Veterans Stand Up | January

I trust you had wonderful end of year holidays.?Mine started out great, then took an odd turn that resulted in a tremendous lesson learned through firsthand experience.

After celebrations and gatherings before and on Christmas day, we prepared to travel on December 26th to visit out of state family.?As young children would be involved, we were careful to test for COVID repeatedly leading up to departure.?

As we were getting ready to leave on that morning, after packing the car and chasing down all last-minute details, we took one last test.?All were negative, except mine. I popped positive literally as we were walking out the door.

Amidst the disappointment, the only real option was to send everyone on and remain at home, self-isolating through the 5-day period of the sickness. Off they drove and I was left home alone with what felt like just a head cold.

Initially, I thought I could occupy my time completing all those short around the home tasks I had put off.?I misestimated and completed those in one day. With so much free time, I thought about what normally occupies my time and what I might do:

• Work – Everyone was on vacation, so no meetings or calls.?Motivation to get ahead was low, so I didn’t deal with work.
• Exercise – Had to be careful with this, so I wouldn’t interact with others and get them sick.?With our dog Fen at the kennel, even walking was boring, so I punted on exercise.
• Friends – Didn’t want to spread it to them, so no interaction with friends
• Church – Avoided Sunday services and volunteer activities for same reason
• Screens – My interest in television tailed off after my fifth college bowl game.?As much as I liked LinkedIn, engagement on my favorite social media platform was low.

Going through this, I began to understand some of the challenges transitioning #Veterans can face. While in military service, they are part of mission-focused team with many demands on their time.?Out of service and without proper planning or for other reasons, they can become disconnected – no job, exercise, or engagement.

Through this experience I had a window into what the statistics tell us about isolated Veterans.?Without connectivity and responsibilities demanding attention, they have more screen time.?Unfortunately, increased screen time can involve unproductive and unhealthy options.?Sadly, some self-medicate and abuse substances.??

This wasn’t me, but I could see the situation and the draw.

What I did look forward to was, a prearranged daily call from the group describing activities and events I was missing.?I was surprised how I enjoyed these and organized my day around them.??

Here are my “lived” holiday takeaways:

1. Isolation by some Veterans might be their choice, but given the possibilities, we should do all we can to help them connect once they leave service. I feel strongly about encouraging them to work, but exercising with them, taking them to church with you, or meeting for coffee works too.
2. Buddy checks matter. Call, text, or email your Veteran friends. Something as simple as a voicemail can make a difference.

Endnote: I read three books during my time alone and tested negative on the fifth day.???

Top Tags

I continue to appreciate getting tagged on very interesting Veteran-focused posts.?My top posts are:?

1. Education and Transition

Kudos to Ted Delicath for a clever post introducing another way for Veterans to provide tips to transitioning service members.

He provides a link to a 谷歌 folder where folks can provide advice and best practices.?This is an opportunity to leave some thoughts, if only on what not to do, based on your experience. You could also turn your contribution into a LinkedIn Post.

Jim Zenner provided great advice for Veterans looking to get into the county government space in this post.

His post has a link to an article with extended interviews with six Veterans who made that transition.?Lots of lessons learned and good advice for job seeking at the county level.

Conversation starting post by Shawn Welsh about military transition books.

He started with a great list and commenters added many more.?I found some new ones that I can’t wait to read.

Speaking of books, how about the opportunity for free textbooks. Check out this post from Boots to Books describing how a military-connected student can apply for a textbook scholarship.

Textbooks are expensive and while your GI Bill offers some help for books, often it’s not enough.??

2. Resources

James Miller presented a solid case study of how service officers can help Veterans access their benefits at no-cost.

His post focuses on support from American Legion, but Veterans can also get no-cost support from WWP, DAV, VFW, and PVA.?While filing a claim for benefits can be complex, help from a skilled service officer can make the experience smoother.

Trent Freeman presented his list of folks to follow who post content directed to Veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses.?

Many others were suggested in the comments.?I second his recommendation to follow and engage with these folks.

Tyrone Hewitt reminded us not to forget the benefits states provide to Veterans.

His post includes the benefits guide from Arizona. Each state has a similar guide.?Don’t miss yours as often state benefits compliment and augment Veteran benefits from the VA.

Sean Stephens pointed out that California provides benefits assistance from County Veteran Service Officers.

Importantly, he explained how they are trained and remain current with VA regulations.?If you do get assistance with your claim from someone, ask about their training and VA accreditation.?This won’t prevent all problems, but training and accreditation is valuable filter to screen out folks who might not have your interests top of mind.

Ashly Leopold – Murch captured my thoughts exactly in her post about suicide prevention.

It was positive to see that VA provided support for so many but disheartening that so many are struggling.?Spot on Ashley.

Thanks to...

Shawn Welsh for a shoutout for my book on benefits. Check out his podcasts on benefits and so much more.

Steven Haas for his shoutout which included a moving playing of American the Beautiful.

I couldn’t have asked for a better song!

3. Leadership and Entrepreneurship

Art of Procurement hosted by Kelly Barner highlighted Erica McMannes an entrepreneur and military spouse.

Kudos to her efforts to connect military spouses to employment opportunities.

Amanda Lalonde, posted about the 2024 Institute for Veterans and Military Families - IVMF EDGE Conference in March.

The conference is focused on addressing challenges faced by business that are ready to scale.? Her post contains an application to attend.

If you are business that is growing and is considering attending, I’ll share this.? My experience with investors is they often ask “is that company able to scale?” when considering getting involved. ? Just a thought.

Michelle Gardner-Ince is leading the get out the vote campaign to support Veterans Growing America in this post.

They have been nominated for the 2024 Business Awards People’s Choice Award.?Her post contains a link to vote.

If you’ve not had the chance to learn more about them, Michelle provides their website. I have visited their operation and I suggest you follow their leader Donnell Johns Sr.

4. Special, Feel-Good Post

Shawn Bertholf asked us to help support a friend’s elementary school in this post.

The ask is to send a valentine to the class (address included) so they get them from each state and different countries.?This caught my attention, and I did send a card. I found one with a patriotic theme, wrote a short not encouraging them to study hard and signed it “A Virginia Veteran.” I trust this leads to a discussion of what a Veteran is and that contributes to their lesson.

I hope Shawn lets us know how this turns out.

5. Quick Takes

During December and January, I spoke with these Veteran Thought Leaders:

• Michael (Mike) Stoddard described the resources available to Veterans who need Mental Healthcare from Wounded Warrior Project .He identifies the specific programs, how to contact them, and what the process is once a Veteran connects.?He also points out this support is available at zero cost.
• Kevin Weaver, PCC talked with me about Spiritual Wellness and how it fits into the Veteran Wellness Framework.He described what it is and how to learn more.?Importantly, as we think about ways to connect, he reminds us that Spiritual Wellness is one possible approach.
• James Gfrerer continued our conversation about U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs effort to implement an Electronic Health Record.?He provided an update on their schedule, the significance of the existing health record system, and how new technology might change the program.
• Mike Hall spoke to me about the mission of the Three Rangers Foundation. He described their specific focus, their unique efforts to support employment, and how the Ranger culture contributes to the results they see.
• Dennis Scott Farmer helped me better understand the challenges Veterans face with substance abuse.He candidly pointed out the differences between alcohol and drug abuse and what resources are available to learn more.
• William Hudson explained why time matters when dealing with a VA decision which you disagree with.He explained the different options, how long each takes, and the importance of not losing your place in line.
• Barb Carson described the programs that the Institute for Veterans and Military Families - IVMF provides to Veterans and their families.She pointed out they have 40 programs supporting employment, each of which provide certificates upon successful completion.
• Jerry Quinn clarified the difference between financial wellness and financial independence.Saving is key.?Jerry shared the challenges he faced in his savings journey and how he overcame these.
• Cheryl Mason described the process to appeal a Veteran benefits decision.She described the options, including going to the Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA).?Her description of BVA options also includes estimated time it takes to get a decision.
• Ken Davenport explained the relevance of stoicism in the context of Veteran transition.He has written a book about this, presenting Nine Rules.? In this clip, we discussed one rule – Your past is your present – and how it can enable success going forward.

Something new

In January I started two new features.?The first, which will appear during the second week of the month is called “I wish I had said that.” Often, I see powerful quotes that resonate and remind me of a situation which the quote captures perfectly. The title describes my reaction. In post I share the situation and lesson learned.?Here is January’s post.

The second new feature is called “Management Moment.”?I share observations from some of the very best and worse management issues I have encountered. ? I hope these provide insight and, perhaps, empathy, for what you may be working through.?These will appear during the third week of each month, starting with this post.?

7. Glad you Asked

One of the questions I get frequently is why doesn't the sum of service connections I have been awarded for my different injuries equal my total service connection.?This is because of something known as VA Math.?In this video I explain it, provide an example, and offer suggestions to get assistance to learn more about your situation.

8. Listen and Learn

Jeffrey Gill invited me on his Navigating Federal Retirement Podcast to discuss Veteran Benefits.??

We had an engaging conversation covering the range of benefits and how to get no-cost assistance to help access your benefits. Put his podcast on your favorite list.

9. Homeless

And finally, another reminder to not forget homeless Veterans.?

Seth Eisenberg, homeless Veteran advocate and practitioner, explained why words matter.?Listen to him describe the powerful difference between “housing a Veteran” versus “providing a Veteran a home.”

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I continue to believe LinkedIn provides the best platform for Veterans to get information and support to pursue their American Dream.? If you don’t already, #FollowTheseVoices.