Eye on Veterans

This week we’re talking with Navy veteran John Barile about how he went from Navy Sea Air Rescue Swimmer to becoming a highly successful business owner. After the military Barile took a dive into business ownership when he opened an EverLine Coatings and Services franchise, which does parking lot line striping and pavement maintenance in the San Diego area.

As veterans always have a story or two, Barile shared some great sea stories from his time as a Navy rescue swimmer. Including one involving a burly, bearded Navy Sailor with a huge dip who delivered one of the greatest recruitment pitches of all time!

Barile described that while the pavement and line striping industry is a lesser-known business category, it’s one of many skilled trade businesses that are booming.

He also offered a closer look at EverLine Coatings and Services, and how the recent growth of San Diego’s restaurant scene, has resulted in massive growth for his business.

And he shared why veterans looking for higher income and job security should consider trade franchises like EverLine, which help owners paint a portrait of true business success.

Check out John Barile and the parking lot striping and maintenance services from EverLine Coatings and Services here:

https://everlinecoatings.com/us/ca/san-diego/

Connect with CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs

[email protected]

Ready to buy a home? Make sure you consider using VA Home Loan.

Navy Federal Credit Union’s Christopher Davis offers a closer look at this incredible benefit. Davis shares why this loan allows veterans, service members and families to buy with no money down, lower interest rates and how they can be used more than once!

Find out more from Navy Federal Credit Union here:

https://www.navyfederal.org/

This week we’re talking about The Old Glory Ultra Relay. Army veteran Jason Wood shares how he and a team of 12 vets from Team Red White and Blue will begin running, non-stop from San Diego, CA to Washington DC. We talked about how this feat is even possible, and the route they will travel.

Wood also shared how his own battle with PTSD, and depression almost ended his life. Saved after initially discovering joy from challenges like The Spartan Race, he ultimately began competing (and winning!) several ultra distance competitions.

Wood also talked about Team Red, White and Blue, a veteran group that helps fellow vets overcome life’s challenges through building an athletic community. Donations from the Old Glory Ultra will help Team RWB build even more events and make a significant change in the current mental health and suicide crisis among veterans.

FOLLOW the epic Old Glory Ultra Relay and DONATE to Team RWB here:

https://teamrwb.org/old-glory-ultra-relay

Contact

Phil Briggs, Host, CBS Eye on Veterans

[email protected]

This week we’re talking about veterans finding success in today's rapidly changing workforce after pursuing college degrees and valuable certificate programs at American Military University.

We hear how Misty Cook went from enlisted Marine to Officer to CEO of her own consulting firm. Using her military background and education, she's now a CEO who helps vets with 20+ years of service, find huge success in the private sector.

AMU Provost, Dr. Elizabeth Johnson reveals how AMU offers cutting edge courses, including; Modern Armed Conflict, Unmanned Aerial Systems and Drones, AI, Digital Currency and more.

We also look at how AMU is different than traditional four-year institutions. Built specifically for service members and veterans, their courses were designed to be online, accommodate the adult student’s schedule and even reduce the amount of credits required to earn a degree.

Plus AMU offers deep discounts for military and veterans and the opportunity to extend this benefit to family members.

Check out American Military University here:

https://www.amu.apus.edu/military/

Contact CBS Eye on Veterans Host, Phil Briggs

[email protected]

This week we’re talking about faith with Navy veteran and Christian author Amy Mahoney. In her book “Kingdom Keyholders” we hear how a life of rebellion led to abandonment, single motherhood and being totally alone, until she met God.

We begin with her time in the Navy and her escape from pain through drinking. Mahoney describes how after her darkest days, two random strangers prayed over her in a grocery store. It would be a prelude to a miracle that was about to happen.

We also examine how after leaning all the way into faith, she experienced the full power and actual presence of God.

And we wrap with more about what it means to be a Christian, the significance of the life and sacrifice of Jesus and how everyone can experience the healing power of God.

Check out Amy's latest book "Kingdom Keyholders" here:

https://www.kingdomkeyholders.com/

CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs

[email protected]

Special Forces, Delta Force veteran and best-selling author Brad Taylor is back with his latest action-adventure novel, “Into the Gray Zone”. 

Set in India, we track his veteran commando character Pike Logan, who discovers a deadly plot by Chinese backed terrorists aimed at preventing access to the rare earth minerals. But after violent attacks, Pike and his crew must hunt for a terror cell gone rogue and race to rescue hostages before global conflict erupts.

Taylor shares fascinating details about the spy craft used in his books, what cyber

thieves are using to steal your data … and how to prevent it. (Hear what public WiFi networks you should never trust.)

Plus, we get a behind the scenes look at India and the exotic locations featured in the book.

We wrap with a closer look at terrorism around the globe and why all eyes are focused

on Syria right now.

Check out Into the Gray Zone, by Brad Taylor here:

https://bradtaylorbooks.com/all-books/into-the-gray-zone/

Connect with Phil Briggs, Host, CBS Eye on Veterans here:

[email protected]

Every year vets shred the slopes of Snowmass, Colorado at The National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic.

We’re joined by Army veteran, Frances Osorio-Rivera, who as a single leg amputee went from being severely injured to becoming an inspiring pro kite surfer. Rivera, a Puerto Rico native and self-described “island girl” shared how despite her injury, she was determined to back in the water and resume kite surfing. She also described how attending the Winter Sports Clinic changed her life.

We also talked with Alex Maytre, VA Recreational Therapist and adaptive sports expert. He highlighted his previous work helping vets discover the thrills of scuba diving in Miami and describes how VA works to help vets achieve their wildest dreams.

From the ski slopes to kite surfing to scuba diving, their stories reveal how outdoor adaptive sports truly help vets heal and experience the power of feeling stoked!

For more on adaptive sports resources, upcoming events and more …

Check out the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic here:

https://www.wintersportsclinic.org/

Connect with CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs

[email protected]

This week we’re catching up with The American Legion's Executive Director of Government Affairs, Mario Marquez, a retired Marine Corps Sgt. Major, with a deep background in veterans affairs and national security.

We open with memories from Iraq deployments, and an experience with Houthi rebels in Yemen. That led us to our first discussion about the recent Signal message app scandal involving DoD, DNI, CIA and Senior White House officials. Marquez says if he had shared discussions of pending military strikes, "he would have been court martialed".

Marquez also discusses the impact of recent VA layoffs, the Legion’s commitment to protecting veteran benefits and his private conversations with VA Secretary Doug Collins.

We close with a fascinating Op-Ed from former Ranger and Special Forces veteran Jack Murphy.

He calls out veterans like Sec Def Pete Hegseth and DNI Tulsi Gabbard for downplaying the danger of the messages shared on Signal. He also reveals how this is a much bigger problem than they want you to believe.

See why veterans benefit from membership in the American Legion here:

https://www.legion.org/

Connect with CBS Eye on Veterans Host, Phil Briggs

[email protected]

When it comes to getting a degree, veterans and their families often face challenges non-veteran students don’t.  American Military University (part of APUS) President, Nuno Fernandes understands this on a personal level. 

We hear how his humble upbringing in Portugal, mirrors the challenges that inspired many Americans to join the military in the first place.

But despite the challenges of transition from military service, veterans have proved they have the grit and determination to succeed, and Fernandes describes how American Military University is designed specifically for them.

We hear how AMU keeps college tuition affordable, open to the entire family and offers personalized career assistance from veterans on staff.

We also examine how veterans outperform traditional college students and hear

some incredible veteran graduate success stories.

Check out American Military University’s courses and degree programs here:

https://www.amu.apus.edu/military/

Connect with CBS Eye on Veterans Host, Phil Briggs

[email protected]

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@philbriggsVet

@EyeOnVeterans

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This week we’re looking at online degree programs for veterans, from

American Military University (AMU), one of the top online Universities for military

and veterans.  We begin with two enlisted veterans that have done it.

Former Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Dan Roby shares how it’s never too late

to earn your degree (he earned his at the age of 53), and former Army Staff

Sgt. Tonda Navarrete describes how vets can succeed in today’s rapidly

changing workforce with AMU’s cutting-edge majors in AI, Business and Cyber.

We also hear how AMU is dedicated to delivering higher education to active duty military,

veterans and even their children, through incredibly affordable tuition. 

They also share some success stories from other veteran student graduates.

Check out American Military University’s courses and degree programs here:

https://www.amu.apus.edu/military/

Connect with CBS Eye on Veterans Host, Phil Briggs

[email protected]

Follow on X

@philbriggsVet

@EyeOnVeterans

@connectingvets