Welcome to Season Four of the VET S.O.S. Podcast! In this powerful
episode, hosts Shawn Welsh and new co-host Keith Cassant are joined by
Chris Elder and Yogi Hernandez, the co-hosts of the Mil2Vet podcast.
Chris and Yogi share their unique and inspiring experiences of
transitioning from military service to civilian life. They highlight the
challenges and emotional toll that veterans face during their
transitions, offering invaluable insights for others going through
similar journeys.
Chris Elder’s Transition Story
Chris, a
veteran and horse boarding facility manager, opens up about his medical
retirement due to Meniere’s disease and the challenges he faced trying
to secure medical care in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also
discusses his transition from the military, how he navigated medical
issues, and the importance of bringing resources to transitioning
service members. His experience includes relocating to Washington State
and spearheading efforts to bring educational programs and mentors to
support veterans through the transition process.
Yogi Hernandez’s Transition Experience
Yogi,
an active-duty Navy Chief Petty Officer, discusses his emotional and
mental journey transitioning from Japan to San Diego. He opens up about
the personal challenges he faced, including feelings of isolation and
the lack of support he encountered after leaving his command role. Yogi
emphasizes the importance of mentorship, the San Diego Veterans
Coalition, and the critical role these resources played in helping him
through his transition. Together with Chris, Yogi co-created the
Mill2Vet podcast to help others who are going through similar
transitions by sharing helpful resources and offering a sense of
community.
The STAR Program and Advocacy for Better Support
In
the latter part of the episode, Yogi and Chris introduce the STARR
(Shore-Based Transition Assistance and Reintegration Readiness) program.
This initiative was created in response to the difficulties they faced
during their own transitions. Yogi explains how the STARR program aims
to provide better guidance and support for veterans, especially those
going through medical boards. They discuss the overwhelming amount of
resources available to transitioning service members and the need for a
more structured and less confusing process. Both Chris and Yogi stress
the importance of advocating for change to ensure that veterans get the
care and support they deserve.
🔗 Links Mentioned in the Episode:
Mill2Vet Podcast and Resources: https://mil2vet.com/
👉 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, comment, and
subscribe for more stories of inspiration, resources, and support for
the veteran community. Join us for future episodes as we continue to
bring awareness and resources to veterans in need!
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