VA News Podcast

Profiling has often been given a negative perspective. In this episode of Borne the Battle, Marine Corps Veteran Brian Marren explains how Human Behavior Pattern Recognition and Analysis is a scientific form of human behavior profiling, and how it's not based on race or religion but rather on how all humans behave.

The world today seems far smaller and connected than the decades before it, bringing about stronger trade and increased diversity. However, a more integrated world has inevitably led to a greater need for security and safety.

As a former Marine Scout Sniper, Marren believes that both the military and civilians need to be prepared psychologically for any situation. His master’s degree in Applied Pyschology--and Marine Corps background--have proved pivotal in developing his passions.

Today, Marren focuses most of his efforts at Arcadia Cognerati, where he helps people learn how to recognize danger and then act on it.

In this podcast, Marren discusses the following topics:

• Mentors that gave taught him discipline and leadership
• Friendships that will last a lifetime
• Behind-the-scenes testimonies of Arcadia Cognerati

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BRIAN MARREN

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HUMAN BEHAVIOR PATTERN RECOGNITION AND ANALYSIS

#BtBattle Veteran of the Week:

• Army Veteran Antonio Reyna

Additional Links:

• https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/left-of-greg
• www.va.gov/coronavirus-veteran-frequently-asked-questions
• VA 3-D Printing Ecosystem

This week's Borne the Battle podcast breaks down how the VA Debt Management Center is executing the president's directive to suspend or extend all VA Debt Collection due to coronavirus, or COVID-19.

Joseph Schmitt is director of VA's Debt Management Center and Jason Hoge is director of operations. The recently answered questions virtually from the House Veterans Affairs Committee Disability and Mortuary Affairs Subcommittee. The focus was how Veterans are getting debt management relief from VA due to COVID-19. Much of the questions focused on how Veterans receive communication from VA.

VA announced April 3 a number of actions to provide Veterans with financial, benefits and claims help amid VA's COVID-19 response.

The financial relief actions include the following until further notice:

• Suspending all actions on Veteran debts under the jurisdiction of the Treasury Department.
• Suspending collection action or extending repayment terms on preexisting VA debts, as the Veteran prefers.

For benefit debts, Veterans can contact the VA Debt Management Center at 1-800-827-0648 to make arrangements.

For health care debts, Veterans can contact the Health Resource Center at 1-888-827-4817 to make arrangements.

The benefits and claims relief actions include giving Veterans the option to submit their paperwork late for the following actions:

• perfecting claims
• challenging adverse decisions
• submitting Notices of Disagreement
• submitting Substantive Appeals
• responding to Supplemental Statements of the Case

Veterans requesting claim extensions can simply submit them with any late-filed paperwork and Veterans do not have to proactively request an extension in advance. For added convenience, VA will also accept typed/digital signatures instead of wet signatures on its forms. Those with questions can call 1-800-827-1000.

In Addition

For Veterans who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and need immediate action on their appeals, as opposed to a filing extension, the Board of Veterans' Appeals will Advance their appeal on Docket (AOD). Click here to find out how to file for AOD and what documentation is required.

Borne the Battle Veteran of the Week:

• Navy Veteran Ted Murawski

Two new VA coronavirus websites are online. Update on the Wheelchair and Golden Age Games. VA suspends veteran debt collection. Update on COVID-19 support from New Jersey Medical Center. Interview with Army Veteran Chad Butters, who early on, transformed his Pennslyvania distillery into a hand sanitizer production facility.

Most, if not all veterans, are forced to ask this important question before retiring and entering into civilian life: What am I to do for my career? 

Many feel as if they are too late to pursue their goals or get their dream job. Justin Nassiri, a Navy veteran, thinks otherwise. 

On this episode of Borne the Battle, featured guest Justin Nassiri shares his backstory and insight into how he was able to transition into civilian life and achieve his dreams. As a  Stanford MBA alumnus, a disciplined entrepreneur, and a successful consultant, Nassiri has much wisdom to impart.

In this podcast, Jackson shares about the following topics:

·      Key mentors during his time in service

·      Indispensable life experiences that guided him to his early and continued success 

·      Stories of veterans just like you who were able to make it to the top

·      Practical advice for those looking to get started on their career

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT JUSTIN NASSIRI (please make a heading font)

Additional links: (Please make a heading font)

·      https://beyondtheuniform.org

·      https://storybox.io

Borne the Battle Veteran of the Week:

·      Army Veteran Charles Coolidge

Included in this episode: 

• GI Bill Changes 
• National Cemetery Information 
• Update on rehiring retired VA medical staff 
• VA Home Loan assistance website 

This week's episode of Borne the Battle features Navy Veteran Darlene Iskra, the first woman to command a ship for the Navy.

Despite her groundbreaking status, Iskra's initial goal in the Navy was not to be the first woman to command a ship. She just wanted to a career that was commensurate with her male counterparts. But her career includes many highlights of various roles for women in the military.

One of Iskra's achievements includes being one of the first female diving officers in the Navy. She had no idea that she would become one of the first three female diving officers, thanks to her strong swimming skills.

Throughout her career, Iskra helped women find their place in the military free from stereotyping. In 2003, she helped staff and pass legislation on Capitol Hill for the Smith-Cantwell Amendment. This amendment forbade the DoD to require women service members to wear an abaya in Saudi Arabia.

Today, Iskra acts as an ambassador for the Women in Military Service for America Memorial. The memorial serves to honor the women who sacrificed their lives fighting for America.

The memorial is at the entrance to Arlington Cemetery, and it aims to inform the public about the American women who have served this country. The memorial provides women Veterans' oral and written history throughout the years.

Darlene Iskra pushes to help women do what they are passionate about and find equality while serving their country.

#BtBattle Veteran of the Week

• Marine Corps Veteran Opha Mae Johnson

Additional Links:

• https://www.womensmemorial.org/
• www.vfw.org/advocacy/women-veterans/our-stories/darlene-iskra 
• https://nation.time.com/author/drdmi 
• http://www.wdhof.org
• https://www.servicewomen.org/

An in-depth breakdown of VA Public Health's coronavirus website and a message from the chairman of the board of veterans appeals.

Link: www.va.gov/coronavirus

This week's episode of Borne The Battle features Army Veteran Hallie Johnston, who shared some insight into her military career as a black hawk helicopter pilot, her transition to civilian life, and her purpose for joining and becoming a board member at Carry the Load.

Carry the Load was founded by two Navy SEAL Veteran, Steven Holley and Clint Bruce. Carry the Load is a nonprofit organization that teaches ordinary Americans about the honor and sacrifices made by our nation's service members and first responders. Its goal is to show Americans what Memorial day is all about and why it's important.

Carry the Load drives awareness, continuum of care and education as its three main pillars. Being a nonprofit organization that helps other nonprofit organizations, Carry the Load has raised $25 million for Veterans, first responders and their families.

Each year, it hosts relays, marches and service events across the country to remember, honor and serve those who have served. For more details about participating in Carry the Load's upcoming events, please visit the Carry the Load website.

• West Coast- Seattle, WA April 23, 2020
• East Coast – West Point, NY April 27, 2020
• Mid-West-Minneapolis, MN May 1, 2020
• Mountain States- Minot, ND May 12, 2020

*Editors Note: Due to coronavirus pandemic, this year Carry the Load will operate the 2020 National Relay and Rallies as virtual events. 

For more information go to carrytheload.org/MemorialMay

#BtBattle Veteran of the Week:

• 1stLt R J Hess

Additional Links:

• Carry the Load Website
• Borne the Battle #143 with Navy Seal Veteran Stephen Holley
• Borne the Battle #161 with Marine Veteran Todd Boeding