San Diego Veterans Magazine January 2021 by HOMELAND MAGAZINE

Vol. 3 Number 1 • January 2021

SAN DIEGO

MAGAZINE

San Diego Veteran of the Month (Ron Stark)

2020 DOD in Photos SPOTLIGHT San Diego Veteran Orgainzations

FINANCIAL & FAMILY LIFE HEALTH & WELLNESS Mental Health Stigma of Addiction Human Trafficing Awareness Caregiver Resources Art & Healing

2021

CareerExpectations

What’s Next Transition to Civilian Life

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / JANUARY 2021

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P R O U D LY S E RV I N G T H O S E

WHO SERVE WHO WE ARE Serving since 2003, Operation Gratitude is the largest and most impactful nonproﬁt in the country for hands-on volunteerism in support of Military, Veterans, and First Responders.

Deployed Troops

3,000,000

First Responders

Military, Veterans and First Responders Impacted

OVER

1 Million VOLUNTEERS

OUR MISSION To forge strong bonds between Americans and their Military and First Responder heroes through volunteer service projects, acts of Veterans

gratitude and meaningful engagements in communities Nationwide.

Recruit Graduates

WE BELIEVE Actions speak louder than words Saying “thank you for your service” is the start of a conversation that leads to a better understanding of service Hands-on volunteerism, acts of gratitude and meaningful engageWounded Heroes and Caregivers

ments are the best ways to bridge the civilian-service divide

Military Families

We focus on empathy, resilience, service, and sacriﬁce rather than sympathy, challenges, needs, and pity

operationgratitude.com

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Happy New YearDay! Happy Veterans From Honor Flight San Diego, we want to thank you for your service!

If you know a WWII or Korean War Veteran who has not been on their Honor Flight, we want them to go on our flight in 2021. There is no cost to the veteran. Please go to:

www.HonorFlightSanDiego.org to complete an application, send an email to info@honorflightsandiego.org or call (800) 655-6997 4

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Armed Forces Memorial Amphitheater

A Vision for Miramar National Cemetery More than 20,000 veterans and their loved ones are interred at Miramar National Cemetery. The Miramar National Cemetery Support Foundation holds services in the Flag Assembly Area on Memorial Day weekend and on Veterans Day to honor our veterans. The Flag Assembly Area has no permanent seating. The Support Foundation plans to build the Armed Forces Memorial Amphitheater with permanent guest seating in a beautifully landscaped setting. This will be the Support Foundation’s biggest project yet. Its cost—for construction and permanent maintenance—will range from $450,000 to $500,000. No federal funds will be expended. Contributions from corporations, veterans groups, civic organizations, local government, and the public are needed to make this vision reality at Miramar National Cemetery.

Please Contribute Today! Make the Vision a Reality

Armed Forces Memorial Amphitheater Any contribution amount counts!

To donate, please go to https://gala.miramarcemetery.org/ and Click on “Donate Now” or by check to Amphitheater Fund, c/o 2500 6th Ave., Unit 803, San Diego, CA 92103 The Support Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charity. All donations are tax deductible. Tax ID #65-1277308. You will receive an acknowledgment for your contribution.

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EDITORâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

LETTER

Publisher Editor-In-Chief Mike Miller mikemiller@SDVetsMagazine.com mikemiller@HomelandMagazine.com

Contributing Writers Holly Shaffner Veteran Advocate

RanDee McLain, LCSW A Different Lens

Jenny Lynne Stroup Real Talk: Mental Health

Vicki Garcia

Enlisted to Entrepreneur

CJ Machado

SD Vets & Homeland Photojournalist

Kelly Bagla, Esq. Legal Eagle

Tana Landau, Esq.

www.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com

Legally Speaking

Joe Molina

Veterans Chamber of Commerce

Greetings and a warm welcome to San Diego Veterans Magazine!

Eve Nasby

Please take some time to get to know the layout of our magazine. The Magazine focuses on San Diego resources, support, community, and inspiration for our veterans and the military families that keep it together.

Amber Robinson

Our magazine is driven by passion, vision, reflection and the future. 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 a distinguishing list of San Diego veteran organizations, resource centers, coalitions, veteran advocates, and more. We are honored to share the work of so many committed and thoughtful people. San Diego Veterans Magazine is a veterans magazine for veterans by veterans.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Next - Transitioning Arts & Healing

Eva Stimson Veteran Advocate

Paul Falcone

Human Resources

Money Matters VA Lending & Personal Finance

David Koontz Midway Magic

Cover Photo - DOD Photo By: Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jackson Dukes

We appreciate your support and are so happy to have you as a reader of San Diego Veterans Magazine.

San Diego Veterans Magazine 9528 Miramar Road, #41 San Diego, CA 92126

Mike Miller

(858) 275-4281

Editor-In-Chief

mikemiller@SDVetsMagazine.com mikemiller@HomelandMagazine.com 6

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JANUARY

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 8 Military Tax Tips 10 Veteran of the Month (Ron Stark) 12 MIDWAY Magic: Museum Volunteer 14 San Diego Veterans Coalition 18 Shelter To Soldier 20 DOD Photos 2020 28 Southern Caregiver Resource Center 30 Real Talk: New Year - New You 32 Arts & Healing: Vision Board 2021 34 LENS: Out With The Old In With The New 36 The Stigma of Addiction 38 HOPE PYX: Human Trafficking 46 Money Matters: Back On Track 48 Legally Speaking: 2021 Let’s Get Started 50 What’s Next: Prime Advice Amazon 54 Human Resources: 2021 Expectations 56 Enlisted to Entrepreneur: Write A Book 60 Legal Eagle: Register Your Business 2021 62 Veterans Chamber: 2021 Goals

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Finally, military members serving in a combat zone have the tax season days plus 180 days after their last day in the combat zone to file their taxes. This means no penalty or interest if they owe money and don’t file by April 15. When they are in a combat zone the payment and penalty and interest on back taxes are suspended. Military-Specific Nontaxable Income

Military Tax Tips Before You File Your 2020 Tax Return By Mark Steber, Chief Tax Information Officer at Jackson Hewitt Tax Services, www.jacksonhewitt.com While we’re officially excited and looking ahead into the new year, don’t forget about your 2020 tax return that needs to be filed by April 15, 2021. If you haven’t started already, use the motivation of a fresh New Year to start preparing to file your taxes by gathering your documents and follow the below tips to get a head start. The biggest call outs for military service members to know is there is military-specific nontaxable income, as well as different and complex tax rules compared to civilians, which may affect their 2020 tax return. Different Tax Rules According to the IRS, you do not have to report nontaxable pay you receive as a member of the Armed Forces as earned income for purposes of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Examples of nontaxable military pay are combat pay, the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), and the Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS). However, each active duty taxpayer can choose to have their nontaxable combat pay included in their earned income for purposes of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Including it as earned income may mean a larger refund. Calculate your taxes both with the nontaxable combat pay as earned income and without the nontaxable combat pay as earned income to find out what’s best for you. Military service members in a combat zone also have different rules when it comes to child and daycare tax credits.

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It is essential to know what part of your income is non-taxable, and generally referred to as allowance or assistance, which includes: • Pay for active service in a combat zone or qualified Hazardous Duty Area • Living allowances, like BAH, BAS, and OHA • Disability and medical benefits • Educational assistance • Legal assistance • Family separation allowances • Temporary lodging • Uniform allowances It’s worth noting some of the nontaxable items listed above might need to be used to calculate certain tax benefits – for example, excluded combat pay is included in your gross income amount when calculating the allowed IRA contributions, and for the Child Tax Credit, Additional Child Tax Credit, EITC, and the Credit for Child and Dependent Care expenses. Complex State Tax Rules State taxes can be complicated for military service members and their spouses. Military service members home state, for tax purposes, is generally the state they lived in when they first enlisted. This is often the same for their non-military spouse. Generally, the spouse will owe taxes only to their home state. However, they could owe taxes to the state they live in and their home state – another reason to get all of their documents together before they see a Tax Pro. At the end of the day, it is valuable for you to seek a trusted and knowledgeable Tax Pro to help you prepare your 2020 tax return. Jackson Hewitt Tax Pros are here for the hardest working, especially our service members and their families, and we want to prepare everyone with the tools to maneuver this challenging year. www.jacksonhewitt.com

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FLYING LEATHERNECK AVIATION MUSEUM

CLEARED TO REOPEN See 31 Historical Aircraft Up Close!

www.FlyingLeathernecks.org

Volunteer opportunities available.

4203 Anderson Ave, San Diego, CA 858-693-1723 Public Entrance on Miramar Road

Now Open Thursdays-Sundays, 9:00 AM-3:30 PM

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VETERAN OF THE MONTH San Diego - January 2021 By Holly Shaffner

Ron Stark

U.S. Navy Retired As we ring in the New Year, our first Veteran of the Month for 2021 is a DSG – Do Stuff Guy. He is humble and doesn’t “do stuff” for the recognition; instead, he does “stuff” to make our military community better. This local “Giant among Giants” is U.S. Navy retired submariner Sonar Technician, Ron Stark. His military story started in 1974; however, he knew long before then that he would serve his country. Being in themilitary was in his blood. His grandfather served in WWI, his dad in WWII, his brother in Vietnam, so he was destined for military service and wanted to go into the Navy. He enlisted when he was 17 years old. Due to his high ASVAB score, he was assigned to sub duty and went on to travel the world. With all the great places his subs pulled in to, he went through initiations to become a Shellback, Bluenose, and Order of the Magellan.

For the next 12 years, Ron was involved with Standdown and volunteered with San Diego Veterans Coalition, other community organizations, his church, and his employer took notice. He was nominated by Mental Health Systems in 2012 for the San Diego County Veteran of the Year. Not only was he nominated but he WON! With over 240,000 veterans living in San Diego County, being the top veteran is a big deal. He also received the San Diego Psychological Association Local Hero Award in 2012 and was the CA Assembly 79th District Veteran of the Year in 2013! Ron was giving 15-30 hours per week of volunteer time on top of a full-time job and making San Diego better. These recognitions validated his “Service after Service” work.

Ron takes great pride in being able to figure out problems – from issues in the community to physically tearing things apart and repairing them. When asked how he learned so much over the years, Ron said, “I was a farmer by birth, tinker by nature, and everything else I learned along the way.” Well, he must have learned some things about being a leader in the San Diego veteran community. After he retired from the Navy, Ron began working with veterans in 1994 when was employed by Vietnam Veterans of San Diego (now Veterans Village of San Diego). It was during his work there that he became involved with San Diego Stand Down for homeless veterans. Based on his previous military experience, he knew that he could figure out anything, so organizers made him the logistics coordinator. 10

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So, you would think that once you win the top award in San Diego that your work is complete. Well, not for Ron. He is going into his 27th year volunteering with Stand Down. And not just any volunteer, he is on the planning committee, head of logistics and the site supervisor. That means he leads all efforts to build and tear down this amazing event. He is the first person on site each year to set up and the last one breaking it down. Each year Stand Down serves over 1000 homeless Veterans in San Diego County. This year, planners had to be creative due to the pandemic; they did drive thru and walk thru options vice overnight stays.

Ron has been volunteering with San Diego Veterans Coalition (SDVC) since its inception. In true Stark style, not just any volunteer, but he is currently the President. He has spearheaded many of the SDVC community giveback projects including a massive donation of Razor scooters for military-affiliated children in the community. This year, Ron (on behalf of SDVC) pursued a large grant to provide food for military families. He was successful in attaining the grant. One of the recipients of the funds was Courage to Call. Due to Ron’s hard work and SDVC, Courage to Call was able to provide a hot Christmas meal to 16 military families in need.

www.sdvetscoalition.org

www.vvsd.net/standdown

Courage to Call serves Active Duty, Veterans, Guard, Reserves, and their families. Ron was the first Program Manager of Courage to Call in 2009. The current Program Manager, RanDee McLain had this to say, “Ron answered the county’s call to start a program that served our underserved veterans and their families. He truly has a servant’s heart, and I am proud to call him my military brother…my friend.” Ron lives by just a few personal ethos: • “Do your best for others” • “Be who you are and not regretful for who you aren’t” • “Just do a little more than you have to” • “Take the call”…You may the only one who can connect someone to what they need. So, when you have served your country, served your community, and made them both better, what’s next? For Ron, he thinks about his epitaph at death. He wants to have a legacy of taking care of veterans and passing the torch to the next generation. If he could sum it up in three words, it would be, “His life counted.” Ron has made his mark on the San Diego community. We want to thank him for his continued service and bettering the lives of active duty, veterans, and military families!

To learn more about San Diego Veterans Coalition, go to: www.sdvetscoalition.org and to learn more about Stand Down, go to: www.vvsd.net/standdown

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USS Midway Museum Volunteer Profile: William “Woody” Woodward The Long Journey from Tragedy to Triumph

The firefight didn’t last long. When the guns fell silent, Petty Officer 3rd Class William “Woody” Woodward was still a still alive, but it was only the beginning of a battle that would last for decades. The New Jersey native was barely 21 years old when he found himself in Vietnam in 1968. A member of the Navy’s Task Force 116, River Division 51, Woody was a known as a “river rat,” patrolling the Cổ Chiên River in small rigid-hulled naval boats call PBRs.

“I was a twin 50-cal gunner,” said Woody, now 73. “I had no arms training, so I had to learn on the job after I replaced a man who was killed.” It was a night operation during the Tet Offensive. Woody and his crew had cut the engines of their PBR and let the boat quietly float down river. They soon came upon boats loaded with guns. They were enemy boats. “I opened fire with the 50-cal, and the rest of the crew started firing their weapons. No enemy escaped, 12

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”remembers Woody, whose father and brother also served in the Navy.” Life-and-death skirmishes repeated themselves during a year of dangerous combat duty on the perilous waterways of Vietnam. He was shot at as many times as he fired back. There were no safe harbors on the rivers. While he physically survived his harrowing tour in wartorn Southeast Asia, the emotional scars ran deep. Returning to San Diego and discharged from the Navy in early 1969, Woody was adrift, unable to shake the trauma he had unrelentingly experienced in Vietnam.

“Soon after my discharge, I had repeated nightmares of the different combat missions,” said Woody. “It was hard for me to hold a job or stay in a relationship. I lived in my van and my drinking increased.” Woody had acute post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and his growing dependency on drugs and alcohol were becoming a bigger threat to this life that the violence of war he had encounter half a world away. “I knew I could not go on this way,” said Woody.

“I was going to have to ask for help with my alcohol and combat issues.”

www.midway.org

“I knew I could not go on this way,” said Woody. “I was going to have to ask for help with my alcohol and combat issues.” It was in the early 1990s when Woody learned about the Veterans Village of San Diego or VVSD (formerly Vietnam Veterans of San Diego), a non-profit support organization for homeless veterans. VVSD is not only a licensed drug and alcohol rehabilitation center serving military veterans, they also provide mental health services, employment training, transitional housing and legal support. “I learned about VVSD and its ‘Stand Down’ three-day event that helps homeless vets,” said Woody. “I stayed for one year in 1991. VVSD identified specific issues and gave me the tools to deal with them.” The intense program helped put Woody back on his feet. While he couldn’t change what had happened to him in Vietnam, he learned how live with his past, which after more than 20 years gave him hope for the future. Woody soon channeled his own recovery into helping other homeless veterans. He earned a degree in alcohol and drug counseling at San Diego City College, and later became a counselor back at VVSD for many years. “Although I’m not a counselor there now, I’m still involved with VVSD,” said Woody. “I attend Triple Threat meetings for vets with drug, alcohol and combat problems. I also continue to participate in Stand Down doing counseling for the annual three-day event. Ever since I recovered, I’ve thought of nothing but helping fellow veterans the way I was helped.” In 2010, Woody joined the USS Midway Museum as a volunteer on the ship’s restoration team and has been involved in many painting projects over the last 10 years that keep the ship looking as it did during its 47 years of active service. Bruce Rainey

“I enjoy working on the Midway because it gives me a chance to talk to other shipmates, many who also served in the Navy,” said Woody. “I also get to talk to guests that come on board about Midway’s history. I’d recommend to anyone to volunteer on this proud American ship.” Like a Phoenix, Woody rose from his ashes, and he continues to give back to veterans in need at VVSD and to his community through his volunteer work on the Midway. Questions about the USS Midway Museum’s volunteer program can be directed to the museum’s volunteer office at (619) 398-8289 or volunteering@midway.org

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The Randy Jones Foundation provides new opportunities and resources for childrenfrom military families to participate in local sporting events, programs, and outdoor activities.The Youth Athletic Scholarship Program provides youth sports scholarships for driven student athletes 12-17 years old.

January 2021

www.sdvetscoalition.org

The Randy Jones Foundation is a Proud Member of the SDVC In 1976 a young Randy Jones was a left-handed starting pitcher for the San Diego Padres. He had the season of a lifetime leading his team with 22 victories and winning the coveted Cy Young award. After a highly successful 10 year major league baseball pitching career, Randy embarked upon a number of philanthropic endeavors driven by his personal passion to give back to the youth of his community. The culmination of his years of dedication has been the establishment of the Randy Jones Foundation. The Randy Jones Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in San Diego that seeks to provide new opportunities and resources for military and veteran families, their children, and the community through education, housing, and outdoor activities. A member in good standing of the SDVC since 2018, the Randy Jones has initiated programs beneficial to military and veteran families and their children and partnered with other servant leader organizations for the benefit of youth sports. Randy Jones has partnered with Bats4Boys to provide bats to athletes in need. - www.bats4boys.com

This past year the Randy Jones Foundation donated $50,000 to military families in San Diego. Randy’s Youth Athletic Scholarship Program offers children of service members and veterans financial assistance to participate in athletic programs they could not otherwise afford. Renewable scholarships are awarded based on athletic ability, potential to succeed, and commitment to academic excellence. To learn more and apply, please visit: www.randyjonesfoundation.com/scholarships.html The resources for these programs and scholarships come in part from generous corporate and private donations and from the annual Randy Jones Invitational Golf Tournament. This year’s 8th Annual Golf Tournament will bring 360 golfers together to compete for the Invitational title. This year’s winners will donate $10,000 to a charity of their choice and be treated to a dream escape golf adventure for 4 on a private jet to play golf at Pebble Beach.

www.bats4boys.com

The Randy Jones Foundation has partnered with Tom Milks (CalRE# 02064305) to provide military families in need with essentials during this difficult time. www.randyjonesfoundation.com/covid19.html 14

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The Randy Jones Foundation is an exemplary contributor to the thriving success of the veteran’s community in San Diego and a proud member of the SDVC. For additional information, please visit www.sdvetscoalition.org

Randy Jones Foundation

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How it Works:

In partnership with: 16

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Shelter to Soldier Launches Canine Ambassadors Program by Eva M. Stimson Shelter to Soldier Canine Ambassadors is the most recent Shelter to Soldier Therapy Team program that delivers cost-free visits of love and affection throughout the Southern California region to military members/ veterans and their families. Each therapy team (dog and handler) serves a variety of purposes, including visits with active duty military personnel, veterans working through trauma, military families while their loved ones are deployed or after a loved one has passed while in service,In addition, Shelter to Soldier Canine Ambassadors provide outreach to their community partners. Shelter to Soldier (STS) is a California 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that adopts dogs from local shelters and trains them to become psychiatric service dogs for post-9/11 combat veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress (PTS), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and/or other psychological injuries. The Canine Ambassadors Program is an extension of their veteranrelated services. The Shelter to Soldier Canine Ambassador Therapy Team is a group of certified Therapy Dogs and their dedicated handlers. These teams work in a variety of capacities to provide comfort and love solace to members of the veteran and active duty military community. STS Canine Ambassadors attend each STS veteran applicant interview, work with STS veteran-recipients to strengthen their handling prior to placement with a service dog, attend Shelter to Soldier events, visit with active duty military and their families, assist active duty service members and veterans during trauma recovery therapy, and participate in veteran group therapies and events in the community. Scientific research indicates that animal-assisted therapy lowers anxiety and blood pressure in participants, can act as an “ice-breaker” and reduce the initial resistance to therapy, and releases mood-elevating hormones serotonin, prolactin and oxytocin. (Excerpted article credit: “Health benefits of animal-assisted interventions”, Complementary Health Practice Review, 2007).

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Moose was the first member of the Canine Ambassadors Team. He was sponsored by the Petco Foundation, through their Helping Heroes grant program to become trained as a psychiatric service dog for a veteran in need. Moose graduated the program in 2019 with his veteran handler and helped him thrive and heal for several months.

Due to a change in his handler’s life and his need to become the primary caregiver for a special needs child, it became difficult to care for a service dog, despite the amazing support he felt Moose brought to his life. He returned Moose to the STS program so that he could help more veterans in need. An active duty US Navy sailor, Chief Petty Officer Select, Thomas Moore, adopted Moose. Moose regularly accompanies his handler, Tommy, to his assigned helicopter squadron to visit with active duty sailors, to STS training and events, and as a Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) victim advocate for service members throughout San Diego. According to Nicky Moore, Shelter to Soldier Director of Operations and dog trainer, “The Canine Ambassador Team is a unique way for the Shelter to Soldier program to make a wider impact on the veteran and active duty military community through outreach and providing comfort to our amazing service members and their families. Therapy dogs are another way to demonstrate the incredible role that dogs play in the mental and physical health of the people they meet. We are so excited to be able to touch even more hearts in the military community with open paws and wet doggie kisses!” It is estimated that an average of 20 veterans lose their lives to suicide every day in the United States, and in 2018 alone, 6317 veterans took their lives. Shelter to Soldier is committed to making an impact on these devastating statistics by providing hope through the companionship of a psychiatric service dog who provides non-judgmental, 24/7 support and motivation to veterans otherwise debilitated by mental illness. Shelter to Soldier Co Founder, Graham Bloem is the recipient of the American Red Cross Real Heroes Award, 10News Leadership Award, CBS8 News Change It Up Award, Honeywell Life Safety Award, and the 2016 Waggy Award. Additionally, Shelter to Soldier is accredited by the Patriot’s Initiative. www.sheltertosoldier.org. To learn more about veteran-support services provided by STS, call 760-870-5338 for a confidential interview regarding eligibility. To contribute to Shelter to Soldier’s mission, visit www.sheltertosoldier.org to make a tax-deductible donation. Shelter to Soldier courtesy photos of STS Canine Ambassador “Moose”

Join Us In 2021 San Diego

Veterans Magazine Voted 2019 & 2020 Best San Diego resource, support magazine for veterans, transitioning military personnel, active military, military families & veteran organizations

GET CONNECTED! A Veterans Magazine for Veterans by Veterans

(858) 275-4281 publisher@SDVetsMagazine.com

www.SDVetsMagazine.com

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Jungle Journey Marines cross a rope bridge during training at the Jungle Warfare Training Center in Okinawa, Japan, March 20, 2020. Photo By: Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jackson Dukes

DOD in Photos: 2020 This collection showcases the work of military photographers in 2020, when U.S. service members continued to conduct around-the-clock training and operations worldwide to ensure the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s security, even while responding to the coronavirus pandemic. DOD in Photos: 2020 (Collection avaliable at www.defense.gov/Experience/DOD-in-Photos-2020 20

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.â&#x20AC;?

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Mountain Hornet A Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet soars above the clouds while conducting flight operations near Atsugi, Japan, Jan. 29, 2020. Photo By: Navy Lt. Alex Grammar

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Big Buoy Underwater Construction Team 2 conducting inspections as part of a maritime infrastructure assessment of the harbor and surrounding waterfront facilities. Photo By: Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Cole C.

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Crucible Carry

Marine Corps recruits participate in a Crucible event at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., Jan. 10, 2020. The Crucible is a 54-hour field training exercise that presents continuous physical and mental challenges. Photo By: Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Christopher McMurry

Sunlit Security

Marines and sailors post security from the USS Essex during Steel Knight/Dawn Blitz from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Ca., Dec. 4. 2020. Photo By: Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Cameron Rowe 26

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Drop Zone Descent

U.S. and Italian army paratroopers conduct an airborne operation at the Juliet drop zone in Pordenone, Italy, Dec. 10, 2020. Photo By: Paolo Bovo, Army

Marine Mettle

Marines participate in a motivational run at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, Oct. 1, 2020. Photo By: Marine Corps Cpl. Jesula Jeanlouis

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Southern Caregiver Resource Center “Welcome Home” signs held by family members are a warm sight as they greet their military heroes returning home. Though not in uniform, military families also serve pledging themselves to ever-changing transitions of relocation, deployment, and homecoming. When the signs are put away, it is readjusting to a “new normal” where physical and/or invisible wounds are uncovered that may be one of the hardest transitions of all time. In the process, some family members and friends become military family caregivers who continue caring for their veteran with disabilities after service. Behind the scenes, military family caregivers carry out duties such as: accompanying the veteran to appointments, educating themselves on injuries, and overall being the veteran’s support system. For these reasons, military family caregivers are declared the “hidden heroes” behind military heroes who serve. Southern Caregiver Resource Center (SCRC) honors these hidden heroes and understands the challenges that come with military family caregiving. Being a family caregiver can be overwhelming as it requires balancing the caregiving role with everyday tasks and responsibilities. Since 1987, SCRC continues to support family caregivers in San Diego and Imperial counties by providing free and confidential caregiver resources including respite, education, family consultation/case management, counseling, support groups, and legal/ financial consultation. The mission of SCRC is to help families and communities master the challenges of caring for adults with chronic and disabling conditions. Many family caregivers are prone to chronic stress leading to depression, anxiety, and illness. With licensed clinical social workers on staff, SCRC provides in-depth services that promote the family caregiver’s health and well-being.

Operation Family Caregiver In partnership with the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving, SCRC offers an evidence-based coaching support program called Operation Family Caregiver (OFC) for military family caregivers caring for a service member or veteran from any service era with post-traumatic stress (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and/or other physical injuries. OFC coaches are highly trained licensed clinical social workers who work one-on-one with the military family caregiver tailoring problem-solving approaches that help navigate their unique caregiving experience. OFC focuses on the military family caregiver through wellness, goal-setting, family communication, and resource navigation. Since military families are always on the move, military family caregivers can stay connected virtually with their coach even outside of San Diego and Imperial counties. The goal of OFC is to foster stronger and healthier military families readjusting to the “new normal” living with physical and/or invisible wounds.

“Without SCRC and the OFC program I’m honestly unsure where I would be. Caring for a disabled veteran was challenging and at times incredibly lonely. The OFC program gave me the opportunity to take better care of myself so I could take better care of those around me. They cared about my well-being and my needs. The program saved my life in many ways and I am forever grateful for this.” - Brittany, OFC Graduate REACH2Caregivers Memory Loss, Alzheimer’s, and Dementia Watching a loved one with a memory loss is a painful process. SCRC also offers REACH2Caregivers supporting family caregivers of loved ones with memory loss, Alzheimer’s, and dementia. Classes are offered virtually in group settings with other caregivers and focus on helping family caregivers cope with their caregiving situation, take better care of themselves, learn stress management techniques, and develop effective family communication skills.

“I have learned about memory loss and dementia through the caregiver classes and training at SCRC. The REACH2Caregivers/CALMA program has helped me to better understand and handle my dad’s behaviors and learn how to keep him engaged in family activities.” - Rosario, REACH2Caregivers/CALMA 28

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Caregiver Education The caregiver role is a continuous learning process to better comprehend their loved oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s condition while caring for themselves. SCRC provides education and training on a variety of issues related to caregiving including self-care, behavioral management, and mobility assistance. The iCare Portal is a digital library of resources such as caregiver tip videos, podcasts, and webinars that help guide the family caregiver and empower them on their caregiver journey. Military family caregivers give all their time and energy to care for their loved one, consequently putting their own care and well-being last. During this social isolation period, caregivers are faced with greater caregiving responsibilities in order to keep a healthy household. For these hidden heroes, it can be difficult to ask for help, but reaching out is a sign of strength. Southern Caregiver Resource Center remains dedicated to serving family caregivers with FREE support services and resources that strengthen them, their veteran, and families that surround them. For SCRC, a stronger caregiver means stronger military families. Established in 1987 as a non-profit 501c3, Southern Caregiver Resource Center is the leading provider of caregiver support services for San Diego County, serving over 100,000 clients annually with a wide variety of support services that include education, case management, counseling, respite care and support groups. Tax ID 33-0402867

Southern Caregiver Resource Center Caring for those who care for others

Southern Caregiver Resource Center has been offering FREE direct services to the community for over 33 years. Our team of highly qualified professional staff supports families through a comprehensive inventory of programs and services.

Specialized Information

Support Groups Short-Term Counseling

REACH2 Caregivers

Operation Family Caregiver

Education & Training Case

Consultation Management

Legal & Financial Consultation

For inquiries about our programs, referrals, or to sign up, contact:

www.SCRC.care 1(800) 827-1008 (858) 268-4432 To refer or sign up for OFC, contact: https://bit.ly/OFCsignup

Southern Caregiver Resource Center (800) 827-1008 or (858) 268-4432

Marianne Delatorre OFC Community Outreach Specialist mdelatorre@caregivercenter.org (858) 531-9800

scrc@caregivercenter.org I www.caregivercenter.org

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / JANUARY 2021

Real Talk: Mental Health By Jenny Lynne Stroup, Outreach Coordinator for the Cohen Clinic at VVSD

“Whatever 2021 may bring, I am confident

that meeting its challenges and its joys will be much easier when I am gentle with myself while also holding myself accountable to a list that feels attainable.”

New Year, new you? It’s the annual question that starts bouncing around our brains come the end of December. For me it starts somewhere between the gingerbread house decorating and the frantically wrapping presents at all hours of the night. Even as I expectantly await all the joy and thrill of the holidays my mind is already in the new year both wondering and worrying about what me I will be in the upcoming year. What are my goals? What do I want to accomplish? The answers to these questions do not come easily for me. It is difficult for me to articulate what it is I want. It is far easier for me to write all the things I decidedly don’t want.

Planning and direction is better for my own health than being run by the whims and wills of others. So, this year I plan to approach my new year, new you resolutions, goals, and now or never plans with a few priorities that put my health and well-being at the top of the list: My penned list includes: • Focusing on the things I can control. For me these are things like my morning routine, meal planning, and working out. • Creating a daily rhythm that helps me keep a consistent schedule.

I’ve spent many years wishing I were more like my husband with his posterboard, yes posterboard, and markers writing his goals in big and bold print for all to see.

• Scheduling regular check-ins with my best cheerleaders, whether they be close friends, former battle buddies, family, or a combination of all of the above.

When I couple my difficulty of penning goals and 2020 making me feel like I wanted to chuck my planners in the trash, the second question on my mind, is do I even bother making that list this year?

• Expanding upon or beginning a hobby that puts my body and mind at ease. Yoga, knitting, crocheting, sewing, coloring are all good options to keep your hands busy and your mind calm.

As someone who would rather curl up on the couch and wait for hard things to pass rather than meet challenge and change head on, I’ve weighed my options for goal setting this year more than once and I’ve come to this:

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• Finding a coach or mentor with similar life experiences to help hold me accountable to my goals and to offer me encouragement along the way.

• Attending to my mental and physical health needs- I am my top priority. Make those appointments-yes even dental! • Treating myself! Taking a bath, watching my favorite show, reading a magazine that reminds me of home, and grabbing a to-go cup of my favorite cup of coffee are a few of my favorite ways to treat myself that are both inexpensive and fulfilling. When I look at these “resolutions” as priorities that are for me rather than set in stone have-tos that require something of me the pressure is off. I am less likely to avoid working at these because they are flexible and provide me plenty of room to grow. Whatever 2021 may bring, I am confident that meeting its challenges and its joys will be much easier when I am gentle with myself while also holding myself accountable to a list that feels attainable. My hope in sharing this list is that it resonates with you and helps you craft your own set of priorities that bring out the best in you. Happy New Year. May your goals be attainable, may your resolutions be flexible, and may your mindset be gentle.

Jenny Lynne Stroup serves as the Outreach Coordinator for the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Veterans Village of San Diego. www.vvsd.net/cohenclinicsandiego The Cohen Clinic at VVSD is one of 19 mental health clinics nationwide under nonprofit Cohen Veterans Network(CVN) which focuses on providing targeted treatmentsfor a variety of mental health challenges facing post-9/11 veterans and military families, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, transition challenges, and more.

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / JANUARY 2021

Arts & Healing Arts for Military Veterans By Amber Robinson

Taking the vision board to the next level for 2021 Welcome to 2021! As a nation I know we are all communally excited to wave goodbye to the year 2020. As we move forward into this brand new year, I know there is a lot on everyone’s mind and getting organized and inspired to make things happen is part of it. There are plenty of ways to do this. Make lists, write out inspiring quotes on the fridge or make a vision board.

But, 2021 is a BIG year. It’s our COMEBACK year as a nation so we need BIG visions. Therefore, I say do what I do and take the vision board a step further and create a vision WALL. I created my first vision wall at the end of 2018 going into 2019. I was going through a big breakup and a nervous breakdown as I tried to make headway into new mindsets past those of my trauma. So I grabbed a roll of newsprint from my art supplies and I rolled large swaths of paper out onto an empty bedroom wall and taped it up. I dragged out pastels and markers and colored pencils and I scrawled “Breathe, Moon Child” in 2 foot letters in the middle of the paper. That would be my main message for the year. That theme reminded me to become mindful, to stop and breathe and become more still. Around that “theme” I drew small symbols and pictures, quotes, reminders. I worked on the wall all year, adding to it all the way up until New Year the next year.

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I woke up each morning to “Breathe Moon Child”, along with all the other many messages I eventually collected that year to motivate me towards a happier, healthier and more confident me. The pictures were of a flaming phoenix woman to remind me to rise from the ashes, a full moon that reminded me to look to earth’s beauty when I was down. I drew a large eye and reminded myself to cultivate my “third eye” of intuition, then drew roots and branches from it encouraging me to let that concept take root within myself and grow.

I first called it my “processing wall” because I used it to creatively process trauma. But now, as I roll out the newsprint for the third year in a row, I have taken to calling it my vision wall. Last year’s theme for the wall was “Listen”. It encouraged me to take 2020 and listen more than I talked. It also encouraged me to listen more deeply to myself and what my personal needs were.

If you started a vision wall in 2021, what would your theme be? What quotes or pictures would you choose? You can cut out magazine pictures if you are not the best artist, but for artists who want to put their skills to work, get out the supplies!

This year my theme will be “Flight”. I think this year many of us are looking to fly the coop after months upon months of quarantine! But, the goal behind my theme this year is to encourage me to take flight into my own potential, self-love and loving others. I’m already thinking of what my first quotes and pictures will be to inspire me each morning of 2021 as soon as I wake up.

You can add to the wall all year long, building off the imagery or adding more information to concepts.

Given the vision “board” is actually a wall helps my thoughts get bigger. Using pictures as well as quotes and words helps me because I can focus on what the drawing stands for as I create it. It helps the ideas become more lodged into my psyche initially, then I reinforce them as I wake up to them each day. Making the concept creative and beautiful makes it even more motivating for me.

The ceiling is the limit with this creative way to help ring in the New Year.

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A Different Lens Mental Health Monthly By RanDee McLain, LCSW

Out with the old in with the new As 2020 was coming to an end I began to think what I wanted 2021 to look like. What were my goals for the new year? I think there are three main parts of starting the year off right and setting yourself up for a great year! The first step is letting go! Many years ago, I started a tradition of ‘letting go’ at the end of each year. Before I make long list of ambitious resolutions or goals - I needed to review my current status. Is there anything in my life to day I need to let go of? Anything we need to leave in 2020? Some people choose to let go of clutter or bad habits. I.e Smoking or bitting nails. Another option for letting go is relationships that no longer serve you. The obvious is relationships that are in anyway toxic, but this also includes relationships that you have outgrown or no longer serve a purpose in your life. I like to make a list of items that I am letting go of and say them aloud on the 31st. This year, I chose to declutter. Like most women….I do not need sizes 6 to 16 in my closet. The likelihood I will wear a 6 or 16 ever again is slim. So, I truly cleaned out the closet. Next was shoes. I will just say I had too many! Ok way too many! Another thing I left in 2020 is negative self-talk. Sometimes we are our own worst enemies. I truly want to leave all negative self-talk in 2020 and be proud of where I am and be in the moment. Clutter and negative self-talk are on my list to leave in 2020. 34

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Next, we need to figure out what is important- what brings us joy? As I have mentioned in Lens before- Faith, Family/Friends, and being active outdoors are all things I love and want in my life. It is important to reevaluate these items at least yearly as they may change. What was super important to you last year may not be at the top of the list this year. Lastly, develop realistic and achievable goals. Now, that you have made a list of what is important to you it should inform how you develop your goals for the year. Last year was an eye opener for me when I did this exercise. I say my faith and family are two of my top priorities in my life. I have not been to church in over a year and only see family two times a year. My job is nowhere in top 5, but I spend 80% of my life devoted to it. This year, my goals are to put more energy into the things that bring me joy. To be intentional in my faith and relationships. It is important to make sure our goals are achievable and realistic. Working out 7 days a week/365 days a year might not be realistic but being active 4 out of 7 days may be more attainable. My family lives out of state so a goal of visiting family once a month is not realistic, but a goal of weekly video chats is more attainable. There are things that can be left in 2020….like COVID please. Leave the things that no longer have a purpose in your life, list the things that matter most to you and build goals from there. I wish you all a healthy, safe and most of all Happy New Year!! - Peace out 2020!!

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The Stigma of Addiction / Misunderstandings about Recovery By Jay Wylie

While medical science has made great strides in diagnosing Substance Use Disorder (SUD), or what in the past was referred to as Alcoholism and Drug Addiction, proving that SUD is an identifiable disease every much as real as cancer or diabetes, public opinions concerning those with SUD have lagged far behind. Many feel that those suffering from SUD simply lack the moral character or willpower to stop using or drinking. This negative attitude has hindered sufferers from risking public scorn in order to get treatment for their disease.

This stigma has wrapped what is available in recovery from SUD in mystery – unless you have a personal recovery experience it is unlikely that you would know much about it. Based on this reality, it may be quite difficult for a SUD sufferer to know what recovery might look like or what options are available. It is important that the general public have some idea of what recovery treatment is in order to reduce fear of treatment and the stigma associated with it.

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Levels of Care Inpatient Treatment, commonly referred to as “Rehab” is when a SUD sufferer goes into a 24-hour facility that provides housing, meals as well as constant treatment support, such as education, exercise, and therapy sessions. Programs vary in content but all have a regimented approach to helping develop coping skills/tools to help patients be successful in recovery after discharge.

Most residential programs is medical supervised Detoxification, or “DETOX”, to help the patient get through withdrawal symptoms when stopping use. This assistance keeps the patient medically safe; stopping use of substances “Cold Turkey” is not recommended as it can have life-threatening consequences as the body reacts to not getting the substances it has become dependent on.

The disadvantage of outpatient treatment is that detox may still be required prior to starting and that it does not provide living facilities. However, the great advantage is the client is still dealing with life issues and is able to employ the skills they are learning in real time…and they get to stay employed and with family while recovering. This real time coping experience can be very helpful in preventing relapses in the future.

The advantage of residential treatment is that it allows the patient to t completely focus on their recovery without outside distractions. The disadvantage is that not everyone has the luxury of being able to take such a break from family or employment responsibilities. Additionally, when a person emerges from rehab they must again face life and all its problems; only this time they must do so without the safe rehab environment, which can lead to relapse.

Community based programs can be effective during all stages of recovery. Perhaps the best-known of these are 12-Step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). AA and similar 12-Step programs have helped countless people to achieve sobriety. An 2020 USA Today article indicates that AA is nearly 60% more effective than other treatment programs, and in fact many other treatment programs use 12-Step methodology as part of their treatment. Another option is Self Management and Recovery Training, or SMART recovery, which is a rational thinking vice spiritual approach than 12-step programs. Finally, there are many faith-based recovery programs, many of which are based on 12-Step programs but are aligned with a particular faith. All of these programs are readily available and largely free of charge. However, they do not offer detox services or the deeper focus of formal treatment programs.

Outpatient treatment is where a person goes to a treatment facility during the day but is able to come home or to a sober living facility at night. The amount of time per day spent in treatment varies based on the program – it can vary from a couple of hours of treatment a week to up to 5-8 hours a day based on need. Outpatient treatment normally follows inpatient treatment to keep a person in recovery on the right path, or it can be a first stop for someone who is exploring options.

Medically Assisted Treatment or MAT is a relatively new treatment that prescribes medications to help those using heroin, fentanyl, or other drugs to safely stop using more harmful substances. MAT has helped many safely detox from harmful drugs; however, critics claim that MAT users are merely substituting one drug for another. Most recovery practitioners agree that MAT by itself is only good for short-term harm reduction and must be combined with other treatment s to achieve long-term recovery. The most effective recovery method is normally a coordinated combination of these programs tailored for the individual. The key is to find a recovery professional who can help you or your loved ones navigate which treatment options are best for you. Confidential Recovery is an Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program that is helping working adults, first responders, and veterans to overcome substance use disorder and achieve sustainable sobriety and longterm recovery. If you or someone you care about is suffering from substance abuse, call us at 619-452-1200 EXT 3 or visit our website www.confidentialrecovery.com.

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / JANUARY 2021

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery. This crime occurs when a trafficker uses force, fraud or coercion to control another person for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts or soliciting labor or services against his/her will. Every year $150 billion is made from the trade.

SD Veterans Magazine had a chance to sit down with Spokesperson Eileen Dong and learn more about Hope Pyx Global Hope and its mission is to assist people from all backgrounds who are victims and survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual assault. Q: Can you tell me more about Hope Pyx Global? A: Hope Pyx Global is a Houston-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the awareness and prevention of Domestic Violence, Human Trafficking, and Sexual Assault nationwide. We bridge the gap between Asian and international communities and service providers by educating providers about cultural stigmas, providing language assistance, bringing awareness to break the silence, and providing resources for victims and survivors to obtain help. The organization advocates for the safety of victims and survivors, promotes accountability for abusers, and fosters a community response to abuse. We deliver our mission by providing diverse services through community partnerships. Q: Eileen, How did you become the spokesperson for the non-profit organization, Hope Pyx Global? 38

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A: I have been an advocate and volunteer for many years, and I sit on various boards, advisory boards, committees and coalitions throughout Texas, California and nationally. One day at a meeting, a judge came to me and said, “It’s not that the Asian community in Houston, Texas is underrepresented, it’s that there is no representation at all.” In the Asian culture, female victims are often afraid to speak up due to the honor and shame system. I became the voice for Asians as well as the international community to bridge the gap and address cultural stigmas. Q: As an advocate, what information do you provide? A: My YouTube channel, “The Ms Texas Show”, highlights survivors of traumatic events, such as family violence, sex trafficking, sexual assault, and wartime related traumas. We invite community leaders to share community resources. Under our “Military-Time” segment, we collaborate with the National Veterans Chamber of Commerce and invite military and veterans to share their experiences during and after their military service. Under our “Beauty” segment, we invite pageant winners and contestants, as well as artists (musicians, actors, models, and dancers) who are ambassadors for their causes to share their lives, platforms, and the impact they have made in their communities.

I also conduct virtual and in-person training and speeches to law enforcement, service providers, advocates, and survivors on topics including, but not limited to, Culture Stigma, Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Sex Trafficking, and Hope and Healing. Q: What is the relationship between domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking? A: Statistics shows that victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault are more likely to be trafficked. Crime rates of human trafficking and domestic violence went up almost 50% during COVID. Anyone can be a victim regardless of age, race, gender, religion, nationality, social or economic status, or educational levels. This is happening in our backyard. Q: What is human trafficking? A: Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery. This crime occurs when a trafficker uses force, fraud, or coercion to control another person for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts or soliciting labor or services against his/her will. Q: What is domestic violence? A: Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior used by one partner to maintain power and control over the other partner in an intimate relationship. Domestic violence includes behaviors that physically harm their victim, arouse fear in them, restrict their freedoms, or force them to behave in ways they do not want. It includes the use of physical violence and sexual assault, threats and intimidation, emotional abuse, and economic deprivation. Many of these different forms of domestic violence can be occurring at any one time within the same intimate relationship. A: What is sexual assault? Q: Sexual assault refers to sexual contact or behavior that occurs without explicit consent of the victim. Some forms of sexual assault include attempted rape; fondling or unwanted sexual touching; forcing a victim to perform sexual acts, such as oral sex or penetrating the perpetrator’s body; penetration of the victim’s body, Q: How is this related to the military or veterans? A: Sexual assault in the United States military is an ongoing issue. Rates of sexual assault and harassment reports in the military have increased since last year, according to a Pentagon report released on April 30th, 2020. Q: January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, what resources do you provide? A: We have been doing virtual events since before COVID. This year there will be virtual educational events and interviews about this topic.

A few events are as follows: 1/6/2021 8:45PM CST/9:45PM EST/6:45PM PST Human Trafficking 101 1/13/2021 8:45PM CST/9:45PM EST/6:45PM PST Child Trafficking - Grooming, Recruitment Tactics on Social Media 1/15/2021 3:00PM CST/4:00PM EST/1:00PM PST Veterans Against Human Trafficking 1/19/2021 8:45PM CST/9:45PM EST/6:45PM PST Meet Kate - The Story Of A Victim of Military Sexual Assault and Sex Trafficking For additional events or information, go to: Non-profit: Hope Pyx Global www.HopePyxGlobal.org www.facebook.com/HopePyxGlobal www.instagram.com/HopePyxGlobal YouTube: “The Ms Texas Show” www.youtube.com/c/TheMsTexasShow Q: How can our readers help? A: Join our team of advocates by sharing the social media posts and the interviews on the show to help bring awareness and prevention. Volunteer locally or remotely. We need graphic designers, photographers, videographers, film directors, models, actors, voice talent, community leaders, influencers, social media and SEO experts, and more.Donate to help making a difference for victims and survivors. Hope Pyx Global is a 100% volunteer organization without a single paid employee. This means donations go to victims and survivors. Eileen Dong is Ms. California2021. By trade, Ms. Dong is an international business consultant, a cross-cultural communications expert, and a linguist. As an artist, she is a model, dancer, actor, songwriter, and show host of “The Ms Texas Show” on YouTube. As a community leader, a public speaker, a philanthropist, and an advocate, Ms. Dong is the spokesperson for Hope Pyx Global and a board member of the National Veterans Chamber of Commerce. WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / JANUARY 2021

R E S O U

WOUNDS WE CANNOT SEE Post Traumatic Stress Disorder does not always allow the affected to seek help. Lend a hand and provide them with methods of help, listen and be a friend.

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At San Diego Veterans Magazine you can visit our website for all current and past articles relating to PTSD, symptoms, resources and real stories of inspiration.

Resources & Articles available at:

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The colors of gratitude

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FIGHTING PTSD

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / JANUARY 2021

I had a complete meltdown with PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder). I thought I was losing my mind. I’d never been out of control before, and it was hard to admit I needed help, but I wanted my old self back. I’ve gotten that and more. I’m strong. I’m healthy. I have tools, I have knowledge, and I have strength and courage to deal with it. I’m doing just fine. RON WHITCOMB SGT US ARMY 1968 - 1969 SQUAD LEADER, VIETNAM

PTSD TREATMENT CAN TURN YOUR LIFE AROUND. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.PTSD.VA.GOV/ABOUTFACE

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PTSD COACH PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder) is a mental health problem that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event, like combat, a natural disaster, a car accident, or sexual assault. More than half of individuals experience at least one trauma in their lives. The National Center for PTSD offers FREE, confidential mobile apps that provide help, education, and support related to mental health.

Download PTSD Coach to:

Learn about PTSD and available treatments Track your PTSD symptoms over time Practice relaxation, mindfulness, and other stress-management exercises Grow your support network Access crisis resources

bit.ly/PTSDTreatmentWorksHomeland

PTSD Coach is not meant to replace professional care.

San Diego Veteran Resources Search â&#x20AC;&#x153;PTSD Coachâ&#x20AC;? & Organizations available at: www.MiramarPostalPlus.com

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Money Matters

Expert Advice on VA Lending & Personal Finance By Phil Jawny, MIRM, CMP, CSP

Getting Back on Track after Incurring Unsecured Debt Question: I’ve gotten into more debt over the last few years and I want to improve my situation. Is there a way to use my VA benefit to pay off debts and feel more stable? Answer: This is a common question and a good one to think about for gaining financial security. You are not alone in battling with debt. According to Ascent, in 2020, on average, American consumers had four credit cards and 61% had at least one. Credit card balances in the United States totaled $893 billion. This doesn’t account for medical bills, personal loans and other unsecured debts. Fortunately, because of your service, you can use your VA benefit for debt consolidation. Debt Consolidation Debt consolidation is a method to simplify how you pay back debt to creditors that ideally gives you a lower interest rate so you can pay it back faster. Credit cards are unsecured debt with some of the highest interest rates (up to 29%) and no tangible benefit for your overall financial picture. How Your VA Loan Can Improve Your Picture If you own your home, you may be able to use your VA loan benefit to consolidate high interest credit card and other unsecured debts into a fixed, low interest rate mortgage loan.

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Consolidating debt can immediately improve your cash flow and reduce the amount of interest you pay over time. Also, since VA mortgage loans are secured installment debts, the interest rates are dramatically lower and can offer a tax benefit. Additionally, whether you are a veteran or an active-duty service member, you are offered more favorable terms and fewer restrictions for mortgage qualifying when using your VA benefit. The VA cash-out refinance loan allows you to cash out up to 100% of your home’s equity (not value) to pay debts. Overall benefits of using the VA loan program include: • Fixed Terms • Lower Fixed Rates • Tax Deductions • Ability to Lower Overall Monthly Bills • Flexible Guidelines • Exclusive Discounts to Qualified Service Members How Much You Can Borrow The amount you can borrow with the VA cash out loan depends on two factors: 1. What equity do you have in your home? Equity is the difference between the value of your home and what you owe against it (current mortgage balance). You may be surprised by how much equity you have in your home that you can borrow against using your VA benefit. Home values increase by 3-5% per year on average.

2. What is your ability to pay this refinance? In order to use a VA cash out loan for debt consolidation, there are specific requirements that must be met: • Credit score of at least 620 • Adequate disposable income based on your area and family size • Debt ratio no higher than 41% • On-time mortgage payment history • No collections within the last 12 months Do the Math If you have a credit card with a $5,000 balance at 29.99% interest, and you pay the minimum due each month, it could take 21 years to pay it in full and you could end up paying over $21,000! Think about it: the $5,000 you spent could cost an additional $16,000 or more of your hard-earned money. If you take out a new mortgage to consolidate your high interest debts, the rate is much lower and, instead of paying the interest with no benefit to you, the mortgage interest may qualify as a tax deduction which could benefit you even more. How To Get Started It can be overwhelming to figure out how to pay off debts, but there are many advantages of using your VA benefit. The best place to start is with a knowledgeable VA lender that understands the ins and outs of VA loans and can provide insight into your personal situation. In a brief conversation, you can establish what steps you need to take and how quickly you can take action. Most people are surprised at how easy the process is and by how far-reaching the benefits can be! Advantages of using your VA benefit. www.govaloans.com/5-myths-about-va-loans

Phil Jawny is a professional lender with nearly 20 years of experience in the business and the founder of GoVA Loans. His industry knowledge is extensive, spanning from loan reorganization to commercial mortgages to, most importantly, selling and managing VA Loans.

Change Your Financial Outlook in 2021 Put Your VA Loan Benefit to Work! Are you taking advantage of all your VA benefits? Our team of experts is here to share advice and guide you down the path toward financial stability. Start the new year off right with a conversation that will set you on the best financial path! So what are you waiting for? Contact us today!

Phil has a passion for serving military families. His goal is simple — to help make the loan process simpler for families so they can get the loans they deserve and build wealth through real estate without the hassle. To get ongoing advice or to submit a question for the “Money Matters” column, visit facebook.com/Govaloans or follow @GoVALoans on Instagram & Twitter.

www.GoVALoans.com @GoVALoans

info@govaloans.com (833) 825-6261

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / JANUARY 2021

Legally Speaking Military Focused Family Law Facts By Tana Landau, Esq.

“Let’s Get Started” Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Attorney

2021 It’s a new year, and for many that means it’s time for new beginnings. You may be one of those people. Have you decided to file for divorce and move on in your life? If so, you will likely find yourself in need of an experienced attorney to help you through the process and assist in custody and visitation, support, or division of marital property issues. But how do you choose the right attorney for you? At your initial consultation, there are several important questions to ask.

Family Law

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / JANUARY 2021

Does the firm specialize in family law? It is important to hire an attorney who is experienced in family law. There are several firms that practice in many areas of law versus firms that focus only on one area. A firm that only handles family law matters may not only have more experienced attorneys to handle your divorce, but they may also have a better reputation within the family law community. As such, they may have relationships established with other family law attorneys which could aid in settling any disputed issues in your case. How many years has the attorney been practicing? It is important to know how long an attorney you are considering hiring has been practicing family law. Knowing which attorney has more experience can be very important for your case, especially if your divorce involves high conflict issues or if you have a high asset case, both of which require more expertise.

What is the retainer and how does billing work? You will want to know what the initial retainer is and what it covers. Make sure that you ask what the billable rates are for the attorneys working on your matter as well as any paralegal or support staff. Different staff often bill at different rates based on position or experience. Another question to consider is whether or at what point the firm would require a replenishment of that retainer. You also want to consider how a firm bills. Some attorneys bill in 6-minute increments while others bill in quarter hour increments. Additionally, some attorneys or firms bill for each phone call, email or letter with a minimum charge.

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Who will be working on my case and how involved will the attorney be? Most family law attorneys have a team of people to assist on a matter which can include various paralegals and other associate attorneys. If you are seeking to hire a specific attorney based on reputation or referral, you will want to ask how involved they will be and who else will be assisting on your case. Also ask about the experience of other attorneys that may work on your matter. How familiar is the attorney with local judges? If you cannot settle your matter out of court and your divorce is litigated, you want an attorney that is not only comfortable taking your case to trial but who is also familiar with the local judges. This type of experience can help provide insight as to what issues you are likely to succeed on in court and possible outcomes should an issue be litigated at a hearing. It can also help decide those matters that you should seek to settle. No matter what, keep in mind that a consultation is not just for an attorney to get to know you, but for you to get to know them. Keep this list of questions (and any others you may have) handy and try to remember that divorce can be a new beginning even when it feels hard.

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

Legal Experts with Humanity WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / JANUARY 2021

WHAT’S NEXT Transition to Civilian Life By Eve Nasby

Prime Advice to Getting Hired - Delivered by Amazon While the unemployment rate has dropped since the March 2020 high, there are still over 10 million unemployed Americans. There’s a good chance that you unfortunately know someone (or are someone) who’s been looking for a job for months with no success. Struggling to make ends meet has become all too commonplace. The longer the job search goes on, the harder it is to stay motivated and positive. Beau Higgins, former Commanding Officer, USMC now Senior Manager, Military Talent Acquisition, Amazon, has a great story, and some well-packaged advice and information for those looking to get hired. Some Good News! First, here’s some good news: Amazon has over 30,000 open positions! Which prompts the next question of, “how do I get hired there?” Four years ago, Beau had the same question. After transitioning out of the military, he faced the tough reality of figuring out what he wanted to do next. He also realized that even more importantly than figuring out what he wanted to do, was recognizing what he didn’t want to do. Beau knew he didn’t want to stay in DOD as a GS employee. He also knew he didn’t want to be a contractor. These steps led him to realizing he wanted a business or operations role in Tampa, FL. Suddenly, a laser-focused approach to find a business-related role in Tampa became a tangible, achievable goal. So, that’s what he did. The Power of Your Network Yes, the dreaded word “network.” Sounds overwhelming. But, Beau made it simple. He talked to his friends in Tampa and said “I’m looking for a business or operations role here.” It worked. He was hired for a role at a midsized custom cable company because of a referral in his network. The company manufactured and installed fiber 50

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / JANUARY 2021

optic cable, which wasn’t something Beau knew much about, but he got in the door, learned the ropes and got experience doing various roles there, including assembly line work, operations, marketing and sales. Now, how this ties to Amazon. The cable company did installation work for Amazon in Tampa. Beau was in sales at the time, and reached out to his friends who worked at Amazon to sell the fiber optic cable. One of these friends told him that Amazon was bulking up their military network and creating a new position to lead it. And, that Beau seemed like he’d be a perfect candidate for the role. One call led to one referral, and Beau landed the job at Amazon. Onwards and Upwards Beau’s work was cut out for him. Amazon CEO, Jeff Bezos, announced at the White House that their goal was to hire 25,000 veterans in the next 5 years. To date, Amazon has hired almost 45,000 veterans and military spouses. Sounds like hiring Beau was the right guy to spearhead the program! After almost 4 years since starting at Amazon, Beau is honored to be able to share valuable advice to help veterans, spouses and active-duty military. His tips relate both to transitioning out of the military and how to get hired at Amazon. 1. Focus, Fire, Repeat. Invest time in determining what you DON’T want to do. This also means, don’t say “I’ll do anything.” That’s not focused, has no end goal, and is just randomly firing shots into the air. Finding your focus isn’t as hard as it sounds. There are resources to help you figure out where you’d best excel. For example, Korn Ferry offers personality assessment tests, including a free trial. Many of the roles at Amazon fall into maintenance and IT. So, you can determine in these tests if you have an aptitude in those areas. Or once you know where your aptitude is strongest, you can focus on those areas. Dave Grundies

Once you whittle down a sharper idea of what you want to do, be persistent. Beau’s friend applied to Amazon 13 times, and finally got the job he wanted. Any company’s hiring process can be very competitive. Companies frequently bring in 3-5 candidates for interview, whittled down from the original 100 applicants. Do your research into what a company is really looking for in a candidate. Understand that your hard skills of turning a wrench or answering a phone well is only a fraction of a company’s hiring equation. How you fit the culture, or your soft skills, are sometimes the bigger question. Amazon makes it easy to know what their cultural DNA looks like as they list their 14 leadership principles.

Getting a Job at Amazon www.amazonmilitarywebinarseries.splashthat.com This weekly free webinar is the first step to understand how hiring is done at Amazon. This is a webinar that affords you a unique opportunity to network with the recruiters responsible for hiring within the various divisions. From IT to Maintenance you will be able to put names with faces of those who have the ability to help you get the job you want at Amazon.

“Amazon interviews on leadership experience. So, the better you can tell the story of how you led a team or a project successfully, and clearly communicate how your actions drove outcomes, the better your chances of landing the job.”, advises Beau. Diversity of Thought Companies die at the hands of “group think”. Employers love that veterans bring a unique world experience and value their diversity of thought. Veterans are able to think about challenges and solutions completely differently than their civilian counterparts. Diversity of thought is important in looking at how teams address problems and engage in problem solving. In the military, you’re put in situations where you are under duress and are often called on to make good decisions quickly. When you voice your opinion and look at things differently, you bring incredible value to your employer and your team.

Good luck and let us know how it goes! We wish you a very happy and healthy New Year.

Transition to Civilian Life 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 down right depressing, demotivating and you may feel totally disillusioned. The What’s Next column is dedicated to you and to helping you succeed in your transition. If you need help with your career transition, you can connect with Eve at LinkedIn. www.linkedin.com/in/eve-nasby-given-0050452 For advice, tips and programs you can read Eve’s monthly column at San Diego Veterans Magazine. What’s Next – Transition columns available at: www.tinyurl.com/y69btxe3

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / JANUARY 2021

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WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / JANUARY 2021

HUMAN RESOURCES Transition to Business By Paul Falcone

Setting Career Expectations for 2021 Happy New Year, and welcome to 2021! 2020 was a challenging year for so many of us for so many reasons, and part of HR’s job is to serve as a bit of a “corporate futurist” in discussing expectations for the following year with employees and team members.

2021

In the December ’20 issue last month, I chose to write about macro trends coming our way on so many different fronts—the promise of new technology, trends and patterns in demographics, and how to adopt those guideposts in launching your own career trajectory, either into the private sector or within the military. After all, demographics is destiny, artificial intelligence and other forms of innovation will create more job opportunities than we can likely imagine, and studying those trends makes for smart career sense so you can maximize career opportunities that come your way. New Year - New You Mindset

“SOX”

For the January issue, we now have to consider some of the micro issues that will likely show themselves this year. As the saying goes, hope for the best and prepare for the worst. Unfortunately, the most likely projection for 2021 will be more of 2020. I practice human resources in healthcare at a residential care facility for the elderly. Fighting the COVID virus has been front and center on my and our leadership team’s minds for the past year. Day in and day out, our goal was to protect our residents and patients from infection, knowing that citizens living in retirement homes make up only 0.4% of the U.S. population but account for 40% of COVID-related deaths. We exited 2020 with the release of COVID vaccinations from Pfizer and Moderna, which bring with them the promise for an end to this pandemic and a return to normalcy. But setting your expectations appropriately is important as we launch into 2021: masking and social distancing will still be necessary for the foreseeable future. After all, we’re still not sure how long the new vaccine will last and what the reinfection rate might look like. Further, you should brace yourself for much controversy over the vaccine itself. Politicians who have argued against it now stand first in line to receive it. U.S. workers want it desperately, except for those who fear its “warp speed” creation timeline and therefore doubt its safety. Factor in antivaxxers and those who refuse to take the vaccine on political grounds, and simply know that the logistical rollout of the vaccine might take longer than otherwise expected. There’s no judgment here: simply an objective observation of what lies ahead. Now do the math: 330 million Americans theoretically require two doses of the vaccine. We’re talking over a half billion doses, and the logistics surrounding a number that large— even if everything goes without a hitch—will take the good part of a year. So, take a deep breath and relax. Understand that this is a two-year process all in, not a one-year process, and find your peace of mind in knowing that we’ll get through this as a nation, as we’ve done before through wars and stock market crashes and other exigencies.

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / JANUARY 2021

Next, understand that once COVID subsides, there will be a “scattering” and workplace diaspora unlike anything we’ve seen in our lifetimes. First, anyone even remotely thinking of retiring will surely hang up their career cleats, as COVID was absolutely exhausting for so many for so long. That will open up significant numbers of positions and opportunities at myriad organizations. Next, workers in so many industries are feeling frustrated at having had to “tread water” career-wise throughout the pandemic and may be looking for new and broader opportunities for career growth. The result? Again, a scattering of job openings and career searches that might bewilder the imagination for companies looking to stabilize their ranks, while affording new opportunities for talented and hardworking professionals looking to grow their careers (especially if you’re planning on transitioning from the military into the private sector). Finally, remember that when it comes to forecasting future events, it’s important to contemplate future changes that may impact you. . . unless they don’t happen. The post-COVID era will pose challenges for small restaurants, large box retailers, airlines and hotels, sports complexes, and so many other business lines. While we all would prefer to think of the positive upside of a vanquished virus and a renewed and stimulated economy, its reciprocal is also possible: a down economy spiraling through the processing of losses of tens of thousands of organizations, both well-known and lesser known. In short, when exiting a “black swan” event, which this pandemic surely represents, be flexible and open to a wide range of possibilities. Truth be told, we’ll experience both—a significant upswing in certain areas of the economy in addition to significant losses in others. Whatever the outcome and however it reveals itself to you, just know that we’ll get through this together. We’ve survived worse. What we honor and cherish in our forefathers and prior generations was their ability to bounce back, their fortitude, and their commitment to and hope in the future. It’s now our turn to sacrifice as a society and as a nation, this time in a way that no one living has experienced before. Study future trends and demographics. Be prepared always to pivot in your career and pursue opportunities that may not have existed just a few years ago. And build your future career goals with flexibility and surprises in mind. Starting in 2021, that mindset will go a long way in helping you make the most of the challenges that lie ahead.

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

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / JANUARY 2021

ENLISTED TO ENTREPRENEUR By Vicki Garcia veteransinbiz@gmail.com

Be Outstanding in Your Field: Write a Book Write a Book

Did you know that every Presidential candidate since the beginning of time has written a book? We hardly trust anyone these days, but we seem to trust authors. Writing a book gives you credibility and respect in your field. It’s a big calling card. Sound intimidating to you? You don’t think you’re a writer? No worries. That’s no impediment. Many things have changed in the publishing world. Forget about submitting this to some big publishing house, hoping for acceptance (aka Traditional Publishing). Today the game is all about self-publishing. We’re not talking about the novel you’ve promised yourself. We’re talking about non-fiction, particularly if it relates to something you do as a professional. Start by thinking about the expertise you have in your head. Write about what you know. If you pick a topic you know nothing about, this will be much harder. The Publishing Industry Has Undergone a Seismic Shift Amazon is considered to be the largest publisher of self-published e-books. Amazon’s CreateSpace division dominates the print self-publishing market, with 1.4 million self-published print titles in 2018, up from 929,290 in 2017. 56

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / JANUARY 2021

Amazon is not your only option. Since they take a higher fee when you sell a book, you should consider other ways of marketing it. Self-published books have a much, much higher payoff than traditional publishers because you get to keep anywhere from 50-70% of your book’s profits. With selfpublishing, you can produce and publish your content as quickly as you want. You’re Not Alone Self-publishing requires that you find your own editor, cover designer, formatter, and launch team members. As always fiverr.com is filled with inexpensive ways to do this for you costing anywhere from $5 to $50. Self-published authors gather on social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Reddit. Before the pandemic, there were really fun conferences for selfpublishing authors. Hopefully, they will return. The Self-Publishing School says “Most people looking to write a book want to earn more money, gain more freedom or have a platform to share their ideas. When you self-publish and have complete ownership over your ideas, you also have complete ownership over your future.” You might want to listen to Chandler Bolt’s podcast at www.self-publishingschool.com/podcast/ If you’re serious and want tons of expensive hand-holding, this is the place for you.

Starting a Business as a Veteran?

Think Big There is no one saying you can’t sell a supplementary online course that includes material from your book. Or you can launch a speaking career with your book. Many authors use their self-published book as a hook pointing toward webinars, consulting, or selling more books. I’m particularly intrigued by Attention Getting Marketing’s books and planners on selling on Etsy. Brilliant. They have taken one simple book and revised it over and over for everything from selling home goods to photography. Then they sell it…where else? Etsy, where you easily bump into it. But there are hundreds of other examples. You have probably run into them yourself. Think of your book as a lead generator - “Sign in to Order My Free Book,” then they have your email and the opportunity to upsell you something. Think Small If you want to think smaller consider using www.simplebooklet.com. Using this app, you can easily create a book or smaller “booklet.” it gets its own mini website and SEO. You can post to every social media platform, email it, embed it in your website, download and print it. There’s a way to create a video with it using screenshots, attach a get-in-touch form, and much more. Their support sets a gold standard, and they will not only answer your questions, but they will also do some of it for you if you ask. There may be other sites like this, but I like this one too much to go look for another one. Of Course, There is Always a Short Cut Don’t want to write a word? You have the option of purchasing or licensing a pre-written book. www.123LeadMagnets.com has hundreds of books in a wide variety of categories, with the covers already designed. This is called “Buy or License, White Label Books Through PLR (Private Label Rights)” The website www.buyqualityplr.com has a long, long list of already written books that you can put your author’s stamp on and sell as your own. An alternative is idplr.com with fresh-looking graphics and another long list of topics with resell rights. There are others which you can find by searching Google. So, what are you waiting for? Nothing happens until you take a first step.

The transition from military service to civilian life can be a difficult one, especially when it comes to your career. That’s why a growing number of veterans choose to forge their own path and become entrepreneurs after leaving the Armed Forces. While starting a business comes with numerous challenges, former service members do have one distinct advantage: the veteran community. “The strength and power of veteran entrepreneurs comes from other veteran entrepreneurs” Unlike most highly competitive entrepreneurial environments, veteran entrepreneurs share information much more easily. If you or someone you know is a veteran looking to start a business, please feel free to contact Vicki Garcia. Enlisted To Entrepreneur Column available at https://tinyurl.com/y2hgyu24 Vicki Garcia is the Co-Founder of Operation Vetrepreneur & President of Marketing Impressions, a 30+ -year- old marketing consulting firm. Apply to join Operation Vetrepreneur’s FREE one-on-one mentoring at www.veteransinbiz.com. Join the California Veterans Chamber of Commerce for FREE at www.caveteranschamber.com Email Vicki with column ideas at veteransinbiz@gmail.com WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / JANUARY 2021