VA News Podcast

While I was in Nashville last month, I visited an organization called Operation Stand Down Tennessee (OSDTN). OSDTN assists Veterans and their families so they can be self-sustaining  and better connected to the community. I sat down with Kevin Quarles, a Navy Veteran and staff member at OSDTN, to learn about his service, the value that OSDTN brings to its community, and his personal efforts with the organization.

Covered in Episode 48:

• Your benefits in aftermath of Hurricane Irma
• Interview with Navy Veteran Kevin Quarles  
  • Why he decided to join the Navy
  • Swimming to Rota
  • Experience as a musician
  • Using his G.I. Bill
  • Reaching out to Veterans
  • Working with Operation Stand Down Tennessee
• VBA benefits matrix
• #VeteranOfTheDay Army Nurse Corps Veteran Anne N. Bauer

On September 11, 2001, four planes crashed on the east coast. Two planes flew into the World Trade Center. One plane skipped off of the ground before hitting the Pentagon. The last plane crashed in an open field in Pennsylvania. Thousands were killed or hurt. Millions were impacted.

 One question we often ask each other is "Where were you on September 11? For some of us, that moment was a day in the military. I think its interesting to see how much the world has changed after that tragic day. So, I curated a set of audio clips from the podcast where guests comment on where they were on 9/11 or how the military around them changed due to the attacks.

Featured audio from:

• Jared Lyon
• Kayla Williams
• John Lee Dumas
• Skye Marshall
• Blayne Smith

However, at the end of the day, Patriots Day is about remembrance. The story that sticks out to me from the podcast regarding 9/11 came from Army Veteran Dee McWilliams, who briefly shared how the attack at the Pentagon directly affected her.

We will never forget those that lost. We will never lose our gratitude for those that responded to save others that day. And we will always remember to appreciate those that decided to serve and protect our freedom, inspired by that tragic day.

I hope you all had safe Patriots Day and found your own personal way to remember.

I was recently down in Nashville and scouted some Veterans to interview. A friend introduced me to Charlie Smith, the president of the Veterans group at Lipscomb University. Charlie and I weren't able to sit down for an interview while I was there, but recently connected for a Skype call where we talk about his journey in the Marine Corps, his aspirations for getting commissioned, being a student Veteran and leading his group on campus.

Covered in Episode 47: 

• VA's social media outreach platforms
• Interview with Marine Veteran Charlie Smith  
  • Why he decided to join the Marines
  • Lessons he learned in bootcamp
  • His transition out, and how he chose Lipscomb
  • Being a student Veteran
  • Leading his group on campus
• Make The Connection
• #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Joseph Angelo Calabria

When I first started podcasting in the Veteran space, often spoke with creatives: authors, artists, musicians, etc. I learned there are a lot of Veterans in the hip hop community. It makes sense. Hip hop is about expression and a lot of emcees use the medium to share personal experiences. Doc Todd is not exception. He's been praised by many national outlets for his music that addresses the difficulties of coming back from conflict and transitioning from the military.

About Doc Todd:

Doc was born George Michael Todd Jr. on February 16, 1985, and raised in the city of Memphis. While study wasn’t his strong suit, he fell in love with writing in high school – that is, writing lyrics for his band, not writing homework assignments. After completing high school in 2003, Doc worked a number of different jobs in the restaurant industry, which was a natural fit given his passion for customer service and uncanny sales ability. However, after several successful years in the business he wanted more from life. Doc set his focus on self-improvement and meaningful growth, and in the fall of 2007 he enlisted in the United States Navy as a Hospital Corpsman.

After his military service (which did not include civilian transition training), Doc moved to Atlanta and worked at restaurants and a premier hospital, while he pursed his college education on the G.I. Bill. Doc graduated from Georgia State University magna cum laude with an undergraduate degree in studying Economics & Public Policy in 2014. He then joined Northwestern Mutual where he began to build a financial management practice, before pursuing this veteran project.

Covered in Episode 46:

• VA's response to Hurricane Harvey and information Veterans need regarding benefits
• More of Secretary Shulkin's remarks at the American Legion Convention in Reno
• Interview with Navy Veteran Doc Todd  
  • Why he decided to join the Navy
  • Deploying and being medevac'd
  • His difficult coping with being forced away from his unit.
  • Pursuing music
  • How his music helps him and his fellow Veterans cope
• Veteran's Crisis Line
• #VeteranOfTheDay Army Corps Veteran Alice Evamae Ewing Phillips

I first met Rory Cooper at the VA Medical Center in Pittsburgh. He was showcasing a number of products he helped research and develop. I called upon him to join me on the podcast when I saw he was a top 12 finalist for the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America People's Choice Award. He's also nominated in the science and environment category. Rory is going to talk to us about his service in the Army, his spinal cord injury, accommodations for people using wheelchairs, and his research that is benefiting those with similar disabilities.

About Rory:

Rory Cooper, PhD, founder and senior researcher at the University of Pittsburgh Human Engineering Research Labs (HERL), is a world-renowned expert in wheeled mobility and the pioneer in wheelchair selection and configuration. Dr. Cooper is developing technology to increase the independence of people with spinal cord injury or disease (SCI/D) and equipping them with the skills necessary to operate new technology.

Dr. Cooper founded HERL at the University of Pittsburgh in 1994. Today, HERL conducts more than 74 clinical studies in eight customized labs with 50 staff members, who include engineers, physicians, therapists, research specialists and rehab medical interns. HERL’s mission is to continuously improve the mobility and function of disabled patients through advanced engineering in clinical research and medical rehabilitation.

Covered in Episode 43:

• Secretary Shulkin's remarks at the American Legion Convention in Reno
• Interview with Army Veteran Rory Cooper  
  • Rory's decision to join the Army
  • His experience in the military
  • His spinal cord injury.
  • Life as a handicapped person
  • The world's accommodations (and lack of) for persons in wheelchairs
  • His award nominated research
• Explore VA
• #VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran James Buckland

In the Veteran community, there are people you hear of and hear about over and over but never meet or engage with. Mark Rockefeller was on my radar for years. I heard about Street Shares, the company he co-founded, when they first started. I never had the opportunity to interview him for my former programs, so he made the short list when we launched This Week at VA. Just a couple weeks ago, I finally got the opportunity to talk with him. I visited Street Share's cozy space in Reston, VA and talked with him about serving in the Air Force, being an entrepreneur, Veteran owned businesses, and much more.

About Mark:

Mark began his career as a military officer, and later as an attorney. Following service in Iraq, Mark worked briefly on a pro bono micro-finance project in Africa before joining the prominent global financial services law firm Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP. His law practice focused on securities, financial restructuring, and international investment disputes. Inspired by his experience in Africa and a desire to reinvigorate small businesses in the United States (particularly veteran-owned small businesses), Mark left the law firm in 2013 to co-found StreetShares. He holds a B.S. in Finance, and advanced degrees in Finance and Law. Mark provides strategic leadership and vision to StreetShares and ensures our talented team has what it needs to serve our customers. Mark's favorite American Main Street is Main Street, Breckenridge, CO.

Covered in Episode 43:

• Secretary Shulkin's remarks on the signing of Choice and Quality Employment Act
• Interview with Air Force Veteran Mark Rockefeller  
  • Why he decided to join the Air Force
  • His experience in the military
  • Handling legal cases in a conflict zone
  • Founding Street Shares
  • Entrepreneurship among Veterans
• Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization
• #VeteranOfTheDay Marine Corps Veteran Robert Estrada

This week's featured interview is with retired Army General Gary Profit. Gary is the Senior Director of Military Programs at Walmart. Walmart is a leading employer for Veterans and their spouses. Gary connected with us to talk about Walmart's initiatives to improve the experience of their Veteran employees, the importance of employing Veterans, his service in the Army, and more.

About Gary:

After more than 31 years of U.S. Army service, Brigadier General Gary M Profit retired on February 28, 2006, and, until October 2008, he was Director of Human Capital Management Solutions; International Programs; and Department of Defense Business Transformation Agency Programs, Civilian and Homeland Security Solutions, General Dynamics Information Technology, in which capacities he led a premier provider of lifecycle human capital management technology/service solutions and international technology transfer/export control service solutions for federal agencies and strategic communications service solutions at DOD BTA, respectively.   He is currently Senior Director of Military Programs, Walmart, where he directs a synchronized enterprise strategy and complementary implementing programs to attract, recruit, and hire; grow and develop; and retain talent from military community constituencies and leads a collaborative team of military employment brand, reputational interests, and consumer brand professionals focused on veterans and military families for the leading global retailer.

Covered in Episode 43:

• Secretary Shulkin's remarks at AMVETS National Convention
• Interview with Army Veteran Gary Profit  
  • Why he decided to join the Army
  • His experience in the military
  • Retiring from the Army and transitioning out.
  • Walmart's Military Program
  • Differential pay for service members
  • His work as their Senior Director
• Presidential Memorial Certificates
• #VeteranOfTheDay Marine Corps Phil Ayers

I remember watching Brian Stann fight in the UFC, thinking it was so cool to see a Marine in the octagon. Now, I think its even cooler to see a decorated Veteran taking a leadership position that allows him to influence the lives of so many other Veterans and spouses. Brian is the CEO of Hire Heroes USA. They do amazing work with Veterans looking for employment and career advancements. They proudly claim more than 50% success rate for all users that register on their website. That's amazing considering how many visitors come to the site "just to check it out." Hire Heroes USA is positively affecting our economy and the Veteran community with the services they offer. Brian even offers his opinion on the upcoming Mayweather/McGregor fight.

About Brian:

Brian Stann is President and Chief Executive Officer of Hire Heroes USA, a decorated Marine, and a nationally recognized analyst for the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship).A Naval Academy football player and graduate, he served two deployments with 3rd Battalion 2nd Marines in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and was awarded the Silver Star, the nation’s third highest award for valor, for his actions near the Al-Romana Bridge during Operation MATADOR in May 2005. Stann took over as President and CEO of Hire Heroes USA, which is headquartered in Alpharetta, Ga., in 2008 and has grown the nonprofit organization to a total of seven offices across the country. Under his leadership, Hire Heroes USA has built a national reputation of excellence and is recognized as a best-in-class veteran service organization by the USO, Call of Duty Endowment and the George W. Bush Institute.

Covered in Episode 42:

• Medal of Honor citation for James C. McCloughan
• Interview with Marine Veteran Brian  
  • Why he decided to join the Marines
  • Examples of great leadership while he was in
  • His decision to transition.
  • His MMA career
  • Hire Heroes USA mission and impact
  • Mistakes Veterans make with resumes and job hunting
  • Mayweather vs McGregor
• Veterans Employment and Transitioning Services provided by Department of Labor
• #VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran John "Wolf" Wagner

I've known Justin Brown for a couple years now and one thing I've always admired about him is how many people know who he is and know of his efforts. Justin founded HillVets with the intent to bring more Veterans to Capitol Hill in Washington D.C.. Justin believes Veterans can contribute greatly to our government and that they should take advantage of those opportunities. Just swung by our central office and chatted with us about service, transition, HillVets, and more.

About Justin:

Justin Brown is a senior staffer on Capitol Hill with more than a decade of Veterans’ focused experience and advocacy. He has been fighting on behalf of Veterans and their families, trying to increase educational and employment opportunities, while expanding access to benefits and healthcare. Justin began his commitment to public service at the age of 17 when he enlisted in the United States Navy. There, he completed one deployment in support of Operation Southern Watch and two deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Following Justin’s service, he attended the University of Utah, graduating with dual bachelor’s degrees in three years. He became active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) where he served as the youngest All-American District Commander and Department Chief of Staff in its history.

Covered in Episode 40:

• Korean War Armistice Day
• Interview with Navy Veteran Justin Brown  
  • Why he decided to join the Navy
  • Service and transition
  • Starting HillVets
  • The value of Veterans in government
• Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection
• #VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran Jon Nepute

VA works with many Veteran Service Organization to serve our Veterans. One of those longstanding partnerships has been Disabled American Veterans, an organization that has been around since World War I. DAV helps Veterans navigate the VA system, primarily by assisting with claims. They also provide a network and community for Veterans to thrive in. This week's featured guest is with DAV's National Adjutant, Marc Burgess.

About Marc:

J. Marc Burgess, a veteran of the Persian Gulf War, was appointed National Adjutant of the1.3 million-member DAV, on June 1, 2013. As DAV’s senior staff official, National Adjutant Burgess serves as the organization’s Chief Executive Officer and leads the 650-member DAV staff, managing all operations of the organization of wartime injured and ill veterans, one of America’s largest charitable institutions.   Mr. Burgess served in the U.S. Navy from October 1987 through October 1992, when he was medically discharged. His service included crew member and plank-owner aboard the USS Normandy. He joined DAV before his discharge from the Navy and is a life member of Chapter 19 in Cold Spring,Ky.  

Covered in Episode 40:

• Secretary Shulkin featured on The Takeaway on WNYC
• Interview with Navy Veteran Marc Burgess  
  • Why he decided to join the Navy
  • Service and transition
  • Joining DAV
  • DAV's mission and his responsibilities
• Getting help from a VSO to submit a claim
• #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Jennifer McNeill