VA News Podcast

This week’s Borne the Battle interview is with Army Iraq War Veteran, David Gowel, a West Point and Ranger School graduate who later became an assistant professor at MIT’s ROTC program. David is currently the CEO of RallyPoint, a military-themed social media network. Which begs the question: just how does a former armor platoon leader become the CEO for a social media company? And, with a crowded social landscape that includes Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, SnapChat and others, why would anyone join yet another social media network?

This week’s guest lays out his case. In the interview, he also shares tips and pointers for expanding your own social media network.

Prior to becoming RallyPoint’s CEO, David and his wife started their own company that helped other companies leverage social media tools to improve their business models. For LinkedIn specifically, David would consult on how to network on the platform without “harassing people.” This experience led him to also write the book, “The Power in a Link: Open Doors, Close Deals and Change the Way You Do Business Using LinkedIn.”

RallyPoint is a social media network that caters to the active duty and Veteran experience. In the interview, David explains how partnering with VA’s Veteran Experience Office has enabled RallyPoint to organize discussions and “Command Post” messages around VA's Veteran’s Journey Map, which portrays the life stage moments--and VA experiences--that Veterans typically experience.

Currently there are 1.7 million RallyPoint members, many of whom, in addition to active duty and Veterans, are family members, caregivers, civilian recruiters, and VA and DoD civilians.

 Enjoy the episode. Additional Links: 

• https://www.rallypoint.com
• https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/63494/questions-community-care/
•  https://www.rallypoint.com/organizations/veterans-affairs-va-department-of-veterans-affairs-va-washington-dc/answers#BtBattle Veteran of the Week: 
• Army Veteran and 109 year-old  Julia Kabance.

Since some veterans have multiple traumas, known as polytrauma, VA dedicates resources to help Veterans with very complex issues.

This week's Borne the Battle interview is with Army Veteran Ursula Draper, who developed the VA  Assistive Technology Program in 2010.

Draper, an Army Veteran, spent six years working as an ophthalmic technician at Martin Army Hospital at Fort Benning, Georgia. Using her GI Bill, Ursula received her bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy from East Carolina University. She then operated her own private practice in Orlando, Florida, for over 20 years, specializing in Sensory Integration and pediatrics. Wanting to give back to the Veterans, she then pursued a career in the Veterans Health Administration working with spinal cord injuries. In 2009, she began working at the Veterans Administration, specializing in spinal cord injury and traumatic brain Injuries.

The Assistive Technology program tries to meet Veteran needs. The program finds adaptive ways for Veterans to access their environment, such as turning on lights or accessing computers. Specific areas of AT intervention include:

• Mobility Assistive Equipment
• Adapted Computer Access
• Electronic Aids to Daily Living/Environmental Control Units
• Augmentative & Alternative Communication
• Electronic Cognitive Devices
• Adapted Automotive Equipment
• Adapted Sports & Recreation EquipmentAdditional Links to this week’s Episode: 
•  https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/40355/shape-the-future-of-rehabilitative-care-for-veterans-with-vas-advanced-platform-technology-apt-center/
• https://www.prosthetics.va.gov/AssistiveTechnology/index.asp
•  https://www.prosthetics.va.gov/AssistiveTechnology/Assistive_Technology_Education.asp
• https://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/sahat.asp #BtBattle Veteran of the Week: 
• Navy Veteran Donald McCarty

Enjoy.

If you have a Facebook or Instagram account, you either follow this week's guest or have seen his work shared on your social media feed. This week’s Borne The Battle episode interview is with Marine Veteran Daniel Sharp, the Chief Executive Officer of PopSmoke Media and podcast host of The Smokepit.

Sharp talks about his transition from the Marine Corps after 11 years of service as an infantryman to starting his own media company, to developing his podcast. We also go into his personal relationship with his local VA Medical Center. He said his experience with Veterans Affairs started out difficult, but he worked to hold himself accountable to identify solutions and make sure the care worked for him. Sharp also talks about the stress of combat and the support network that can help mitigate those stresses.

Currently, his podcast has listeners in 55 different countries. Additional Links to this week’s Episode: 

• https://www.instagram.com/pop_smoke_official/
• https://www.instagram.com/smokepitpodcast/#BtBattle Veterans of the Week: 

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the  Apollo 11 Moon Landing: 

• Navy Veteran Neil Armstrong
• Air Force Veteran Michael Collins
• Air Force Veteran Buzz Aldrin

Back in  episode 43, Gary gave his original testimony on Borne the Battle.

This week’s Borne The Battle episode provides an update from the Senior Director of Military Programs at Walmart on the hiring initiatives through the company and the Walmart Foundation donating $1 million to Hire Heroes USA.

Profit worked as a defense contractor before hearing of the Walmart opportunity through a retiree network contact. He met with Walmart officials and became the first person to serve in his role—a role that has now spanned a decade. He plans on retiring by the end of this year.

Initially, Walmart wanted to hire 100,000 Veterans through its Veterans Welcome Home Commitment, but later doubled the commitment to 250,000 by the end of 2020. To date, Walmart has hired more than 226,000 Veterans since Memorial Day 2013.

Walmart is also trying to help with the disproportionate unemployment of military spouses, giving hiring preference to spouses who seek employment at Walmart or Sam’s Club through the Military Spouse Career Connection, which started Nov. 12, 2018.

Hire Heroes USA empowers U.S. military members, veterans and military spouses to succeed in the civilian workforce.

Additional Links to this week’s Episode:

•  https://www.walmartcareerswithamission.com/content/people-experience/military.html
• www.walmart.org
•  https://corporate.walmart.com/global-responsibility/opportunity/veterans-and-military-families

#BtBattle Veteran of the Week:

• Army Veteran  Fred McDade.

The VA Center of Faith’s and Opportunity Initiative’s mission is “engage, inform and educate faith-based, nonprofit and community/neighborhood organizations in VA programs to better serve the needs of Veterans, their families, survivors, caregivers and other beneficiaries.” Basically, VA understands that sometimes, faith is the best way to reach a Veteran. Therefore, VA set up a resource for local clergy so they can be the one to tell the Veteran what is available to them.

The current leader spearheading this initiative is the acting director of VA Center of Faith and Opportunity Initiative, Conrad Washington. In this episode he breaks down how your local clergy can get involved with the program. Through partnerships, resources and outreach events, the Center of Faith currently have multiple ways for faith-based leaders to get involved.

In addition, he breaks down his own career. Conrad is a former Marine Corps administrator and drill instructor. After leaving service, Conrad went from a security guard to specializing in security education as an Information Security Specialist for the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency – in the same building. Currently in seminary school, he explains how his career combined with his faith eventually landed him in the VA Secretary’s Office and into his current role as the acting director for the VA Center of Faith and Opportunity Initiative.

Enjoy.

Additional Links to this week’s Episode:

• https://www.va.gov/CFBNPARTNERSHIPS/index.asp
• https://www.va.gov/cfbnpartnerships/fbnpContacts.asp
•  https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/62668/va-overhauls-religious-spiritual-symbol-policies-protect-religious-liberty/
•  https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/54166/faith-opportunity-engages-community/
• https://thewarriorsjourney.org/
• https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/

#BtBattle Veteran of the Week:

• Army Veteran  Sydney Hunnicutt

Perry Firoz is smart. Not just  Air Force smart, but “can I copy off your paper,” smart.

Perry degrees include:

• Master’s Degree, Operations Research – Advanced Mathematical Applications, George Mason
• Bachelor of Applied Science – Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science, Wichita State University
• Bachelor of Science, Music Performance, Theory, Composition, University of Nebraska

He was an  Analytical Scientist for the Air Force. A lot of this episode is trying to figure out what an analytical scientist does, and I think we have it figured out. His entire job was to figure out how to make the Air Force more efficient. Where another service (ahem, Marine Corps) would contract a solution, the Air Force paid Perry to figure out how to fix logjams in career progression education systems.

Since he left active duty, Perry has continued military analytical research for the Rand Corporation. He is also taking what he has learned to become an entrepreneur. Returning to his first love, music, Perry moved out to Los Angeles and started Epic Music LA. Epic Music LA is a music licensing company. They work with experienced composers to create a library that films and television shows, post-production companies, sports/news media, public relations and advertising agencies can license. They have recently signed deals with CBS, MLB and NHL Networks.

Enjoy.

Additional Links for this Episode:

•  https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/agent-orange/navy-coast-guard-ships-vietnam/
• https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/299/text
• operationsong.org

#BtBattle Veteran of the Week

National Guard Veteran  Dr. Richard Pinsker

There have been many studies that show that  nature can be therapeutic for many reasons:

• Stress reduction
• Finding Meaning and Purpose
• Develops heightened awareness
• Promotes physical activity
• A “Natural High”

In  episode 138, Sean Ricks mentioned a nonprofit called Camp Valor Outdoors. It’s a nonprofit that helps ill, injured and wounded active duty, veterans and their family members. They do this by taking them on fishing, hunting, shooting, archery, four-wheeling and camping. They believe that “healing in the great outdoors…and connecting with fellow warriors is therapeutic and essential to healing.” Nobody is paid on staff and each dollar is spent on the programs that they host.

Although the nonprofit operates out of Kingsville, MO, Camp Valor’s  competitive shooting program is located nearby DC in Fairfax. When I found that out, we linked up and I went to shooting clinic and a couple of matches to see what they are all about.

This week we interviewed Camp Valor Outdoors’ Chief Operating Officer, Army Veteran retired Colonel Denise Loring. She is a world class competitive shooter, having shot in a CMP and NRA Nationals, USA Olympic Trials (Air Rifle), and World Championships. We talked about Camp Valor's mission, Denise being recruited to the Army specifically for shooting, what else she did in her 29+ year career, her transition out, and how she came to find a home with Camp Valor Outdoors.

Enjoy.

#BtBattle Veteran of the Week:

Army Veteran Charlie Challelea

Additional Links to this Episode:

• https://www.prosthetics.va.gov/rectherapy/index.asp
•  https://www.facebook.com/pg/campvaloroutdoors/events/?ref=page_internal
•  http://source.southuniversity.edu/the-benefits-of-therapeutic-outdoor-recreation-102985.aspx

This week we’re revisiting Reading, PA’s WWII Weekend. For three days (June 7-9) the MidAtlantic Air Museum brought in WWII Veterans, reenactors and a full air show.

READ AND LISTEN TO  PART ONE

This week we share two more WWII Veteran’s stories that the gentlemen were gracious enough to share over the weekend.

Walter Stitt was a part of General Patton’s 3rd Armored Division. As an M4 Sherman Tank Gun Loader, he saw time in Normandy, Northern France, the Rhineland Campaigns and he was one of the first tanks to cross the Siegfried Line – receiving a Purple Heart in the process. Later Walter became a pastor and gave the closing remarks to the final 3rd Armored Division Association’s reunion in 2010.

Victor Maurelli is a WWII and Korean War Veteran. He was a Navy Frogman from the early 1940s to 1955. During WWII, Victor served in Guam, Philippines and during the Battle of Midway. Frogmen were underwater demolition-men and are the forefathers to the current Navy SEAL teams. Frogmen were responsible for diving underwater and destroying defensive barriers before an amphibious landing. Frogmen served in both the European and Pacific Theatres. During WWII Weekend, Victor spent some time with Borne the Battle and shared some of his incredible stories.

Enjoy both of these unique stories.

Additional Links for this episode:

•  https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/61925/borne-battle-150-benefits-breakdown-75th-anniversary-va-home-loan-program/
•  http://thecmp.org/cmp-releases-regional-safs-course-schedule-for-2019/
• https://www.campvaloroutdoors.org/
•  https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/60759/find-out-how-the-mission-act-could-impact-you/
•  https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/60896/va-mission-act-vas-new-urgent-care-benefit-for-veterans/
•  https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/60982/va-mission-act-expect-community-care-june-6/
•  https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/61258/va-announces-final-community-care-regulations-mission-act/
•  https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/61280/va-mission-act-finding-community-provider-making-appointments-getting-care/
•  https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/61286/va-launches-new-health-care-options-mission-act/
•  https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/61641/icymi-exploreva-facebook-live-event-on-the-mission-act/
•  https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/61769/va-mission-act-top-questions-answered/

#BtBattle Veteran of the Week:

Army and Korean War Veteran  Dale Quick

On June 22, VA will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the G.I. Bill. In honor of this historic event, Army Veteran Maxine Henry and Air Force Veteran Mark Connors of the VA’s Loan Guaranty Service team sat down with Borne the Battle to discuss one of the best and most popular Veteran benefits--the VA home loan entitlement. 

The VA home loan guaranty has several advantages for Veteran borrowers:

• Veterans using the VA home loan are generally not required to have a downpayment.
• Veterans using the VA home loan also aren’t required to carry any mortgage insurance, which saves borrowers hundreds of dollars on their monthly mortgage payments.
• Veterans using the VA home loan benefit enjoy limited closing costs.
• VA home loans have very competitive interest rates.
• Veterans aren’t charged any prepayment penalty if they are able to pay off their mortgage earlier than required while using the VA loan.
• VA provides assistance to help Veterans retain their homes during periods of temporary financial difficulty.
• The VA home loan benefit can be used multiple times throughout the Veteran’s life.Additional Links: 
• https://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/contact_rlc_info.asp
• https://www.consumerfinance.gov/#BtBattle Veteran of the Week: 
• Army Veteran  Arthur Lorelli

It was WWII Weekend in Reading, PA. For three days, the MidAtlantic Air Museum brings WWII Veterans, reenactors and a full air show to their community. You can step back in time to every major theatre, visit friendly and enemy camps, hear 1940s music, and even see an FDR impersonator. 

More importantly, WWII Days include an impressive VIP guest list. Over twenty-five WWII Veterans attend every year and recount their experiences. This year included two living survivors of Pearl Harbor. 

 Richard (Dick) Schimmel was one of the first soldiers to ever be a radar tech. He enlisted in 1940 and was shipped out to Hawaii to form new formed Signal Aircraft Warning unit. He wasn’t on duty but was stationed on Pearl Harbor during the attack. When he realized the island was under attack, he ran to his post.

 William Bonelli was an enlisted B-17 and B-29 mechanic at Hickam Field when the attacks occurred. In 1944, he got his opportunity to fly the “Flying Fortress” as a pilot, flying 30 missions over Italy (21 as squadron leader) and receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions.

Enjoy both of these unique accounts of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Additional Links: 

• http://www.maam.org/wwii/_ww2_guests.htm
•  https://www.blogs.va.gov/nvspse/national-veterans-golden-age-games/#BtBattle Veteran of the Week: 
• Army Veteran  Wilma Gregory