for them, volunteer your time to help others, and teach what you choose to learn. After all, the universe is nothing but a giant copying machine: what emanates from you returns to you. (Karma is real.) Be that gift to others, and it will return to you tenfold. I hope this article helps me do my part in some small way for the worthiest of causes.
You can connect with Paul on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/paulfalcone1
Paul Falcone (www.PaulFalconeHR.com) is a management trainer, executive coach, and bestselling author on hiring, performance management, and leadership development.
www.HarperCollinsLeadership.com
“First, NEVER pay for advice, counsel, or job training. There are groups that will ask for thousands of dollars to help place you and network. I tried it. It was a miserable failure, but I was desperate at the time as I was leaving the military and still didn’t have a job.”
“Second, learn to interview like a boss!”
When you finally get the interview, you have one chance to nail it.
In addition to his military success, he excelled at networking. His boss at Mirimar pushed him to join LinkedIn five years prior to getting out. It started a snowball effect - he quickly had hundreds of contacts and became heavily involved in community relations. It seemed that everyone in San Diego knew Phil Kendro! He was a connector!
He admits “I thought I could succeed in anything, and it got a bit to my head.”
As the time to transition out got closer, his list of contacts grew exponentially. However, his job offer count didn’t reflect it. He got only ONE job offer, and it wasn’t one on his dream list.
Phil recalls, “It was a true rollercoaster ride with the highest peaks and lowest troughs. I can say that YES, I did generally stay positive as I was surrounded by an amazing network of friends and supporters, but there were many dark days in my household, mostly within myself. After 20+ years of so many mission successes, how could I fail my family in such a fashion?”
His post-military career may have started off without his dream job, but that didn’t stop him. He networked and got that dream job.
We caught back up with him to ask his advice for those in similar situations.
What are two pieces of advice you’d give your fellow transitioning brothers and sisters?
Use the S.T.A.R. Method! This means, when asked a question, frame it like this: Here’s the SITUATION, here’s the TASK I was given, here’s the ACTION I took, and here’s the RESULT of my achievement.
Trained for combat but not trained for an interview, those veterans who are not well practiced in interviewing, fail. The S.T.A.R method to help keep you focused in an interview. This is a tried and true format that helps keep you succinct and focused in your answers.
Often people start to ramble and talk too much if they are nervous or not prepared. Don’t be the interviewee from ‘Talkers Anonymous.’ You won’t get the job.
Just as making a great shot depends on sight picture and trigger control, a great interview depends upon staying focused and purposeful in your execution of your answer.
Phil, “Tell me about a time when you were faced with a challenge and how you overcame it.”
“I was an Iraq Invasion Company Commander and a Harrier pilot at time when the Harrier aircraft had severe maintenance issues.”
In one sentence, Phil is setting the stage for his answer before he moves into what he was assigned to do. After setting the stage, he pauses to move into the Task section.
“While stationed in Iraq I was given the position of Company Commander for the 2003 Invasion to takeover and rebuild air bases, provide refueling for aviation assets anywhere. I had zero previous experience.”
“In a very short period of time we rebuilt 3 different airfields, including one the size of Miramar Air Station. We also provided security, food, living quarters, and an airfield to thousands of pilots and aircrew. Our team included military police, engineers, fueling experts, logisticians, motor transport personnel, administrative staff, fire/rescue, expeditionary airfield personnel and an explosive ordnance disposal team.”
This is clear, succinct, and well-framed, leaving no room for confusion.
And now for the moment that the interviewer has been waiting for…
“With no previous knowledge of the job I was to perform, I rebuilt multiple airfields in a high-risk environment with no casualties, and returned everyone home safely. Our team achieved accolades from all who worked with us. From the lessons that were learned I helped develop the standard operating procedures for future missions. I went from having no knowledge of the unit to which I was assigned to a subject matter expert in rebuilding, maintaining, and multiple airfields throughout southern and central Iraq.”
Hear this loud and clear - Employers are results driven!
Past performance predicts future behavior. The results you created while you were in the military matter to your potential employer as they are expecting you to do the same for them. How did you increase productivity? How did your leadership result in achieving an outstanding safety record? How did you save time and money for your division? Answer with a clear, well-framed story of how you created RESULTS and offers will be knocking at your door.
Need help with your transition? Have questions? Link up with Eve on Linked In today. www.linkedin.com/in/eve-nasby-given-hiring-expert
By Stephanie Lee, Air Force Veteran & Enrollment Manager, CareerStep
Sometimes, the sense of division between life in the military and life as a civilian feels like a vast chasm. In fact, for military families, this sense of division joins a long list of challenges that specifically impact the men and women who sacrifice so much for the country. These challenges couldn’t be more apparent than when it comes to finding a post-military career or one that is flexible enough to align with military spouses’ unique needs—a career that checks all the right boxes: satisfaction, security, and stability.
Finding industries and employers that understand the skills of veterans and their families can seem like an uphill climb at times, and it shows. For example, the unemployment rate for veterans rose to 6.5% in 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Reasons for this vary, but one contributing factor could be that lessons learned under the harsh conditions of combat don’t always translate to private-sector jobs. And for military spouses—60% of which say they’re looking for full- or part-time work—finding a profession that’s both portable and in-demand is increasingly difficult.
However, there is hope and there are opportunities. First, it’s important to consider key reasons why a career in healthcare—the fastest-growing sector in the U.S. economy according to BLS data—might just be what bridges that expansive gap between military and civilian life.
Most who enter the military are looking for fulfilling work—an opportunity to make a difference. A real difference. But few civilian careers allow veterans to make as much of a difference as those found in healthcare. That’s because working in this particular field, regardless of the role, provides the opportunity to impact peoples’ lives in profound ways. From mending wounds and healing minds to saving lives, the difference healthcare workers make is undeniable.
There’s a reason healthcare is an overwhelmingly popular career choice for veterans and their spouses: it’s an industry in which military-specific skills are undeniably relevant. Creative problem solving, adaptability, and effective communication—they’re all valuable skills that healthcare organizations can’t ignore if they want to provide the best possible service and care to their patients. And they’re all skills that veterans and their spouses already possess.
People need healthcare. In turn, the industry needs people willing to step up to the proverbial plate.
Economic and labor experts believe we need to hire 2.3 million new healthcare workers by 2025 if we’re going to keep pace with the needs of our aging population. But a persistent shortage of skilled workers with exceptional knowledge and training means hundreds of thousands of positions will remain unfilled. Home health aides, medical assistants, lab technicians, and more are all in high demand.
For a working military spouse, it can be difficult to cultivate a strong professional network, and when the time comes to pack up and move to a new city, the wrong vocation can leave even the most talented pro scrambling to start over. That’s why job portability is so important. Healthcare training provides the skills and certifications that employers are looking for in highgrowth, high-demand fields in virtually every city in the entire world.
These days, there are multiple training options for learners to pave their road to success. These organizations often have hiring network relationships, so it’s important to keep in contact and inform them when certification is achieved. It’s especially important for members of the healthcare sector to be fully qualified and properly trained. An early step is to start by choosing a specific discipline and then find a provider that can help learners develop the concrete job skills employers are looking for.
The good news is that there’s a significant amount of trusted providers who specialize in transforming entrylevel learners into high-performing, certified healthcare professionals. And they all do this with expansive catalogs of fully online career training programs that are fast, portable, and eligible for military education grants—often covering up to 100% of the cost.
Finding the right fit takes a little time and it is important to explore the possibilities. Doing the research is crucial as it can improve the learning experience—and potentially lead to faster employment. Deciding to pursue a career in healthcare is a fulfilling and viable option for veterans and their spouses.
About the Author:
Stephanie Lee served in the Air Force for 11 years as a Munitions Systems Craftsman. She now serves as an Enrollment Manager for CareerStep, (www.careerstep.com/military/), the Allied Health training division of Carrus. (www.carruslearn.com)
Former U.S. Army Ranger, Rick Porter served his country for four years and was a part of the 75th Ranger Regiment, a lethal, agile and flexible force, capable of conducting many complex, joint special operations missions. He was stationed at The 1st Ranger Battalion, currently based at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, Georgia where his training taught him the values of discipline, teamwork, and adaptability. After Rick’s service in the military, he knew he had to find his next purpose and it ultimately led him to Cinch I.T., the leading Managed IT Services franchise based in Massachusetts.
In 2019, Rick started franchising with Cinch I.T. and made a name for himself in the franchise industry eventually becoming the President of the franchise. As a veteran himself, he wanted to give other veterans the opportunity of entrepreneurship and own and operate their own business just as he has done.
Currently, Cinch I.T. is 50% owned and operated by veterans as they are drawn to the company and veteran franchisee discount fees. Even though the brand provides I.T. services, Rick does not always look for franchisees with a computer science background but instead a passion for learning how to run a successful franchise. He eventually created an extensive 10-week training course for all new franchisees because Cinch I.T. believes in providing the best possible support system when running and owning your own business.
“It’s no coincidence that military veterans own 50% of our franchise locations,” said Rick Porter, President of Cinch I.T. “These men and women leave the service with certain skillsets that make them uniquely qualified to own and operate their own business. We are fortunate to have as many veterans as we do within our Cinch I.T. family.”
Rick’s military experience has taught him how to be a better leader and help support his employees and franchisee owners.
Military personnel are trained to make quick decisions, prioritize tasks and work well under pressure, all of which are essential skills for entrepreneurship and leadership in the business world. Overall, the skills and traits that military training and education can instill in individuals can be directly applicable to the challenges of running a business. Military experience can provide a strong foundation for individuals who pursue this path and has helped him to grow as a leader.
With franchises, people can grow and start their own businesses while still having the benefits of having an already proven business model and a team around you that can help throughout the process. The world today is going increasingly digital, and many businesses need help to keep up with the latest technology. Cinch I.T. is in an industry that is growing and desired by all companies that need tech and I.T. support and services.
Founded in 2004 and franchising since 2019, Cinch I.T. is a managed computer and I.T. support brand that provides businesses with an enterprise-level I.T. department for less than it would cost a business to manage their I.T. in-house. Today, there are 13 locations across seven states, and the brand is continuing to grow every year.
The brand provides remote and on-site computer support, and services include I.T. support plans, network security, backup/disaster recovery, cloud computing, cybersecurity
For more information, visit https://cinchit.com
At a young age, Michael Klepacz knew that he wanted to do something with planes. Little did he know the career path that would open. During his high school years, he was afforded a unique opportunity to attend 1 of 12 vocational programs to learn to be an aircraft mechanic. What seemed like a dream come true was quickly extinguished, because 2 weeks into the program 9/11 happened and it forever changed the aviation industry.
“In 2001, people were going to work as an airline mechanic to make $40/hr., and now we were down to $10/hr. This was a major blow to what I thought was going to be a solid career with a decent income. To make matters worse, my grandfather passed from cancer. It was like putting salt on a open wound. During his funeral, I decided that his 21-gun salute was sweet and a good way to honor him and do something noble with my life, I decided that I was going to join the Air Force.
The dream was finally brought back into the picture. After Michael took his entrance tests, he was placed in a specialized program doing exactly what he always wanted, aviation mechanics. Throughout his time in the Air Force, he developed his leadership skills, completing the Six Sigma program, and these would be vital in helping Michael in his future endeavors as a civilian.
“With all the training and education, the Air Force pretty much gave me a master’s degree in leadership, without the actual master’s degree.”
Completing 3.5 years in this job, Michael was injured and was medically discharged and began his transition to civilian life. It wasn’t easy to bounce back from
a career that sparked the same passion he had in his tween years about planes.This is where he became interested in sustainability. “First it was organic agriculture, then it turned into natural things.”
Michael then enrolled in a program at UCLA called Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities. It was the springboard for fueling his future endeavors and pushed Michael to pursue more education. Michael took advantage of the VA’s GI Bill and researched business schools outside of the US. There is a reason Michael pursued his education outside of the US as a Veteran.
“There’s a tiny box on the application that no one really notices, and it says country. When I clicked on it, there was a laundry list of colleges in Poland that the GI Bill would pay for. There was a business school that was ranked in the top 50 among the world’s best business schools. But here’s the bonus and why I ended up choosing to go to Poland and the advice I’d give other Veterans. The BAH (Base Allowance Housing) is what you get during your active duty serving, but when you get out and if you use the GI Bill, the BAH rate is for wherever it is that your school is. Here’s the kicker, if you go to any international school, you get the maximum BAH. I decided that Poland was the best place for me to go because the school was top notch, the cost of living was little to nothing, and I was able to bank roll a ton of money. This ultimately allowed me to fund my first business and take the first step into entrepreneurship.” www.naturalmaterials.eu
Natural Materials Unlimited is the company that was launched from this. The mission of the company is to gather sustainable materials that can be used to create eco-friendly products, and then sell the materials to clients so that they can sell the products to the world.
“Not all will have the luxury of this type of international living situation and schooling, especially if you have a family, but it is good to think about your options. I recommended starting to think about what you want to do outside of the military at least a year in advance. This helped my transition go more smoothly. Also, don’t do it all in a silo, reach out to the thousands of organizations outside of the military that want to help you. They exist to help, and it is their mission to do so.”
As you head into the last months of 2023 it is important that as a business owner you begin to take stock of the business in order to begin your process of preparing for next year. Many people know that a successful strategy puts a lot of different factors into consideration and uses these factors to make adjustments. There are four things that play a part in the development of any successful business strategy, while looking at the 4 major areas of the business (Management/Operations, Marketing/Sales, Financial and Leadership (Personal/Personnel):
1) Strengths – You must always consider the various strengths that your business has. These strengths should be present within both you and the business. Knowing your strengths enables you to use them in order to achieve the desired goal. It is clear that every business has strengths which it could use to gain advantages over the competition. These strengths could range from having more resources to having more experience. Your strategy must utilize the strengths to the maximum to insure greater success.
2) Weaknesses - Just as every business has strengths, every business also has its weaknesses. As you plan your strategies, you need to take these weaknesses into account in order to overcome them. Be realistic regarding weaknesses in order to truly be effective. These are factors that are under your control, but for a variety of reasons, are in need of improvement to effectively accomplish your objectives. Being aware of the weaknesses, you will be able to address specific ways of overcoming them.
3) Opportunities – In any business environment smart business owners have always taken advantage of every available opportunity for advancement. What opportunities exist in your market, or in the environment, from which you hope to benefit? These opportunities reflect the potential you can realize through implementing your strategies. Opportunities may be the result of market growth, lifestyle changes, resolution of problems associated with current business, or the ability to offer greater value that will
create a demand for your services. situations, positive market perceptions about your services. If it is relevant, place timeframes around the opportunities. Do they represent ongoing opportunity, or are they a window of opportunity? How critical is your timing?
4) Threats – A threat is a challenge created by an unfavorable trend or development that may lead to deteriorating revenues or profits. Competition –existing or potential – is always a threat. Other threats may include intolerable price increases by suppliers, governmental regulation, economic downturns, devastating social media or press coverage, a shift in consumer behavior that reduces your sales, or the introduction of technology that may make your products, equipment, or services obsolete. Some of these threats may be speculative in nature, but you need to recognize them to add value to your incoming year’s strategy.
Having a clear handle on these 4 areas in your business you will be in a position you to develop the strategies you need to meet the challenges of the 2024 marketplace
After serving your country, your transition from active duty to civilian life can be challenging as you navigate the start of a new career path. You may have multiple opportunities in front of you, each offering different perks and requiring unique expertise, or you may feel unsure of your next step. As a veteran, you’re uniquely positioned and qualified to dive into a variety of new roles, putting the transferrable skills you learned in the military to good use.
Whether you’re a skilled laborer or experienced in engineering, the pool and hot tub industry is a career path where your diverse skillset is celebrated and most importantly, in high demand.
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) recognizes the sacrifices and dedication transitioning veterans like you have made in your military career, and we encourage you to apply for a wide range of opportunities that utilize the valuable skills learned in the service: leadership, communication, passion and hard work.
Leadership
Leadership is arguably one of the most important skills acquired in the military. The ability to lead a team effectively is a tremendous asset that will serve you well throughout your career, particularly in aquatics when you’re managing facilities or overseeing teams of construction crews. Military training equips you with the eagerness to learn and the ability to challenge yourself and deploy your knowledge. Every position in the aquatics industry encompasses these core characteristics and helps accelerate your growth as a leader. Your background has prepared you for leadership roles; the pool and hot tub industry simply provides the platform to advance your career.
The varied career tracks in aquatics often require a keen ability to understand and retain specific industry knowledge and practices. However, there’s one skill that all successful aquatics professionals share: adaptability. In the military, you acclimated to new and challenging environments, learned from your surroundings, and remained composed under pressure. These are the same skills that will make
you an asset to any aquatics team. If you’re a veteran interested in a career in the aquatics industry, don’t be intimidated by the need to learn new skills and knowledge. Whether you want to be a swim instructor, pool builder or aquatics facility manager, your adaptability and military skills will help you quickly learn the ropes and succeed in any position.
Just like in the military, teamwork is essential in aquatics. You’ll be working with people from all walks of life whether you’re building a pool or ensuring the safety and enjoyment of swimmers. Your leadership and teamwork skills will be highly valued, and you’ll find a supportive community of colleagues who are eager to help you succeed.
Acclimating to life out of the service is not without its stressors, but a new career in the pool and hot tub industry could be just the landing pad you need. In aquatics, you’ll find a rewarding, supportive and innovative industry that respects your service and provides the necessary resources to bridge the gap that exists for transitioning veterans.
If you’re ready to take charge of your future and shift your service into a rewarding career, get started by visiting WorkInAquatics.com. Or jump in with both feet to explore apprenticeship opportunities at apprenticeship.phta.org and start your job hunt at careers.WorkInAquatics.com
By Kelly Bagla, Esq.
You may have heard of or even use “Social Media Influencers.” This is where businesses sometimes try to reach a broader audience by enlisting “social media influencers,” a term for people who have achieved some level of popularity or recognition online. Social media influencers endorse a product or service offered by a business on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, or TikTok. In exchange, the business provides them with money, free products or services, or a combination.
There are four main tiers of influencers:
• Nano Influencers: 10,000 or fewer followers
• Micro Influencers: 10,000 to 100,000 followers
• Macro Influencers: 100,000 to 1,000,000 followers
• Maga Influencers: 1,000,000 or more followers
Using Social media influencers can be a creative and cost-effective marketing strategy, but it does not come without potential problems and risks. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has provided key guidelines in this area. Businesses and sometimes influencers may face legal trouble if they fail to comply with the guidelines. Moreover, poorly created contracts between businesses and influencers can lead to disputes between them. Each side should understand their legal rights and obligations to the public and to each other before entering into a business relationship.
Section 5(a) of the Federal Trade Commission Act prohibits unfair or deceptive acts or practices that affect commerce. This law empowers the FTC to regulate endorsements. The FTC released guidelines concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, which affect the activities of influencers. The guides define “endorsement” broadly as any advertising message that consumers are likely to believe reflects the opinions, beliefs, findings, or experiences of someone other than the sponsoring advertiser.
Among other things, the FTC guides provide that an endorsement should reflect the honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experience of an influencer or other endorser. An endorsement should not convey a representation that would be deceptive if made by the business. It should not be presented out of context or otherwise distort an influencer’s opinion or experience. An influencer should have been a good faith user of the product when the endorsement was given if an advertisement represents that the influencer uses the product.
When an advertisement says or implies that an influencer is an expert with respect to the endorsement message, their qualifications should give them the expertise that they are represented as possessing. For example, an endorsement of skin care products by a person described as a “doctor” would be deceptive if the doctor is a brain surgeon. An expert should actually exercise their expertise in evaluating the product’s features or characteristics.
An influencer should fully disclose any connection with a business that might materially affect the weight or credibility of an endorsement. This might be a personal or employment relationship, such as when the
influencer is a relative of the business owner or is a full-time employee of the business. More often, the relationship is financial, such as when a business provides an influencer with money or free products. The FTC has released specific disclosure tips for social media influencers.
Creating an agreement with an influencer to market a product or service may seem straightforward, but the contract should require the influencer to comply with applicable laws and cooperate with the business in any regulatory action related to the contract. Other terms that should be included relate to messaging, content restrictions, content editing, content removal, and morals and behavior clauses. The contract should designate the influencer as an independent contractor rather than an employee or partner. However, a business still should avoid exercising too much control over the influencer’s work, since this could lead to their classification as an employee even if the agreement says otherwise.
Becoming a business owner, you control your own destiny, choose the people you work with, reap big rewards, challenge yourself, give back to the community, and you get to follow your passion. Knowing what you’re getting into is smart business because the responsibility of protecting your business falls on you.
For more information on how to legally start and grow your business please visit my website at www.BaglaLaw.com
Disclaimer: This information is made available by Bagla Law Firm, APC for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, and not to provide specific legal advice. This information should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state
The Cyber Claims by % of incident, are currently:
International Banking pole
Cyber threats are real and everywhere. The government knows this, big business knows this, and any medical, civic institution and bank knows this. But did you know that 25% of cyber attacks are on small business owners?
Cyber-attacks are on the rise and most General Liability insurance policies offer limited, if any, cyber protection. Cyber insurance can protect the business from liability stemming from a breach of data that is controlled by the business owner. In simple terms, Cyber Coverage protects your business in case someone hacks into your data and uses that data to connect with your contacts, blackmail your contacts (or you), hijacks your bank accounts, creates harmful statements about your company and/or your clients, vendors, contacts and associates.
If you have a business that creates, processes, stores or controls critical data, you will want to look into having Cyber coverage. It can be purchased as a stand-alone policy and the rates will be determined by the over all risk. If you see that Cyber coverage is included in your policy, make sure to ask your Broker about exclusions, coverage limits, monitoring tools and any deductibles that may apply.
A stand-alone (separate from your General Liability) Cyber Liability coverage policy should cover first and third-party damages. Meaning, it should cover your company and also any clients, vendors, subcontractors, etc., for damages the cyber-attack/data breach causes. Cyber coverage typically comes with access to IT experts, forensic specialists, proactive tools to consistently manage cyber risk, backend dark web monitoring services and more. Damages should include restoring lost data, business interruption costs, cost of notifying damaged parties, reputational repair, and more.
The dynamic world of cyber coverage changes every minute and is constantly evolving to meet the needs of the risk and to stay one step ahead of the evasive cyber criminals.
For more information about this or to speak with an experienced Cyber Liability insurance broker, please contact 760-828-0403 or visit www.hlinwood-insurance.com
“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and a few minutes of cyber-incident to ruin it.”
Stephane Nappo - Global Head Information Security for Société Générale
The break-even point is a fundamental concept in business and financial analysis, representing the level of sales or revenue at which a company’s total costs equal its total revenue, resulting in neither profit nor loss. In other words, it is the point at which a business covers all its expenses, both variable and fixed, and begins generating profit beyond that threshold.
To calculate the break-even point, you need to consider two main types of costs: fixed costs and variable costs. Fixed costs remain constant regardless of the level of production or sales and typically include expenses like rent, salaries, insurance, and depreciation. Variable costs, on the other hand, fluctuate in direct proportion to the level of production or sales and include expenses like raw materials, labor, and sales commissions.
The break-even point can be determined using the following formula:
Break-Even Point (BEP) = Fixed Costs / (Selling Price per Unit - Variable Costs per Unit)
and salaries. The variable cost per unit, which includes ingredients and labor, is $2 per loaf of bread. You sell each loaf for $5.
Using the break-even formula:
BEP = $3,000 / ($5 - $2) = $3,000 / $3 = 1,000 loaves
So, in this case, your bakery needs to sell 1,000 loaves of bread to cover all fixed and variable costs, resulting in a break-even point. Beyond this point, any additional loaf sold contributes to profit.
Now, let’s consider the implications of this break-even analysis:
1. Profit and Loss: If the bakery sells fewer than 1,000 loaves, it incurs a loss because it cannot cover all of its costs. Selling more than 1,000 loaves generates profit.
2. Pricing Strategy: Understanding the break-even point helps in setting the right pricing strategy. You can adjust your selling price per loaf to either increase profit margins or capture a larger market share.
3. Investors and lenders: Investors and lenders often consider the break-even point as an indicator of a company’s financial health and sustainability. It shows whether the business can generate enough revenue to cover its costs.
In conclusion, the break-even point is a critical tool for business owners and managers to make informed decisions about pricing, production, and overall strategy. By understanding when a business becomes profitable and how changes in costs or pricing affect profitability, you can steer your company towards financial success and sustainability.
The Veterans Radio Show: Share your story: Be our guest on the show – click the follwing link: www.vccsd.org/radioshow.html
Let’s illustrate this concept with an example:
Imagine you’re the owner of a small bakery that specializes in artisanal bread. Your fixed costs amount to $3,000 per month, which includes rent, utilities,
If you have any ideas or a project that you would like to Develop in collaboration with The National Veterans Chamber. Send your ideas to: veteransccsd@gmail.com
* Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only and based solely on my personal experience. Make sure you contact a qualified Attorney to actually create living trust for your family.
By Michelle Muniz www.sdsellhome.com
According to Bankrate.com, late spring – specifically the month of May – is the best time to sell a home. Homes sell for a net 12.6 percent seller premium based on ATTOM’s analysis of single-family home and condo sales over the last 10 years.
While there is usually an ideal time of year to sell, military members won’t always have leeway due to PCS orders. So, it’s critical to avoid preventable mistakes in the selling process as well as consider ideas that will meet your timeline and/or improve your results.
DON’T:
• Ignore the Listing Agent – Your agent has a pulse on the market and will give you an objective opinion on the value of your home as well as recommendations to get it sold fast.
• Personalize the process – Don’t take it personally if you’re asked to declutter, or if the home inspector nitpick every detail of your home, or if some offers are not what you expect.
• Leave No Room to Negotiate – Don’t be reluctant to budge in order to “win”. Flexibility will keep the deal moving forward resulting in your ultimate goal of selling the home.
DO:
• Hire a Realtor with relevant experience – A Military Relocation Professional (MRP) is certified through the National Association of Realtors (NAR) to work with military members and are familiar with the PCS process as well as markets surrounding military installations.
• Market your transferrable VA loan terms – In this environment of high interest rates, allowing eligible buyers to assume your existing VA loan terms will offer a competitive advantage.
• Have a contingency plan – Consider renting your home if you cannot sell in a reasonable amount of time.
For more information on buying or selling a home, contact Michelle Muniz at (619) 214-0131 or email at michelle@jmxinvestments.com
www.sdsellhome.com
michelle@jmxinvestments.com
THE SAN DIEGO VETERANS COALITION IS A COALITION OF OVER 150 UNIQUE NON-PROFITS, BUSINESSES, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND EDUCATIONAL ENTITIES ALL UNITED BY THE GOAL OF SUPPORTING MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY WHO SERVED OUR COUNTRY IN THE ARMED FORCES, THEIR FAMILIES, AND THEIR CARETAKERS.
The San Diego Veterans Coalition was organized in 2009 and incorporated as a non-profit on May 24, 2011. Using the Collective Impact Model, SDVC is a premier San Diego County-wide monthly convener of over 150 unique member and participating organizations, businesses, and agencies, as well as convening many of that body in our four action groups, and other activities and events. The Collective Impact Model is based on leveraging relationships with other veteran and family serving organizations so that we may provide veterans and their families with a complete array of services and other opportunities.
Many of the organizations that belong to SDVC specialize in one field (education, housing, employment, healthcare). Knowing what services each other provides, we can offer comprehensive support to our local Veteran community. We are proud to work alongside a wide variety of non-profit and for-profit organizations, as well as governmental agencies and individuals.
The SDVC is a catalyst that inspires collaboration and cooperation among service partners to deliver premier support for Veterans in the San Diego region and beyond.
SDVC is proud to have partnered with ONWARD OPS, which has partnered with the Veterans Administration, the Department of Defense, and local communities to support service members through the process from military to civilian life by matching them with one-on-one sponsors in their specific community.
ONWARD OPS Sponsors all complete a VA-Certified Sponsor Training Course and the Community Integration Coordinators are all validated as best-in-class, trusted, and capable partners in their local region. Our national network, working with the department of defense, the department of veterans affairs, and the department of labor, brings a team together in one common mission: to securely provide the information and relationships needed to help every transitioning service member successfully make the journey out of the military and into civilian life.
Here you will find several resources, programs, services and opportunities for Veterans, Service Members and their families. Our goal is to be your one stop shop for all things, so don’t hesitate to contact us at any time. Programs and services vary, and include additional information for each. We have two Veteran Services Representatives (VSR) here at VANC, read all about them below in Addtional Services at: (www.vanc.me/services-programs)
OUR MISSION
VANC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created and operated by Veterans as a one-stop resource center for all active-duty military, Veterans, and their families. We centralize services from diverse agencies to assist with jobs, education, finances, health, and wellness.
OUR VISION
We seek to honor and support those who have served our country, bridging the past, present, and future. VANC is a vibrant gathering place in North San Diego County, where all Veterans, active-duty military, and their loved ones can reach out for help and community. VANC engages and informs local Veterans organizations, service providers, and individuals, helping them work together. VANC seeks to be a model for other organizations that serve the military community.
There’s always engaging things happening at VANC and with our partners. Check our calendar here for regularly scheduled events, meetings and opportunities here at VANC (www.vanc.me/events#calendar)
WE LOVE OUR ASSOCIATION MEMBERS AND THEY’RE HERE FOR YOU TOO. VANC is open to all military, veterans and friends of the military. If you would like to become a Veterans Association member, Contact Lori at lori@vanc.me to learn more.
www.vanc.me
By Tana Landau, Esq.
Most people do not go into a marriage expecting it to end. Unfortunately, for many marriages that is the case. In California, there are two grounds for divorce: irreconcilable differences and permanent legal incapacity to make decisions. Irreconcilable differences are when there has been an irretrievable breakdown in the marriage and no efforts for reconciliation would be fruitful. It usually refers to situations where the spouses have fundamental differences in lifestyle, personality, or other areas that lead to a breakdown in marriage. This is the most common ground for divorce in California. While permanent legal incapacity is a ground for divorce, it is rarely used. A marriage can only be dissolved on the basis of permanent legal incapacity where it is proved by medical or psychiatric evidence that one spouse is unable to make decisions for his or herself and that inability to do so is permanent. This could be a result of traumatic injury, illness, or a psychological disorder.
To proceed with a divorce in California, there are also certain residency requirements that must be met. Residency requirements are separate from the grounds for divorce. Grounds for divorce refer to the reasons why a person is seeking to end their marriage. Residency requirements in divorce refers to the minimum length of time that a spouse has to be a resident of the state or county before they are eligible to file for divorce in that jurisdiction. In order to file a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage in California, you and/or your spouse must have lived in California for at least six months. The filing party must also have lived in the county where the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage is filed for at least 90 days.
But what happens if you have grounds for divorce and meet the residency requirements, but one party does not want the divorce? The short answer is the divorce can proceed regardless of whether one spouse is a willing participant or not. In other words, if your spouse ignores notice of the dissolution proceedings and chooses not to participate, you can obtain a divorce judgement anyway. You do not need their cooperation to get a divorce. The divorce proceedings proceed by way of default.
California is a “no fault “state. As such, you do not need to prove the fault of the other party to obtain a divorce. Since California is a considered a “no fault” state, California courts do not consider other grounds for divorce such as adultery, abandonment, cruelty and imprisonment which other states may recognize.
In California, the divorce proceedings begin when one spouse files a petition to dissolve the marriage. The other spouse must then be served with the dissolution paperwork according to the procedural rules. Once the non-filing spouse is served with the dissolution paperwork, they have 30 days from the date of service to file a response. A divorce by default occurs when the person who files for divorce does not receive a timely response from the other spouse. If the non-filing spouse receives the dissolution paperwork yet fails to issue a response within the deadline, the spouse who filed for divorce may proceed without the other party. This is a true default divorce.
A default can occur not only where the non-filing spouse may choose to not cooperate with the divorce or ignore the divorce, but also where they may be even unaware of it. This usually occurs in a situation where
the non-filing spouse is evading service of paperwork and the filing spouse requests the court permit service by publication which is an alternate method of service under the circumstances.
Once the non-filing spouse fails to file a timely response to the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, the filing spouse can file a request to enter default. The Court can then proceed with the dissolution proceedings in the absence of the other party. The defaulted party loses the opportunity to make any arguments as to child custody and visitation, support, and division of the assets. Essentially, the filing spouse can put forward their position with no opposition and the matter proceeds to judgment without any input from the non-filing spouse.
The advantage of a default divorce is that it can save time and attorney’s fees for the filing party since the other party is not contesting any terms or issues to be considered by the Court. The disadvantage is that if the responding party honestly was not aware of the proceedings and did not participate, they may ask the court to set aside the default.
It is not uncommon as well for a party that failed to respond to attempt to intervene once they become aware of the request to enter default. However, it is difficult to set aside a default judgment of dissolution once it is entered.
For more information about co-parenting in your military divorce, check out our website: www.frfamilylaw.com or call (858) 720-8250 and ask to speak with military family law attorney Tana Landau.
This article is intended only for informational purposes and should not be taken as legal advice
Military and law enforcement 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.
The following agencies are actively hiring & proudly support our veterans, active military and the families that keep together.
When I asked to go on a ride along with the San Diego Police Department, making a special request for any veterans-turned-cops, I expected a really serious, possibly dangerous, afternoon of shadowing our city’s toughest crime fighters.
What I got was an afternoon of heartfelt service to our San Diego community, honorable humility and a lot of respect.
When I asked whether former Marine Sergeant Major, Mark Wright, and his partner, former Marine Staff Sergeant, Sean Bunch, had rank or titles he said their titles were just San Diego police officers. They are relatively new partners, but act like they’ve known each other for years, which is usually the case when you get Marines together.
Wright is a newer addition to the force, coming on board two years ago, with Bunch only having two years left.
Most of our particular day was cruising around beautiful Balboa Park running car tags to see if they were current, from cars not displaying proper plates and placards to those double parked. Bunch says they often catch parole violators or even stolen cars doing just this. I was struck as I watched both officers go out of their way to look in and around vehicles to find plates or disability placards not displayed correctly so as to avoid issuing superfluous tickets.
“We try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt,” said Wright. “We’re not out to get anybody.”
Although, both officers confirm that enforcing even the most basic of park rules can yield large payoffs. During a recent patrol Bunch spotted an individual smoking in the park, which is illegal. As he circled back round, the individual turned and rapidly tried to walk away, which activated immediate suspicion. He was detained and came back with a warrant for numerous kidnapping and child molestation charges.
Currently, these brothers-in-arms spend their days patrolling the entirety of Balboa Park.
Although neither men are taking fire or kicking in the enemy’s door on this beat, like during their time in Iraq or Afghanistan, they still work hard to serve their local community. Service which can range from tracking down criminals to answering questions from lost pedestrians, to giving out stickers to kids and never backing down from a chance to turn on those flashing red and blues just to make one of them smile.
Both men say a lot of what they do is talk with museum owners and those living in the neighborhoods surrounding the park about their concerns. A shared concern by all is the park’s homeless population.
Bunch says their posture towards the homeless is mostly that of assistance, adding there are many resources available for those who would take them.
The city spends a lot of money on resources,” said Bunch. “The biggest problem we run into is whether or not the [homeless] people want them, and a lot of them don’t.”
Thus, the men tend to run into the same issues with the same people pretty often. Although frustrating, they have learned that respect goes a long way when challenged with these repeat offenders. Bunch recalls spotting one such offender in the park, who was in violation of his parole and wanted on warrant. He was unable to get to the offender immediately, but still apprehended him with a verbal request. The parolee waited patiently to be hand-cuffed and arrested, simply out of the respect he held for the law man.
“Being respectful of everyone despite their lot in life goes a long way in this job,” said Wright.
Both men say a huge part of their work is being able to connect and communicate with the myriad of people they meet daily.
Bunch says he feels he and Wright are lucky to come to the force later in life, given it means they have a wider frame of reference for those they meet and serve daily. “We deal with people who are going through all kinds of things in life,” said Bunch. “And it’s helpful to be able to say, ‘hey I know what you are going through, I’ve been there.”
As the day progressed, I realized that both gentlemen definitely had a long list of tough and unique life experiences to pull from. Both proudly served the United States Marines for years, traveling to war and all over the world, experiences that yield much wisdom as well as many a story.
Bunch, for instance, did not come to the force straight from the Marines, but from Hollywood. Surprisingly, he is a member of the Screen Actors Guild, working as a military advisor on various productions, like Lonestar 911, and appearing in some as well, such as one of the most recent Men in Black movies.
“I grew up outside of LA,” said Bunch. “So, I’ve always just kind of been around the business and found a place for myself there with all my military experience.”
Bunch hopes to return to work in Hollywood after he leaves the force, bringing with him a new level of experience and respect.
Wright, who retired from the Marines as a Sergeant Major never worked in Hollywood, but he does have plenty of stories about being a proud grandfather, father and new amputee. When I entered the Central Division Station and met him, he said he was just getting back to work after some time off after losing his leg.
Wright remained unscathed during his over-20-years in service, overseas deployments and endless combat train ups. It wasn’t until after service that he lost his leg in a motorcycle accident late one foggy night a little over a year ago. Wright says it had been an eventful second watch and he was leaving the station about 2 AM on his motorcycle when it happened.
“It was only about two minutes from work,” said Wright. “I was coming around a curve and entered into what I thought was fog, and as I’m entering, I see a headlight and side mirror in my lane.”
That headlight and mirror became an entire car that was blocking Wright’s entire side of the road.
“I was a heuy crew chief in the Marines and reverted to my training from that, grabbed my shoulders, braced for impact and went flying like a human lawn dart over my handlebars,” said Wright.
Wright landed in the ditch on the side of the road. He says he realized immediately that he had a back and leg issue. He learned that a bystander had called 911, but he requested they call back and state that the injured motorcycle rider was a policeman with the San Diego Police Department and expedite services. This one request would become pivotal in saving Wright’s life.
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“What I didn’t know at that time was that I had severed two arteries in my leg, and I was bleeding out,” said Wright.
What Wright would learn later is his heel had also been torn off on the wrecked car as he sailed past it into the ditch. After much pain and many surgeries, Wright would finally lose his leg from the knee down. says he doesn’t let it get him down, though. He’s proud to continue to serve as one of our city’s finest.
Both he and Bunch take much pride in their time as Marines and as San Diego Police Officers. Each officer comes from strong military stock, with Wright’s grandfather being a World War II veteran and Prisoner of War and Bunch’s father a decorated veteran of Vietnam.
All in all, this Army vet’s afternoon with two Marines was an impressive one. Both seasoned public servants, these honorable men have discovered you must give respect to get it, that violence is often not the answer and the most important thing to keep in mind along the way, is a good, human dose of empathy.
Changing careers can be exciting, exhilarating, and filled with trepidation. Meet Officer Cindy Ovares who has made the transition numerous times – from active-duty service member, to student, massage therapist, teacher, and now police officer.
The life experience she gained in those previous longterm jobs set her up to be successful today. She is doing what she’s always wanted to do – have a career that is challenging and rewarding.
Cindy was like many seniors in high school as she contemplated what she would do after graduation. When the Navy recruiter called the house looking for her brother, the recruiter instead got an eager, independent 17-year-old woman who wanted to find adventure. Just a few months later, she was off to “see the world” and start her first career.
As an Aviation Machinist’s Mate, Petty Officer Ovares was a jet engine mechanic. It was a male-dominated job, and she wanted to prove that anything a man could do, she could do better. She attended military schools in Florida and Virginia to learn her trade, and was later stationed in Lemoore, California. She was attached to VFA-22, an F/A-18 Super Hornet squadron, that deployed on ships. After serving four years on active duty, she earned Post 9/11 GI Bill education benefits, and chose to leave the Navy to attend college.
After completing her bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education and being a fluent Spanish speaker, she was hired to be a high school Spanish teacher. The job was gratifying; but also, under resourced, understaffed, and had little room to grow professionally. She wanted something new and challenging, was drawn to the community where she grew up, so, in her late 30s she applied to be a police officer.
“Being able to talk to people, figure out what they are going through, and what they need is a huge portion of the job. I enjoy interacting with the public, and engaging in what I call verbal judo.”
- Officer CindyOvares
Officer Ovares was accepted to the San Francisco Police Academy and has been an officer for the last three years. She is a foot patrol officer working in the Tenderloin District – a 50-block area that has a storied history, and has been known for homelessness, drugs, and crime.
“Being able to talk to people, figure out what they are going through, and what they need is a huge portion of the job. I enjoy interacting with the public, and engaging in what I call verbal judo,” said Officer Ovares.
For Officer Ovares, the parallels between serving in the military and serving in law enforcement made the transition go smoothly:
• Routine – You know what to expect before your shift begins (what time to report, what uniform to wear, the structure of the day).
• Camaraderie – The bond between fellow officers is like the bond between your fellow military brothers and sisters.
• Variety – Every day is different with different assignments and duties, so the job is never boring.
• Benefits – Include a competitive salary, paid vacation days, floating holidays, and sick days, healthcare, retirement, and special pay for certain assignments and being bilingual.
As a Latina giving back to her community, she admits that the job comes with highs and lows. Officer Ovares recommends a career in law enforcement for those military members looking to make a smooth transition to a new chapter.
To learn more about the San Francisco Police Department, or to connect with recruiter, go to: www.sanfranciscopolice.org/your-sfpd/careers
