San Diego Veterans Magazine December 2023

VETERANS

SAN DIEGO

Vol. 6 • Number 12 • December 2023

MAGAZINE

HOLIDAY ISSUE A Soldier’s Christmas NORAD TRACKS SANTA

Beat The Holiday BLUES

Saying Goodbye to 2023: Make Your List …and Check it Twice!

PTSD MENTAL HEALTH

Understanding

San Diego Veteran

5 GIFTS for YOU

this Holiday Season

Organizations

Events, Support & Resources

NAVY FEDERAL PRESENTS Best Careers After Service List

WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED

CAREER RESOURCES

San Diego Veterans Magazine

Transition Strategies - Columns

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023

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“I’m happier with myself. Having been in therapy, period, has helped me be in a better place now.”

Rogelio “Roger” Rodriguez, Jr US Navy (1987 – 1993) US Air Force (1993 – 2013)

PTSD treatment can turn your life around.

For more information visit: www.ptsd.va.gov/aboutface

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earned on eligible net purchases. “Net purchases” means the sum of your eligible purchase transactions minus returns and refunds.Eligible purchase transactions do not include, and rewards are not earned for, the following transactions: cash advances, convenience checks, balance transfers, gambling, or fees of any kind, including finance charges, late fees, returned check fees, ATM cash advance fees, and annual fees, if any. Cash-equivalent transactions, such as the purchase, loading, or reloading of gift and prepaid cards (e.g., money orders, GO Prepaid Cards, and other cash-equivalent gift cards), may not be eligible purchase transactions and may not earn rewards. Please allow up to 8 weeks after the 90-day period for the bonus cash back to post to your rewards balance. Account must be open and not in default at the time the bonus cash back posts to your rewards balance. Limit of one promotional offer at account opening. Offer valid for accounts applied for from 10/4/23 to 1/1/24. 2One-time statement credit of $98 when you pay $49 or more for an annual Walmart+ membership.

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ELEVATE YOUR GAME with iBOT

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Contact Mobius Mobility to schedule your demo today. www.mobiusmobility.com

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023

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EDITOR’S LETTER

Publisher Editor-In-Chief Mike Miller

Monthly Columns

www.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com

Welcome to San Diego Veterans Magazine!

SDVM is a veteran-focused magazine throughout ALL San Diego & Southern California. It serves to assist all veterans, active military as well as their spouses and families.

It is the leading veteran magazine emphasizing resources & support and focusing on topics and issues facing today’s veteran community. SDVM focuses on resources, support, community, transition, mental health, inspiration and more...

The content is the driving force behind our magazine and the connection it makes with our veterans, service members, military families, and civilians.

The magazine is supported by the city of San Diego and a distinguishing list of veteran organizations & members, resource centers, coalitions, veteran advocates, and more. We are honored to share the work of so many committed and thoughtful people.

Despite all the challenges, our team has upheld their focus and let not one opportunity go to provide resources and support to our veterans & military personnel.

On behalf of our team, we wanted to take this moment to say THANK YOU to the readers and our military-veteran community for supporting our magazine. With that support we aim to make a difference and continuing to make a profound impact on the quality of life for our veterans, military personnel and their families.

If you want to catch up on the current and past issues, please visit: www.sandiegoveteransmagazine.com/archives

Mike Miller Editor-In-Chief

mikemiller@sdvetsmagazine.com www.sandiegoveteransmagazine.com 4 WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023

What’s Next Transition Eve Nasby • Kristin Hennessy Human Resources Paul Falcone Veterans in Business Barbara Eldridge Successful Transitioning Stories Dr. Julie Ducharme Risky Business Hadley Wood Franchise Frontline Rhonda Sanderson Real Talk: Mental Health Hope Phifer PTSD: Reclaiming Control Robert ‘Bob’ Cuyler, PhD TLC Caregiving Kie Copenhaver Art & Healing Amber Robinson Legal Eagle Kelly Bagla, Esq. Family Law Tana Landau, Esq. Midway Magic David Koontz Veterans Chamber Commerce Joe Molina Contributing Writers Wounded Warrior Project Raquel G. Rivas, WWP Disabled American Veterans San Diego Veterans Coalition Veteran Association North County (In-House) Correspondents Holly Shaffner CJ Machado San Diego Veterans Magazine 9528 Miramar Road, #41 San Diego, CA 92126

(858) 275-4281

mikemiller@SDVetsMagazine.com San Diego Veterans Magazine is published monthly. Submissions of photographs, Illustrations, drawings, and manuscripts are considered unsolicited materials and the publisher assumes no responsibility for the said items. All rights reserved

DECEMBER 2023 INSIDE THE ISSUE 8 Midway Magic: Triumph in 2023 10 Silent Legacy (Asbestos) 12 Continuing the Fight 14 SDVM: The Covers (2023) 16 TLC: Headed Home for the Holidays 18 A Soldiers Christmas 20 NORAD - Tracking Santa 22 Beat the Holiday Blues 24 Real Estate: Rising Inflation 27 San Diego Veterans Coalition 29 Stair Lifts for Veterans In Need 31 Veterans Association of North County 34 Real Talk: PTSD: Goodbye 2023 36 Navigating PTSD Treatment 38 Best Careers After Service List 40 HR: Fist Time Manager 42 What’s Next: 5 Holiday Gifts 44 Business for Vets: Accelerate Success 46 USD: A Better Way to Your MBA 48 Successful Transition: Kelli Mumphrey 50 Franchise Frontline: Ryan Cole 52 Risky Business: Is My Product Cover 56 Legal Eagle: Asset Protection 58 Legally Speaking: Holiday Visitation 60 VCCSD: Quality Time with Family 62 Careers in Law Enforcement 64 SDPD Ride Along - A Story of Two Marines 68 From Navy Sailor to SFPD * Cover Photo by Levent Simsek - Pixels.com

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023

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MOWW San Diego Chapter

A strong America dedicated to preserving and advancing American Ideals and Founding Principles.

The Military Order of the World Wars serves our nation and local communities by providing and supporting activities that promote and encourage responsible citizenship, patriotism, youth leadership, military and public service, veteran support, and strong national security.

The Military Order of the World Wars (MOWW), founded in 1919, is a non-political, patriotic Veterans Service Organization (VSO).

We are a group of patriotic commissioned officers from all uniformed services, our spouses, and descendants.

We believe in America and live our motto, “It is nobler to serve than to be served.”. Our tag line is “Serving Youth, Community, and Nation”. We love and continue to serve our nation and all of its peoples.

We do this through our outreach programs including Patriotic Education, Veteran Affairs, Scouting, JROTC/ROTC, Public Safety/Law and Order, Homeland Security, and National Security.

“It is nobler to serve than to be served.”

DONATE TODAY AT

https://ams.moww.org/fundraising/donation 6 WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023

We have been serving the San Diego area since 1926.

Our chapter has sponsored many events that have become constant in community life in San Diego. The San Diego chapter has also been quite active on the MOWW national stage. We are quite proud that the first female MOWW Commander-in-Chief, Capt. Debbie Kash, USAF (Ret), is a member of our chapter. We have also provided MOWW with two other Commanders-in-Chief.

Outreach events and activities • Annual free Youth Leadership Conferences for high school students. Student teams and Staff interactively explore, learn, and practice leadership, patriotism, American government, American history, and free enterprise.

• Massing of the Colors and Service of Remembrance.

Recognizing our youth, community, and nation through honoring our country, flag, active military and veterans, their families, and community patriotism.

• Wreaths Across America. Honoring our deceased veterans through co-sponsoring an annual patriotic ceremony.

• Recognizing youth leadership and sponsoring JROTC, ROTC, and Scouting events.

• Partnering with many community veteran groups.

For more information please visit our website at: https://moww.org/ Facebook: The Military Order of the World WarsMOWW-San Diego Chapter Please feel free to contact us: Debbie Kash debbie.kash@gmail.com Kathleen Winchester kathleen.a.winchester@gmail.com

HONORING OUR VETERANS Memorial Amphitheater

Avenue of Flags

Carillon Tower

Contribute Today and Help Keep the Vision a Reality!

Do you need a 2023 End-of-the-Year Tax Deduction? If so, please consider giving to Miramar National Cemetery Support Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Your donation in the form of a check can be tax deductible, or making a gift from your IRA is a way to satisfy your annual Required Minimum Distribution (RMD), without paying extra taxes.

Your continued support of The Support Foundationʼs mission is greatly appreciated by all who visit the Cemetery.

Ways To Donate: Scan the QR code or visit our website at www.miramarcemetery.org Mail check to Miramar National Cemetery Support Foundation Attn: Amphitheater Fund, 6906 Miramar Road, Ste C-142, San Diego, CA 92121

SCAN ME

The Support Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. Tax ID #65-1277308

www.miramarcemetery.org

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023

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Midway Magic Continues to Triumph in 2023 It’s been a pleasure over the past 12 months to again share with the readers of San Diego Veterans Magazine stories from the deck plates of the USS Midway Museum.

This has been an incredible year full of major historic military milestones and anniversaries, and there was none bigger than the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War and return of the prisoners of war. In March, the Midway was honored to publicly pay tribute to all Vietnam War veterans, as well as their families and our South Vietnamese allies during a poignant commemoration ceremony on the flight deck.

“We were not treated very well when we came back,” remembered Bob “Doc” Werner, a Midway docent with more than 3,000 volunteer hours. “I personally was spat on and was called some very nasty names when I came back from Vietnam.”

Werner was a combat corpsman assigned to a Marine Corps unit deployed to Vietnam. He was wounded multiple times while saving the lives of countless Marines. For his bravery and the wounds he suffered in battle, this American hero was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

“It’s wonderful, finally, that 50 years later we’re finally being recognized for the sacrifices that we all made during the war. The ceremony on the Midway was very special.”

Midway saw the return of former crewmember Don Vance, who served on the carrier five decades ago. There are currently nearly 100 former Midway sailors volunteering at the museum.

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Vance arrived on Midway during its final Vietnam War deployment as the ship’s senior medical officer in 1972.

More than 50 years later, Vance returned to where he first cut his teeth as a flight surgeon in the fleet when he became a volunteer on the USS Midway Museum earlier this year.

“I have always wanted to volunteer,” said Vance, who even visited the ship soon after its arrival in San Diego to become a museum. “Unfortunately, due to my work, I didn’t have the time to volunteer until I was more retired.”

Although he has only recently started volunteering for the museum’s safety department, Vance is thrilled to once again be part of Midway’s crew.

“It’s hard to explain fully, but I’m so proud of the Midway,” said Vance, who already has nearly 300 volunteer hours under his belt. “They did such a great job turning it into a museum. She’s an incredible ship and it’s good to be back on board.”

One of the museum’s greatest and most unique assets is its ability to bring naval aviation history to life through firsthand stories of adventures on the high seas told by the ship’s volunteers. At Midway, storytelling is more than simply a way to communicate, and over the last 20 years it has been elevated to an artform.

“Storytelling is an important way to educate our guests because it captures their interest in inspirational ways,” said Paul“Chappie” Ward, a Midway docent with more than 7,400 volunteer hours.

“I love the moment when something said connects with something seen and explained.

You can literally see that eureka moment when you have touched a chord of appreciation or understanding. That moment is when I know that the story shared has made an incredible impact.”

www.midway.org

This year the Navy celebrated the 80th anniversary of naval helicopter aviation. Midway volunteer, Gary Ely, spent 18 months cheating death during the Vietnam War as a door gunner with the Seawolves of Navy Helicopter Attack (Light) Squadron 3 (HAL-3).

Flying in support of naval special warfare operations and the mobile riverine forces, Ely was routinely involved in perilous combat missions that centered around search and destroy patrols, close-air support, SEAL team insertions, search and rescue, medical evacuations, and reconnaissance. Even after 50 years, the brotherhood that exists with those Gary served with remains unbreakable.

“We were anchored in the middle of the Mekong River about 3,000 yards below the Cambodian border,” said Ely, who flew nearly 700 combat missions in Vietnam and Cambodia. “There’s tremendous pride and respect that all of us Vietnam veterans have for each other, except for me it is much more personal.

Having served in such an unpopular war and experiencing the lack of support from the folks at home, as well as having lost shipmates during our squadron’s existence, fuels our comradery.”

The museum is excited to celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2024 and the opportunity to continue preserving the historic USS Midway and the legacy of those who served. As the world’s most popular naval ship museum, Midway looks forward to inspiring and educating future generations for the next 20 years.

www.midway.org/give-join/volunteers volunteers@midway.org www.midway.org

For those interested in becoming a USS Midway Museum volunteer, more information along with the volunteer application can be found https://www.midway.org/give-join/volunteers.

www.midway.org WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023

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Navy veterans battling the silent legacy of asbestos exposure

By Cristina Johnson Asbestos exposure remains an ongoing concern for Navy veterans who served on ships built from the 1930s to the early 1980s. Every branch of the U.S. Military used for decades products made with asbestos, but Navy veterans were at an exceptionally high risk of asbestos exposure.

A celebrated building material of the 20th century, asbestos was a staple in shipbuilding due to its exceptional heat resistance and insulating properties.

With WWII’s increasing demand for naval vessels, the need for an all-purpose material emerged, and asbestos fit the bill. It led to Navy veterans working and living close to asbestos-containing items over the years of duty.

Permanent health damages due to asbestos exposure Asbestos releases microscopic particles in the air when disturbed and poses the immediate threat of inhaling or ingesting them. Once in the body, the tiny toxic fibers cause incapacitating conditions in the long term after lodging in the body’s tissues, primarily in the lungs.

Because diseases related to asbestos exposure have decades-long latency periods, Navy veterans exposed to asbestos during duty may only now be experiencing devastating outcomes.

Asbestos diseases are complex and, therefore, often misdiagnosed, as their symptoms are similar to common acute respiratory affections, so veterans should pay extra attention to any change in their health condition.

An exact diagnosis is vital for accessing the best suitable treatment, so asking for a second doctor’s opinion is advisable, and some cases may also require a pulmonary specialist’s evaluation.

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Mark H., a former boilerman from the USS Duluth, remembers:“ Everything inside the bilges we scrapped was white and powdery. We didn’t pay attention back then. I had a problem breathing for years and coughed most of the time. And then the doctor told me I had spots on my lungs.”

It’s a common perception that, with aging, diseases inevitably occur, and it’s also the pitfall of many cases when an incapacitating illness could have been detected early. Although asbestos-related conditions have no cure, they are efficiently manageable in their incipient phases. As timely treatment considerably enhances life expectancy, ignoring the symptoms will waste precious time. Thus, scheduling a general wellness check might be the best gift this holiday season.

Dean T., former fireman on the USS Joseph Strauss, remembers: “ We had to cut asbestos insulation off the piping when we secured a small fire. All our clothing was white from the dust that filled the room. I’m sure we were exposed to this dangerous stuff. I have congestion in my chest now and black spots across my lungs. I find it hard to breathe.”

Wintertime aggravates asbestos respiratory diseases like COPD During cold season, respiratory affections tend to exacerbate, so taking measures to prevent virus or other pathogen infections is always a good idea. Those suffering from asbestos-related diseases like asthma, COPD, or chronic bronchitis may experience sudden flare-ups during this period, further aggravating their already burdening conditions. According to data from the CDC, the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) increases hospitalization cases each year, and variants of COVID-19

are still a threat. Acting promptly, like in the Navy, and going to the doctor as soon as possible may ensure a safe holiday. Moreover, asbestos is a scientifically proven carcinogen, so veterans who think they might have been exposed should request periodic health check-ups that can detect malignant conditions in their early stages.

Navy veterans faced many challenges during their service, but learning about the link between their diseases and military service can be overwhelming.

Besides the physical challenges, there’s an emotional toll often underestimated and overlooked. It is why many find themselves feeling unsupported and isolated, an emotional burden that can exacerbate their health issues. Situations like these call for reflexes deeply ingrained during their time in the Navy, and veterans should take proactive steps to protect their health.

Honoring the contribution and dedication of our Navy veterans As we’re about to celebrate the winter holidays, it is crucial to acknowledge and support Navy veterans facing the grave consequences of asbestos exposure. Raising awareness is an undeniable part of our responsibility to protect the health and wellfare of those who served the country. By shedding light on the hazards of asbestos exposure and the importance of regular health checkups, we can empower veterans to take matters in hand and manage their well-being. Assisting them along the way is our way of ensuring that those who served at sea receive the care and support they rightly deserve.

Veteran Resources Navigating the resources available to veterans can be confusing, but San Diego Veterans Magazine believes no veteran should have to go it alone.

At San Diego Veterans Magazine you can find Veteran organizations and private nonprofits with resources for veterans that can help ease the process of attaining earned benefits, coping with the lasting effects of service-connected injuries and finding programs and services that meet your specific needs.

Veteran Resources & Organizations available at: About the author: Cristina Johnson is a Navy veteran advocate for Asbestos Ships Organization, a nonprofit whose primary mission is to raise awareness and educate veterans about the dangers of asbestos exposure on Navy ships and assist them in navigating the VA claims process. For more information, please visit our page. www.asbestos-ships.com

www.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com

A Veterans Magazine for Veterans by Veterans

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023

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Continuing the Fight: How Walking The Talk Keeps This Warrior Going

By Kaitlyn McCue, Wounded Warrior Project

Although they were in different platoons, Melvin said they each had their fair share of missions and action.

They were always worried about each other, wondering if someone would come back injured.

For Melvin, that happened in 2005 when he was severely burned and injured in a Humvee explosion. He vividly remembers the explosion and the instincts that kicked in after. He focused solely on ensuring everyone else got out and then kept going to finish the mission.

His own pain and injuries were the furthest thing from his mind.

“We just wrapped my arm up and I continued the mission,” he said. “I remember they kept trying to put me in the last vehicle when we were heading back out, but I just kept saying no, put me in the front. I want to be in the first vehicle.”

Forging a New Path Through Continued Service This sense of service is what Melvin lives by every day.

When the military medically discharged him, Melvin didn’t know what his next mission would be.

But what he did know was he wasn’t done serving.

Melvin Gatewood is no stranger to service or sacrifice. He grew up knowing the importance of both words, with strong influences and family members leading by example for as long as he can remember.

Not only did many of his uncles and cousins serve in the military, but his grandmother also frequently took him to nursing homes to check in and be a friendly face for residents.

“The military was just something that was very embedded into my family,” Melvin said. “But the sense of service was as well.”

He knew early on that he wanted to join the military and ultimately enlisted in the National Guard before graduating from high school.

Melvin eventually deployed to Iraq where he landed alongside his brother and cousin, all serving in the region simultaneously. While the familial support overseas was a gift, he regularly thought about his mother back home in rural Mississippi and how she was doing without her only two children.

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He wanted to find ways to continue on that path.

Melvin registered with Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) in 2013. Since then, he’s participated a broad mix of events and programs, including the Carry Forward 5K, Soldier Ride®, Peer Support Group events, WWP Talk, and Project Odyssey®. He found a renewed sense of belonging with fellow warriors, and never turned back.

“It was just like, ‘this is what I needed,’” said Melvin. “I haven’t felt this since I was in the military … they were speaking my language.”

But even after such strong personal involvement in WWP, he found himself still longing to serve others.

Now, Melvin serves as a Peer Support Group leader, and volunteers to share his story through WWP to ensure other warriors know help is available.

These roles empower Melvin to help other veterans persevere through adversity, reach out for help, and take advantage of available resources.

“You continue to fight. The battle was on the battlefield when we were over in Iraq,” he said. “But we brought a battle back with us, and a lot of times we replay those battles when we go to sleep at night. Sometimes they’ll show up with the smell of diesel at the gas pump. It may show up with a loud bang when you don’t know where it came from. But to just still be here, and to tell a brother and a sister that I still have your six.”

Healing Himself, Helping Others He’s continuing his own mental health journey as well. Even through being a resource and a leader for others, Melvin continues to participate in WWP Talk and reach out for help himself.

“Just because I carry it well doesn’t mean that it’s not heavy,” he said.

Now that Melvin is helping lead others in their own healing journeys, he finds it critical to practice what he preaches and ensure he’s always taking care of himself, too.

“Just because you completed a program doesn’t mean that you are finished with your recovery,” Melvin said.

“It’s a road to recovery. It’s an everyday process.”

Contact: Kaitlyn McCue, Public Relations, kmccue@woundedwarriorproject.org 904.870.1964 About Wounded Warrior Project Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers — helping them achieve their highest ambition. Learn more at https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

“Recovery requires belonging, and Wounded Warrior Project is making that a reality for veterans.”

— WOUNDED WARRIOR TIM APONTE

FIND CONNECTION AND CAMARADERIE REGISTER TODAY AND JOIN A WWP PEER SUPPORT GROUP FOR: ★ Small, warrior-led support groups ★ Connection with other veterans in your area ★ Support and encouragement from wounded warriors like yourself ★ A safe, judgement-free place to share your experiences with others ★ Virtual and in-person event options ★ Information about free programs and services Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) offers ★ Help in beginning your healing journey A listening ear. A helping hand. A community that champions your success. That’s what you gain when you connect with WWP.

Scan here to register and learn more or visit woundedwarriorproject.org/programs/peer-support © 2023 WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023

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THE COVERS - 2023

January 2023

February 2023

March 2023

April 2023

May 2023

June 2023

Veterans - Military Personnel - Military Families Happy Holidays and best wishes for a wonderful New Year.

- San Diego Veterans Magazine

HAPPY HO 14 WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023

READ IT. CLICK IT. GET IT.

July 2023

August 2023

September 2023

October 2023

November 2023

December 2023

We’ve Got You Covered!

All 2023 Current & Past Issues Available at: www.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com/archives

OLIDAYS! WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023

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CAREGIVING TLC

By Kie Copenhaver CSA, RHIA, SHSS, RCFE www.agingwellpartners.com

Headed Home for the Holidays?

Ensuring Your Aging Loved Ones are Safe & Well Cared For! Bags packed and headed home for the holidays this year? Many will be flying or driving the miles to visit family and friends this holiday season. But how long has it been since you’ve seen your aging loved ones?

If you are visiting an aging loved one for the holidays, there are four main areas you will want to pay special attention to.

Physical Environment Someone’s physical space or environment can tell you a lot about what’s going on in their lives.

How does home look when you get there?

What does it smell like?

Does it appear clean and tidy?

Are there tripping hazards present (throw rugs, electrical cords, etc.)? My mother keeps her home clean and tidy, yet she is a huge fan of throw rugs. She has small dogs and tells me the rugs are more for the dogs than they are for her. Either way, throw rugs are one of the primary causes of falls in the home. How does the exterior of the home? Is the place falling into disrepair?

Our homes are typically one of our biggest investments so keeping the home in good repair – inside and out – benefits not only the person living there but the initial investment put into the home (which has likely skyrocketed in today’s housing market).

Is there adequate lighting if your loved one were to go outside after dark?

Does your loved one still possess the things you are used to seeing when you have visited previously? A family member of my client started noticing that every time they visited, more and more pieces of art were missing. Where once there was a mantle full of hand carved pieces of artwork, the number of pieces were slowly dwindling with no explanation or recollection Retirement of where they had gone or who they may have been What’s Next given to.

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Mental/Emotional State Having conversations with your aging loved ones can help to uncover what may be going on for them mentally.

Has your loved one forgotten your spouse’s name or the names of your kids? I had a client tell me that he called his mother on the phone and instead of asking how each grandchild was doing, she asked him “how is your family?”. This occurred as odd to him at the time but once he started putting the pieces together, he finally realized that his mother was in the beginning stages of dementia.

Are they taking all their medication(s) as prescribed?

Having a medication box is a great way to tell if someone is taking their medication as directed.

Are they showered and wearing clean clothes or is the bathroom – particularly the bathtub – being used as extra storage? When a client of mine finally let me into her home, I asked to use the bathroom and found she was using the tub/shower enclosure for storage of miscellaneous household items and clothing. There was no way she had been using the tub or shower. I now understood her lack of personal hygiene and found the right kind of help for her.

Have they given up arts, crafts, or hobbies they used to love to do? It could be a matter of physicality, or it could be more of a mental issue…or a combination. Especially during the pandemic, the focus on mental health and how damaging social isolation can be to one’s mental and physical health cannot be overlooked nor taken lightly.

Physical Abilities While home for the holidays, keep a close eye on how your aging loved one is doing physically.

Are they having increased difficulty sitting down or standing up?

Do they have stairs in the home they are afraid to navigate? My great aunt lived in an older home and at a certain stage of her aging (and moderate dementia),

she stopped going downstairs. The big issue with this was her washer and dryer were downstairs. This meant she was no longer doing her own laundry, which explained why her bed sheets were so dirty.

Are they still using that old step stool to reach items being stored in high places? Perhaps it’s time to find alternate storage options.

Is personal hygiene becoming an issue? This will especially be noticeable if your aging loved one is becoming incontinent of bladder and/or bowel. Skin breakdown, due to prolonged contact with urine or feces, can become a very serious and life-threatening matter if left unnoticed or unattended.

Happy holidays & season’s greetings

Does your loved one have unexplained bruising on their body? Often the person can neither remember how or where they got the bruising, or they have been falling and are afraid to share that information.

Nutritional Status Malnutrition in our aging adult population is on the rise.

According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, up to half of all adults 65 years and older are at risk for malnutrition. And malnutrition is the “leading cause of morbidity and mortality, especially among older adults”.

Malnutrition in our aging population has various causes, many of which overlap with the person’s physical abilities and mental capacity.

Is your aging loved one physically and/or mentally able to plan, shop for and cook nutritious meals each day?

Often, a simple look through the refrigerator or glance at what’s in the garbage can alert you to how well your loved one is eating – or not. Pre-packaged and highly processed foods are often eaten by seniors because of their convenience. But the downsides to these prepackaged and “convenient” foods are numerous and often dangerous (high levels of sodium and trans fats, contain high fructose corn syrup and/or high amounts of sugar and additives like aspartame and nitrates/nitrites).

Any foods with the words “low-fat”, “low carb” or “heart healthy” should raise a red flag; it means that fat, carbohydrates, and other real foods have been eliminated and replaced with chemicals and chemically derived additives. www.eatrightpro.org With a bit of observation and some meaningful conversation with your aging loved one, you can help to ensure they are aging safely. Enjoy this joyous holiday season, hug your loved ones often and remember that our senior population is a precious gift we have the privilege of knowing and learning from, if only we take the time.

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023

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The Night Before Christmas T’was the night before Christmas, he lived all alone in a one bedroom house, made of plaster and stone.

They all enjoyed freedom, each month of the year, because of the soldiers like the one lying here.

I had come down the chimney with presents to give, and to see just who in this home did live.

I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone on a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.

I looked all about, a strange sight I did see: no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.

The very thought brought a tear to my eye; I dropped to my knees and started to cry.

No stocking by the mantle, just boots filled with sand; on the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.

The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice, “Santa, don’t cry. This life is my choice.

With medals and badges, awards of all kinds, a sober thought came through my mind.

I fight for freedom, I don’t ask for more; my life is my God, my country, my corps.”

For this house was different, it was dark and dreary. I found the home of a soldier, at once I could see clearly.

The soldier rolled over and drifted to sleep; I couldn’t control it, I continued to weep.

The soldier lay sleeping; silent, alone, curled up on the floor, in this one bedroom home.

I kept watch for hours, so silent and still, and we both shivered from the cold night’s chill.

Not how I pictured a US soldier.

Was this the hero of whom I’d just read, curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?

I didn’t want to leave on that cold, dark night, this guardian of honor, so willing to fight.

I realized the families that I saw this night, owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight.

Then the soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure, whispered, “Carry on Santa, it’s Christmas Day, all is secure.”

Soon ‘round the world, the children would play and grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas Day.

One look at my watch and I knew he was right, “Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night.”

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A Soldier’s Christmas

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023

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NORAD Satellites, Fighter Pilots Help Track Santa

By Katie Lange , DOD News

Every December, millions of families around the world track Santa’s Yuletide journey through the North American Aerospace Defense Command’s Santa Tracker.

“NORAD Tracks Santa” is a holiday tradition that started from humble origins — and as a fluke — but has now grown into a massive volunteer operation.

About 70 contributors help set up the site, apps and phone lines, while more than 500 uniformed personnel, Defense Department civilians, their families and supporters volunteer time on Christmas Eve to answer children’s questions on Santa’s whereabouts. While COVID-19 has reduced volunteers at traditional call centers, virtual call center capabilities will be able to pick up any slack.

Radar, Satellites and Fighter Jets Since NORAD is the protector of the skies over North America during the rest of the year, it’s specially equipped for this mission.

“Twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year, NORAD defends North America by tracking airplanes, missiles, space launches and anything else that flies in or around the North American continent,” said Air Force Gen. Glen D. VanHerck, NORAD’s commander. “As we have since 1955, this Dec. 24th we are once again ready for our nofail mission of tracking Santa.”

Air Force Col. Harry Shoup, the operations officer at North American Aerospace Defense Command’s precursor organization, answered a wrong-number call on Dec. 24, 1955, and began the tradition of NORAD tracking Santa. (Photo By: DOD)

Kids across the U.S. have grown accustomed to following Santa’s journey by tracking his flight path online or by making a good, ol’-fashioned phone call to find out where he is. They’re also able to play games and watch videos of his progress through the mobile “NORAD Tracks Santa” app.

They can do all this thanks to the hard-working folks at NORAD, who start the task of tracking Santa each November when www.NORADSanta.org starts getting inquiries from families.

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Volunteers at the NORAD Tracks Santa Operations Center on Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., took time to have fun with equipping a stuffed bear with headset and playbook while answering calls and emails from children and parents across the globe tracking Santa’s movements and statistics, Dec. 24, 2013.

(Photo By: Master Sgt. Charles Marsh)

NORAD’s powerful radar system, called the North Warning System, has 47 installations across Alaska and northern Canada. As soon as that radar system picks up on Santa departing from the North Pole, NORAD tracks him via globally-integrated satellites using their infrared sensors. Normally, those sensors allow NORAD to see heat from launched rockets or missiles. As Santa flies around the world, satellites track his position by detecting Rudolph’s nose, which gives off an infrared signature similar to that of a missile.

NORAD also tracks Santa using U.S. Air Force F-15, F-16, F-22 and Canadian Air Force CF-18 fighter jets. On Christmas Eve, fighter pilots rendezvous with Santa off the coast of Newfoundland to welcome him to North America. They escort him safely through North American airspace until he returns to the North Pole.

Volunteers monitor phones and computers while tracking Santa at the NORAD Tracks Santa Operations Center at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., Dec. 24, 2013.

(Photo By: Air Force Master Sgt. Chuck Marsh)

The operation has become a well-oiled machine over the years, but it wasn’t always easy. In fact, the whole thing started by accident.

Air Force Col. Harry Shoup, the operations officer at North American Aerospace Defense Command’s precursor organization, answered a wrong-number call on Dec. 24, 1955, and began the tradition of NORAD tracking Santa. (Photo By: DOD)

The role of tracking the big guy rolled over to NORAD when it was formed in 1958, and it’s been getting more popular and more technologically-savvy ever since. Aside from calling in to talk, kids can now use social media and a mobile app to follow St. Nick. Virtual assistant Amazon Alexa and vehicle navigation service OnStar are also helping to track him, and the website NORADSanta.org offers a countdown clock, games and videos that are available in several languages.

The tracking of Santa is a holiday tradition around the world. In 2020, www.NORADSanta.org received more than 11 million visitors from 200+ countries and territories; call center volunteers answered more than 20,000 calls; Amazon Alexa was accessed more than 12.3 million times; and OnStar received about 12,400 requests to locate Santa. The @noradsanta Facebook page currently has 1.89 million followers, more than 206,000 follow along at @noradsanta on Twitter, and about 14,400 people follow @NoradTracksSanta_Official on Instagram.

How the Tradition Began Back in 1955, the folks at the previously named Continental Air Defense Command Operations Center in Colorado were working a typical night shift when Air Force Col. Harry Shoup got a phone call from a child in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The boy had followed the directions in a department store’s newspaper advertisement that told children how to call Santa — except the number had been printed incorrectly and instead called the operations center.

NORAD Tracks Santa at Buckley Air Force Base, Colo. 2018.

(Photo By: DOD)

Shoup could have been a Scrooge about the whole thing, but he wasn’t. He entertained the boy’s call as well as the rest of the calls that came through due to the misprinted number. Throughout the night, Shoup and his operators answered calls, kicking off a new tradition.

The call center opens at 6 a.m. EST on Dec. 24. Kids can call 1-877-Hi-NORAD (446-6723) to find out where Santa is or use the above website, mobile app or social media.

But officials warned that Santa only comes if children are asleep, so make sure they get into bed early so he doesn’t miss delivering to their house.

Happy Tracking, Everyone!

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023

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Beat The Holiday

BLUES

By Jessica Rawlings, Program Evaluator, U.S. Army Public Health Command

It’s that time of year again: Festive music fills the air, fireplaces crackle, and holiday cheer abounds. It’s the most wonderful time of the year, right?

Not necessarily. Many people can find themselves dealing with the holiday blues and can be sad, lonely or even depressed. There are many reasons that people might find themselves struggling with the holiday blues: Pressure to feel merry, reminders of lost loved ones, and financial hardships are just a few.

Military families can add one more reason to that list: Deployment. Coping with deployments can take a toll on one’s emotional well-being, and this is only increased when a loved one’s deployment spans the holidays.

Here are a few tips to help beat the holiday blues:

1. Take it one day at a time--try to avoid looking at this time of year as the “holiday season,” instead try to break it down day by day, think of it as Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, or New Year’s Day. Often, it is easier to think “I can get through this day” rather than thinking “I can get through this season.”

2. Get in touch with family members by writing letters, visiting or making phone calls.

3. Try to avoid retail therapy--fight the temptation to spend extra money to make you feel better as this can lead to increased stress or depression when the credit card bills arrive.

4. Give yourself permission to have fun--it is normal to be sociable during the holidays, even if your loved one is not available to attend events with you.

5. Ask for help--you don’t need to be superman or superwoman; you do not need to wing it alone, depend on close family and friends to help you through this time.

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6. Stay busy--avoiding unstructured time may help to minimize difficult feelings. Try to fill your calendar with fun events and give yourself something to look forward to.

It is also important to know when “the blues” are a sign of something more. Depression is common around the holidays and recognizing the symptoms is a key step in getting the help you might need. Symptoms of depression include lack of sleep or over sleeping, over eating or not eating at all, crying for no reason or any reason, and loss of interest in activities. If you are experiencing these symptoms for an extended period of time and are concerned that you may be depressed, contact your primary care provider or Patient Centered Medical Home for help.

There are many ways to beat the holiday blues, but remember it is okay to feel what you are feeling. Forcing yourself to be happy can often make it worse. Try to incorporate some of the tips above if you find yourself feeling down during the holidays, and remember: you are not the only person experiencing the holiday blues.

www.coastalchristmasdelmar.com WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023

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Real estate Guide

Real Estate Tips for Veterans & Active Military ~

By Michelle Muniz www.sdsellhome.com

Navigating Rising Inflation When Buying a Home Inflation is changing the face of the housing market.

As financial pressure increases, the impact is far reaching, affecting everything from prices and home values to home sales, construction costs, and more.

Here are some tips for buying a home during inflationary periods:

• Increase your credit score and down payment – Inflation results in higher interest on savings accounts.

Take advantage by putting your down payment savings into a high-yield account. The higher the down payment and credit score, the lower the rate offers you’ll receive.

• Consider other financing options – Consider an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM) that allows you to refinance when interest rates stabilize or go down.

Some lenders will even fund a temporary interest rate buydown at no cost.

• Research market trends – Although sales prices are www.sdsellhome.com declining in some areas, other areas remain steady.

• Buy sooner rather than later – Remember that Nationally, Corelogic reports that home prices rose all costs are going up, including rent. By purchasing michelle@jmxinvestments.com 5.5 percent year-over-year in January 2023. Some now, you can lock in a fixed housing expense versus homeowners are choosing to hold off on selling which contending with annual rent increases and additional decreases inventory and spurs competition putting interest rate hikes. upward pressure on pricing.

• Assess your housing budget – Be realistic on the mortgage you can afford. Inflation increases costs for other items such as gas, food, clothing, etc. Allow a buffer to account for cost fluctuations.

Many believe that mortgage rates will pull back later this year. However, no one can predict when exactly inflation might ease. If you are ready to buy a home, don’t let rising inflation keep you from making your move!

www.sdsellhome.com michelle@jmxinvestments.com

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FINANCIAL FREEDOM SATURDAY SEMINAR

TICKETS: www.veteransforfinancialfreedom.org/ff-ss-knowledge/ veteransforfinancial freedom.org/ ff-ss-knowledge/

Saturday, February 24, 2024 San Diego Air & Space Museum

THE #1 NETWORKING EVENT FOR VETERANS LOOKING TO GROW THEIR NET WORTH. We teach the things you don’t learn in school, the pillars of financial freedom: financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and real estate investing.

Unlock your earning potential and create a bulletproof financial plan with the direction of our speakers and sponsors and the support of eastcountychamber.org our members.

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023

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“Intentional Leadership for Maritime Excellence.

Harnessing the Power of Mentoring and Coaching”

ANSO’s annual program consists of working-level symposia co-located with local chapters.

The symposia are designed to provide members with career management support and one-on-one mentoring sessions with senior officers and senior enlisted members who volunteer their time in support of their shipmates.

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Our annual west coast flagship event is being coordinated by members of the San Diego Chapter and will be held 5-7 December 2023 (7AM - 4 PM) at the Royal Banquet in San Diego, California.

For more information visit:

www.ansomil.org/2023-western-region-symposium

JOIN THE FORWARD MOVEMENT

THE SAN DIEGO VETERANS COALITION IS A COALITION OF OVER 150 UNIQUE NON-PROFITS, BUSINESSES, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND EDUCATIONAL ENTITIES ALL UNITED BY THE GOAL OF SUPPORTING MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY WHO SERVED OUR COUNTRY IN THE ARMED FORCES, THEIR FAMILIES, AND THEIR CARETAKERS.

SAN DIEGO VETERANS COALITION COMMUNITY • COLLABORATION • COOPERATION The San Diego Veterans Coalition was organized in 2009 and incorporated as a non-profit on May 24, 2011. Using the Collective Impact Model, SDVC is a premier San Diego County-wide monthly convener of over 150 unique member and participating organizations, businesses, and agencies, as well as convening many of that body in our four action groups, and other activities and events. The Collective Impact Model is based on leveraging relationships with other veteran and family serving organizations so that we may provide veterans and their families with a complete array of services and other opportunities.

Many of the organizations that belong to SDVC specialize in one field (education, housing, employment, healthcare). Knowing what services each other provides, we can offer comprehensive support to our local Veteran community. We are proud to work alongside a wide variety of non-profit and for-profit organizations, as well as governmental agencies and individuals.

The SDVC is a catalyst that inspires collaboration and cooperation among service partners to deliver premier support for Veterans in the San Diego region and beyond.

ACTION GROUPS

E3 E D U C AT I O N , E M P L O Y M E N T & E D U C AT I O N

VEST VETERANS EMPOWERED SUCCESSFUL & THRIVING

FLAG FA M I LY L I F E ACTION GROUP

PEH PHYSICAL & EMOTIONAL H E A LT H A C T I O N G R O U P

SPONSOR A MILITARY SERVICE MEMBER

ONWARDOPS.ORG

SDVC is proud to have partnered with ONWARD OPS, which has partnered with the Veterans Administration, the Department of Defense, and local communities to support service members through the process from military to civilian life by matching them with one-on-one sponsors in their specific community.

ONWARD OPS Sponsors all complete a VA-Certified Sponsor Training Course and the Community Integration Coordinators are all validated as best-in-class, trusted, and capable partners in their local region. Our national network, working with the department of defense, the department of veterans affairs, and the department of labor, brings a team together in one common mission: to securely provide the information and relationships needed to help every transitioning service member successfully make the journey out of the military and into civilian life.

JOIN

CONNECT

SUPPORT

DONATE

JOIN THE SAN DIEGO VETERANS COALTION

SDVETSCOALITION.ORG @SDVeteransCoalition

@sd_vc

@SDVetsCoalition

EMAIL: INFO@SDVETSCOALITION.ORG © San Diego Veterans Coalition 2023

TOGETHER WE CAN DO MORE

CHECK OUT THE SDVC CALENDAR OF EVENTS AND THE ANNOUNCEMENTS PAGE ON THE SDVC WEBSITE!

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023

27

Nonprofit Leaders Are you ready for 2024?

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202-831-3090 Capacity Builders is proud to be Veteran and Military Spouse owned and operated

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W WW.NONPROFITPROS.ORG www.nonprofitpros.org 28 WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023

This Holiday Season, Home Improvement Company Leaf Home™ Donated In-Home Stair Lifts to Veterans in Need

As a veteran myself, I know how important it is to give back to those who made sacrifices for our nation. For veterans with mobility challenges, the stair lifts include a variety of customizable options, such as power swivel seats and power folding footrests, for both straight and curved staircases. The compact design hugs the wall, providing ample space regardless of whether the chair is in use or folded away.

By Nick Busse, Head of Military and Veteran Recruiting On Giving Tuesday, Leaf Home Safety Solutions, alongside our parent company, Leaf Home, announced the winners of our stair lift sweepstakes. The giveaway is part of our growing efforts to support veterans through product donations, hiring, community events and workplace development.

Veterans residing in one of the 17 markets we operate in were eligible to apply; winners were selected at random.

Leaf Home is a home improvement product and service company in North America with more than 200 locations, providing gutter protection (LeafFilter), home safety solutions, water purification, windows and doors, kitchen and bath, and more.

As part of our 360-approach to supporting veterans, Leaf Home has several additional initiatives in place, including our partnership with the Department of Defense’s SkillBridge Program, which provides job training and development for returning veterans.

Uniquely, we also have an internal hiring unit dedicated to finding and bringing more veterans into the business.

At least 5% of Leaf Home’s workforce identify as veterans. I’m proud to say that since 2022, we’ve seen a 38% increase in veteran hires.

To learn more about our veteran-focused employment initiatives, please visit www.leafhome.com/careers/veterans For more information on the stair lift giveaway, please visit www.leafhomesafetysolutions.com/contest

www.leafhome.com WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023

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This holiday season, your donation can help local military families and veterans bring meals home.

Ending hunger through food rescue feedingsandiego.org

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Welcome to the Veterans Association of North County HERE FOR YOU WHEN YOU NEED US Here you will find several resources, programs, services and opportunities for Veterans, Service Members and their families. Our goal is to be your one stop shop for all things, so don’t hesitate to contact us at any time.

Programs and services vary, and include additional information for each. We have two Veteran Services Representatives (VSR) here at VANC, read all about them below in Addtional Services at: (www.vanc.me/services-programs) OUR MISSION VANC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created and operated by Veterans as a one-stop resource center for all active-duty military, Veterans, and their families. We centralize services from diverse agencies to assist with jobs, education, finances, health, and wellness.

OUR VISION We seek to honor and support those who have served our country, bridging the past, present, and future. VANC is a vibrant gathering place in North San Diego County, where all Veterans, active-duty military, and their loved ones can reach out for help and community. VANC engages and informs local Veterans organizations, service providers, and individuals, helping them work together.

VANC seeks to be a model for other organizations that serve the military community.

JOIN US FOR AMAZING UPCOMING EVENTS There’s always engaging things happening at VANC and with our partners. Check our calendar here for regularly scheduled events, meetings and opportunities here at VANC (www.vanc.me/events#calendar) WE LOVE OUR ASSOCIATION MEMBERS AND THEY’RE HERE FOR YOU TOO. VANC is open to all military, veterans and friends of the military. If you would like to become a Veterans Association member, Contact Lori at lori@vanc.me to learn more.

www.vanc.me

WWW.VANC.ME WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023

31

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32 WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023

Vets For You Plumbing & HVAC provides all our employees with proper education and highperformance training opportunities, allowing us to provide world class customer service to our community.

Dedicated Plumbing & HVAC Professionals Since 2006!

Vets For You, A Veteran owned company based out of Oceanside, CA. Keith Zierk originally started the company in 2006, after serving 7 years in the Navy, while enlisted Keith worked as a Utilitiesman, repairing plumbing, HVAC and boiler issues. Keith’s drive to give back to the military community was his key focus when starting the company.

Our business is motivated by providing all Veterans, active duty and their families with outstanding service, whether it is from the first phone call, to diagnosing the issue and providing resolutions. We are founded with the integrity that every customer deserves five star service. As a Veteran owned company we are proud to hire, and train Veterans with the proper tools they need to thrive in the civilian world.

As a Veteran owned company, we proudly support local nonprofit organizations, As a Veteran owned company, we proudly support local nonprofit organizations, such as Wounded Warrior Homes as well as the San Diego Veterans Village. We take pride in supporting our military community in the greater North County San Diego area! As we like to say, “Need a tech? Call a Vet!”.

Vets For You Plumbing & HVAC 101 Copperwood way suite E Oceanside, CA 92058 Office: 760-547-5662 Emergency: 855-887-4968 Website: www.vetsforyou.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/vetsforyouinc/

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023

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Real Talk: Mental Health

By Kelly Williams, LMFT The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at VVSD, San Diego www.vvsd.net/cohenclinics

Saying Goodbye to 2023: Make Your List …and Check it Twice!

that you want to rid yourself of or a trying time that you need to let go of. b. Play through your music list from the year (Spotify, for example, will share your most played music) and dance it out.

3. Write a goodbye letter: a. Goodbye to the “2023 you.” Check out our November “Letter to Self” column as an example. This process can be a humbling and reflective way to say goodbye to an older version of yourself. b. Goodbye to relationships that no longer serve you.

Writing out the way a relationship has caused you stress or harm and why you need to say goodbye can help organize thoughts and give yourself permission to move on from the situation.

2024 We often think of welcoming the new year by setting new goals or expectations to make changes in our lives.

We can welcome changes by saying “goodbye” to some things in our life, as well. It is a common tradition to start spring cleaning in April. However, maybe we could stand to do a different type of cleaning this December.

We have created a list of seven ways to say goodbye to the past year as we welcome our 2024: 1. Set a timer for 20 minutes, and… a. Journal or voice record things that you are holding on to that happened this year. Complete this activity 2-3x to ensure that you have created an exhaustive list that is truly representative of your year. b. Look through old emails and texts that no longer serve you and delete!

i. You don’t necessarily have to say goodbye to the person, but goodbye to your attachments to the interactions with them that caused you pain. c. Goodbye to loved ones lost with one more conversation. I am sending you my dearest condolences for the loved one that died. If you have ever hoped that you could have one more chance to talk to them before they passed, why not give yourself that chance now?

Write a letter to them, with everything you miss saying in person or what you wish you had said more. Cleanse yourself of the weight of the “should-of’s could-of’s” 4. De-clutter: a. Literally say goodbye to and purge all of the objects, clothes, and accessories that you haven’t used all year. b. This is a great season to donate coats that no longer fit. c. Give away gently used toys or gift worthy items so that someone else can give to someone they love.

2. Shake it off:

5. Say goodbye to practices that you have forced yourself to do that you have maintained by habit versus interest:

a. Actually, wipe your body off like you are wiping sand off of your clothes. The symbolic nature of clearing your body can help relieve tension from a bad interaction

a. Instead of going to five different houses on each holiday, pick one place that really makes you feel special or that brings the most joy.

34 WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023

b. Traditions: Do you know why you are doing the things that you are doing? If not research and learn about their origins, then decide to keep or to say goodbye.

6. Goodbye art projects: a. Scrapbook of the year: add invitations, holiday cards, kid’s school projects, movie and/or concert ticket stubs that you enjoyed. b. Create photo collages of your favorite memories from the year or the times that you showed the greatest strength. i. Digitally or printing c. Plant an annual flower or tree in remembrance of someone that you have lost. Every year that it blooms, it will be a thoughtful reminder of their life. You can include friends and loved ones in the process to say kind words or share stories while you plant it.

7. Transitional object. Saying goodbye to children returning to college, or loved ones moving to other states, or coworkers or friends that you miss after a Permanent Change of Station (PCS)? Create a transitional object that you can trade back and forth and use as a placeholder for one another when you are apart: a. A picture frame with your favorite memory shared with the person or from this holiday to take back with

them to their home, or your favorite book for them to experience. b. Say goodbye and hide a toy or nick knack in their luggage for them to find when they go home, then they can return the favor when you visit the following year, or they return. i. This can be the start of a new tradition for whenever you see one another. c. Say goodbye to an object of significance in your life and mail it to them for safe keeping. They will think of you when they see it, and maybe they will return the favor with something to remind you of them.

Cohen Veterans Network’s Tools for Stress and Worry is also a handy resource as you leave 2023 and enter the new year. This free, self-paced course was specifically created for military family members to help manage stress and worry through a series of brief and flexible educational modules. It provides research-based strategies, tools, and techniques to help manage stress and worry. The course was designed by mental health experts with input from military family members themselves.

For more information, visit cohenveteransnetwork.org/tools-for-stress-and-worry

our

Therapy for Veterans, Service Members, and their Families Cohen Clinics provide therapy to post-9/11 veterans, service members, and their families, including National Guard / Reserves.

CVN Telehealth, face-to-face video therapy available statewide.

LEARN MORE vvsd.net/cohenclinics

CALIFORNIA locations

San Diego 8885 Rio San Diego Dr. Suite 301 Oceanside 3609 Ocean Ranch Blvd.

Suite 120 Los Angeles 20800 Madrona Avenue, Suite C-100, Torrance, CA

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023

35

PTSD: Reclaiming Control By: Robert ‘Bob’ Cuyler, PhD Psychologist and Trauma Expert

Navigating PTSD Treatment: A Guide to Effective Therapies As the next step in this series, we are starting a tour of available treatments for PTSD. First, we’ll begin with individual psychotherapy, which is often termed talk therapy or counseling. Traditionally done face-to-face in an office setting, therapy is now widely available by telemedicine as well. This new option widens choices for consumers, especially for individuals who do not live in major urban areas. Since distance and travel are not obstacles with ‘tele’, prospective patients may be able to find clinicians with specialty training in treating PTSD. Notably, the Veterans Affairs (VA) has pioneered in offering these options, demonstrating a commitment to (Part 2 of 2) accessible mental health care for veterans.

When exploring PTSD treatment options, it’s important to understand what to do as well as what to look out for.

A first piece of advice, learn about the background and training of a prospective therapist before you begin.

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Don’t be shy about seeking information or asking questions. The therapist’s website or a phone call can be sources of information. This is important to determine if the therapist has specialized training in treating PTSD. For veterans using the VA, chances are good their personnel specialize in service-related PTSD, but it’s still important to ask. Many civilian therapists offer ‘generic’ talk therapy without substantial experience or training with trauma or PTSD. Others may push to dive into memories of traumatic events without sufficient preparation or establishment of a trusting relationship.

We’ve learned that feeling pushed into retrieving traumatic memories or reminders and expressing the resulting emotions can be overwhelming and traumatizing. Remember, a well-matched therapist is key to a successful recovery, so take the time to make an informed choice. With time and repetition,

The first approach (generic) may help some live with or adjust to their symptoms but is unlikely to resolve symptoms and distress.

The second approach (cathartic) can make symptoms worse or lead to a quick drop out from therapy.

Unfortunately, a first unsuccessful therapy can be demoralizing and discouraging and make it hard to have faith or confidence that therapy can help. With PTSD, this unfortunate experience can leave individuals believing they must just live with their symptoms or give in to even more of the avoidance behaviors that we’ve previously discussed. It’s vital to remember that these challenges highlight the need for a tailored approach to therapy, one that carefully considers the individual’s unique experiences and needs.

The two therapies that have the most evidence for effectiveness with PTSD are Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT).

PE helps users address trauma-related memories and triggers by gradually and repeatedly recalling and describing traumatic details, starting with more manageable reminders before the most intense reminders are addressed. With time and repetition,

the traumatic memories are ‘detoxified’ so they no longer overwhelm thinking and feeling. In CPT, patients are guided to evaluate their thought processes and beliefs that have been provoked by trauma and to use critical thinking and perspective to develop better psychological strategies for managing their traumatic experiences. In our next series, we’ll look at the benefits and limitations of these therapies and then introduce other treatment options.

Cuyler is chief clinical officer of Freespira, an FDA-cleared non-medication treatment that helps people with panic and PTSD manage their symptoms by learning how to regulate their breathing. - www.freespira.com

www.freespira.com/veterans info@mobiusmobility.com

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023

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Navy Federal Presents the Best Careers After Service List Best Careers After Service in 2023

By Navy Federal Credit Union With Hire Heroes USA® and Sperling’s Best Places, we identified the top careers for servicemembers after transitioning to civilian life, including industries with characteristics that are most sought after by Veterans.

Every year, more than 200,000 military members transition out of the service. The degree of change can range from relocation to financial shifts and everything in between. To ease these shifts and support our Veteran community, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 careers after service. In partnership with Hire Heroes USA and Sperling’s Best Places, here’s how things shaped up in 2023.

Working with our partners, we surveyed 1,059 Veterans who are employed full-time or part-time, self-employed, working as independent contractors or actively seeking work. We asked them about the characteristics they most value in a job, which we matched with data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The results? The industries with the most overlap rose to the top.

“Over the last few years, the career drivers for Veterans have shifted as they place an increased emphasis on personal satisfaction and happiness at work,” said Clay Stackhouse, a retired Marine Corps colonel and regional outreach manager at Navy Federal Credit Union. We’re also seeing that serving a purpose and work-life balance weigh nearly the same as good compensation when Veterans are asked about what makes an ideal, meaningful job for them. Through this research and partnership with Hire Heroes USA, we’re able to offer transitioning servicemembers and Veterans a highly valuable resource to further help them with career changes once they leavethe military.”

We also asked Veterans about how prepared they felt for the transition to civilian life, particularly around financial guidance. Most felt they received sufficient financial information to support their transition, though acknowledged that some gaps existed. They shared they’d have liked to have more details around investing, retirement savings, credit scores and budgeting.

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“SERVICE IN THE MILITARY IS SO MUCH MORE THAN A JOB; IT’S AN ALL ENCOMPASSING MISSION, WITH EACH TEAM MEMBER ALIGNED TO A COMMON PURPOSE. TRANSITION FROM THAT MILITARY CULTURE TO CIVILIAN LIFE IS A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE, WHICH IS WHY IT’S INSPIRING TO SEE VETERANS SEEKING OUT AND OBTAINING PURPOSEFUL WORK THAT USES THEIR INDIVIDUAL SKILLS,” SAID ROSS DICKMAN, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER AT HIRE HEROES USA.

Ross also added “our partnership with Navy Federal Credit Union and Sperling’s Best Places provides amazing insights into what Veterans value in their post-military careers. We’re dedicated to providing Veterans and military spouses the resources and support they need to find meaningful work after the military.”

Top 10 Careers 1. Business and Financial Operations. Veterans value jobs with easily transferable skills and opportunities for career advancement. Careers in business and financial operations often have a higher likelihood of special programs for Veterans and military personnel.

In fact, 58% of Veterans say military training helped them transition into a career in business and financial operations, and 66% believe they have a path for career advancement. Additionally, 73% noted that they make enough money to comfortably contribute to their savings account(s) each month.

2. Community and Social Service. A career dedicated to service is something Veterans understand well. This is partially why so many transitioning servicemembers seek out jobs in the community and social service industry. More than half (60%) of Veterans say they enjoy their roles because of the opportunity to positively contribute to the greater good. While some of these jobs require licensing and certifications, many Veterans appreciate that they’re less likely to need previous experience in the field to find a fulfilling job.

3. Management. The military is the ultimate team environment, so it’s only natural that Veterans gravitate towards teamwork-focused roles. Nearly two thirds (62%) say a team-oriented environment is a key characteristic of their ideal job, and many find management roles to fulfill that requirement.

Veterans also appreciate the meaningful work (72%), opportunities for advancement (71%), and ability to save money each month (69%) with their salary.

4. Healthcare Practitioners and Technical. Doing important, meaningful work is an integral part of military service. Many Veterans find rewarding careers in healthcare after their transition, such as nurses, nurse practitioners, therapists, physicians and dentists. Nearly three quarters (73%) of Veterans say their healthcare job is meaningful, and 66% say their role involves directly helping people. Additionally, servicemembers value the job security the healthcare industry provides, with 75% noting their time in the military led to a stable career in healthcare. Of note, healthcare roles are more likely to be a choice for female Veterans.

5. Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media.

Nearly three quarters (72%) of Veterans are passionate about their career in this industry, and 40% say the ideal role involves creative or strategic opportunities. Almost two thirds (63%) value the flexible schedule many jobs in the field can provide, too. Examples of the most popular roles for Veterans in these fields include designers, public relations specialists, athletes and coaches, and broadcast, sound and lighting technicians, among others.

6. Architecture and Engineering. Careers in architecture and engineering are sought-after by Veterans because of the opportunities for advancement and comfortable salary. 42% of Veterans also feel the ideal job in this field involves working for a mission-driven organization. Nearly two thirds (62%) of Veterans working in architecture and engineering are able to save money each month, while nearly the same percentage (60%) say they have opportunities for advancement and professional growth.

The leading industries include professional, scientific and technical services, manufacturing, federal, state and local government, and construction.

7. Computer and Mathematical. With the military’s sizable investments in STEM education, it’s understandable that many Veterans find rewarding careers in mathematics and working with computers.

More than two thirds (67%) said their military training was valued by their employers in this field, further emphasizing the easily transferable skills between the military and jobs in this industry.

8. Office and Administrative Support. For transitioning servicemembers looking to put down permanent roots in one location, office and administrative jobs are a highly sought-after option. Of the top 10 industries, this field is among the likeliest to involve a consistent work location.

Veterans clearly appreciate this, as more than two thirds (67%) say they plan to keep their office and administrative support job until they retire.

9. Educational Instruction and Library Occupations.

Education and library roles are sought out by Veterans because of the opportunities to continue serving their community. Specifically, Veterans appreciate the meaningful work (75%), opportunities to help people (65%) and ability to contribute to the greater good (63%) that careers in this industry provide.

10. Legal. For Veterans who prize job security and the ability to leverage their military experience, roles in the legal industry are a top choice. The overwhelming majority (90%) of Veterans in this field say their military service helped them find a stable career. Veterans also value the meaningful work (79%) and the opportunities to help people (70%) that the legal profession provides. 47% also identify a self-governed work environment as a key element of an ideal job in the legal field.

The survey results show that the ideal job has changed for Veterans over the past 3 to 4 years. Veterans express an increased desire for a flexible work environment and an interest in changing career fields. They also express an increased desire to find personal satisfaction and happiness at work.

Hire Heroes USA www.hireheroesusa.org

Navy Federal www.navyfederal.org

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023

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HUMAN RESOURCES Transition to Business

By Paul Falcone www.PaulFalconeHR.com

The First-Time Manager in the Private Sector After writing for San Diego Veterans and Homeland Magazines for the past three years, it’s time for me to say thank you to all of you, our heroes—active military and veterans alike—as I exit my role of columnist and regular contributor to these outstanding journals. Developing content for this—my last article—was no easy task.

Like my previous articles, I hope this one’s a “keeper”— something you can hold onto for ongoing career guidance and wisdom as you embark on your transition into the private sector. In this case, I thought about what I write most about: management and leadership—since many of you will likely pursue those roles as first-time supervisors, operational executives, and business owners.

It’s different than the top-down, command and control communication philosophy, which is critical to a functioning military environment. It’s much more about influencing, engaging, and motivating others to follow you because they want to—not because they have to. And I write often about the concept of selfless leadership, which emphasizes putting others’ needs ahead of your own and expecting them to respond in kind. Put differently, what you want for yourself, give to another. Likewise, pay things forward by becoming someone’s favorite boss and mentor and helping them build self-confidence in mastering their jobs, roles, and trades. In short, it comes down to what I called the “Big Three Principles of Effective Management: Leadership, Communication, and Teambuilding” in my 2022 book “New Managers.” Let’s explore some of those highlights together.

• Leadership When you ask people to describe the best boss (or commanding officer) they’ve ever had, you’ll typically hear examples like, “He challenged me to do things I didn’t think I was ready for; he seemed to have more faith in me than I had in myself at the time” or “She 40 WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023

always made me feel welcome and included and like my opinion mattered. And she always had my back and made me feel confident about what I was doing.” The aha moment occurs when you realize that this is a function of that individual’s beingness, not their doingness. In other words, both are important, but who you are trumps what you do at any given time.

And in that, our society has it all wrong. We’re constantly trying to do, do, do when in reality, we simply need to be a certain way to become an outstanding leader. It’s from who you are that you do certain things, not vice versa. As Maya Angelou, the famous American poet, once put it, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

• Communication Your communication style feeds your leadership brand and reputation. Are you a good listener? In other words, do you listen with your eyes and heart in addition to your ears? Do you make people feel like they’re the only person in the room when you’re meeting with them one on one? Do you count to two before you respond to someone so that they can finish their thought without interruption?

Likewise, when you provide constructive feedback, do you do so in a way that’s in the other person’s best interests? As the saying goes, praise in public but censure in private. Recognition is the psychic income that’s free to give and helps people thrive. Nothing builds self confidence like public praise. Give it generously. And when you need to censure privately, help subordinates see the greater good in heeding your advice and incorporating your wisdom.

• Teambuilding The strongest leaders are known for their abilities to grow and develop strong teams. Little is more valuable to a company than someone who excels at “turnaround leadership,” meaning they can be injected into even the most toxic work environments and turn around team performance and build trust. How do you get there? First, by practicing “values-based leadership.”

Take time to explain to your team what your top three, five, or ten core values are. For example, “Always have one another’s backs; Always bring out the best in everyone you come into contact with and help them build their self-confidence level; Model the behaviors you wish to see in others and hold yourself accountable to the highest standards for both your performance and conduct.” Such are the beginnings of very strong interpersonal relationships.

Finally, keep things simple, inject laughter and humor into your workplace culture to the degree possible, and remember that life is for giving, not for getting.

Leadership is the greatest gift the workplace offers because it allows you to touch others’ lives and careers like nothing else. That’s why you work.

And that’s why you lead.

Thank you all for your service, and I hope my column has contributed to your career transition success in some small way.

Happy Holidays and all my best, Paul Paul’s newest book, “Leading Through Crisis,” was released in September.

Paul Falcone (www.PaulFalconeHR.com) is a management trainer, executive coach, and bestselling author on hiring, performance management, and leadership development.

www.HarperCollinsLeadership.com

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023

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WHAT’S NEXT Transition to Civilian Life

By Eve Nasby & Kristin Hennessy

5 GIFTS For YOU this Holiday Season Transitioning is difficult no matter what season it is. In the spirit of the holidays, it’s easy to focus on giving gifts to others. Embracing the joy of giving to others is part of the spirit, however it’s easy to forget the simple, yet important GIFTS you can give to yourself.

Gift 1: A Great resume We know what you’re thinking. “How can I create a relevant resume when I have no corporate experience?”

Your military experience IS a gift and is extremely relevant! You have transferable skills and your experience can clearly show that you’re a team player, disciplined, and learn quickly. These are skills that aren’t “teachable” and are invaluable to employers.

Starting a resume from scratch can be overwhelming.

Luckily there are plenty of free resources to help, including Hiring Our Heroes, Vets Beyond the Uniform and Resumes4Vets.org.

Gift 2: Interview practice Interview questions can be overwhelming. It’s hard to be relatable and succinct off the cuff. It’s easy to ramble and forget the purpose of the question. Interviewers can quickly lose confidence if they don’t get a clear answer.

Following the STAR method will keep you on track. STAR is an acronym for “Situation, Task, Action, Result.”

Here’s how it works: Open with a brief situation of the environment you’re about to explain. Next, state the task you needed to accomplish. Then, the specific action you took to accomplish this task. Finally, state the result in a way that shows a quantitative or qualitative measurement of your accomplishment.

This may seem contrived, but it’s a great way to keep your answers succinct and relevant so the interviewer follows your story and hears your “result” as the last, memorable part of your answer.

For each likely interview question, have a few STARformatted examples ready that relate back.

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Keep practicing out loud, recording yourself, or with a friend. The more you confidently relay your experiences succinctly, the more prepared you’ll feel.

Gift 3: Forming a Network Transition can feel isolating after losing your built-in military network. Small steps create connections; join one group or befriend one person. There are over 45,000 nonprofits in the U.S. that provide services to Veterans. Not sure where to start? Find a local Veteran group on Facebook or LinkedIn. Join it. Message someone. You’ll be surprised how fast that network expands.

Almost any college or educational program has a Student Veterans Organization. Most Employers have something similar called an Employee Resource Group for Veterans to help attract and retain Veteran employees. Just being around others with a similar background will help you feel in your element. Talk to others, hear their experiences, ask questions.

Gift 4: Take a course or free online class The gift of learning new skills is enlightening! When you’re thinking about your next opportunity or career move, it can be demotivating to see required skills that you don’t already have. But, there are many ways to expand your skill set on your own.

Learning something new will help you show how you’re proactively staying current on new trends or technologies.

Maybe you’re not sure what you are interested in, and that’s OK. Try something and see! Vets Beyond the Uniform offers 200 free online courses to veterans at www.Vetsbeyondtheuniform.com

Gift 5: Strengths Assessment According to the Veterans’ Employment Challenges study, 69% of veterans indicated finding a job the greatest challenge they face during transition. This stems from thinking that military skills don’t translate to the strengths needed for the job. That’s not

First, the skills you acquired in the service are invaluable. The skills most often cited by veterans include a strong work ethic, discipline, teamwork, leadership, management, mental toughness, and adaptation to challenges. These are often the most important qualities an employer is looking for and can be the most difficult to find in a candidate.

Now, think about your own experience. Think about the positions you held in the military and what you achieved. Write those achievements down.

Let’s say you had a military logistics background.

You have hands-on experience moving troops and thousands of pounds of supplies to different locations.

That’s honorable in and of itself, but also extremely relatable to say, a supply chain role at a corporation.

If you’re struggling to identify what exactly your strengths are, there are many free online tools to help you. The DISC assessment is a free online personality indicator widely used by corporations to improve management, communication and productivity. DiSC is an acronym that stands for the four main personality profiles: (D)ominance, (i)nfluence, (S)teadiness and (C)onscientiousness. Just taking a few minutes on your own to discover your personality profile can help you better assess your strengths and self-awareness.

Happy Holidays!

Sometimes just taking the first step towards gifting yourself with starting something new is the hardest part of the process. We hope these ideas and resources help make that first step a little easier.

Jim Gruny

www.bandofhands.com

Need help with your transition? Have questions?

Link up with Eve on Linked In today. www.linkedin.com/in/eve-nasby-given-hiring-expert

www.bandofhands.com

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023

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BUSINESS FOR VETERANS

By Barbara Eldridge www.mindmasters.com

Accelerate Your Success

Here it is, the end of another year. I hope you’ve had a good one and didn’t fall prey to the relentless focus on what is going “wrong” in the economy. But instead created new intentions and possibilities and went past self-imposed limitations. I really want to offer you the push you need to realize more of your potential and that of your business in 2024. One reason I get so excited this time of year is because I always feel a sense of unlimited possibilities as the New Year approaches.

Research has proven over and over that the more you consciously acknowledge your achievements, accomplishments, victories and completions the more of a foundation you have for ongoing success. Too often we go straight from the finish line to the starting line without pausing to acknowledge what actually happened and what we learned from it.

Yes it is a busy time, working to finish the year on top with the goals you set, while enjoying all the holiday celebrations. This is your time to stop and reflect because it is so easy to under appreciate the things that have been accomplished.

If you only remember the mistakes and failures, you will not be ready to take on the risks that will lead to ongoing success. To begin the year with an anticipation of growth and success you need to build your self-esteem based on all the ways you succeeded.

Achievement in any area of life requires commitment and consistency, and perhaps as a business owner, it requires it even more. You have a dreams, but may not have realized what was necessary to live them.

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You may not have realized how much on-going learning it takes. Both work and learning take patience while consistently going beyond your limits.

One of the best sources of encouragement is to record your achievements. Reviewing them as you plan each month helps to maintain a higher level of motivation and an ever-increasing keenness for achievement.

Consider all areas of your life, they add to your belief in your potential and your motivation to achieve even more.

Build yourself-esteem by recalling ALL the ways you have succeeded, and your brain will be filled with images of you making your achievements happen again and again. When you face a new challenge or set your 2024 goals, review your list, it will begin to tell your brain that you are an ACHIEVER – that you can take the next steps. Remember it is not just the big things that help you grow, write down all your successes. These are the foundation elements that help you see what is possible Then surround yourself with reminders of your success. Put up pictures, articles, trophies, awards, and other pieces that bring attention to your success. Make your environment speak to you about the meaning your achievements have given you. Be proud of them!

People like to be around those who have a healthy selfesteem and who are achieving their goals. Commit to acknowledging your achievements and your brain will begin to tell you the truth...that you can do ANYTHING! Your Challenge is to take a step back, create new intentions and commit to work from your strengths rather then your limitations.

Barbara Eldridge has built a solid reputation as a Results strategies specialist, within industry and business over the past 40 years. Her unique message, since starting Mind Masters 30 years ago for entrepreneurs and small business owners, continually stresses vision, purpose and values as the key elements of business philosophy. Her undying compassion for the entrepreneur’s journey, her tireless capacity to listen, and her sincere enthusiasm for other’s success have insured her growing influence and her own mastery with MIND MASTERS. www.mindmasters.com

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

A Veteran Owned Business proudly supporting

Veterans, Military Spouses and active duty Military looking for work and employers needing great workers.

We provide business owners with the gift Helping today's heroesrelief achieve of employment-burden and success bywith making it easier employees a better way to to work.

run a small business.

www.bandofhands.com www.bandofhands.com

Do More. Stress Less.

We do all this for you.

If it's related to employment, we handle it for you. Everything for only $12/week per employee!

We also include: Medical benefits and 401K for your employees at no additional cost to you Compliance with employment Laws Unemployment claim handling Workers Comp claim handling

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Contact Eve Nasby, Band of Hands president and passionate military supporter to learn more. eve@bandofhands.com eve@bandofhands.com WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023

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University of San Diego: A Better Way to Your MBA USD’s MBA is more flexible than ever — and tuition is fully covered for most military-connected students.

For both active duty service members and those transitioning out of the military, an MBA degree can be a powerful next step. The right program can help you take the skills you’ve already developed — discipline, teamwork and problem-solving — and add the business acumen required to make you a confident business leader. While a traditional MBA program can seem out of reach for a variety of reasons, the University of San Diego’s Knauss School of Business offers a newly revamped Flex MBA program that’s perfect for active duty service members and veterans.

Tuition Fully Covered for Most Military-Connected Students For veterans considering an MBA, one major factor is being able to afford a highly ranked program. To address this, the University of San Diego took steps this year to ensure tuition is fully covered for most militaryconnected students. As a 100% Yellow Ribbon School, USD contributes funds towards tuition that the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill doesn’t cover.

“This additional investment in the Yellow Ribbon Program deepens our commitment to our active-duty

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military, veterans and other military-connected students,” says Charlotte Johnson, JD, vice president for student affairs at USD. “The University of San Diego honors the sacrifice of these students and their families and I am so pleased we are able to support their education in this way.”

Ideal MBA Format for Military Members and Veterans The time commitment to pursue an MBA can seem daunting for active duty or post-military members, especially for those who have families, don’t live near a reputable university, or aren’t able to make school a fulltime commitment. And while fully online MBA programs are available, they often can’t offer the same in-depth experience that an in-person program offers.

The Flex MBA at USD’s Knauss School of Business offers the best of both worlds. It is a part-time program with outstanding faculty that only requires students to come to campus in San Diego one weekend per month. The remaining coursework takes place online. The program begins spring semester and takes just 20-24 months to complete.

Being deployed or required to change duty stations in the middle of a semester is another common fear for active duty service members. USD’s Flex MBA offers practical accommodations for this situation, providing an option to finish classes fully online if the need arises.

Military-Friendly Campus As a military-friendly campus, USD offers the supportive environment and resources that military-connected students need to succeed personally and academically.

Currently, there are over 800 military-connected students studying at USD including active-duty, veterans, spouses, dependents and Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) members. (Plus, USD has served as headquarters for the San Diego NROTC program since 1982!)

www.sandiego.edu/flexmba

Along with meeting like-minded peers at USD, veterans can find dedicated resources and military student support at the university’s Military and Veterans Program. The center serves as a welcoming space for students to study, mingle with peers or get some R&R between classes. In addition, those enrolled in the Flex MBA program at the Knauss School of Business are assigned a student professional development manager who will offer industry-specific career guidance and networking insights to find your perfect next step after graduation.

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023

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Successful Transitioning Stories

By Dr. Julie Ducharme www.synergylearninginstitute.org

Kelli Mumphrey My favorite thing about interviewing veterans who have transitioned out of the military is their incredible ability to be innovative as they look to solve problems and by doing this they create businesses that continue to make change. And Kelly Mumphrey is one of those women veterans, solving problems making change, and giving back.

get our housing stipend and update our education.

I would advise anyone in that situation to take advantage of your GI Bill. That brought us some stability while we figured out the next steps. Just enrolling in school part time allowed me to get a job with the FDIC. How did your entrepreneurial idea come to fruition?

I then had my second child and I realized as I was working for the federal government, they didn’t have a designated place to breast feed at work and I needed my job, I was too embarrassed to ask for any accommodations, I would do this in my office. It was loud, the walls were thin, and it was embarrassing. I did what I had to do, and I was still in the reserves on the weekend while still going to school. Everything I was doing, there was no accommodation for me as a mother who was trying to work and breast feed. To add to that we didn’t have a lot of money and so we were trying to go to free things with the kids like the park, and other fun places and that was even more complicated trying to breastfeed. Then I had this thought, we need a solution for moms at work or even out and about, so I realized I needed to create a space for women, and this is how Milkspace came to life.

Kelli Mumphrey was active duty from 2010-2014. When I asked Kelli about what motivated her to join the military she stated. “I had my degree before I joined the Navy.

But I needed something to stabilize me, so I enlisted.”

While in the military I had my first baby, and I was told I would have to deploy and that is when I realized I didn’t want to be away from my 1-year-old. I did not re-enlist and joined the reserves in 2014-2018. But this transition proved to be tougher than we anticipated as my husband who was in the Navy as well, he had a job offer and we moved to this location and then they rescinded his job offer because he didn’t have the degrees they wanted, which was shocking to us since they offered him the job knowing his degrees. We had no jobs, technically homeless sleeping on couches. Then I found out I was pregnant with our second child. In that moment we realized we needed to take action, and we pulled from our military experience the skills to get this situation fixed. We both decided to get back to school so we could 48 WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023

How did you come up with the capital and means to create this business?

I started out with just a tent and then COVID hit and really slowed down my idea, as there were no events going on, so I was forced to pivot. I also wanted to be a service to the black community and black mothers and COVID was impacting everyone but even more in the black communities so I created on the go breastfeeding kits that even had testing strips so women could test their milk and make sure it was still good. Unfortunately, it didn’t take off like I hoped, but that is the process as an entrepreneur, you pivot and keep pivoting till something sticks. But I kept at it and kept building.

Because as we know, transition means being adaptive and that is what I did to keep my business open and making an impact. Once we came out of COVID in 2021, I was contemplating, should I keep doing this? Then I saw there was a business entrepreneur pitch competition.

With only $60 to if you won, I thought, why not. So, I entered and won! I thought ok, I’ll start pitching more and go after capital. I then participated in another accelerated program Impact Ventors, that helped me fine tune my business and business goals and I learned a lot. It really helped me learn that I needed to do a lot of work on my business, and this program was transformative to my business. I received a grant from their program, and I did a second competition and pitched and won $23,000. This then allowed me to get my first trailer to really launch the mobile MilkSpace.

I still have lots of room to grow and I am on a mission to help women and women in the black community in need. I learned that I must continue to be adaptive, flexible and use what I learned in the military to help me keep going, keep building and also adapt to life’s constant changes.

I would encourage all veterans, do your research, educate yourself, be adaptable, and be willing to know that transition takes time. It doesn’t happen overnight but stick with it, as it will be rewarding.

www.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com

Transitioning out of the Military into the Civilian Workforce?

Finding a job in the civilian world may seem easy at first. After all, you have learned skills, practiced leadership and demonstrated initiative that will make you successful wherever you go.

The reality, though, is that it can be difficult.

In fact, it can be downright depressing, demotivating and you may feel totally disillusioned.

Veterans In Transition is dedicated to you and helping you succeed in your transition.

For editorial & monthly columns regarding transitioning to civilian life, career advice, tips, workshops, transition to education, entrepreneurship, straight-forward legal tips for military and veteran business owners visit www.tinyurl.com/SDVM-Transition

To get in touch with Kelli info@milkspace.com Check out her website on all she is doing https://www.milkspace.co To learn more about our transition programs and professional development at Synergy Learning Institute https://synergylearninginstitute.org/

VETERANS IN TRANSITION

www.pitbullsnPearls.com

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023

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Franchise Frontline Success Stories & Resources

By Rhonda Sanderson

rhonda@sandersonpr.com

Army Chaplain ‘Leads From Front’ in Setting Example as New Paul Davis Restoration Owner with Bold Growth Plans It’s an impressive balancing act if one can be considered both a servant and a leader for others, but 49-year-old Ryan Cole of North Royalton, OH has managed to do both. When you hear Cole talk, it’s not surprising what he has accomplished and continues to do for others as one of the newest franchise owners within the Paul Davis Restoration network.

Cole is also a member of the United States Armed Forces and continues to serve. He has carried some of the core values learned in the military into how he runs his business. Cole first enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve in 1994 as a Combat Engineer.

After a gap in service, he accepted a commission in October 2022 as a Chaplain for the 112th Motor Transportation Battalion of the Army National Guard, with seven companies spread throughout Ohio. Cole purchased Paul Davis Restoration of Cleveland West, headquartered in Strongsville, this past January.

“I am the president and CEO of our location,” Cole said.

“The primary skill set my military experience brought to the table is to lead from the front. I never ask one of my employees to do something that I would not be willing to do myself. In fact, getting out into the field is sometimes a nice change of pace.”

Cole previously spent more than 20 years in the insurance industry. He and his wife owned three Allstate insurance agencies, as well as an independent agency in the Cleveland suburbs. Now on a new with professional path, Cole is bullish about his future 50 WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023

with Paul Davis. His five-year plan calls for doubling his franchise’s size with multiple locations. “Paul Davis is fantastic at supporting our plans for growth,” Cole said.

Philanthropy is also at the forefront of the hundreds of Paul Davis locations across North America. It’s no surprise the company is known as one of the most trusted brands in the insurance restoration industry, with its teams recognized as Difference Makers™, honoring daily the company’s mission to “deliver an experience of extraordinary care while serving people in their time of need.”

Cole has firsthand experience – literally – of the difference Paul Davis can make for others when they need it most. In 2016, his family experienced a fire that resulted in the total loss of their home. “That situation shapes the foundation of my understanding of how the things we do make a difference. We restore homes, not just houses. The work we do impacts people on an emotional level. We really are Difference Makers™.”

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, veterans own almost two million businesses and employ more than five million people. And according to a study conducted by the International Franchise Association (IFA), veterans own one out of every seven franchises despite making up about seven percent of the civilian adult population. Cole is happy and eager to be counted amongst their numbers.

“We have learned that if you master the activities you can control, the results will follow,” he said. “We can’t outwork the numbers and the numbers can’t outwork us, so we are just working hard!”

About Paul Davis Restoration For more than 55 years, Paul Davis Restoration, Inc., has restored residential and commercial properties damaged by fire, water, mold, storms, and disasters.

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WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023

51

RISKY BUSINESS

Insurance Info & Risk Management Tips

By Hadley Wood www.hlinwood-insurance.com

Is My Product Covered?

If you are a business owner that supplies a product to your clients, you may have faced supply chain issues, theft or vandalism of your product while being shipped or are concerned about your product liability at some point in your business. Especially around the holiday season!

These are big concerns and need to be addressed. Any disruption of your logistics can pose a significant risk to your business in the form of loss of product, delay of product to your clients and your business reputation.

There are a few things you can do to mitigate this risk right off the bat: • If you are designing the product and it is being manufactured overseas with your label, you will need to have a liability policy that includes manufacturing. The reality is that if there is a product defect, the end-user (your buyers) are not going to file a claim against a company in China (or wherever). They will file a claim against your company, and you will have no recourse if there is a manufacturing defect.

• If your product is being manufactured in the US, you need to ask the manufacturer for a certificate of Liability naming you additional insured for product liability including waiver of subrogation, primary wording and completed operations.

• Your General Liability policy or Business Owners Policy likely does not include items damaged, lost or stollen in transit. This is insurance you will need to purchase from the shipping company, transit company, importer, or cargo company. It is difficult to insure goods that you do not

have care, custody, andcontrol over during the shipment process. So pay the extra to have them insure your shipments.

• As a risk management advisor, I always tell my clients to have a plan B for their product manufacturing. If something happens to your supplier (they close down for any reason) or if trade sanctions change where it becomes difficult for you to import, you need to have a second and even third back-up supplier ready to go.

• Plan in advance – keep an eye on the current affair of trade from your manufacturer. If you expect high volume sales during a certain period, get the product in early.

• Make sure that your storage facility is covered by your insurance – you can add it easily as a location of your BPP. If you are using a drop-ship method, make sure you ask them about the insurance for your products while they are in their custody.

The bottom line is that you need to double check all your logistics plans and business practices to ensure that you are avoiding the big hazards of product manufacturing and distribution. I know that Santa doesn’t have to worry about all this, but normal businesspeople do!

I want to wish all of you a very happy Christmas, Chanukah, and holiday season however you celebrate it.

Hug your loved ones, spread kindness, and remember you are loved, appreciated and valued!

If you have any questions about business insurance, please reach out to me. www.hlinwood- insurance.com

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legal Eagle Straight-forward legal tips for Military and Veteran Business Owners

By Kelly Bagla, Esq.

Essentials of Offshore Asset Protection for Business Owners and Ceos The world of business leadership is a high stakes game, and top executives bear the heavy responsibility of protecting their companies and their shareholder interests. Yet, amidst the whirlwind of corporate success, many CEOs and business owners often overlook a critical aspect: safeguarding their personal wealth.

One commonly held misconception among small to medium sized business owners is that their corporate structure offers full protection for their assets.

However, recent legal decisions, such as those made by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, challenge this assumption. Business owners can now be held personally liable for their company’s actions,

56 WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023

as increasing numbers of plaintiffs have managed topierce the corporate veil and hold shareholders responsible for liability claims arising at the corporate level.

The statistics present a very real and very harsh reality for small to medium sized business owners: • 75% of small business owners are concerned about facing frivolous or unfair lawsuits.

• On average small businesses earning $1,000,000 per year spend $20,000 on lawsuits annually.

• Since 1950, tort costs have surpassed GDP growth.

• 52% of all civil lawsuits target small to medium sized businesses each year.

With this in mind, it is imperative to have an effective asset protection strategy in place to prevent substantial loss of personal assets.

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In movies offshore trusts are usually reserved for shady people with ill intentions. In reality, offshore trusts are a legitimate, legal, and safe way to protect assets. In fact, when set up properly, offshore trusts may be one of the safest options for protecting wealth, not just in the CEO’s or business owner’s lifetime but for generations to come. They offer enhanced asset protection and privacy provisions.

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To safeguard against potentially massive financial damage, early precautionary steps are essential. If assets have already been exposed to legal risk, it may be too late to protect the assets. International asset protection trusts established in jurisdictions like the Cook Islands or Nevis, which provide a formidable history of protecting assets due to the robust legal framework, offer an ironclad level of security and peace of mind. These trust structures can reduce exposure and protect personal assets from unforeseen future creditors.

Becoming a business owner, you control your own destiny, choose the people you work with, reap big rewards, challenge yourself, give back to the community, and you get to follow your passion. Knowing what you’re getting into is smart business because the responsibility of protecting your business falls on you.

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Award-winning Attorney Kelly Bagla distills the legal information every business owner needs to know to avoid costly lawsuits and protect personal assets. Now every entrepreneur can apply the same legal steps and strategies used by top attorneys.

For more information on how to legally start and grow your business please visit my website at www.BaglaLaw.com Disclaimer: This information is made available by Bagla Law Firm, APC for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, and not to provide specific legal advice. This information should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.

• AVOID COSTLY BUSINESS LITIGATION • PROTECT YOUR HARD-EARNED ASSETS • BE READY WHEN LEGAL ISSUES ARISE

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WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023

57

Legally Speaking Military Focused Family Law Facts

By Tana Landau, Esq.

HOLIDAY VISITATION SCHEDULES: GETTING INTO THE SPIRIT OF COOPERATION Others find themselves in a high conflict situation with their former partner. Some parents live close together while others live across states. It is imperative to remember that no matter what situation you find yourself in, it is important for your children to develop and experience holiday traditions with both their parents and their extended families. Below are some typical holiday timeshare arrangements that may work for your family depending on your geographic location to the other parent, work schedule, how amicable you are as co-parents, and other circumstances:

- Alternate the holidays in odd and even numbered years: For example, one parent gets

The holidays are approaching and can be a stressful time on their own for some people. If you are going through a separation or divorce, they can be even more stressful. One of the most contentious issues is custody and visitation. This can become exponentially more contentious during the holidays. When most people who are going through a separation or divorce think about custody and visitation, they think about the routine schedule for each week. It is important that you do not fail to consider a specific holiday schedule. Failing to address a holiday schedule during your separation or divorce can lead to unnecessary and costly disputes with your former partner or spouse. Creating a well thought out holiday visitation schedule that maintains a certain level of flexibility can help both you, your children, and your former partner or spouse enjoy the holidays without any added stress. You may not only want to address the major holidays such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Day, Hanukkah, and New Year’s but additional breaks as well such as President’s Day Week or Spring Break.

What are some holiday schedules that work?

Every family and former partner or spouse have different dynamics. Some people find that they are capable of effectively coparenting as best friends.

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Thanksgiving in even numbered years while the other parent gets Christmas. In odd numbered years the schedule would reverse. This schedule is the most commonly applied schedule and may be best if you live far from the other parent or if either parent wishes to travel during the holidays to see family.

- Split each holiday evenly: Both parents get a set number of hours on the holiday. For example, one parent has the child for the morning hours on Christmas while the other parent gets the child for the evening hours. You may find this schedule appealing if you live close to the other parent and you both want to experience your holiday traditions with your child every year.

- Share some holidays together: If you find that

you and the other coparent are very amicable, you may consider sharing some holidays together. For example, you both spend Halloween trick or treating with your child together or you both spend Christmas morning at one of your homes with your child opening presents.

- Alternate, split, and share different holidays: Depending on your dynamics with the other parent and your circumstances, you could consider alternating some holidays while splitting or sharing others.

Whichever schedule you think may be a good fit for your situation, be open and flexible. It is very common that holiday visitation schedules have to be adjusted over time. Circumstances for each parent may change.

Someone may move away or get a new job that affects the schedule. Your child’s age can also affect the schedule. You may agree to a certain holiday visitation schedule based on your child’s age and find as they get older, another schedule is more appropriate. Life may throw you curveballs. An extended relative may become gravely ill, and it’s the last holiday your child has to spend with your relative, so you may want to swap with the other parent and adjust the schedule thereon out accordingly.

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What happens if your regular parenting time falls on a holiday?

If the holiday falls on your parenting time, it is important to understand that the holiday schedule takes precedence over the regular parenting schedule. If your normal parenting time falls on Christmas for example and it is the other parent’s year to have the holiday, you will lose that time. It can be frustrating to the parent whose normal visitation time is being impacted by the holiday time. However, you should be mindful that the other parent will also have their parenting time negatively impacted as well at some point. The most important thing to remember is that you are both fostering the other parent’s relationship with your child by giving them the opportunity to experience the holidays with both of you.

As you head into the holidays, here are my final thoughts on some coparenting tips to get you through them.

Plan ahead and communicate with the other parent if you don’t have a visitation schedule in place.

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If it’s your holiday with your child, let them Facetime or Skype with the other parent.

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Happy Holidays and Happy Coparenting….

For more information about misconceptions about divorce, check out our website: www.frfamilylaw.com or call (858) 720-8250 and ask to speak with military family law attorney Tana Landau.

This article is intended only for informational purposes and should not be taken as legal advice.

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WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023

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Veterans Chamber of Commerce

By Joseph Molina www.vccsd.org

Positive Effects of Spending Quality Time with Family Military families face unique challenges that often require them to make sacrifices and adapt to frequent relocations, deployments, and long separations. In this article, we will explore the positive effects of spending quality family time, specifically tailored to the needs of military families. These moments of togetherness play a crucial role in maintaining the emotional well-being and resilience of military families.

Strengthening Family Bonds Military families often experience extended periods of separation due to deployments and postings. Spending quality family time when together helps to strengthen the bonds that sustain them during these challenging times. Reconnecting and nurturing these relationships is critical to maintain a sense of unity and support within the family unit.

Improved Coping Mechanisms Quality family time allows family members to share their feelings, concerns, and experiences. Open and honest communication during these moments can help military families develop healthier coping mechanisms for dealing with the stresses and uncertainties that come with the military lifestyle. When everyone has the opportunity to express themselves, it becomes easier to support each other through the ups and downs.

Reducing Anxiety and Stress Frequent moves, uncertain deployment schedules, and the demands of military life can create high levels of stress and anxiety within military families. Spending quality time together provides a valuable escape from these pressures, helping family members relax and recharge. Such moments provide the opportunity to focus on the positive aspects of their lives.

Enhancing Emotional Resilience Quality family time fosters emotional resilience in military families. It teaches them to adapt, overcome adversity, and develop a strong sense of unity. These experiences provide an invaluable foundation of support andresilience, helping family members navigate the unique challenges they face with confidence and determination.

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Teaching Life Values and Patriotism Military families share a strong sense of patriotism and family values. Spending time together offers an opportunity to pass down these values to the next generation. These moments can become a platform for sharing with our children about our national values and the importance of military service.

Creating Lasting Memories Military life often involves moving frequently, which can build stress and a sense of transience. Quality family time creates lasting memories and cherished moments that help overcome this feeling of impermanence.

Building strong family memories provide comfort to the family, builds stronger Family “team-like” Bonds and a sense of unity during times of change.

The ”Silent Heroes” It is crucial that we recognize and celebrate our Military Spouses “The Silent Heroes” Those of us who have served know very well the importance of having a supportive spouse who not only cares for our little ones at home but leads our homes in our absence. Quality family time also takes place when service member is in deployment.

Conclusion The positive effects of Quality Time with the Family serve as the mental and emotional building blocks, building strong emotional intelligence, resilience, and sense of unity necessary to navigate the unique challenges associated with military life. By prioritizing and protecting their family time, military families can build stronger bonds, healthier coping mechanisms, and an enduring sense of connection.

The Veterans Radio Show: Share your story: Be our guest on the show – click the follwing link: www.vccsd.org/radioshow.html If you have any ideas or a project that you would like to Develop in collaboration with The National Veterans Chamber. Send your ideas to: veteransccsd@gmail.com * Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only and based solely on my personal experience. Make sure you contact a qualified Attorney to actually create living trust for your family.

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WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023

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Opportunities in Law Enforcement You’ve served your country, now serve your community!

Military and law enforcement have had a longstanding relationship with overlaps in training exercises, equipment, and, most important, personnel.

It is not uncommon for a service member to make the jump from the military to law enforcement as both professions look for the same characteristics; leadership, fidelity, chain of command, and teamwork are all common themes in both professions.

Quite understandably, many American military veterans often gravitate to a career in law enforcement when the time comes to rejoin the civilian workforce.

The two professions have many fundamental similarities; from the uniforms they wear with pride, to the firm command structure they serve under, to great personal risk they endure while protecting those who cannot protect themselves.

The following agencies are actively hiring & proudly support our veterans, active military and the families that keep together.

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63

SDPD Ride Along: A Story of Two Marines

By Amber Robinbson San Diego Veterans Magazine When I asked to go on a ride along with the San Diego Police Department, making a special request for any veterans-turned-cops, I expected a really serious, possibly dangerous, afternoon of shadowing our city’s toughest crime fighters.

What I got was an afternoon of heartfelt service to our San Diego community, honorable humility and a lot of respect.

When I asked whether former Marine Sergeant Major, Mark Wright, and his partner, former Marine Staff Sergeant, Sean Bunch, had rank or titles he said their titles were just San Diego police officers. They are relatively new partners, but act like they’ve known each other for years, which is usually the case when you get Marines together.

Most of our particular day was cruising around beautiful Balboa Park running car tags to see if they were current, from cars not displaying proper plates and placards to those double parked. Bunch says they often catch parole violators or even stolen cars doing just this.

I was struck as I watched both officers go out of their way to look in and around vehicles to find plates or disability placards not displayed correctly so as to avoid issuing superfluous tickets.

“We try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt,” said Wright. “We’re not out to get anybody.”

Wright is a newer addition to the force, coming on board two years ago, with Bunch only having two years left.

Although, both officers confirm that enforcing even the most basic of park rules can yield large payoffs. During a recent patrol Bunch spotted an individual smoking in the park, which is illegal. As he circled back round, the individual turned and rapidly tried to walk away, which activated immediate suspicion. He was detained and came back with a warrant for numerous kidnapping and child molestation charges.

Officer Mark Wright

Officer Sean Bunch

Currently, these brothers-in-arms spend their days patrolling the entirety of Balboa Park.

Although neither men are taking fire or kicking in the enemy’s door on this beat, like during their time in Iraq or Afghanistan, they still work hard to serve their local community. Service which can range from tracking down criminals to answering questions from lost pedestrians, to giving out stickers to kids and never backing down from a chance to turn on those flashing red and blues just to make one of them smile.

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Both men say a lot of what they do is talk with museum owners and those living in the neighborhoods surrounding the park about their concerns. A shared concern by all is the park’s homeless population.

Bunch says their posture towards the homeless is mostly that of assistance, adding there are many resources available for those who would take them.

The city spends a lot of money on resources,” said Bunch. “The biggest problem we run into is whether or not the [homeless] people want them, and a lot of them don’t.”

Thus, the men tend to run into the same issues with the same people pretty often. Although frustrating, they have learned that respect goes a long way when challenged with these repeat offenders. Bunch recalls spotting one such offender in the park, who was in violation of his parole and wanted on warrant. He was unable to get to the offender immediately, but still apprehended him with a verbal request. The parolee waited patiently to be hand-cuffed and arrested, simply out of the respect he held for the law man.

Bunch, for instance, did not come to the force straight from the Marines, but from Hollywood. Surprisingly, he is a member of the Screen Actors Guild, working as a military advisor on various productions, like Lonestar 911, and appearing in some as well, such as one of the most recent Men in Black movies.

“I grew up outside of LA,” said Bunch. “So, I’ve always just kind of been around the business and found a place for myself there with all my military experience.”

Bunch hopes to return to work in Hollywood after he leaves the force, bringing with him a new level of experience and respect.

Both men say a huge part of their work is being able to connect and communicate with the myriad of people they meet daily.

Wright, who retired from the Marines as a Sergeant Major never worked in Hollywood, but he does have plenty of stories about being a proud grandfather, father and new amputee. When I entered the Central Division Station and met him, he said he was just getting back to work after some time off after losing his leg.

Bunch says he feels he and Wright are lucky to come to the force later in life, given it means they have a wider frame of reference for those they meet and serve daily.

“We deal with people who are going through all kinds of things in life,” said Bunch. “And it’s helpful to be able to say, ‘hey I know what you are going through, I’ve been there.”

Wright remained unscathed during his over-20-years in service, overseas deployments and endless combat train ups. It wasn’t until after service that he lost his leg in a motorcycle accident late one foggy night a little over a year ago. Wright says it had been an eventful second watch and he was leaving the station about 2 AM on his motorcycle when it happened.

As the day progressed, I realized that both gentlemen definitely had a long list of tough and unique life experiences to pull from. Both proudly served the United States Marines for years, traveling to war and all over the world, experiences that yield much wisdom as well as many a story.

“It was only about two minutes from work,” said Wright. “I was coming around a curve and entered into what I thought was fog, and as I’m entering, I see a headlight and side mirror in my lane.”

“Being respectful of everyone despite their lot in life goes a long way in this job,” said Wright.

That headlight and mirror became an entire car that was blocking Wright’s entire side of the road.

“I was a heuy crew chief in the Marines and reverted to my training from that, grabbed my shoulders, braced for impact and went flying like a human lawn dart over my handlebars,” said Wright.

Wright landed in the ditch on the side of the road. He says he realized immediately that he had a back and leg issue. He learned that a bystander had called 911, but he requested they call back and state that the injured motorcycle rider was a policeman with the San Diego Police Department and expedite services.

This one request would become pivotal in saving Wright’s life.

Continued on next page >

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“What I didn’t know at that time was that I had severed two arteries in my leg, and I was bleeding out,” said Wright.

What Wright would learn later is his heel had also been torn off on the wrecked car as he sailed past it into the ditch. After much pain and many surgeries, Wright would finally lose his leg from the knee down. says he doesn’t let it get him down, though. He’s proud to continue to serve as one of our city’s finest.

Both he and Bunch take much pride in their time as Marines and as San Diego Police Officers. Each officer comes from strong military stock, with Wright’s grandfather being a World War II veteran and Prisoner of War and Bunch’s father a decorated veteran of Vietnam.

All in all, this Army vet’s afternoon with two Marines was an impressive one. Both seasoned public servants, these honorable men have discovered you must give respect to get it, that violence is often not the answer and the most important thing to keep in mind along the way, is a good, human dose of empathy.

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Officer Sean Bunch - Amber Robinson (SDVM) - Officer Mark Wright 66 WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023

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WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023

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From Navy Sailor to San Francisco Police Officer

By Holly Shaffner

“Being able to talk to people, figure out what they are going through, and what they need is a huge portion of the job. I enjoy interacting with the public, and engaging in what I call verbal judo.”

- Officer Cindy Ovares

Changing careers can be exciting, exhilarating, and filled with trepidation. Meet Officer Cindy Ovares who has made the transition numerous times – from active-duty service member, to student, massage therapist, teacher, and now police officer.

The life experience she gained in those previous longterm jobs set her up to be successful today. She is doing what she’s always wanted to do – have a career that is challenging and rewarding.

Cindy was like many seniors in high school as she contemplated what she would do after graduation.

When the Navy recruiter called the house looking for her brother, the recruiter instead got an eager, independent 17-year-old woman who wanted to find adventure. Just a few months later, she was off to “see the world” and start her first career.

As an Aviation Machinist’s Mate, Petty Officer Ovares was a jet engine mechanic. It was a male-dominated job, and she wanted to prove that anything a man could do, she could do better. She attended military schools in Florida and Virginia to learn her trade, and was later stationed in Lemoore, California. She was attached to VFA-22, an F/A-18 Super Hornet squadron, that deployed on ships. After serving four years on active duty, she earned Post 9/11 GI Bill education benefits, and chose to leave the Navy to attend college.

After completing her bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education and being a fluent Spanish speaker, she was hired to be a high school Spanish teacher. The job was gratifying; but also, under resourced, understaffed, and had little room to grow professionally. She wanted something new and challenging, was drawn to the community where she grew up, so, in her late 30s she applied to be a police officer.

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Officer Ovares was accepted to the San Francisco Police Academy and has been an officer for the last three years. She is a foot patrol officer working in the Tenderloin District – a 50-block area that has a storied history, and has been known for homelessness, drugs, and crime.

As a Latina giving back to her community, she admits that the job comes with highs and lows. Officer Ovares recommends a career in law enforcement for those military members looking to make a smooth transition to a new chapter.

“Being able to talk to people, figure out what they are going through, and what they need is a huge portion of the job. I enjoy interacting with the public, and engaging in what I call verbal judo,” said Officer Ovares.

To learn more about the San Francisco Police Department, or to connect with recruiter, go to: www.sanfranciscopolice.org/your-sfpd/careers

For Officer Ovares, the parallels between serving in the military and serving in law enforcement made the transition go smoothly: • Routine – You know what to expect before your shift begins (what time to report, what uniform to wear, the structure of the day).

• Camaraderie – The bond between fellow officers is like the bond between your fellow military brothers and sisters.

• Variety – Every day is different with different assignments and duties, so the job is never boring.

• Benefits – Include a competitive salary, paid vacation days, floating holidays, and sick days, healthcare, retirement, and special pay for certain assignments and being bilingual.

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Resources Support Transition HEALTH Community

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San Diego Civic Theatre

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1.888.973.7469

SEE IT AT LEAST ONCE IN YOUR LIFETIME. A PERFECT GIFT. 72 WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / December 2023