Jeremy discusses an article out of the Military Times titled "The number of veterans in Congress will likely drop again next year".
In today's Motivational Monday I draw a parallel between dawning a new identity for Halloween and transitioning from the military. I also lift the curtain to reveal a little bit of my childhood.
I have interviewed over 50 veteran organizations since the start of the Veteran Resource Podcast. In this episode I share the top 5 things that I have learned. The full text can be found at veteranresourcepodcast.com/059
Nicholas grew up in Uhrichsville, a small town in Ohio. When he turned 18 years old, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as an infantryman. His first deployment was in 2008 to Ramadi, Iraq where he trained the Iraqi police force and encouraged them to take pride in securing their city’s safety. Shortly after he returned home from Iraq, his unit deployed to support the Drug Enforcement Agency on a mission in the seas of South America. He came home just before Christmas in 2009 and immediately started training for his third and final deployment. Six months later he was in Marjah, Afghanistan where his unit was engaged with the Taliban to secure the safety of civilians and the city’s farmlands. In August 2011, after five years of service and three deployments, Nicholas was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps and moved to Tampa Florida. Nicholas tried his first yoga class within a few days of being in his new city and was sure that he would never go back again. Shortly after he began to notice some serious physical problems and they started to negatively impact his life. He also was struggling with post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries from his time in service. He had become friends with his yoga teacher and she urged him to come back to maybe a less intensive class. After a few classes Nicholas started to feel the physical benefits of yoga and after long talks with his teacher and more yoga Nicholas fell in love with the practice. Still struggling with his physical and mental challenges Nicholas decided to take it further and in 2014 he signed up for a 200 hour RYT teacher training. This particular training was 8 months long and he knew his journey had just began. Today Nicholas teaches yoga with Exalted Warrior Foundation providing adaptive yoga to veterans who are struggling just like he is. Yoga for him isn’t just a class in studio, it is a tool for every moment in his life to battle the physical and mental challenges he still faces every day.
Paul Riedner is the Executive Director of a startup non-profit called the Veteran Resilience Project which uses EMDR to address a number of after effects of military service and war. Paul has an Economics degree and an MBA focused on business anthropology and consumer behavior. From 2006 - 2010 he was a Deep Sea Diver in the US Army. Since returning from war and the military, Paul began exploring how to use art to express his changing perspectives and to connect the public with the experiences, triumphs, and struggles of returning veterans. Paul produces a podcast called ResilienceMN that interviews veterans and serves as the community outreach mechanism for VRP.
This article from the Los Angeles Times fired me up a little. Veterans from the California National Guard are being forced to pay back enlistment bonuses from a decade ago. Please listen to this episode and then ACT by signing the two petitions.
Season 3 kicks off with me apologizing for the late start. But I really feel that setting up the structure and processes that will allow me to deliver five episodes per week was a good use of time. I am dedicated to getting the word out to veterans about some of the amazing veteran organizations that we have available to us, so in addition to five episodes per week I will also be working on speaking to groups of veterans around the country, and maybe even through live webinars here and there so that I can get the word out even further. If you haven't yet, please join me in the new facebook group where we can start to grow a community of like-minded individuals that help each other.
Captain Machuga is a 1998 graduate of Purdue University with a degree in Russian linguistics on an ROTC scholarship. He is a former Army Infantry/Military Intelligence officer and Airborne Ranger, having spent the majority of his service at Fort Bragg with the 82nd Airborne Division. In 2003, he deployed to Iraq with 2nd Infantry Division and whittled through the seemingly endless 13-month deployment with the help of video games.
Captain Machuga left the service in 2006, where he moved to Washington DC with his wife Margo to work as a government counterterrorism analyst. Once he started to see success with his charity work, his wife and he moved back home to Pittsburgh to run Stack-Up full time.
veteranpodcast.com/054
Christianna Capra (CC) is co-founder & Director of Equine Services with Spring Reins of Life 501c3 (Horses, Humans & Healing). Started in 2012 Spring Reins of Life, almost right away began working with the Men's PTSD Unit at Lyons VA Hospital. In 2015 that expanded to include the Women's and the Domiciliary PTSD Units. CC and Spring Reins of Life have been in four books and numerous print articles. Also featured in the media such as PIX11 News, Verizon Fios, and more. CC has over 40 years of horse experience handling (exercising) riding and competitive showing. Working with horses at liberty is a very freeing experience. Capra spent 25 years in NYC with a background in publicity, she now resides at the farm/facility where the horses live and the work happens.
Operation Horse, EAP/L for combat veterans suffering with PTSD/TBI.
Veteran suicide is an out of control epidemic today. There are over 5,000 recorded deaths in Iraq & Afghanistan, yet over 128,000 suicides on US soil. At Spring Reins of Life in New Jersey we are working to be part of the solution. NJ had a high population of veterans, also has more horses per square mile than most states. PTS is an internal injury and trauma robs you of present moment, peace, trust, resiliency. At Operation Horse we do not ride, nor do we teach horsemanship - both of which have immense qualities. We are more focused on the interaction with horses who are "at liberty" (loose and able to express themselves freely). It is impossible to not become fully present when there are 1000 lb + creatures moving around you. Especially if you do not have experience being around horses. Horses are prey/flight animals and you will not get close to a loose horse unless they trust you. Veterans with moderate/severe PTS have lost all trust (even with themselves), so establishing trust with a horse can become a very large metaphor. Horses read body language and energy with acute precision and once this is understood - veterans are able to begin exploring their own set of coping skills. We do not "talk about it", words are not necessary. At the end of each session we do ask for ONE word to describe that days events. Over 300 times we have heard words like: Peaceful, Calm, Relaxing, Awesome, Laughter, Thank-you, Inspiring, etc.
Spring Reins of Life is an EAGALA Model certified program - EAGALA is the Equine Assisted Growth & Learning Association and is present in all 50 states and over 50 countries worldwide. Spring Reins of Life was founded in 2012, in 2014 we were the first (and currently the only) program in the state of NJ to earn and retain the "Military Services Provider" certificate. Currently we see veterans (OIF, OEF and Vietnam) from Lyons VA Hospital - and we could be doing more. Funding is an issue. With over 23 suicides per day, the VA needs to step up and release some of the millions of dollars set aside for mental health crisis and put it into modalities that are showing results. There is not evidence based research on EAP/L however if the VA put money into it there would be in no time. Because horses heal, and in the case of the veteran population they can and will save lives! Spring Reins of Life also has programming created for veterans families and supports called "Coming HOME", and while we have requests, we have no funding in that area.
Must admit it is rather frustrating to be a volunteer run organization so that we can allocate more than 85% of funding dollar towards services...and then there are places such as Wounded Warriors who Exec Director makes $2M a year and maybe 20% of millions of dollars in funding gets to the veterans themselves. But regardless, we keep pushing and fighting for, the avenues to keep this service going and to ultimately expand it. Really does take a village!
http://veteranpodcast.com/053
Returning Veterans Project is a grassroots, independent non-profit serving Oregon and SW Washington. For the past 11 years, Returning Veterans Project has been a conduit for post 9/11 veterans and their families seeking free and confidential mental health counseling and somatic services. Somatic services include chiropractic, massage, acupuncture and naturopathy. In 2015, the Returning Veterans Project had 180 providers and helped deliver more than 4500 hours of free and confidential services. Additionally, RVP has partnered with the Portland Art Museum in art therapy, sponsored women writing groups for military sexual trauma, and dramatic performances from veteran’s own stories. Returning Veterans Project also provides free training for their volunteer providers through out the year on subjects such as PTSD, TBI, MST and orthobionomy. Returning Veterans Projects believes it is our collective responsibility to offer support and healing for both the short and long term repercussions of war zone service on veterans and their families. veteranpodcast.com/052
Barbara Van Dahlen, Ph.D., named to TIME's 2012 list of the 100 most influential people in the world, is the president and founder of Give an Hour?. A licensed clinical psychologist who has been practicing in the Washington, D.C., area for over 20 years, she served as an adjunct faculty member at George Washington University, where she participated in the training and supervision of developing clinicians. She received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Maryland in 1991, her M.A. in clinical psychology from the University of Maryland in 1987, and her B.A., summa cum laude, in psychology from California State College in 1982. Concerned about the mental health implications of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, in 2005 Dr. Van Dahlen founded Give an Hour, a national nonprofit providing free mental health services to the military and veteran community. Its nearly 7,000 mental health professionals have given more than 175,000 hours of care and support to those in need, and the organization now also leads the Campaign to Change Direction, a collective impact effort to change the culture of mental health in America. Dr. Van Dahlen has received numerous awards, including the American Psychological Association?s Presidential Citation and the 2013 Richard Cornuelle Award for Social Entrepreneurship of the Manhattan Institute. In 2014 she was named a Woman of Distinction by the Coastal Bend / / http://veteranpodcast.com/051
Laurie Phillips is the co-founder of Tech For Troops Project. Laurie is a successful entrepreneur and founder of seven companies. For 25 years she has been a management consultant to Fortune 500 companies, leading professional services firms, and start-ups. A former Big 4 consulting partner and Information Technology expert, Laurie brings operational, technical, and entrepreneurial leadership to Tech For Troops Project. / / Laurie is also the founder of Sundance Research, an IT consulting and project management company based in Richmond, Virginia. / / http://veteranpodcast.com/050
Sergeant R. Morgan Crihfield served in Operation Iraqi Freedom with the Texas Army National Guard. He is an alumnus of Midwestern State University with both a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor of Social Work as well as a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. He currently works as a therapist specializing in Post Traumatic Stress and Depression. He currently lives in north Texas with his wife, children, and two lazy Labradors. / / http://veteranpodcast.com/049
Josh is the Director of Strategy at Boulder Crest Retreat for Military and Veteran Wellness, the nation?s first privately funded rural wellness center dedicated exclusively to combat veterans and their families. The Retreat runs short-duration, high-impact retreats focused on combat-related stress for combat veterans (male and female), spouses, caregivers, couples, families and Gold Star Families. Since opening in September 2013, the Retreat has hosted more than 2,500 guests. / / Josh is responsible for the development and execution of strategic initiatives - including Boulder Crest?s work to develop the nation?s first comprehensive, non-clinical curriculum based on Post-Traumatic Growth, Warrior PATHH. Warrior PATHH is an 18-month program, initiated by a 7-day retreat, designed to harness the unique strength of combat veterans while enabling them to transform their struggle into growth and strength. In addition, he oversees strategic partnerships and scale and expansion efforts. / / Prior to joining Boulder Crest Retreat, Josh worked as a communications executive at ExxonMobil's Dallas headquarters from 2006-2011, and was an entrepreneur-in-residence at 2M Companies. During his time at 2M, Josh began advising several non-profit organizations supporting veterans, with a specific focus on combat-related stress and PTSD. After volunteering for a number of months, and in recognition of the remarkable strength, capacity and potential of the combat veterans, Josh chose to dedicate his life to ensuring that service members, veterans and their families had the opportunity to live the great lives they deserved ? full of passion, purpose and service ? here at home. / / Show notes: veteranpodcast.com/048
He went into the Army straight out of High school joining up as an infantryman. His tenure in the Army saw him take the first team into the Pentagon on 9-11 as well as a combat tour in Iraq from 2005-2006. Since that time he has helped build SoldierFit, a gym based out of Frederick MD, from one sub-let location to 3 stand alone facilities with 3,000 members and over 50 employees. He went from being homeless to generating 2.2 million dollars in revenue this year alone. Soldierfit is now franchised and Danny hopes to open 1-2 franchises as well as 1 more corporate location by the end of the year.
Recently he Co-founded his first 501(c), Platoon 22, to combat veteran suicides. He is currently a sought after motivational speaker and was selected to the 2013 "Top 40 under 40 V.I.P" by The Daily Record, as well as one of the Top 5 Mens health Ultimate guys. Soldierfit has won numerous awards including Small business of the year in several counties and the state. His goal is to revitalize the American dream and remind his fellow Americans no other soil on earth is more fertile for their dreams then America’s.
What is Platoon 22?
Platoon 22 is a traveling memorial started by the non-profit 22 Needs A Face. The boots in the Platoon 22 memorial symbolize the 22 lives lost per day, 682 lives lost per month, and over 8,000 veteran lives lost each year to suicide attributed to PTS.
We need to raise awareness of the epidemic across the United States.
Free and fun events to bring the veteran community together to strengthen the sense of community and camaraderie that they have lost in transition.
Raise capital to help support severally underfunded and undermanned crises call centers to make sure someone answers their call for help.
Advocate for legislative and VA policy changes that will ensure a mental health professional sees every veteran as part of the military out-processing and VA enrollment procedures. If it is deemed that they may need or do need further counseling then ensure they are assisted to make the transition into the VA systems (VBA and VHA) a seamless and efficient process.
Unable to hold employment or successfully retrain/go back to school; I dove head first into the art of pottery. I have found a great therapy in ceramics upon my discharge from the military. My love of the arts has only helped to propel me forward, allowing me to excel in this artistic medium. I have been transitioning into more sculptural work and am truly loving the new direction!
I am a retired (yes, at 32), disabled Iraqi war veteran. I served for nearly 4 years in the US Army as a combat medic. Right around my seventh month in Iraq, my health took a drastic turn; I began having seizures. It has been a downhill slide ever since with more health issues arising as time continues. While the doctors have not yet been able to nail down a diagnosis, I continue to strive and to push forward everyday with the love and support from family. No matter the situation encountered, I choose to always look for the silver linings, focusing on the negatives serves no purpose.
I am also the founder of a non-profit organization called Healing Arts of Maine. The therapeutic effects that I found in clay has led me to be quite passionate about being able to bring this simple method of healing to the greatest audience possible. I hope you take the time to follow the link and check out Healing Arts of Maine, and if so inclined to make a tax deductible donation through our financial sponsor, Fractured Atlas.
Sam Pressler is the founder and executive director of the Armed Services Arts Partnership (ASAP), and a 2015 Echoing Green Global Fellow. Under Sam’s leadership, ASAP launched the only stand-up comedy class for veterans in the United States, and the largest writing group for veterans in Virginia. Sam graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude from the College of William & Mary (’15), where he was a Ewell Award recipient, McGlennon Scholar, and TEDx Innovative Thinker. His efforts with ASAP have been covered by CNN, ABC News, BBC, Washington Post, NPR, the Military Times, Stars & Stripes, Soldiers Magazine, and Task & Purpose, among others.
http://veteranpodcast.com/045
Nancy’s interest in horses began at 16 months of age when she received a rocking horse on the first Christmas she can remember. Her interest in the challenges disabled people faced every day started with her Great Uncle Walter who she first met when she was 3 years of age. Uncle Walter was blind. He had lost his sight when he was taking money earned from his business to the bank for deposit. He was robbed by a thug who hit him with a blackjack (as it was called in those days), knocked him unconscious and robbed him of his hard earned money. Uncle Walter was kind, sweet, and never complained about his misfortune. At the time he was a young man, engaged to be married. He broke the engagement because he did not want to burden the girl he loved. Nancy was fascinated by what he could do without sight. Play the piano, he had even taught piano. He took care of his invalid sister, and did all the cooking. Later as a teen-ager, Nancy baby sat a disabled child.
In the early 1980’s Nancy went through a life altering experience. Not to be the first. But, this is when her horse “Dusty” entered her life. The Golden Palomino that she had always dreamed of having as a child. Dusty was her therapy. Dusty started the chain of events that led Nancy to her life’s mission.
In 1985 Nancy was certified by Happy Horsemanship For The Handicapped, Inc. as a Certified Administrator, Instructor, and Clinician. In 1986, she opened Heads Up Therapy With Horses for disabled children and adults. While being Founder and Executive Director of Heads Up she served as Set Advisor for NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicap Association; now know as PATH) in the production of a video with President and Mrs. Regan for Therapy On Horseback. She also served as the Volunteer Training Director for the newly forming California Network of Equestrian Therapy (CALNET). She is a Certified Direct Support Professional for California, and most recently finished her Army one Source Training, PTSD Then and Now.
On the more creative side Nancy has served as a Western Music DJ Host, KHTS Radio, Santa Clarita, California. The show “Around The Barn” featured guests for discussion on topics related to horses, therapy, and achievements of the disabled population, and interviews with celebrity Western Music Artists from all over the country. “Around The Barn” was nominated for Best Radio Show of Years 2011, 2012, 2013 by the Western Music Association (WMA). On a final note, she has become a story/coloring book author for a true story series called “Dusty And Friends”, an educational coloring book. The stories come from the 27 year operation of Heads Up therapeutic riding center for special needs children.
http://veteranpodcast.com/044
Animal trainer, Clarissa Black, graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science Animal Science and from Canisius College with a Masters in Anthrozoology. She discovered her passion for training while working with elephants and dolphins but gradually realized she wanted to develop relationships with the animals for which she cared. Through her career as a dolphin trainer, Clarissa learned advanced animal training principles and applied them to husbandry, veterinary, research and program training.
While working with these unique mammals in the water, she decided to further her work and experience training animals on land and began working as a professional dog trainer. She has been successful developing personalized training and behavior plans, as well as teaching dog obedience. Her motto is set both the owner and the dog up for success.
During her experience working with therapy dogs in the company of Americas veterans and wounded soldiers, she saw firsthand how important animals can be in recovery. She has a unique understanding regarding the training each dog receives, as well as being able to recognize what each veteran needs from his or her companion animal.
Pets for Vets, Inc. is Clarissa's way to say thank you to our country's heroes.
http://veteranpodcast.com/043
A proud member of the 2010 class of Tillman Scholars, Elizabeth O’Herrin serves as Director of Programs and Scholarships–overseeing scholarship selection, engagement, and opportunities. She served with the Wisconsin Air National Guard from 2001-2008, assembling and transporting conventional weapons for F-16 fighter jets. She received her BA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her MA from the Johns Hopkins University, where her research focused on the federal government and veteran reintegration.
She has worked on a wide range of issues facing Iraq and Afghanistan veterans for nearly a decade. She co-founded the Student Veterans of America and fought with a dedicated team of veteran advocates to successfully pass the Post-9/11 GI Bill in 2008.
She is passionate about learning people’s stories, promoting all things Wisconsin, her faith, and coffee.
http://veteranpodcast.com/042
Daniela Petrilli was born and raised in Springfield, NJ. In 2002, she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Arts with minors in Marketing and Psychology from Caldwell University. After working in publishing, television and public relations, she decided to pursue graduate school.
In 2007, she received her Master of Arts degree in Communication Studies and Leadership from Kean University. In 2008, she became certified in Human Resources Studies by Cornell University. After completing her education, Daniela relocated to Washington, DC where she currently works in human resources.
Daniela is extremely passionate about and believes it is vitally important to give back to the community. In her spare time, her volunteer work includes animal and United States military causes. Her other interests include: travel, attending concerts, reading, and spending time with friends and her adopted cat, Sweetie.
Every personal and professional decision Emily Cherniack has ever made has come from a place that honors service and leadership. From her service in AmeriCorps and employment with City Year AmeriCorps, to being part of the founding team of Be the Change -- where she led a coalition of over 200 organizations, engaging 250,000 people for a Day of Action which resulted in the passage of Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act of 2009, a $6B piece of federal legislation -- Emily has worked tirelessly to serve her nation. Driven by service and servant leadership, Emily also chose to avoid politics until, in 2009, Alan Khazei decided to run for the U.S Senate. Khazei asked Emily to become his Deputy Campaign Manager and, although he was defeated, Emily learned a great deal from his campaign and the power of politicians who chose to serve country before self.
It took one campaign for Emily to see why our political system is broken; it is exclusive and has significant barriers that prevent transformational leaders from successfully running for office. It also took one campaign for Emily to resolve to find the leadership necessary to help our country solve the most pressing challenges of the 21st Century. Her experience led Emily to found New Politics, an organization that disrupts the candidate pipeline and ecosystem to bring a new generation of servant leaders into politics. New Politics recruits and runs leaders who will put the country first and who will work together to get things.
Show Notes: http://veteranpodcast.com/040
Jim Estes, a former PGA Tour Player, and childhood friend Jamie Winslow co-founded the Salute Military Golf Association in late 2006. They both saw first-hand the positive force the game of golf could play in the recovery process for our nation’s wounded warriors. SMGA began with the purpose of creating a therapeutic outlet for post-9/11 veterans undergoing prolonged medical treatment at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland.
Jim’s and SMGA’s efforts have been recognized by numerous media outlets. Jim was awarded the prestigious (2010) PGA Patriot Award for his contributions to the recovery of wounded warriors. Articles from ESPN.com tell how several trips from Walter Reed Army Medical Center to Olney Golf Park, where Jim Estes is a PGA Teaching Professional, eventually evolved into a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation aimed at supporting post-9/11 wounded warriors.
Major (r) Scott “Mack” Macksam graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a BA in History with a Minor in German Studies. He received a commission in the Field Artillery. Major Mack has served honorably 20 years in the United States Army in various leadership, command and staff positions in a global setting. His last assignment was Director of Military Science and Leadership at the University South Florida St Petersburg where he secured over 1.4 million scholarship awards to Cadets and personally dedicated a 8K Veterans Memorial to USFSP. He has graduate of Officers Basic Course, Air Defense Officers Advanced Course ,CGSG and Combined Arms Staff Service School, Air Assault, Military History Instructors Course and holds a Masters in Organizational Management. He also has implemented a National Leadership Development and Internship Programs for US Army Cadet Command. In 2014 he secured a 30K National American Soldier Exhibit which was a first in the State. He now is the Founder and President of the Veterans Art Center Tampa Bay pioneering a model for the State of Florida. Major Mack is active in the community and a serving member: Board of Trustee, St Petersburg Museum of History, Association United States Army Executive Committee, Remember/Honor/Support Advisory Board, Military Officers Association, Global SOF Foundation, Homes for Independence Board, Goodwill Ambassador and Social Enterprise Board of Trustees.
Show Notes: http://veteranpodcast.com/038
In her current position, Amanda is the Region III Administrator at Team Rubicon, where she is responsible for the management of all readiness and response functions in the Mid-Atlantic region. In her previous role with Team Rubicon, she was responsible for managing Team Rubicon's national membership engagement and wellness strategies. Amanda served as a Captain in the United States Marine Corps from 2007-2011, where she served as a Company Commander, Assistant Operations Officer and Platoon Commander at Second Radio Battalion in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. She joined Team Rubicon after volunteering to serve on Team Rubicon’s disaster relief logistics team in the Philippines, following the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan. After serving in the Marine Corps, Amanda also worked as an Operations Manager at Target Corporation and as a Senior Consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton. She received her BA in Political Science from Sonoma State University and is currently enrolled as a full time graduate student at George Washington University.
For more information: VeteranPodcast.com/037