VA News Podcast

This week’s Borne the Battle episode features Army Veteran Major General Peter Aylward (Ret.). He discusses his military career, mentors, how he became the national director of the Vietnam War Commemoration and how the program adapted its events during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On March 29, 2021, National Vietnam War Veterans Day will be celebrating its 4th anniversary. The commemoration was authorized by Congress and established by the Department of Defense to reach out and provide a long overdue thank you to Vietnam Veterans who did not receive a proper welcome after they returned home.

Today, there are over 6.2 million living Vietnam Era Veterans who earned our nation’s gratitude. Maj. Gen. Aylward breaks down the history and mission of the program and how others can contribute and become a Vietnam 50th War Commemorative partner.

The commemoration gives a lapel pin to every living Vietnam Era Veteran, as well as their next of kin. The pin is a token of appreciation to all who served and sacrificed for their country. So far, the program has reached and recognized over 3 million Vietnam Veterans.

Lastly, Aylward, talks about how the commemoration provides a sense of healing and reconciliation to all Vietnam Era Veterans and how the commemoration measures success.

#BtBattle Veteran of the Week

• Army Veteran and MoH Recipient Joe Hooper.

Mentioned in this Episode:

• Vietnam 50th War Commemoration
• National Vietnam War Veterans Day
• VA receives Janssen COVID-19 vaccine
• Stay informed about getting a COVID-19 vaccine
• Women Veterans can access on-demand Women’s Health Transition Training
• M28C.V.A.1 Educational. Vocational, and Special Rehabilitation Services Manual

This week's Borne the Battle features Air Force Veteran Graciela Tiscareno-Sato, who discusses her efforts in overcoming the adversity of a stereotypical workforce, and breaking barriers while transitioning to become the founder of a niche publishing, marketing and communications firm. She is also the author of bilingual children and entrepreneurship books.

Tiscareno-Sato joined the Air Force on the advice of her high school counselor’s husband to apply for a ROTC Scholarship. After school, she completed Undergraduate Navigator Training at Mather Air Force Base (AFB) in Sacramento and then graduated near the top of her class – as the only woman in the class. She then trained in the KC-135R refueling tanker at Castle AFB in California before reporting to the 43rd Air Refueling Squadron at Fairchild AFB in Spokane, Washington.

On her first deployment was to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, she was a member of one of the first few aircrews to patrol and enforce the Southern NO FLY Zone in Southern Iraq after the conclusion of Operation Desert Storm. She and her crew earned the air medal. This happened 10 months before Congress lifted the Combat Exclusion Law that barred women from being assigned to combat duties.

In the podcast, Tisacareno-Sato tells the story of how this Air Medal almost didn't happen for her crew because of this technicality.

During her military career, she visited four continents and flew for thousands of hours. As an instructor, she taught GPS and navigation systems. She also learned how to work in a cross-cultural environment, which set her up for a future in global marketing.

After her service, Tiscareno-Sato pursued and secured a position at Siemens as a global marketer. She is also the author of an Amazon bestselling bilingual children's book, Good Night Captain Mama/Buenas Noches Capitán Mamá, the first bilingual children's book about why mommies serve in the military.

This ground-breaking book was honored at the American Library Association National Convention (2014 International Latino Book Awards)  in the category of "Best Educational Children's Book - Bilingual." Since then, the book has won awards in competitions among military writers, independent publishers and The Writer’s Digest Magazine.

In this episode, Tiscareno-Sato discusses:

• The importance of mentorship.
• Her military career that took her across the globe and inspired a love for travel and culture.
• Life as one of the first females to fly combat missions for the Air Force.
• Transition tips from her experience as an airman and civilian teacher.
• The journey to founding the Gracefully Global Group.
• The importance of personal branding.
• “Book Birthing.”
• Writing tips and the best ways to publish a book.

#BtBattle Veteran of the Week:

• Navy Veteran Wendy B. Lawrence

Mentioned in this episode:

• Borne the Battle #226: Marine Corps Veteran Scott Stump, President and CEO, National Desert Storm Memorial Association.
• Borne the Battle #7: Kayla Williams – Army Veteran, Director of Center for Women Veterans.
• Operation Southern Watch.
• Lifting of aviation combat exclusion.
• Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship.
•  Premium reductions coming to enrollees of Veterans’ Group Life Insurance

Army Veteran Dawn Halfaker never expected she would be be in the military. She was a guard on her high school basketball team when the NCAA sponsored her trip to visit West Point, one of the schools recruiting her. Hesitant but with nothing to lose, she accepted the trip. She soon fell in love with the school and her thereby set the course of her future career.

Halfaker graduated from West Point in 2001, and since then, she has gone on to accomplish many great things. In this episode of Borne the Battle, she spoke on a few of her many accomplishments:

• Overcoming adversity despite suffering a permanent injury while serving in Iraq
• Serving as a military liaison to the House Armed Services Committee
• Working for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency at a time when the agency developed groundbreaking new technologies
• Bringing an important woman’s perspective to the Wounded Warrior Project as its board’s chairwoman
• Being part of a VA committee that fundamentally reshaped how VA provides care for its wounded Veterans

One of the most notable achievements Halfaker discussed was how she built up her own business and turned it into one that now has over 600 employees. She had no experience running a business before, facing a difficult journey. However, she met like-minded people similarly committed toward creating innovative solutions to modernize the government and went from there.

With a life full of civic, business and personal accomplishments, Halfaker is a champion of change. In 2014, VA recognized her as a Woman Veteran of Change.

And in 2020, Halfaker was listed as among Washington’s Top 10 Health Executives to Watch.

She overcame one of the biggest hurdles of her life after an injury in Iraq and created success for herself. She lives her company’s vision: “Continue to Serve.”

#BtBattle Veteran of the Week:

• Army Veteran Centra “Cece” Mazyck

Additional Links

• VA updates rating criteria for musculoskeletal and muscle injuries
• At West Point, Dawn Halfaker was Mike Erwin’s squad leader. Erwin is also an entrepreneur. Listen to his Borne the Battle interview.
• This Iraq Veteran Lost Her Arm--but Found New Purpose as an Entrepreneur
• Recent Department of Veterans Affairs COVID-19 Response testimony on Capitol Hill

This week’s Borne the Battle is a Benefits Breakdown, exploring the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) service and chatting with its Executive Director and Navy Veteran William Streitberger.

In the Navy for nine years, Streitberger served in intelligence, recruiting and career counseling. Since then, he has dedicated almost 20 years of his career to VR&E, a service that he, himself, used. Following the loss of his job in 2001, Streitberger leaned on the support of VR&E, which at the time was called the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VocRehab).

He was appointed executive director of Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) service in September 2018. As executive director, Streitberger is responsible for overseeing the delivery of VR&E services to Veterans with service-connected disabilities and service members who're in the process of transitioning from the military to prepare for, find and maintain suitable careers, or obtain independence in their daily living.

VR&E is not "another GI Bill," and it's actually separate from the GI Bill. VR&E is an employment service that administers Title 38 Chapter 31 benefits to Veterans with a minimum 10% disability. Eligibility differs from entitlement.

Eligibility

• Veterans with a service-connected disability of 10% or greater.
• Must not have surpassed 12 years from date of discharge or first notification of VA-rated disability.

Entitlement

• Disability must be directly causing a barrier to employment.
• Veterans will then be assessed for interests and capabilities to help find a new career field that will not worsen disability.

Recently, the program has greatly expanded in the last few years. In 2020, VR&E hired 100 more counselors and it plans to do the same in 2021. Since March 1, 2020, VR&E has used VA Video Connect for over 100,000 appointments in an effort to increase accessibility.

In this episode, Streitberger discusses:

• What VR&E does.
• Who can apply for the service.
• What the benefits entail.
• How to apply for the program.
• How VR&E benefits differ from and can be used in tandem with GI Bill benefits.

More information can be found at the VR&E home page or by calling 1-800-827-1000.

#BtBattle Veteran of the Week:

• Army Veteran Matt Nyman

Additional Links:

• An additional 200,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses were delivered to administer to Veterans, employees 
• VA extends existing moratoriums on evictions and foreclosures and extends loan forbearance opportunities
• VA, VFW open telehealth access point in rural Pennsylvania
• VA reaches milestone vaccinating its 1 millionth Veteran

On this episode of Borne the Battle, Air Force Veteran Jackson Henderson shares his transition story and becoming an Electrical Maintenance Technician.

Henderson was influenced by two of his friends to join the military, and he would soon develop relevant technical skills that he would carry with him to his future careers. He discusses serving his entire enlistment in Minot, North Dakota, the importance of maintaining friendships while serving in the military and transitioning into civilian life.

Recently, Henderson left the Air Force, and landing a job was not an easy task. He shares about searching for and applying to various jobs, talks about how he was invited to attend the Rockwell Automation Academy of Advanced Manufacturing Program, and emphasizes the importance of putting your name out there through various websites that help Veterans find jobs.

What is the Rockwell AAM program? Henderson details the available course opportunities within the program and offers advice to transitioning service members on how they can find employment opportunities through the program, emphasizing the importance of trade schools and their value.

Henderson then talks about how he found his current job through the AAM program, what it’s like working in the manufacturing sector, the future of automation, and how a Veteran who does not have technical experience can gain experience to improve their job prospects.

Finally, he offers advice to transitioning service members on they can find employment opportunities.

#BtBattle Veteran of the Week:

• Army Veteran Henry Johnson

Additional Links

• VirtForce
• Veterans Trainee Program - Experis 
• Rockwell and ManpowerGroup collaborate to train veterans for high-tech jobs
• Rockwell Automation Looks to Veterans as the Future IoT Workforce
• VA administers 1 million COVID-19 doses, publishes facility vaccination numbers
• VA advances medical research for minority Veterans with new genomic tool
• VA offers millions in grant funding for adaptive sports to support disabled Veterans

This week's episode of Borne the Battle features retired Marine Corps Veteran Lieutenant General Walter Gaskin, the first Black American to command a Marine Division and the 19th Deputy Chairman of the NATO Military Committee. Gaskin discusses the challenges in overcoming adversity, stereotypes and biases in the international military community.

Inspired by a cousin who fought in Vietnam – and who was celebrated as a hero by his family and friends – Gaskin joined his high school’s ROTC program to pursue a military path through college. He deferred his draft to finish school and, later, earned a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Oklahoma.

Gaskin served as the Commanding General of the 2d Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, NC, from June 2006 until July 2008. In addition to this role, he concurrently served as the Commanding General of II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) during its year-long deployment to Al Anbar Province, Iraq, as well as the Commanding General of Multinational Forces-West.

Early in his career, Gaskin was one of only a handful of Black Americans in his division. He faced initial prejudice but eventually earned respect. Gaskin was one of the few representatives of the Black community in the Marine Corps, and in leadership positions for much of his career. His character was the example for others to see beyond skin color and was emblematic of the need for talent-based appointment and judgement.

Gaskin would later serve as the 19th Deputy Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, from May 2009 to August 2013. In that role, he also served as Acting Chairman of the NATO Military Committee from November 2011 to January 2012, making him only the second American to ever hold the billet.

In the podcast interview, Gaskin described how the international community wasn’t used to seeing Black Americans in high-ranking positions and that he strove to normalize the presence of people of color in positions of command. Performance, not color, is what matters most.

Gaskin currently serves as North Carolina’s Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

In this episode, Gaskin also discusses:

• His retirement and transition into civilian life.
• His experiences as the CEO of a defense contractor.
• Advice for Veterans interested in government contracting.
• His hardest job and the pressure he felt as a representative of his community.

#BtBattle Veteran of the Week:

• Navy Veteran Jesse L. Brown

Mentioned in this episode:

• Borne the Battle Benefits Breakdowns
• Hope for the Warriors

In addition to revisiting Navy Veteran Debra Russell's interview, this week's Borne the Battle Rewind shares information about, future Fisher House locations, rural COVID vaccines and how caregivers can receive the vaccine through VA.

*Interview originally aired 3/17/2017

This week’s podcast features Navy Veteran Debra Russell. Debra joined the military in 1984 and served until 1997. She worked in supply early on and went on to work on the staff for an Admiral.  She was “med-boarded” after a running accident and was separated from the military. Around that same time, she was dealing with a sexual assault she experienced with a superior. Debra opens up regarding her service, her transition, and how she uses art and photography for therapy.

Covered in the Episode:

• Why Debra joined the military
• Her experience in the Navy
• Being sexually assaulted by a superior
• Overcoming an emotional crisis
• Using her local Vet Center
• Why she enjoys photography
• Being a part of the women veterans art exhibit
• Resources for women Veterans

#BtBattle Veteran of the Day: 

• Army Veteran Curtis Owens

John Del Vecchioattended Lafayette College in the late 1960s, a time when tensions over U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War was high. Anti-war protests emerged all around him and popular media figures constantly spoke of the war in negative terms. He even had professors who refused to teach in protest of the war. Yet, Del Vecchio remained skeptical about how bad things really were in Vietnam. On Nov. 4, 1969, he got his chance to see the Vietnam War for himself.

In this episode of Borne the Battle, Del Vecchio shares how he went from being a combat correspondent to a very accomplished author. Some of the topics covered include:

• His experience training at The Defense Information School.
• The hurdles he had to go through to get his orders changed and be sent to Vietnam.
• His unique experience serving as a combat correspondent with the 101st Airborne Division.
• The act of heroism that earned him a Bronze Star Medal with a “V”.
• His experiences after returning from Vietnam.
• How he got his first book published and what he thinks today's aspiring authors need to do to find success.

Having experienced the Vietnam War firsthand, Del Vecchio has prioritized what he calls "setting the Vietnam War’s record straight." In 1972, Del Vecchio began writing his first book, “13th Valley,” hoping to leave a factual account of the Vietnam War available for future historians and Veterans. The last thing he expected was to write one of the best books on the Vietnam War and to receive acclaim from Vietnam Veterans around the world.

When not fighting against Vietnam War misinformation, Del Vecchio likes to be one with nature. He is an avid hiker who enjoys discussing contemporary American culture alongside stunning photos of nature on his blog.

With a life full of unique and diverse experiences, Del Vecchio’s interview has something interesting for listeners from any walk of life.

Borne the Battle Veteran of the Week:

• Army Veteran Marie Rossi 

Additional Links:

• Borne the Battle Ep. 170: Dale Dye
• Borne the Battle Ep. 203: Erik Schlimmer, Serial Hiker
• Vietnam Veterans for Factual History, the nonprofit Del Vecchio works with to combat Vietnam War misinformation

This week’s Borne the Battle episode features Marine Corps Veteran Scott Stump, who discusses his military career to becoming President and CEO of the National Desert Storm Memorial Association.

Stump became intrigued with joining the military while in college and soon decided to follow in the footsteps of several family members who served before him. Stump discusses serving 4 1/2 years in the Marine Corps Reserve, being activated for Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, learning valuable lessons in the military, and transitioning into civilian life.

While on active duty, Stump was so dedicated to finish his college degree that he would complete assignments right in the fighting hole. In the episode, he shares an interesting story about the conversation he had with the dean of his school on a field phone while serving overseas. Stump also provides a surprising fact about how Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield reshaped the relationship between the American public and those who serve in the military. Later on, Stump talks about how the air campaign's effectiveness helped save his life and many American soldiers' lives in Desert Storm also referred to as the 100-hour ground war.

Also, Stump discusses how he got the idea for building the memorial in 2010, after actively serving in Kuwait for six months and working in business for many years. He would soon begin devoting his time to lead the project and in its 11th year, became the CEO and president. He shares the importance of selecting the right board members for the project, honoring Desert Storm Veterans with a memorial, and the process for getting the memorial approved and funded.

The memorial is set to break ground this year and will be near the Lincoln Memorial and Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall. Stump explains that the goal of the memorial is to encourage visitors to educate themselves about the events of Desert Storm and Desert Shield, support the nearly 700,000 Desert Storm Veterans and honor the men and women who sacrificed their lives in service to their country.

Finally, Stump shares advice on how Veteran volunteers can become actively involved in the project, how larger Veteran Service Organizations have been major contributors in its funding, and how potential donors can have public recognition on-site at the memorial.

Borne the Battle Veteran of the Week:

• Marine Corps Veteran General Walter Boomer

Additional Links:

• VA expands access to telehealth services during COVID-19 pandemic for older, rural, and homeless Veterans
• VA, Fitbit help support Veteran health and wellness during COVID-19 pandemic
• Op-Ed by Scott Stump
• https://wlos.com/news/local/asheville-man-heads-up-efforts-to-build-desert-storm-memorial
• https://www.militarytimes.com/news/2020/02/26/desert-storm-memorial-receives-10-million-pledge-from-kuwait/
• https://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?projectID=62216
• https://www.military.com/history/operation-desert-storm-6-things-know