San Diego Veterans Magazine Oct 2020

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www.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com

SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE

Vol. 2 Number 10 • October 2020

San Diego

Veteran of the Month Advocate of the Month

TRANSITION to Civilian Life

HELPFUL CAREER RESOURCES LinkedIn Tips

Dog Tag History How the Tradition & Nickname Started

GREYSHIRTS

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

Arts & Healing

MENTAL HEALTH

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Welcome Aboard!

NOW OPEN C L E A R E D F O R TA K E O F F

Volunteer Opportunities Now Available! www.midway.org/give-join/volunteers volunteers@midway.org

910 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101 (619) 544-9600 • www.midway.org

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1155 Grand Avenue, San Marcos | 760-753-7907 | geico.com/san-diego-north

Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states, in all GEICO companies, or in all situations. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, DC 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. Š 2020 GEICO #0G11150

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We need your help to locate San Diego County World War II and Korea War Veterans for our upcoming 2021 trips.

We want to honor them by taking them on a 3-day trip to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials built for their service and sacrifice.

Since 2010, Honor Flight San Diego has taken over 1,400 veterans on this trip.

Due to generous donors, the trip is no cost to the veteran.

“It was the best weekend of my life!� - WWII Veteran For more information, please call: (800) 655-6997 or email: info@honorflightsandiego.org www.honorflightsandiego.org 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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EDITOR’S

LETTER

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

Contributing Writers Holly Shaffner Veteran Advocate - Honor Flight SD

RanDee McLain, LCSW A Different Lens

Vicki Garcia

Enlisted to Entrepreneur

CJ Machado

SD Vets & Homeland Photojournalist

Kelly Bagla, Esq. Legal Eagle

Joe Molina Veterans Chamber of Commerce

Eve Nasby

What’s Next - Transitioning

Amber Robinson

www.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com Greetings and a warm welcome to San Diego Veterans Magazine!

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.

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.

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

Mike Miller Editor-In-Chief

mikemiller@SDVetsMagazine.com mikemiller@HomelandMagazine.com

Arts & Healing

Eva Stimson Veteran Advocate

Collaborative Organizations Team Rubicon - Bryan Prest VANC- Lori Boody / Michael Walsh • DAV • Father Joe’s Village • DOD • Shelter To Soldier • Give An Hour • UCSD • Courage To Call • • Veteran & “For Purpose” Organizations • Veteran Advocates & Guest Writers • And many more...

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

(858) 275-4281 Contact us at: publisher@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.

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OCTOBER

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 6 San Diego Veteran of the Month 10 San Diego Advocate of the Month 12 I AM GREYSHIRT 14 Dog Tag History 20 Retirement - “all stop” 18 Real Talk: Mental Health Awareness 22 LENS: Mental Fatigue 26 Arts & Healing: Humanities 28 What’s Next - Uniform Transition 32 Post-Military Career Path 36 LinkedIn Tips 38 Enlisted to Entrepreneur - Gig Trouble 40 Vets’ Community Connections 42 Developed for Success 46 Legally Speaking: Insurance & Divorce 48 Legal Eagle: COVID-19 Liability Waivers 50 Veteran Silversmith 52 Potential Jobs 54 VANC - October 2020 56 SDVC: American legion Baseball WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / OCTOBER 2020

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VETERAN OF THE MONTH San Diego - October 2020

By David Koontz

PHIL EAKIN

A veteran and USS Midway Museum volunteer dedicated to sharing the importance of military history with millions.

Growing up in northern Indiana, Phil Eakin was a long way from any ocean and the U.S. Navy, but for the Fort Wayne native, there was always a simmering interest in the naval service. “While other kids built model tanks and airplanes, I built model ships,” said Phil.

After graduating from high school, Phil set his first course for the Navy. Accepted to Villanova University, just outside of Philadelphia, he qualified for a Navy ROTC scholarship and was on his way.

He spent his first five years serving on Navy destroyers after being commissioned as an ensign in 1971. Action came quickly. Assigned to the USS Higbee (DD 806), Phil and his crew found themselves knee-deep in the Battle of Dong Hoi in early 1972. While conducting combat operations with several other U.S. warships in the Gulf of Tonkin, the Higbee was bombed by a North Vietnamese MIG-17 that scored a direct hit on the destroyer’s aft 5-inch gun mount. Four members of the Higbee’s crew were wounded in the harrowing attack.

“As the ship’s navigator, I was on the bridge and had what you might call a front row seat,” said Phil. “When you think you are going to die and you don’t, it is a life-altering experience.”

Phil later transitioned into the naval intelligence community globe-trotting with a series of assignments in Washington DC, Hawaii, Australia and aboard the USS Tarawa (LHA 1). After 21 years of service, Phil retired from the Navy.

Following his retirement from the Navy, the couple, who just celebrated their 35thwedding anniversary, lived a dozen years in four different Australian cities before moving back to San Diego in 2005.

His volunteering for the USS Midway Museum came about almost by chance.

“When I retired from the Navy, my idea was to stay retired, said Phil. “I took some Australian visitors down to the Midway for my first look in 2006. Being a tin-can sailor, I regarded aircraft carriers with some distain, but the Midway had something special about it. I was particularly impressed by the docents we encountered on the visit. Later that year, I set aside my bias against aircraft carriers and joined the Midway volunteer corps.

I also thought I might find the camaraderie there which I missed from my days in the Navy.”

After nearly 15 years as a Midway volunteer, Phil, now one of the museum’s senior librarians, has made significant contributions to the ship’s library. He leads the project to digitize the contents of Proceedings, an important monthly magazine of the U.S. Naval Institute. Over the course of the past seven years, Phil his team have summarized nearly 12,500 articles from more than 1,300 Proceedings issues.

“My fascination with ships made my career choice fairly easy,” said Phil. “The chance to get paid to see the world’s exotic spots and have a bit of adventure was also appealing.”

Phil’s contributions have even gained national attention. William Allman, the former White House curator, complimented Phil when he said, “how impressed I was with the scope of the library and the magnitude of such tasks as digitalizing the Midway deck logs, summarizing and indexing the Naval Institute Proceedings.”

While stationed in Australia earlier in his career, Phil met his future wife, Carol.

Mac McLaughlin, the USS Midway Museum’s president and CEO, credits Phil with being a driving force behind

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the library’s development. “The library would never have been built without Phil’s leadership of our volunteers aboard Midway,” said McLaughlin.

“The museum is indebted to Phil for his leadership and good humor,” said Laurie Switzer, the director of volunteer programs for the USS Midway Museum.

Phil continues to find his experiences at the museum as rewarding as he did when he first signed up.

Phil takes tremendous pride in being a Midway volunteer and feels the experience is a carryover from his time on active duty. With nearly 250,000 veterans living in San Diego County alone, he strongly recommends considering becoming a volunteer.

“I get the most satisfaction from the impact my interaction has with guests that visit the library to look up themselves as former crewmembers or those family or friends looking for information on former crewmembers,” said Phil who just surpassed 16,000 volunteer hours of service to the museum. “We have bits of information on about 85,000 of some 100,000 who probably served on Midway in its active lifespan.

To be able to show a daughter and grandkids a photo of dadand grandad as a youth on the Midway and to see their reactions is frequently quite moving.”

“If one is looking for a sense of being part of something worthwhile and something much bigger than one’s self, the Midway has that in spades,” said Phil. “Throw in a sense of belonging, of effort that is appreciated, of being able to make an impact, contributing to something that will probably be around at least another 100 years, having shipmates again, and learning a lot, it’s all part of the Midway Magic.”

For information about volunteering at the USS Midway Museum, visit www.midway.org/give-join/volunteers or call 619.398.8289

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Advocate of the Month San Diego - October 2020

By John Meyer

Lori Boody - An Unstoppable Force Anaheim native Lori Boody has come a long way from portraying Snow White at Disneyland to being the first executive director at the Veterans Association of North County (VANC) in its 15-year history as an energetic, dynamic force serving military service members, veterans and their families.

“Lori is a take-charge person,” said VANC V.P. Mike Walsh. “She is always part of the solution because she is constantly taking action. She asks good questions and gets peoples’ input, but once the direction is set she is the unstoppable force.

“She’s one in a million and I’m thrilled to have her as our executive director,” said Chuck Atkinson, VANC founder and president. “I don’t know what I’d do without her, to be honest. She’s been a tremendous asset, a mover and a shaker. Ever since she was hired she has taken VANC forward, better serving veterans and service members while using her vast networking skills to improve knowledge about our programs throughout North County.”

“I met Lori during day one of the first ever North County Veterans Stand Down (in Vista). She could see I was overwhelmed trying to get volunteers directed to the right place while answering 100 questions. She saw what was going on, asked a few questions and then said ‘Let me do this, you have bigger things to do.’ And she started directing volunteers to their assignments.

She was there every day doing that. I don’t know what I would have done without her.”

“I’m the 4th generation of having immediate family members serve our country,” said Boody, between ringing telephones and politely talking to various folks who stuck their head into her small office at the VANC Resource Center, 1617 Missions Avenue in Oceanside.

“That is what brought me to my 25 plus years of volunteering for the military/veteran community.”

Colonel (Ret.) Skip Curtis, commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Post 493, added, “she truly cares about veterans and the health of the organization she leads. Lori has come in to our MOPH Chapter 493 meetings at VANC to inform and update us, even answering questions. My most memorable quote from her is, “What can we do to help?’, usually attached to any request we had for the use of the facilities at VANC.

Boody also brings 30 years of business experience to VANC after working at the American Cancer Society for 29 years where she averaged raising one million a year.

In recent months, despite a lockdown of the VANC Resource Center due to the governor’s edict, Boody has landed two significant grants for VANC, both are the largest grants in VANC’s history.

She will tell anyone, “My heart is in volunteering” and she proved it through 11 years of volunteerism at the El Camino High School Wildcat Foundation, 10 years at the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce, 10 years at the Oceanside Library, nine years at the Oceanside Unified School District Parent Liaison to Board, six years at the Museum of Art and four years at the Senior Center.

And, many years at VANC before the VANC Board of Directors hired her as its executive director three years ago.

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“I have always felt supported in my interactions with her. When we asked to use the conference room to host a Sailors 360 event for the Navy Chiefs in the area, she graciously and readily agreed to our use of the the facilities and equipment. She donated booths and transportation to the Oceanside Beach that allowed us to interact with the public at important events.”

As a wounded Marine Corps helicopter pilot who served in Vietnam, Curtis appreciates leadership that rises to unprecedented challenges, such as the China Virus.

“Despite setbacks, she has continued to provide excellent leadership. And through the China Virus limitations she has continued to support those who served and are still serving and their families.”

Boody teamed up with the Douglas LeTourneau American Legion Post 760 - of Oceanside, the San Diego Food Bank, Team Rubicon, The Buffalo Riders, and MOPH Chapter 493, to begin a monthly food and diaper distribution program based at the VANC Resource Center. The results are noteworthy and demonstrate how Boody worked with many groups to bring food and diapers to active duty military families, veterans and their family members during one of the most difficult moments in America’s history.

Since April, during monthly distributions, the combined effort has served 12,534 active duty and veterans, with 84 percent being active duty. In September’s distribution, the active duty percentage rose to 91 percent. And, not to be forgotten was the distribution of 152,405 diapers, during that time.

In addition, one of the programs that Boody triggered at VANC shortly after accepting the E.D. position, was the Veterans Emergency Financial Aid (VEFA) program. She began it after seeing the need for an occasional “hand up” for active duty personnel and veterans. Since COVID VANC has given thousands of dollars - mostly in $200 increments - to help service members, veterans and families to pay for utilities, car payments and home repairs.

Atkinson used one recent example of a Purple Heart recipient from the Vietnam War who received assistance through the VEFA program. “He drove to Oceanside in his pick-up truck with his dog from Missouri somewhere, to get away from pressures there,” he said.

The veteran’s truck broke down at the Denny’s near the Oceanside Harbor. “He called everywhere. Everyone else gave him the runaround, nobody at the county, not even 2-1-1, could help him, so he Googled VANC. I used my Triple AAA card to have him towed to an Oceanside repair shop.” The estimated repairs exceeded $5000. VANC, through the VEFA program, was able to find a used vehicle for the veteran. “He said he’d come back, we don’t know,” said Atkinson. “But, that’s one example of how VANC helped a combat-wounded veteran through the VEFA program.”

That’s just one example of how Boody has worked with VANC staff and volunteers to improve how the non-profit serves its targeted clients. Not seen, is her hard work behind the scenes.

Another example, health officials demanded that new doors be added to cabinets that hold all of the dishes, pots and pans in VANC’s $250,000 kitchen. In order to save money, Boody and an occasional volunteer washed each of the hundreds of items in the dishwasher. When a disturbed area resident defecated on VANC’s sidewalk, she cleaned it up.

And don’t forget, there’s the amicable side of her personality, no matter how bad her day is going, said Walsh. “One thing you can count on when you call Lori is she is going to answer her phone like she is so happy to hear from you. An enthusiastic “HI YUH” and the smile comes right through the phone. Always.”

As October unfolds Boody is preparing another food/ diaper distribution and a major fundraiser to purchase turkeys for soldiers, sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, airmen for the Thanksgiving holiday season.

Also in October a VANC golf tournament that’s open to the public will be held on the exclusive Camp Pendleton Memorial Golf Course October 23rd, where 100 percent of all funds collected will be dedicated to the VEFA program.

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By Bryan Prest

I AM A GREYSHIRT I am a Greyshirt. I keep a packed bugout bag by the door fitted with at least a week’s worth of clothes, tactical gear, a utility knife, boots, a loaded first aid pack, and sleeping bag. I call this my ‘Go Bag’. This is what I travel with.

I am a Greyshirt. At home, I spend time with my own family. I work a fulfilling job and enjoy my life with leisure time. I keep prepared and wait, not in hope but anticipate. I make sure I am secure so I may deploy again with peace of mind.

I am a Greyshirt. I travel within my backyard, a county over, across the country, or internationally to assist those in need. I leave the safety of my own home to help my community. I feel like it is my humanitarian duty.

I am a Greyshirt. I train with some of my spare time. I keep up to date with my emergency plan. I stay in touch with my local community. I attend courses virtually and in a classroom to learn new skills. I use my time to engage with my Greyshirt family, a group of volunteers just like me, similar reasons for getting involved yet each with their own unique backgrounds. I learn their stories, socialize with them, introduce them to my own family. I accept them as they accept me.

I am a Greyshirt. I help people on their worst days, their lives devastated by the turmoil of flood, destruction of fire, devastation of a hurricane, splitting of an earthquake, and other natural disasters. I volunteer to feed those who are hungry. I volunteer to clear routes to allow emergency vehicles to render aid. I volunteer to prevent and treat illness, provide medical support, and triage to a primary care facility to tend to injuries.

I volunteer to sift through properties torn to shreds by fire. I volunteer to those who have lost everything in their homestead.

I am a Greyshirt. I understand that I am there for the people I serve, not just as an assistant but as a friend.

Homeowner’s invite me into their circle to share stories, remanence, complain, cry, laugh, share sorrow, smile, and develop. This is a circle regardless of race, gender, or view. This is a circle built around trust and good faith.

I am a Greyshirt. After a week, working tireless hours underneath water-soaked floorboards, hidden in crawlspaces ripping out electrical wiring actively supplying power to a hollowed-out home, and clearing 200-pound stacks of fresh-cut lumber preventing a family from entering their house safely, I drop my soiled grey shirts in the laundry and place my red cap down. I clean my bag, restock my med kit, and place all of it by the door, neatly packed. This is where it shall wait until I’m needed again.

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I am a Greyshirt.

I remain vigilant, always forward thinking. Upon being called, I grab my Go Bag and head out, leaving my family behind to know they will have to give some of our time up to those who need it more at that moment. Upon arriving at the rally point, I witness my fellow volunteers erect a forward camp in the middle of an open parking lot, equipped with a vehicle compound, command center, sleeping quarters, kitchen, and logistics station. I see the bustle around me, Greyshirts operating at complete efficiency long into the night as I retire after a day of travel. I know tomorrow, I’ll be utilized.

I am proudly a Greyshirt.

GREYSHIRT QUOTES: “For me, working for Team Rubicon has been a transformative experience. I want to express my gratitude to my comrades-in-arms, fellow Greyshirts (especially Kevin Kothlow and Erin O’Rourke, who convinced me to get more involved) as well as to the medical teams, for showing me that what makes this country so unique isn’t the infrastructure, the apple pie (delicious, by the way), the fireworks on the Fourth of July or Superbowl. It is the solidarity, the fortitude, and the sense of duty towards the community that make the American people do the right thing when needed. Always” - Badr Bakhat (Greyshirt) “I got started with Team Rubicon back in 2017. I was living in Houston and Hurricane Harvey came through.

I wanted to get involved in some way… Team Rubicon is an organization that utilizes skill Veterans have, as well as first responders and civilians, to help our community…”

“We try to challenge our entire team to become the example an entire generation of citizens can admire. To become American ideals in action, the manifestation of our aspirations for this country”

– Derek Michaelson (Greyshirt)

– Jake Wood (Co-Founder)

“There’s hard work and there’s heart work.

Team Rubicon offers the opportunity to do both, and that’s what it’s all about.”

– Randy René

www.teamrubiconusa.org

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Dog Tag History: How the Tradition & Nickname Started

By Katie Lange, DOD News

We all know what dog tags are — those little oval disks on a chain that service members wear to identify themselves in combat. But have you ever wondered how and when that tradition started, and why they’re called dog tags?

We did some research to find the answers.

Origins of the “Dog Tag” Nickname According to the Army Historical Foundation, the term “dog tag” was first coined by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst. In 1936, Hearst wanted to undermine support for President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal. He had heard the newly formed Social Security Administration was considering giving out nameplates for personal identification. According to the SSA, Hearst referred to them as “dog tags” similar to those used in the military.

Other rumored origins of the nickname include World War II draftees calling them dog tags because they claimed they were treated like dogs. Another rumor said it was because the tags looked similar to the metal tag on a dog’s collar.

Regardless of where the nickname started, the concept of an identification tag originated long before that.

Civil War Concerns Unofficially, identification tags came about during the Civil War because soldiers were afraid no one would be able to identify them if they died. They were terrified of being buried in unmarked graves, so they found various ways to prevent that. Some marked their clothing with stencils or pinned-on paper tags. Others used old coins or bits of round lead or copper. According to the Marine Corps, some men carved their names into chunks of wood strung around their necks.

This dog tag belonged to Union Army Cpl. Alvin B. Williams of Company F, 11th Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers.

Hailing from New London, N.H., Williams enlisted on Aug. 11, 1862 at the age of 18. He was killed May 12, 1864, near Spotsylvania Court House in Virginia.

Photo By: Library of Congress Replica dog tags for Medal of Honor recipient and pilot Air Force Capt. Steven L. Bennett rest on a workstation at Hurlburt Field, Fla, Aug. 29, 2019. Bennett received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions while flying an artillery adjustment mission in Vietnam in June 1972. Newly printed dog tags were presented to Bennett’s daughter, Angela Bennett-Engele, after the original dog tags disappeared. Photo By: Air Force Staff Sgt. Lynette Rolen

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Those who could afford it bought engraved metal tags from nongovernment sellers and sutlers — vendors who followed the armies during the war. Historical resources show that in 1862, a New Yorker named John Kennedy offered to make thousands of engraved disks for soldiers, but the War Department declined.

The order was modified in July 1916, when a second disc was required to be suspended from the first by a short string or chain. The first tag was to remain with the body, while the second was for burial service record keeping.

The tags were given to enlisted men, but officers had to buy them.

By the end of the Civil War, more than 40% of the Union Army’s dead were unidentified. To bring that into perspective, consider this: Of the more than 17,000 troops buried in Vicksburg National Cemetery, the largest Union cemetery in the U.S., nearly 13,000 of those graves are marked as unknown.

The Navy didn’t require ID tags until May 1917. By then, all U.S. combat troops were required to wear them. Exact size specifications were put in place, and the tags also included each man’s Army-issued serial number. Toward the end of World War I, American Expeditionary Forces in Europe added religious symbols to the tags — C for Catholic, H for Hebrew and P for Protestant — but those markings didn’t remain after the war.

The outcome of the war showed that concerns about identification were valid, and the practice of making identification disks caught on.

Making It Official The first official request to outfit service members with ID tags came in 1899 at the end of the SpanishAmerican war. Army Chaplain Charles C. Pierce — who was in charge of the Army Morgue and Office of Identification in the Philippines — recommended the Army outfit all soldiers with the circular disks to identify those who were severely injured or killed in action.

Slight Differences During World War I, Navy tags were a bit different than Army’s. Made of monel — a group of nickel alloys — they had the letters “U.S.N.” etched on them using a specific process involving printer’s ink, heat and nitric acid. If you were enlisted, the etching included your date of birth and enlistment, while officers’ included their date of appointment. The biggest difference was the etched print of each sailor’s right index finger on the back, which was meant to safeguard against fraud, an accident or misuse.

It took a few years, but in December 1906, the Army put out a general order requiring aluminum disc-shaped ID tags be worn by soldiers. The half-dollar size tags were stamped with a soldier’s name, rank, company and regiment or corps, and they were attached to a cord or chain that went around the neck. The tags were worn under the field uniform.

During World War I, Navy identification tags contained a fingerprint. Photo By: Navy

According to the Naval History and Heritage Command, the ID tags weren’t used in between World War I and World War II. They were reinstated in May 1941, but by then, the etching process was replaced with mechanical stamping.

Meanwhile, the Marines had been required to wear ID tags since late 1916. Theirs were a mix of the Army and Navy styles.

These original World War I dog tags belonged to Navy and Army veteran Thomas R. Darden. The tags are tied with twill rope or tape. Darden served in the Navy from 1903-1908 and in the Army as an officer from 1917 through the end of the Great War. Photo By: North Carolina Museum of History

World War II

By World War II, military ID tags were considered an official part of the uniform and had evolved into the uniform size and shape they are today — a rounded rectangle made of nickel-copper alloy.

Continued on next page 17

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Host this National Memorial in your Community

Please contact us to add a Fallen loved one, host the memorial, or make a donation at: info@RememberingOurFallen.org

www.RememberingOurFallen.org www.PatrioticProductions.org

Tribute Towers

Remembering Our Fallen is a national memorial unlike any other -with military & personal photos of 5,000 military Fallen since 9/11/2001 Unveiled at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. in 2017, it has since traveled the nation coastto-coast.

This memorial also includes those who returned from war, but lost their inner battle to suicide, and those who died from non-war zone injuries while serving in their military capacity.

Please contact us to add a Fallen loved one, host the memorial, or make a donation at: info@RememberingOurFallen.org Artist - Elizabeth Moug Artist - Saul Hansen 16

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“If the purpose of a war memorial is to help us remember the sacrifices of the Heroes, and to help us heal from our sorrow, then your mission has been accomplished. Thank you for this tremendous gift.”

- 1LT Daniel P. Riordan’s Mother

“There is a ‘disconnect’ between those we ask to serve our military objectives and our society at large. This memorial made that connection very dramatically and helped us understand the magnitude of their sacrifices.

- Ed Malloy, Mayor of Fairfield, Iowa

A pair of World War II U.S. military identification tags were discovered along prominent trails in Germany in July 2020.

Through extensive research, the man who found the tags discovered that Army Pvt. Sammie Lee Williams enlisted on March 14, 1944, at the age of 22. He deployed from Fort Benning, Ga., to Germany during the war. Williams survived, returned to the U.S. and lived to be 81.

-Photo By: Courtesy photo

By 1969, the Army began to transition from serial numbers to Social Security numbers. That lasted about 45 years until 2015, when the Army began removing Social Security numbers from the tags and replacing them with each soldier’s Defense Department identification number. The move safeguarded soldiers’ personally identifiable information and helped protect against identity theft.

Considerable technological advances have come along since Vietnam, including the ability to use DNA to identify remains. But despite these advancements, dog tags are still issued to service members today. They’re a reminder of America’s efforts to honor all those who have served — especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Each was mechanically stamped with your name, rank, service number, blood type and religion, if desired. An emergency notification name and address were initially included on these, but they were removed by the end of the war. They also included a “T” for those who had a tetanus vaccination, but by the 1950s that, too, was eliminated.

During World War II, Navy tags no longer included the fingerprint. By the war’s end, they also included the second chain that the Army had implemented decades before.

At this time, all military tags included a notch in one end. Historians say the notch was there due to the type of machine used to stamp the tags. By the 1970s, those machines were replaced, so the tags issued today are now smooth on both sides.

Dog Tags Today Regulations have gone back and forth regarding whether the two tags should stay together or be separated. In 1959, procedure was changed to keep both dog tags with the service member if they died. But by Vietnam, it was changed back to the original regulation of taking one tag and leaving the other. For Marines, a person’s gas mask size was eventually included on the tags.

Dog tags hang from the Iraq/Afghanistan Dog Tag Memorial at the Museum of the Forgotten Warrior outside of Beale Air Force Base, Calif., Nov. 10, 2011. The memorial was built to honor all of the men and women who have been killed during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars as of Oct. 30, 2011. The memorial contains 6,296 individual dog tags.

Photo By: Air Force Staff Sgt. Jonathan Fowler

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UnitedHealthcare dental coverage underwritten by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company, located in Hartford, Connecticut, UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of New York, located in Islandia, New York, or their affiliates.

Administrative services provided by Dental Benefit Providers, Inc., Dental Benefit Administrative Services (CA only), DBP Services (NY only), United HealthCare Services, Inc. or their affiliates. Plans sold in Texas use policy form number DPOL.06.TX, DPOL.12.TX and DPOL.12.TX (Rev. 9/16) and associated COC form numbers DCOC.CER.06, DCOC.CER.IND.12.TX and DCERT.IND.12.TX. Plans sold in Virginia use policy form number DPOL.06.

VA with associated COC form number DCOC.CER.06.VA and policy form number DPOL.12.VA with associated COC form number DCOC.CER.12.VA. This policy has exclusions, limitations and terms under which the policy may be continued in force or discontinued. For costs and complete details of the coverage contact UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company.

B2C EI20159064.0 9/20 © 2020 United HealthCare Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 20-159068-P

BREAST CANCER IN YOUNG WOMEN Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. When cancer starts in the breast, it is called breast cancer. Except for skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women.

Most breast cancers are found in women who are 50 and older, but breast cancer also affects younger women. About 11% of all new cases of breast cancer in the United States are found in women younger than 45 years of age. While breast cancer diagnosis and treatment are difficult for women of any age, younger women may find this experience overwhelming.

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / OCTOBER 2020

19

The day the retirement ship came to “all stop”

By Holly Shaffner

Never ever did I think I would hear the three words that would forever change my life…

“You have cancer.”

I burst out in tears and told him, “But I’m too young to have breast cancer.” He never said the Big C word, but I knew. I was 41 years old and as it turns out I was not too young. Three days after the biopsy, my suspicions were confirmed when I heard those three life-changing words.

That was the day my retirement plans came to a stop and the next chapters in my life were rewritten.

All the cancer survivors I have ever talked to know exactly when and where they were when they heard the news. For me, it was June 14, 2010 at 4:45 p.m. in a general surgeon’s office.

The background on getting to that day was surreal.

After 23 years of military service, I was six weeks away from retiring. My friends and family had plane tickets and hotel reservations to my retirement ceremony and parties, I had been admitted to San Diego State University for that fall, and I was ready for the next chapter. I was having my retirement physical when the mammogram technician noticed something on my scans that she wanted the radiologist to see. She brought him into the room, he looked at the images and said, “There’s an area that we need to look at with an ultrasound.”

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I left the doctor’s office in tears, went to the silence of my car, and called my sister. I told her that this was not a death sentence because I had too much to live for. I vowed to fight so that I could see my niece and nephew grow up, go to college, get married, and have children.

They were three and six years old at the time.

The next nine months were filled with surgeries, 16 rounds of chemo, flushing the medicines from my body, genetic testing, and 30 rounds of radiation therapy.

I know it sounds like a lot. I got through the journey doing it the only way I knew how…just figuring it out day to day.

I still remember the day when my oncologist told me that the pathology report revealed my cancer was aggressive.

She said, “This is going to be a marathon, not a sprint” and told me that I needed chemotherapy. Just like many women, the girl in me asked her if I was going to lose my hair. She was honest and said, “yes.” As it turns out, losing my hair was not so bad – it was temporary, and hopefully that treatment killed all the potential free flowing bad cells so that I live a long life.

After my second round of chemo, my hair started falling out. In true Holly style, I had it all planned out. I had my stylist cut it to a pixie cut so I was “ready”. Well, nothing prepares you when it starts to fall out in clumps in the shower, when it is in your pillow every morning, your shower drain, and all over your counters. I realized then that there was one thing I could control and so I got out my electric razor and shaved as much as I could. Then I got soap, lathered my hands, and got to work shaving my head with a new razor. I figured it was just like shaving your legs, right?

Going through the cancer journey was THE hardest thing I have ever done; but it taught me so many things. I learned that even on your toughest days how important it was to stay positive. From that call to my sister until my “free and clean” scan, I never thought I wouldn’t beat it. I learned that cancer does not discriminate. Cancer doesn’t care if you are old, young, rich, poor, white, black, brown, gay, or straight – it will find you. And I learned how important it was to allow people to help you and to ask for help. I will be forever grateful to my family, friends, and co-workers for being my support network. It was because of them that I could take the time I needed to heal my body.

The most important thing I learned through all of this was the importance of early detection. There is no doubt that I am here today because of that mammogram tech who saw something abnormal on my scan. As it turned out, the tumor was so deep on my chest wall that the ONLY way to find it was through a mammogram.

So, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I encourage you to have those mammogram conversations with the special women in your life – your mother, wife, sister, aunt, and best friend. Ask them when they are due for their mammogram and encourage them to go. If they say they are not going because they are afraid, then offer to go with them – it is THAT important.

Since arriving to San Diego, I have become a volunteer with the American Cancer Society and was a peer mentor for newly diagnosed women, national trainer of the mentors, walked in numerous Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks, and helped to raise hundreds of dollars for breast cancer research.

For all those years, I looked up to my fellow pink ribbon warriors who made it to 5, 10, 20, 30 years as a survivor. Well, this year I hit a milestone. I am a 10-year cancer survivor and I look forward to the next 50 years!

For information about cancer resources, go to: www.cancer.org

Breast Cancer:

What You Need to Know

Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of co of control. When cancer starts in the breast, it is called called breast cancer. Except for skin cancer, breast cancer is th breast cancer. Except for skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women.

Breast cancer screening means checking a woman’s breasts f mammogram is an X-ray picture of the breast. Mammograms Breast cancer screening means checking a woman’s when itfor is cancer easier to treatshe andhas before it is big enough to feel o breasts before any symptoms.

A mammogram is an X-ray picture of the breast.

Most women are who are 50 way to 74toyears old should Mammograms the best find breast cancerhave a scre 40 towhen 49 years or to think have higher risk of br early, it is old, easier treatyou andmay before it isa big enough screening mammogram. to feel or cause symptoms.

Somehave things m Most women who are 50 to 74 years old should a screening mammogram every two years. If you are main th 40 to 49 years old, or think you may have a The higher riskfactors of woman and getting breast cancer, ask your doctor when to have a screening mammogram.

• Changes in br Having your Some things may increase your •risk • Never The main factors that influence your breast cancer risk giving are being a woman and getting older. Other • riskStarting factors meno • Taking hormo include— • Changes in breast cancer-related genes (BRCA1in menopause • Taking oral co or BRCA2).

• 12.

A personal hi • Having your first menstrual period before age breast problem • Never giving birth, or being older when your first • A family histo child is born.

• Getting radiat • Starting menopause after age 55.

• and Being overwe • Taking hormones to replace missing estrogen progesterone in menopause for more than five years.

•Symptoms Taking oral contraceptives (birth control pills).

• A personal history of breast cancer, dense breasts, Some warning signs of breast cancer are— or some other breast problems.

Newhistory lump of in breast the breast or (parent, underarm (armpit).

• A•family cancer sibling, or child).

• Thickening or swelling of part of the breast.

• Getting radiation therapy toof the breast or chest.

• Irritation or dimpling breast skin.

• Redness or flaky skin inafter the menopause. nipple area or the breast.

• Being overweight, especially

• Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area.

• More Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blo For Information • Any change in the size•or the CDC-INFO shape of the breast. www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/ (800) (800-232-4636) (888) 232-6348 • Pain in the• TTY: breast.

Other conditions cause these symptoms. If you have any Haven’t had acan mammogram?

More Information With no-cost mammograms* available at professional, www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/ (800) CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) • medical facilities, there’s no•reason to wait. The sooner

you have a mammogram, greater yourPrevention chances are National Center for the Chronic Disease and Heal of finding cancer in its early stages and making Division of Cancer Prevention and Controla full recovery. It’s your life. Go live it.

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / OCTOBER 2020

21

Real Talk: Mental Health

By Jenny Lynne Stroup, Outreach Coordinator for the Cohen Clinic at VVSD

Mental Health Awareness Month Confession: It took me a long time to say these words out loud. To get past the façade of fine.

I have an appointment today with both my psychiatrist and psychologist. One, to check on medication effectiveness and the other to talk about the thoughts in my head and how to appropriately manage, release, and make peace with them.

As life in a pandemic continues to challenge us and our coping skills, implementing good mental health practices is imperative.

Good mental health practices may include: • Acknowledging that you are sad, stressed, scared, confused, or angry and then letting someone else know you are feeling this way.

I sought mental health help for anxiety and depression a few years ago, but when I moved to San Diego that level of care was not enough. I had to add more mental health appointments to my already-full schedule. It was so overwhelming, yet now it’s a weekly thing for me, and I can see the results-less time lying on my couch, less drowning my uncomfortableness in a tub of ice cream, more laughing, better sleeping.

• Slowing down feelings of anxiousness and overwhelm with deep breaths.

And I didn’t do it alone.

• Going to therapy and remembering that therapy is a progression. Each session offers an opportunity to change, heal, and grow.

I hate making phone calls, so I went to a friend’s house and sat at her table with a cup of coffee and made my calls while she held my hand and encouraged me. It is seriously ok to do it scared and with a friend--I did.

I write these words not only as a confession, but also as an encouragement to anyone feeling like the pressure of life, especially during a pandemic, is sometimes a little too much.

Help is available.

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• Focusing on what you can control, including maintaining self-care routines like eating well, exercising, and resting.

• Setting realistic goals.

• Spending time in the community.

These practices are part of the reason the first full week of October is designated as M ​ ental Illness Awareness Week.

The week is designed to promote education on mental illness, fight the stigma associated with mental illness, and provide support for those who are experiencing the signs and symptoms of mental illness.

I’m not rid of my anxiety and depression. Some days it still lurks in the shadows of my mind waiting for the right trigger to bring it front and center in my thoughts.

Similar to a physical injury, these mental illnesses don’t have a one-time fix. For me, the process of healing involves lots of people, appointments, and even a few medications.

But what I know to be true is I have an arsenal of tools at my disposal for healing.

I see a counselor and a medical doctor for treatment.

I journal almost every morning, pouring out my worries onto the paper. I read inspirational texts. I surround myself with community. And I’ve given myself time.

There is no quick fix, but with these recovery tools, I am able to fight the stigma, provide support to others, and get back to better.

Sources: ​CVN Telehealth​social media campaign (www.cohenveteransnetwork.org/telehealth/) and N ​ ational Institute of Mental Health Website​. (www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml)

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 16 mental health clinics nationwide under Stamford-based nonprofit Cohen Veterans Network (CVN) which focuses on providing targeted treatments for a variety of mental health challenges facing post-9/11 veterans and military families, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, transition challenges, and more.

• The Cohen Clinic at VVSD www.cohenveteransnetwork.org • Targeted Treatments www.cohenveteransnetwork.org/clinics-resources/ebps/ WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / OCTOBER 2020

23

A Different Lens Mental Health Monthly

By RanDee McLain, LCSW

Mental Fatigue Recently, I had a day when I was literally in back to back zoom/TEAMS meetings from 0730 to after 1800. I had to shut off my camera so I could escape for a moment to use the restroom.

We never envisioned a world where we would not be able to meet in person and now everything is virtual.

Pre-COVID we could stroll into the office, get off cup of coffee and settle into our day. Now, I rush to my desk to jump on my first zoom of the day…..and I don’t know when I can come up for a break again. I had a great friend give me some advice today. He asked if I did a zoom buffer? No, this is not a joke. What is a zoom buffer?

When we had meeting pre-COVID we accounted for commute time into our schedules- to and from offices or off-site locations. It gave many of us that small breather we needed before heading into the next task. Since many of us never leave the space of our computers these days we often forget to give ourselves little breaks.

This little reprieve between zoom meetings is now being referred to as a zoom buffer.

Those little breaks are super important to our overall well-being. It is important to take a physical break.

You can take a walk or stretch between meetings. A mental break is just as important as the physical break.

The lack of breaks or time to decompress can lead to mental fatigue.

What is mental fatigue? Mental fatigue is prolonged cognitive activity. Mental fatigue is when the brain is in overdrive and exhausted. Not addressing mental fatigue can lead to decreased productivity, poor job performance and impaired physical functioning.

Symptoms of mental fatigue: • Lack of motivation • Feeling of being overwhelmed • Irritability • Stress eating • Mentally/Emotionally drained • Mental block/Brain fog • Long term health concerns- anxiety and/or burnout Ways to help combat mental fatigue:

Zoom

• Do not start day immediately with meetings if possible • Take a break (schedule zoom buffers) • Practice relaxation techniques • Proper sleep • Self care • Exercise • Step away • Go outside/get fresh air • Change up routine We all have a lot to juggle in this new reality we are living in but remember to be kind to yourself and prevent mental fatigue.

Buffer 24

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Take a break and model for others what healthy breaks and self-care can look like.

Stay healthy and safe and enjoy those zoom buffers!!

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / OCTOBER 2020

25

Arts & Healing Arts for Military Veterans

By Amber Robinson

Healing through the Humanities This month we’re taking a break from Veteran Artist Spotlight to spotlight a different topic, the humanities and their relationship to art, creativity and healing. Art in general is included within the humanities sphere, which is the study of humanity and its culture through five different branches; languages, the arts, literature, philosophy, religion and history.

The actual occurrence of art is more about the creation process, whereas the humanities approach is more to do academics and analysis. Through studying these disciplines one can find a wealth of inspiration to learn, create and heal.

Humanities scholars help to preserve important aspects of our culture from the past, bring these forms to our present and help us imagine a better future. Billiekai Boughton, Army veteran, San Diego Women Veterans Network founder and president and teacher of the humanities has worked with many veterans within this realm, with a focus on literature and writing. According to Boughton, the act of writing can have a profound effect on veterans who may be struggling through various traumas.

“Many Veterans are trapped inside of themselves, holding onto their memories and feelings, and therefore trapped in their trauma.” Boughton said. “Writing helps pull these things out, like sucking the venom out of a wound so we can heal.”

The use of writing to face trauma and externalize it as part of healing is common, as well as the study of and creation of visual art. But, how can other aspects of the humanities help us to heal? How could history, for instance, help us understand and connect with ourselves more deeply?

The very act of imagining a time and place outside of the present is an exercise in creativity. According to a publication put out by The Higher Education Academy, historical imagination is a key ingredient in being a historian and in learning about history. Therefore, just thinking about and studying history begins to unlock creativity.

History also helps us to understand the immense complexity of our world and therefore enables us to cope with the problems and possibilities of the present and future. That sounds like a recipe for healing to me.

Once we have our creative juices flowing and an understanding of our personal and collective past, we can better assess our own present and begin to envision a more healed and whole future.

But, don’t take myself and Boughton’s word for it. Sign up for a poetry workshop, take a humanities course in history, ancient literature or philosophy. You never know where your next step towards healing will arise, so why not give the humanities a chance?

Boughton has studied, teaches and uses writing herself, especially poetry. She has been in charge of the veterans section of the San Diego Poetry Annual for several years, and has taught poetry at San Diego State University and through veteran poetry workshops. She says the act of writing poetry is especially powerful in how it allows veterans to connect to the parts of themselves that need the most self-expression.

“Poetry creates an internal conversation with the parts we try to ignore and repress,” Boughton said. “Poetry gives veterans a medium to reconnect to all parts of ourselves, thereby helping us once again become whole.”

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Healing

A Veteran-led program serving our military-connected community‌including Active Duty, Veterans, National Guard, Reservists and their family members.

24/7 Access to Resources and Peer Support

Call 877-698-7838 or dial 2-1-1 Visit our website at

Courage2Call

www.Courage2Call.org

@CourageToCall @CourageToCall

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / OCTOBER 2020

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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.

R

San Diego Veterans Magazine works with nonprofit veteran organizations that help more than one million veterans in lifechanging ways each year.

C

Resources.

E

Support.

Inspiration.

S

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:

www.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com

The colors of gratitude

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FIGHTING PTSD

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / OCTOBER 2020

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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.

Search “PTSD Coach�

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WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / OCTOBER 2020

31

WHAT’S NEXT Transition to Civilian Life

By Eve Nasby

A Uniform Transition: Hero to Homeless to Hero Again Kalani Creutzburg is no stranger to the spotlight in Southern California.

His impressive story and ongoing accomplishments have won awards and well-deserved recognition from all those who know him.

Proving Himself Kalani Creutzburg had noble reasons for joining the Marines. The first was gratitude. His grandparents came to the United States with only a suitcase. Serving in the Military was Kalani’s way of saying “thank you” for all that this country had given his family. The second was to honor his father, who retired as a Marine Master Sergeant, by making him proud. He later realized that this honor was actually his attempt to prove himself to his father.

Nothing Left to Prove Kalani did prove himself both to his family and to his country. He was promoted to Major, but felt he had proved all that he could. He was farther removed from the young Marines he wanted to serve with and had less of an impact on the things that truly mattered to him. “I never wanted to be that guy who stayed for 20 years just because I was comfortable with the military benefits, such as steady pay checks.” Kalani felt that he was ignoring his secret calling, and needed to prove that he could also be successful in the civilian world.

Knowing that transition is difficult, he decided on a softer landing by joining the Reserves. He said “every day I put on the uniform is because I want to wear it, not because I have to.” Joining the Reserves was the best decision he could have made at the time, and he highly recommends this to any Marine contemplating transitioning out of active duty.

After many years, Reserve duty had run his course. He wanted more time with his family, and felt his calling for success in the civilian world was stifled by his time commitment in the Reserves. He thought he was ready to take the real plunge out of military life.

Hero to Homeless While Kalani was deployed in the Reserves, serving as the Headquarters Company Commander for the 23rd Marine Regiment, he found himself homeless. He returned from deployment faced with a second divorce. He said, “I struggled to reconcile how I was leading Marines but could not lead my own household.” This overwhelming feeling of failure prevented him from talking to anyone. Internalizing all of this alone took a major emotional toll. “I hated myself for leaving the active duty Marines Corps, and regretted every decision I had made thereafter. I secretly went to the bar every single day trying to make sense of my issues.

My world at the time was upside down. With nowhere to live, nobody to talk to, I became suicidal,” he recalls with sadness.

Master the Mindset “When I was homeless and felt my life had fallen apart, I had the victim mentality. The more I was stuck feeling like a victim, the more I acted like one. For every second I believed I was a victim, I was wasting time and blocking space in my universe to be a victor! It wasn’t until I shifted my thinking and started to own all the consequences of my decisions, that my mindset also shifted. This ultimately pushed me to stay disciplined and keep the mindset to want to do more than I feel I’m doing,” Kalani says.

The mind is powerful, and the mindset you have when faced with such adversity can either jumpstart motivations, or it can propel you down a path of depression and destruction.

Destruction was not an option for this hero. He said “After 8 weeks of homelessness, I finally spoke up and raised my hand asking for help. That’s when my life really started to turn around for the better. ” Boredom is the New Homeless Kalani’s vision of success seemed to be finally moving in the right direction, as he landed his first civilian job. He transitioned out of his role as the Company Commander role on a Friday. The following Monday, he was sitting in a cubicle with zero responsibility, reporting to a “new college graduate who I didn’t even think was old enough to drink a beer.” Suddenly, boredom was the new homeless.

Dave Grundies

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There was a short period of relief in not having to make decisions, be in charge, nor provide all of the answers.

That relief proved to be short-lived and quickly started to eat him alive inside. He said “ I struggled not being able to connect with my new peers. I’m used to the camaraderie of winding down a long work day with a few beers with my fellow Marines.” Civilian work life was different. People just showed up, did their job, and went home. Rinse and repeat. He started to resent his decision to leave.

Hero Mindset The transition to civilian, corporate life can feel unfulfilling and boring. It’s a mental challenge to go from leading hundreds of Marines, owning the responsibility of hundreds of thousands of dollars in military assets, and honoring your country to sitting mindlessly at a desk where no one gets where you came from or what you’re capable of doing.

But a transition is just that - a temporary period leading to the next success. The mindset transition is just as important in achieving that secret calling.

Kalani was able to embrace the transition, appreciate his weekends with his Reserve peers, and use his disciplinary background to his advantage and achieve just that.

Reminding your new colleagues of your military life by continuing to dress as so, it creates a divide in your new environment and can hinder connections by creating an “us vs. them” mentality.

4) Have a deep conviction about what your purpose in life is.

In the military, your mission, your purpose, and your tasks were prescribed for you. This will no longer be the case. I believe that the majority of the transition struggle is due to no longer having a purpose. You must create your own.

Embrace the Change Kalani admits with a hint of good humor, that knowing what he knows now, which is that he DOES have what it takes to survive and be a huge success in the civilian world, that he would have stayed in Active Duty.

But in all seriousness, Kalani recognizes his struggles with transition were directly linked to the fact he hadn’t “taken off his uniform.” He was stuck in the “they’re the outsiders” mindset. He even caught himself introducing himself as a “Marine Veteran” years after his transition.

He hadn’t accepted transition. Today, Kalani quietly honors his military successes, and feels great pride each time someone says to him, “oh wow, I had no idea you’re a Marine!”

Transition Tips Kalani shares his first hand advice to help others transitioning: 1) Use your resume to position your military experience to your advantage, particularly that you’re a team player, disciplined, and learn quickly.

An experienced Commander’s resume could come off as threatening.. You don’t want others to think you’re going to come in, bulldoze, and take their jobs.

2) Set realistic expectations and don’t expect a huge salary right away.

Whereas you have more real-world experience than most other candidates, you need to accept you may lack the technical skill requirements of the job.

Expecting a six-figure job offer straight in your first civilian job is not realistic. This isn’t meant to discourage you, but rather to set your expectations so you can transition with clarity and set your new foundation.

3) Honor your military experience by living with the rigid discipline you’re accustomed to.

But, avoid honoring it by physically wearing your uniform or uniform elements into the office.

Transitioning out of the military is a challenge, especially as it is a mindset transition. Kalani’s advice to accept the transition, apply your military discipline to succeed in your next endeavor, and focus on your true purpose will help you in your journey.

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / OCTOBER 2020

33

HUMAN RESOURCES as a Post-Military Career Path

By Paul Falcone When I began writing for Homeland Magazine and San Diego Veterans Magazine earlier this year, editor-in-chief Mike Miller was kind enough to include a full-page ad profiling some of my books, published by HarperCollins Leadership and the American Management Association.

I’m a career-long human resources executive, and I write about leadership in all its facets: effective interviewing and hiring, motivation and development, progressive discipline and termination, and workplace ethics. I’ve been fortunate to work for high -profile companies, serving, for example, as head of HR for Nickelodeon, head of international HR for Paramount Pictures, and in senior HR leadership roles in healthcare/biotech and financial services.

and in across-the-table contract negotiations. And yes, in case you were wondering—employee relations deals with progressive discipline, terminations for cause, and layoffs (i.e., the not-so-fun side of the business).

In comparison, if teaching is in your blood, training and development may have a strong appeal. You can work on instructional design and platform delivery for everything from soft skills to technical content and anything in between.

In many ways, I’ve touched most of the HR landscape: Fortune 500, start-up, union, non-profit, and global environments. All have informed my writing over the years. Which made me think. . . An article on HR—a behind-the-scenes glimpse at what the discipline is all about—might benefit readers as they consider transitioning from the military to the private sector at some point. So, feel free to join me to gain some insider’s secrets as to whether an HR career path might be worth considering for you in terms of your own career and professional development.

On the analytical side, compensation is fascinating but very subject to market fluctuations, depending on the current status of the economy: merit increases, promotions, and sales, executive, and international comp may all come into play. On the benefits side, the business can likewise be complex and challenging: healthcare benefits, Medi-Care, and voluntary benefits will keep you dealing constantly with vendors who will help you manage annual renewals, open enrollment, and so much more. Finally, HRIS is for computer lovers through and through. As an HRIS analyst, you’re the rudder that steers the ship because you provide the data intelligence on tenure, turnover, retention, and the trends and patterns in employee behaviors that drive future growth. You’ll also work hand-in-hand with payroll to coordinate and deliver paychecks.

The Structure and Appeal of the HR Discipline HR comes in two basic flavors: the people side of the business and the analytical side of the business. Here’s how the sub-disciplines generally fall out: The People Side of HR - Recruitment - Employee/Labor Relations - Training and Talent Development These sub-disciplines are fairly easy to explain: Recruitment and selection has to do with identifying, interviewing, hiring, and onboarding new talent.

Employee relations has to do with managing and enforcing policies and procedures, the company’s code of conduct, and the employment laws affecting everything from discrimination and harassment to wage and hour compliance to COVID-related leaves of absence. On the “labor” side, you’d be working closely with unions in interpreting collective bargaining agreement provisions, responding to grievances, 34

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The Analytical Side of HR - Compensation - Benefits - HR Information Systems (HRIS)

The 10-Year Growth Trajectory But where do you start? If you haven’t worked in Personnel in the military, learn more about an HR career path by visiting the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook at www.bls.gov/ooh.

Further, you’ll find out a lot more about the 10-year growth trajectory by logging onto the HR page under the “Business and Financial” category here: https://bit.ly/2REMzGZ Click on the “Job Outlook” tab, and you’ll find that the HR profession, in general, is expected to grow 7% per year between 2019 and 2029.

In comparison, “business operations” jobs will grow 6%, and all jobs within the economy will grow at 4% over this same time period.

Good info!

More significant, though, you’ll find a table on the Job Outlook tab that reads: “Employment Projections Data for Human Resources Specialists, 2019-29.” This is the biggie: Click on the “Get Data” link in the table and you’ll be redirected to a spreadsheet that shows the growth of the HR discipline by industry. You’ll quickly find that the “Employment Percentage Change, 2019-29” shows that certain industries will explode with HR jobs (relative to the 7% average), while others will be destined for particularly hard times.

Car Loan Decisions in Seconds

For example, HR in the field of scientific and technical consulting will grow by 41%; colleges, universities, and technical schools will experience 17% HR job growth; casinos and hotels, 14%; the motion picture business, 11%; the postal service, -15%, and newspaper publishers, -41%. Phew—now that’s thorough market due diligence that can help you aim your sights for maximum return!

Specialty Areas of Interest As the workplace and society get more complicated, HR is likewise rising to the occasion. Specialty areas include artificial intelligence and predictive analytics, DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion), mergers and acquisitions HR, and international HR. These more sophisticated and niche roles tend to be found in larger, multi-national companies. However, all the roles mentioned above—the six traditional disciplines plus these relative newcomers into the HR space—have the potential to carry director or VP-level titles and commensurate compensation. In larger companies, SVP (senior vice president) and EVP (executive vice president) HR titles are likewise available. The head of global HR is typically titled the CHRO, or Chief Human Resources Officer.

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For more information on the ins and outs of a career in human resources, visit the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) website at www.shrm.org.

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There are local SHRM branches throughout all 50 states, and most HR specialty areas have their own professional trade associations as well focusing, for example, on compensation, benefits, training, and recruitment.

Professional certifications are likewise available in most HR disciplines.

Hope you found this quick overview helpful. It may be worth exploring whether the diverse, complex, and ever-changing world of “people leadership” is worth considering.

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Five LinkedIn Tips for Transitioning Military Veterans:

Five LinkedIn Tips

By Sam Falcone

For veterans transitioning into the private sector workforce, the task of building an online and social presence can seem daunting. It’s easy to hesitate at the thought of building a digital portfolio through websites such as LinkedIn, but the truth is, those who are not taking full advantage of LinkedIn’s services are missing out on an incredibly powerful tool to advance their careers. As a LinkedIn and digital marketing strategist, I’ve seen outstanding LinkedIn profiles and not-so-memorable ones, but one thing’s for sure: LinkedIn represents your online resume and business card, your professional “best self.”

Unlike other social media websites, LinkedIn is strictly business, and it’s the first place that prospective employers look once they’ve received your resume and are considering you for an interview. So, let’s take a few simple steps together to transition into the digital marketing and social media world, highlighting your greatest strengths and putting your experience in the best light. Whether you’re constructing a LinkedIn profile from scratch or dusting the cobwebs off of a previously inactive account, here are five easy steps to help enhance your LinkedIn profile and catch the eyes of recruiters and hiring managers.

Step 1: Upload a Professional Photo LinkedIn automatically applies a generic avatar icon to newly established profiles, but profiles without your smiley (but professional) face have far fewer hits.

You don’t have to spend money on a professional photographer for a formal headshot—instead, take a snapshot of yourself in professional business attire 36

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Establishing Your Online Presence is Easier Than You Think

(neck up only!) using your smart phone and upload it to your LinkedIn page. This one step alone will catapult the views you get and interest in the content that follows. Oh, and while you’re there, be sure to complete your “Contact Info” with as much information as possible—cell phone and email, primarily—to make it easy for prospective employers to contact you.

Step 2: Customize Your LinkedIn URL Once you establish your account, LinkedIn will automatically assign an address (AKA “Universal Resource Locator,” or URL) to you. However, it will look like a scramble of letters and numbers that reflect random computer code. You’ll want to create what’s known as a “vanity URL” so that it closely matches your name and can easily be added to the top of your resume. For example, my vanity URL is linkedin.com/in/ samfalcone1, which makes it easy enough to find me and has a much cleaner and more professional look.

(Feel free to send me an invite once you’re logged in to your LinkedIn account!) To learn how to customize your URL quickly and easily, click here: https://bit.ly/2HbgULi. Step 3: Headline Just below your headshot is your LinkedIn headline, where you can use a call-to-action to catch a recruiter’s attention. Try something like this: “Military veteran transitioning into the private sector and looking for full-time employment” or equivalent. You can be more specific, for example, by writing: “Navy commander looking to transition into a private sector position in technical operations or engineering leadership.”

Whatever you decide, make sure you emphasize your goal of transitioning into a private sector career path.

Likewise, let recruiters know you’re actively looking for work by following the steps in the attached LinkedIn article titled, “How to Flag Your LinkedIn Profile to Notify Recruiters you are OPEN to new Opportunities,” which you can find here: https://bit.ly/2EgCNHY. Step 4: The About and Experience Sections Think of the “About” section as your 60-second elevator pitch. Who are you and what’s important to you in finding your next employer? What leadership, communication, and technical skills will easily transfer to the private sector? What achievements and accommodations have you received that demonstrate how you stand out as a rarity among your peers?

Likewise, in the “Experience” section, display your previous titles, reporting relationships, primary and secondary responsibilities, and the resulting achievements (unless they are classified or restricted, of course). In both sections, be sure to translate your military achievements into their civilian equivalents using a military translator tool like the one found at Military.com (https://bit.ly/3ksXcsO) and similar sites.

Step 5: Skills / Endorsements and Recommendations Finally, select the skills that you believe you’re best known for and encourage your peers and contacts to endorse you (and which you should, in turn, do for them). Categories include Industry Knowledge, Tools and Technologies, Interpersonal Skills, Foreign Languages, and others. Likewise, in the Recommendations section, ask others to write about how you’ve solved problems, led effectively, communicated through difficult times, and the like. If possible, ask your prior leaders, managers, and supervisors to endorse you here for the equivalent of an “online letter of recommendation.”

Note that once you reach “500+ connections,” LinkedIn stops advertising the number of connections you have.

So, whether you have 501 or 50,001, LinkedIn will only show “500+.” Therefore, make it your goal to reach the 500-connection mark over the next year or few years.

Along with your personal contacts, your connections could include professionals in your industry or particular discipline, such as Human Resources, Finance, or Marketing, as well as like-minded veterans and connections made at external events. Look to LinkedIn to establish your online presence and serve as your job search calling card. It’s easier than you think, more fun that you might otherwise imagine, and well worth the effort.

Sam Falcone is a Digital Marketing and Social Media Strategist in Chicago.

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ENLISTED TO ENTREPRENEUR

By Vicki Garcia veteransinbiz@gmail.com

Gig Workers in TROUBLE The Feds have been after independent contractors to make them employees for decades. Why? The total freelancing income is almost $1 trillion! California estimates that the state loses about $7 billion a year in payroll taxes due to company misclassification.

Squeezing as much in taxes out of freelance workers is tantalizing to lawmakers. Considering many of the people who read this column specifically DO NOT want to be an employees, this should be particularly disconcerting.

If independent contracting as the main job, researchers estimate that the rate of gig work as the worker’s main job was 8.5 percent of the workforce in California in 2016, higher than for the whole US. But 2016 is ancient history now. If you have nothing else to do and want to dig into what we sort of know, go to www.tinyurl.com/y29krwfv or www.gigeconomydata.org.

Uber and Lyft have mounted a fierce resistance, of course. Statewide fares are expected to increase by about 25 percent.

Just when we didn’t need any more stress on independent contractors, along comes California Assembly Bill 5 (AB5), known as the “gig worker bill,” which went into effect in January this year. It requires companies that hire independent contractors to reclassify them as employees, with a few exceptions.

So, like the nursery rhyme … all around the mulberry bush the monkey (that would be California) chased the weasel. The monkey thought it was all in fun…

Pop Goes the Weasel What did they expect? AB5 launched a firestorm of protest. Thanks to a California Superior Court, Judge Ethan Schulman ruled that companies must reclassify their contractors as employees in order to give them the same protections and goodies such as workers comp, unemployment, family leave and health insurance as staffers. Looks great on paper Your Honor, but in the real world the consequences should have been predictable. Chaos.

Many industries that were eligible lobbied hard for exemptions. California News Publishers worry the potential of AB5 could gut the print news business by reclassifying newspaper carriers. The trucking industry carved out a few amendments making sure “owneroperators” won’t be subject to the ruling. Who knew there were so many app-based workers?

Gig Work Requires New Ways of Measuring Work If the government has its way - bye-bye freedom.

Adios flexibility. There goes your side hustle. We don’t have an accurate picture of who are gig workers, and what functions do they fill. So, we don’t know what the impact of stomping this kind of labor out will actually be.

To date, a surplus of studies that have used different definitions and methods to estimate the incidence of freelance workers; the result is a wide range of estimates of how common gig work is nationally.

It’s complicated. And when the state gets involved it’s sure to be draconian. A lot of gig workers don’t want to be employees. They don’t want a boss, with all that implies. The price is too high for their benefits…loss of independence.

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There is a three-pronged test to determine if you’re an employee or an independent contractor. It is now a tougher bar to climb over. It’s too boring and complicated to go into in this column, but you can easily Google it. Things are currently unsettled, but the state is sure to settle this as quickly as possible to prevent the loss of all those tax dollars.

Starting a Business as a Veteran?

News Flash! New Law AB2257 Exempts Many Workers from AB5. But Not Enough.

The controversies surrounding AB5 became so intense that, on Sept. 4, 2020, the California legislature passed—and Governor Gavin Newsom signed—Assembly Bill 2257, which went into effect immediately and rewrote a number of the requirements of AB5.4 Exempted from the new rules are still and video photographers and editors, freelance writers, content contributors, editors, translators, fine artists, and musicians.

It also removed caps for categories of freelancers that had limited the number of contributions they could make “to an outlet, such as a website,” without having to be reclassified as employees.

Left out: workers for gig-economy companies such as Lyft and Uber. Sounds like a mess typically mopped up by…guess who? A gig worker.

A detailed blog post from the law firm Seyfarth Shaw LLP notes that the “new law broadens the business-to-business exemption of AB5, creates an exemption for individual business people who contract with each other, exempts more referral agencies, increases the number of professional exemptions to AB5 (including special provisions for the music industry, whoo-hoo!), and provides broader enforcement powers for district attorneys.” What?

The DA? What does that mean?

Uber has made it clear that the company would not comply with AB5, despite not being technically exempt from the ABC test.

Here comes the cavalry. Maybe. Proposition 22 is a November ballot measure that aims to exempt ridesharing and food-delivery firms from AB5. What about the rest of us? This whole thing sounds like quicksand where common sense goes to die.

If people need it, and buyers want it, they will find a way. Stay tuned.

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 www.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com 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 / OCTOBER 2020

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“Our local veterans and their families aren’t

looking for more websites – they’re looking for personal connections to their fellow citizens and businesses who can provide them with community-relevant answers to their questions and information they can trust. Each and every one of us can do that”

CONNECTIONS - While there has been significant

work in the past decade supporting transitioning military, members related to life pillars of employment, housing and health, there’s one pillar that has gotten insufficient attention and support: connections into the community. Over half of veterans and military report feeling disconnected from the communities in which they live. Veterans and military families often don’t have local networks or know where to turn when they have questions such as: What are the local schools like? How can I turn my military skills into a civilian career? What are the best local businesses that I can rely on? Veterans and military families are not asking for another website; they are looking to connect with real people, in their community.

The desire for connections in community isn’t limited to veterans and military, it rings true for spouses as well.

More often the challenging things for these families can be those that local residents take for granted- like knowing a good car mechanic, or handyman.

In San Diego County, Vets’ Community Connections is working to meet this need. VCC fills this gap, serving as the bridge across a civilian-military divide.

How it works: VCC encourages San Diegans of all walks of life who are willing to help or share their expertise-- and businesses who are willing to offer services and discounts—to sign up with our VCC network.

For our veterans/military/family members we’ve designed an easy process: First, a veteran, servicemember or spouse looking for assistance calls 1 844 VETCONX. Second, our Connector takes their information, and quickly matches them with an individual or business in our network who can help, and connects them directly by email. Third, and finally, they connect—often over the phone—and the individual or business makes sure that the veteran, service member or spouse gets what they need. It can take as little as 10 minutes. It’s that easy.

- Jerry Sanders, president of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, which played a leadership role in the development of this initiative.

Sanders and the Chamber spearheaded a different survey of area veterans and family members that also showed that those in transition to civilian life valued human connection and new networks into the community far more than additional web-based resources.

Connections make the difference.

A Navy spouse recently reported to VCC: “While I have plenty of connections on base, I know there are a wealth of resources in San Diego that I justdon’t know. And it’s hard to find anything meaningful on an internet search.

VCC got me connected to employment avenues I never would have found on my own.”

As we approach Veteran’s Day, be a part of that success: Be a part of VCC’s San Diego resource database by taking a minute to sign up at www.vetscommunityconnections.org.

The current environment has added additional challenges to veterans, military and their spouses examining potential career paths in the San Diego area.

Join VCC for monthly webinars featuring local employers and career support organizations to discuss: • How to find a new career in the time of COVID restrictions.

• Where to look and what questions to ask.

• What free training and certification programs are available.

Monthly webinars are open to all veterans, military, spouses and caregivers in San Diego County.

The next one will be held Tuesday, October 27t​h​.

Additional questions, please contact VCC Program Manager, Amy Richards at Amy@vccsandiego.org​.

Participation will be capped at 40 people.

Learn more at: www.vetscommunityconnections.org/careers-in-the-community.

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WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / OCTOBER 2020

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“Leadership is all about people. It is not about organizations. It is not about plans. It is not about strategies. It is all about peoplemotivating people to get the job done. You have to be peoplecentered.”

- Colin Powell

Developed for Success An Examination of Military Leadership Experience and Its Equivalency to Formal Education Requirements for Civilian Leadership Roles

By Brianne Houck The need for leadership to obtain success within any organization is undeniable. If an organization lacks leaders, it will most certainly fail at all levels. After all, leadership entails having the ability to motivate and inspire people to work toward accomplishing common goals or objectives. To be able to do this effectively, a leader has to know (as one may venture a guess): people. As Colin Powell has been quoted saying, “Leadership is all about people. It is not about organizations. It is not about plans. It is not about strategies. It is all about people-motivating people to get the job done. You have to be people-centered.” So with that in mind, what qualifies a person to be a leader? If we know that a leader has to be “people-centered”, what is the criteria for indicating that a potential leader is so?

Specifically, what are the needed criteria for a Veteran transitioning to a civilian career who may be interested in a leadership role?

Many companies continue to increase the prerequisites for what is required to hold a leadership position, particularly with education. While it was possible to advance in the past just through experience, a certain level of education is now required throughout many organizations to even be considered for a novice leadership role. A bachelor’s degree has become almost “standard” as an educational requirement, with some positions even having more preferential (and advanced) qualifications. Yet, does a degree equate to leadership ability? Some college graduates who are placed in leadership roles do not always have the training and/or experience to be adequately prepared to lead.

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And while some collegiate institutions are transitioning to place more emphasis on leadership development as part of the curricula; a gap still exists between traditional education and preparation for assuming a leadership role upon degree conferment. Core skills that can be honed with regard to leadership, to include refinement of the people-centered soft skills, require further mentorship and application to lead successfully and overcome viridity in position.

With that being said, where does that leave Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces yet do not hold a degree? Unspecific to one particular branch, “Most first-term enlistments require a commitment to four years active…” (Joining the Military: Know What You Are Committing To, 2020). That tenure, in terms of an overall service length, is most likely on the low-conservative side – with the average time of service being much more than that of four years in totality. Within this four-year initial service period, enlisted military service members can very feasibly achieve NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) grade, which propels them into a leadership role within their own ranks.

Furthermore, they are arguably some of the most influential leaders within the military; as they are directly responsible for overseeing, developing, and inspiring Junior Enlisted Personnel who are under their tutelage.

As NCOs advance in rank, their level of responsibility increases in direct correlation. If they are not successful in leading their subordinates, the direct consequences, in this context, can be calamitous to say the least.

Unquestionably, effective military leaders must know how to build trust and know how to render the highest level of performance – they have to know people.

WHAT’S NEXT

Given, what can be, an inordinate amount of responsibility throughout a progressive military career; is it reasonable to waive a degree prerequisite in lieu of practical, military leadership experience for transitioning Veterans who are interested in assuming civilian leadership roles? I believe that answer is “yes”.

This is not to derogate the value of formal education, as education, in any form, is worthwhile and is what helps to drive us (humanity) forward. However, the intent is to draw focus to the invaluable leadership skills that our Veterans bring with them following military service.

Every leader, whether military or civilian, will (and should) always have development goals – it’s how we achieve our greatest potential in perpetually pushing ourselves forward. Earning a degree may be a development goal for a transitioning Veteran; yet, companies owe it to our Veterans to really examine and consider the leadership experience they’ve already gained while in service and the mutual benefit that belies them: leaders helping Veteran leaders and incoming leaders who know people and will undoubtedly enhance the organization.

Brianne Houck is an entrepreneur, U.S. Army Veteran, and business leader with over ten years of experience in various leadership roles. She earned her MBA from Tiffin University and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Leadership at University of the Cumberlands.

In 2019, she began her own coaching and consulting business, with specific focus on leadership growth and development. Brianne is passionate about helping Veterans and also serves as a mentor for Veterans transitioning to civilian careers.

Please direct any inquiries for Brianne to the following address: brianne.houck@hotmail.com.

www.sandiegoveteransmagazine.com/category/whats-next-transition

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 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.

Eve is a seasoned recruiting executive and business owner. She is driven to help people find the right job for and to help companies find the right talent.

She is especially passionate about helping military professionals transition into the civilian workforce.

If you need help with your career transition, connect with her on 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 or visit www.sandiegoveteransmagazine.com

Transition to Civilian Life WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / OCTOBER 2020

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WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / OCTOBER 2020

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Legally Speaking Military Focused Family Law Facts

By Tana Landau, Esq.

HEALTH INSURANCE AND DIVORCE Are You Still Covered?

If your spouse does remove you, you can seek a remedy in Court. If you are the party covering your spouse on your health insurance plan, you should not remove them from the policy while your divorce is still pending a final judgment, absent a written agreement to do so or Court order.

What Happens to Health Insurance Once the Divorce is Final?

After your divorce is finalized by the Court, an ex-spouse is no longer a “family member” in the eyes of the law. This means the spouse will not qualify to exist on the other spouse’s health insurance benefits.

While going through a divorce it’s natural to think about property division, support, and custody and visitation issues. What you may forget to consider are the ramifications a divorce can have on shared health insurance policies. Losing health insurance can result in the lack of ability to seek medical treatment and an overall decrease your well-being. If you’re battling breast cancer (or any other long-term illness) it’s particularly important to know how your divorce will affect your coverage.

If you were being covered by your spouse, you cannot stay on their health insurance once your divorce has been finalized.

What Happens Once a Divorce Proceeding is Filed?

If you qualify based on income, the Affordable Care Act also specifies that a person who has divorced becomes eligible to buy health insurance coverage on the state exchange even if he or she is outside of the normal enrollment period. Another way to retain your health insurance is to opt for filing for legal separation rather than for dissolution of marriage, although this may not be an option for you depending on your spouse’s position.

There are immediate and automatic temporary restraining orders that can be issued which affect both parties’ abilities to cancel coverage or change the beneficiaries of any insurance policies, including health insurance policies. This means that if you are on your spouses’ health insurance plan, they are precluded from removing you. You have the legal right to remain on the insurance policy while your divorce is pending.

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At this point, you will lose your health insurance and will need to obtain your own coverage.You may be able to temporarily retain coverage through the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). This can give you enough time to secure your own plan separate from your spouse’s without suffering a gap in insurance.

What About Coverage for Our Children?

Health insurance must be obtained for a child by either or both parents if the insurance is available either at no cost or at a reasonable cost to the parent. The automatic temporary restraining orders do prevent a party from removing the children from their health insurance coverage while the divorce is pending.

Who Pays for Health Insurance?

Once your divorce is finalized, each party is responsible for their own health insurance premiums. Your former spouse will not be required to automatically fund a new medical insurance policy regardless of your employment status unless otherwise negotiated in the settlement agreement.

Time for a Fresh Start.

Move forward without breaking the bank. Our military expert family law attorneys are ready to push your case to the finish line.

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What About Medicare?

Medicare is available to all at age 65 as long as you or your spouse (or ex-spouse) have contributed via earned income. Your spouse/ex-spouse must be at least 62-years old for you to collect on their Medicare benefits and you would have needed to be married for at least 10-years to be eligible.

Health insurance is never straightforward, but if you’re going through a divorce it can get even more complicated. If you’re also battling cancer, the last thing you need to be worried about is whether you’re still covered on your ex-spouse’s insurance plan. Know that the law is on your side, and a good family law attorney can help you navigate the legal system with efficiency.

For more information about health insurance in your 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.

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Call 858-720-8250 or visit www.frfamilylaw.com to schedule a free consultation.

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WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / OCTOBER 2020

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

By Kelly Bagla, Esq.

COVID-19 LIABILITY WAIVERS As we are nearing the holiday session, there is no clear date for businesses and activities to fully reopen across the United States and California. More and more attention has been given to what protections businesses have from COVID-19 related lawsuits.

Many businesses find it a necessity to reopen during this time of uncertainty in order to simply avoid going out of business, they must do something to pay their rent, insurance, and other financial obligations. With the pressure of reopening, businesses are rightfully concerned that they will be named a defendant by an employee or a customer who contracts COVID-19 and claims that the virus was contracted while working at or visiting the business establishment.

Here are five issues California businesses must understand regarding the legislative environment of COVID-19 liability, and the potential to have employees or customers waive liability related to contracting COVID-19.

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“present The longer the virus is and absent any federal

law granting businesses a liability shield, liability waivers may become more common.

1. LEGAL LIABILITY SHIELD ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL A new federal law is being proposed to create a safe harbor for businesses, including colleges and universities, that follow federal or state guidelines for COVID-19 to protect them against lawsuits. This legislation may be included in the next coronavirus economic relief bill and it is proposed that the law be retroactive to December 2019 and terminate in October 2024.

2. CALIFORNIA LEGISLATION CREATING PRESUMPTION THAT EMPLOYEE CONTRACTED COVID-19 AT WORK In direct opposition to proposals on the federal level to protect employers, California has implemented and is looking to continue presumptions that an employee contracted COVID-19 at work if they are infected.

Governor Gavin Newsom plans to work with the legislature to expand workplace protections, including guaranteeing COVID-19 related sick leave, easing workers’ compensation claim requirements, enforcing labor laws and ensuring employers are reporting outbreaks.

SB 1159 would add coronavirus related illness or death to the list of on the job injuries covered under the state’s workers’ compensation program while removing a requirement that workers prove they contracted the virus on the job. Instead, employers would have to prove that COVID-19 wasn’t contracted in the workplace.

3. LIABILITY WAIVERS In response to a lack of a federal liability shield and California’s potential extension of a presumption that an employee contracted COVID-19 at work, many employers are seeking some type of potential protection and have asked if a liability waiver by employees is a viable option. Private parties may enter into agreements to limit liability for either party’s negligence and these agreements are generally enforceable. In the employment context the waiver’s enforceability may be more limited. For example, the California Labor Code requires employers to indemnify employees for losses caused by the employers’ “want of due care” and prohibits any waiver of this right.

4. LIMITS OF LIABILITY WAIVERS IN CALIFORNIA California law is clear that workers compensation claims cannot be released as a matter of law. Failure to comply with mandatory safety requirements and guidelines could also impact the enforceability of liability waivers. If a company does not follow health and safety guidelines, it could be argued that the actions were grossly negligent actions, which cannot be subject to be released or waived. Generally, California law does not favor waivers and will be strictly construed against the party drafting them.

5. LIABILITY WAIVERS FOR CUSTOMERS Outside of the employment context, liability waivers are likely to be more enforceable, but companies must remember that California law does not favor waivers and a court will scrutinize any contract that seeks to waive liability, and no case law has yet addressed whether some unique aspect of COVID-19 would remove it from the general category of risks for which liability can be waived.

The longer the virus is present and absent any federal law granting businesses a liability shield, liability waivers may become more common.

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WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / OCTOBER 2020

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Meet a Silversmith Who Can Make You Some Killer Earrings or Fix Your SeaHawk Helicopter

By Thea Fiore-Bloom, PhD

Meet Lindsay Zike; a talented silversmith who also happens to be able to fix your helicopter.

Zike became a silversmith after working as an Aviation Structural Mechanic (Airframer) on SH-60 Seahawk helicopters for the United States Navy.

“Most civilians (other than artists) assume that if you’re an artist you’re a hippy type,” said Zike.

“Most civilians also mistakenly assume service members are war-loving, aggressive, even violent kinds of people.”

Veterans Aren’t All “Full Metal Jacket” “I think these beliefs about military personnel are more informed by movies like “Full Metal Jacket” than by actual encounters with people who’ve served,” said Zike.

Zike was stationed in Japan for 3 years and spent much of her leave time there breathing in the details of Shinto shrines, appreciating guardian sculptures of lion dogs and observing the majesty of ancient temple trees.

“Civilians don’t get to see we’re not all about blood and guts and that people in the military can have unique gifts, unique personalities, and that we can be true creative artists.” Zike suggests both veterans and civilians fight quick, easy stereotypes. For example: “That girl in the foxhole next to you,” said Zike, “might dye and weave fabric during liberty.” “And that guy throwing an intricate porcelain vase in a ceramics studio may have been repairing a broken aircraft in the middle of an ocean this time last year.”

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How Being An Artist Helped Zike as a Veteran Being a creative allowed Zike to more easily put her service in context after she got out and faced a new, awkward reality. “I don’t know too many vets that like to be thanked for their service, or would willingly accept any praise or hero-worship,” said Zike. Any personal hardship you might experience, especially when you know others had it worse or suffered more.

“It can be a hard mentality to break afterward,” said Zike. “Having a place to express the things you’re dealing with or indulge a passion is incredibly beneficial to vets on a personal level.” Without some sort of outlet like the arts, Zike believes people develop baggage they carry with them throughout the rest of their lives, “slowly bleeding it out, with always more there.”

www.zikestudios.com

How Being a Veteran Helped Zike as an Artist In the Navy Zike learned the value of military precision.

“Slight contamination of things like hydraulic fluid can not only damage or wear out a helicopter’s parts,” it can down a bird.” Zike transferred that precision to her art practice. “When you electroplate jewelry, if you don’t follow each step precisely you won’t get the end result you want and you won’t know why,” said Zike.

Inward Strength & Stability, Courtesy of the Navy “I’m aware that military bravado might border on toxic masculinity at times,” said Zike, “but I think my time in the military gave me a sense of stability and inward strength under pressure that other artists might also benefit from.”

Learning to Listen for The Whole Story By interviewing Zike I got the privilege of being reminded not to make assumptions about any veteran or artist I meet.

As scientist and writer, Issac Asimov instructed: “Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in awhile, or the light won’t come in.”

- Isaac Asimov

“Just by being a veteran artist, you’re changing the way people are able to view veterans. All art is autobiographical. Take a minute to read someone else’s story.”

- Lindsay Zike

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / OCTOBER 2020

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Veterans Chamber of Commerce

By Joseph Molina www.vccsd.org

Potential jobs and the job interview Job research goes beyond learning about a vacancy and the location and time of the interview. It also includes learning all the other aspects on how you will appear and how to answer questions from the hiring manager, keep in mind that researching potential job is just the starting point.

What do I want? That is the most important question when starting to search for a job.

1. Identify the type of Job you want.

2. Decide if you want a job or a career.

3. Set up boundaries based on what is Important to you. What we suggest is for applicates to create a Simple “Job-Criteria Chart that will include criteria that will make it a good fit for you at all levels!

There are a number of examples online on decision making, the most important “take-away” from this is the fact that you should find one to help you in the decision-making process. Not all is about just the pay, there are also other characteristics that you should consider, and the most important one is “Which Position will be most likely to give you the highest satisfaction with the highest quality of life. *Company’s Culture is also another aspect to consider specially if we plan on staying in the organization for a long time.

Research before you apply: It is entails to learn as much as possible about the job vacancy and about the company. The purpose of a potential job research is to ensure the role you apply for and the company is the right fit for you.

Researching for potential jobs extensively is part of your preparation for a job interview and it plays a huge role in determining how well you fair in the screening process. The extent of your research about your potential job is what will make you stand out as the best candidate for the job.

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Questions during the Interview: You must have heard how important it is to ask hiring manager(s) some questions.

That could be true, but before you do, make sure the hiring manager (s) are giving you an indication that they welcome questions.

Keep in mind that hiring managers interview many people, so they can clearly see when an applicant is just following some “Book suggestion”. Keep it real and be honest with your answers.

Visit the company’s website: The first thing you want to do when researching a potential is to look up the company’s website. The company’s website provides relevant information you need about the organization’s mission statement, their products and services, management style, and most importantly the company’s culture.

Note: Over Forty percent of HR professionals have noted that a good cultural fit is the most important quality being considered in a job seeker. This is why it is important for you to learn about the company’s culture.

On the company’s website, look out for recurrent keywords. These words will give you an idea of the what the company’s values are. Are they family oriented, do they promote casual dress codes, are they open to entrepreneurship ideas, etc.

Search social media In today’s world where most people check their phones many times a day, practically every company has a social media platform. Social media accounts provide pertinent information about the company. This information is easy to obtain. * Pay attention to how the company wants consumers to view them, whether or not the company is responsive and how much they engage with their customers.

This approach will help you identify red flags abut the company.

Use LinkedIn LinkedIn is another important platform that makes your potential job research relatively easy. You can obtain useful information by just glancing at the company’s profile. You see your connections at the company if any, job posted, new hires, and so on.

Consider reaching out to any of your connections at the company. They may put in a word for you or share perspectives and tips that will improve your chances of performing well during the interview.

• Follow up with a thank you note or email You must have heard that job interviews start before the actual meeting with your interviewers and continues even after the meeting. It is true! *** One of the best ways to stand out after the meeting is to follow up your interviewers with a thank you note/ letter or an email. Second opportunity to stop by and say Hi to the front desk person! It really creates a great impression about you! :-) In Summary:

How to prepare for a job interview As mentioned earlier, an extensive job research is the best way most important way to prepare for a job interview, however, you should take extra steps to help you stand out. Below are some tips that will help you prepare for a job interview.

There is no “Magic” approach to finding the “next best job” but having a plan and knowing what we want will definitely make the job search more focused and more effective.

• Appearance Most people dress up for interviews, but some companies may have particular preferences on how they prefer candidates to be dressed (This is information that could be obtain for a Linked In contact). If you cannot find specific details, go with the tradition of wearing professional attire.

The Veterans Chamber of Commerce Radio Show

As much as you keep your cloths sharp for the occasion, pay equal attention to your hair and nails.

Yep, Nails :-) • Stop by, when possible You want to give off a good first impression to your interviewers and best way to do this is by arriving on time.

Get directions from your place to the company and take a drive (if possible) some days before the interview.

Find an excuse to say hi to the front desk person. Some HR managers, especially in small size companies relay on the impression from the front desk and take that under consideration when making a hiring decision.

• Would you like to Nominate a Hero in your Community? Let us know and we will announce it on the show.

• Would you like to share your story?

Be our guest on the show.

Here’s our REQUEST FORM for you to fill out and send back to us. If you have any ideas or project that you would like to see Developed by the Veterans Chamber send your idea to: veteransccsd@gmail.com Request Form - www.vccsd.org/radioshow.html

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / OCTOBER 2020

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“The men and women who serve our Nation deserve our support — Today, Tomorrow, Always —”

OCTOBER 2020

www.vanc.me

We hope that all of you have had the chance to spend quality time with your family, read more books, took more walks and slowed the pace of your lives in a meaningful lives.

VANC Here’s to Fall…

With the Corona Virus creating an opportunity for all of us to decide if we really like our home’s interior…for the 7th month, we have not had the kind of year at VANC that is full of activities. However, coming in October we are excited to be putting on our Golf Tournament at Camp Pendleton on October 23rd.

Go to www.vanc.me/golf to register.

We have been preparing some exciting programs in preparation of the state’s full opening too. The program for helping our active duty families to transition into civilian careers, develop mentors, resume’s and sharpen their presentation skills, should be up and running shortly. Hunter Safety, and the other class favorites are just a Governor’s speech away.

Our food drive last month supported 91% active duty families. 2058 people were served bringing our total to 12,534 people served this year since April. We appreciate the volunteers and service members that participated.

We plan to have our next food drive on October 9th and every second Friday of the month.

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We look forward to seeing all of you, without masks, as soon as all of this is over.

Be Well.

AND when it’s safe we hope to see you.

If you have ever visited the Veterans Association of North County, in Oceanside, this may have been the first thing you would have heard from our volunteers at the front desk. f you have not been to “VANC” perhaps it is because you are not aware of the depth of offerings and resources that VANC has to offer. So what is VANC? VANC is a non-profit resource center for our military families, and our veterans. It is a place for military and non-military to build relationships, and provide solutions, not only for our military members, but solutions to the community as well.

So in short, if you are a veteran or an active duty military family member, there is a lot of things we can do for you at VANC. If you live in our community, we would love to see you at VANC. You can volunteer, you can donate, or just come and enjoy our events.

If you are a member of the veteran service community, join us on the first Monday of each month at noon for an opportunity to network with others serving our veterans. And when you walk in the door, sign in to our guest book.

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / OCTOBER 2020

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In 2019 American Legion Baseball supported 22 teams totaling 396 high school baseball players. 16 of the high schools providing teams met the Federal qualifications for Title I Funding* and 6 of the schools had over 60% of their student population qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch Programs.

October 2020

www.sdvetscoalition.org

The San Diego Veterans Coalition supports American Legion Baseball American Legion baseball has been the cornerstone of the founding principles of community, family, youth sports and patriotism that inspired the creation of the American Legion in cities and towns across the United States over 100 years ago.

American Legion baseball thrived from the 1920’s through the 1980’s anchored by thousands of teams and tens of thousands of athletes playing under the banner of their local American Legion Post and with the dedicated support of Legionnaires and veterans throughout their community.

A decline in participation that began in the mid-1980’s in major East and West coast metropolitan areas was indicative of widespread national level patriotic malaise and complacency. The events of 9/11 re-inspired our national patriotism and belief in the strength of the United States that is exemplified by the celebration of our Armed Forces and veterans at every baseball game played across our country. The playing of the National Anthem and the singing of “God Bless America” is a patriotic commemoration of those who wear the uniform and who have served to protect our freedoms and has become a hallmark of “America’s Game”.

The American Legion, Department of California Baseball Program has embraced the mandate to revitalize youth baseball across the Golden State in support of bringing our greatest game to as many children and their families as possible.

In San Diego County, key leaders of the Veterans Community and the American Legion came together to revive the game with a “no play to pay” concept that has resulted in a significant resurgence in participation in the game at not only inner-city schools but teams across the County.

In 2018 San Diego County American Legion Baseball supported 13 teams totaling 234 high school baseball players.

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In 2020, there were 28 teams with over 500 players ready to take the field and play in the San Diego County American Legion Summer Season. 19 of these schools met the Federal qualifications for Title I Funding and 8 of the schools had over 60% of their student population qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch Programs.

In the 2019 season San Diego sent 2 teams to the California State Championship tournament. One team, the Patrick Henry Trojans registered by Post 460, placed 3rd in the State Tournament held in Yountville, Ca. Also, of note, the San Diego Padres Baseball Club committed to a partnership with Hoover High School to improve their baseball diamond and the school’s baseball program.

Until the advent of COVID, San Diego enjoyed the highest expectations for an even more successful 2020 season. The San Diego Padres and the Randy Jones Foundation are solidly in support of American Legion Baseball and donated financial and material support to the league. Both organizations along with other civic and community organizations such as the Downtown San Diego Lions Club and the California State Games remain strongly committed to supporting sports at inner-city schools and to revitalizing, sustaining and growing American Legion baseball in San Diego County.

The San Diego Veterans Coalition strongly supports the positive impact American Legion baseball has on the youth, families and veterans in our community.

San Diego County American Legion Baseball continues to prepare for the moment when youth sports are authorized by public health policy to return to competitive play in 2021.

For more information please go to www.ald22baseball.org * Title 1 Funding; Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESEA) provides financial assistance to local school districts for children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Veterans Flu Shot Program 2020

October 1st – December 31, 2020

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / OCTOBER 2020

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COMMUNITY EVENTS

ENTERTAINMENT

SAN DIEGO San Diego Veterans Magazine A Veterans Magazine by Veterans for Veterans

Resources Support Transition Community www.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com 58

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / OCTOBER 2020

New Monument Honoring the F-14 Tomcat coming to San Diego The F-14 Tomcat ranks as one of the most famous military fighters in the world. The aircraft was made famous throughout the world during major news events in the 1980’s, it became iconic in the Hollywood film, TOP GUN — the highest grossing film in 1986.

The F-14 became a symbol of America’s air superiority and was finally retired in 2006. Sadly, there was no public monument honoring the aviators who lost their lives flying this legendary airplane.

Ret. Rear Admiral Fred Lewis, who flew the F-14 Tomcat corrected this neglect when he spearheaded an effort to commemorate the famed aircraft and launch a nonprofit organization, the F-14 Tomcat Monument Association. This 501(c)(3) organization went on to collect contributions so that the memorial could be donated to key cities where the iconic fighter was based.

There will be three monuments built; each costing an estimated $90,000. The site locations for their homes are Virginia Beach, VA, Pensacola, FL and San Diego, CA.

“The F-14 Tomcat made it’s fleet introduction in San Diego in 1973. It was without doubt the best fighter plane to ever fly from the flight decks of Pacific Fleet aircraft carriers. F-14 squadrons operated out of NAS Miramar for thirty years and was the Nation’s frst line of defense against our adversaries around the globe. The Tomcat became a symbol of the strength of American people just as the legendary Spitfire did for the British nation during WWII. It is fitting that from a historical perspective we pay tribute to not only the machine but to the thousands of Americans who designed, maintained, and operated the Tomcat and especially to the sixty-eight aircrew who perished while flying the F-14.”

-RADM “Bad” Fred Lewis

This unique Tomcat monument will be a four-sided granite obelisk. Each laser-etched panels shows different images of the F-14 in action with brief descriptions of its service with one panel dedicated to the 68 people who lost their lives flying the mighty Tomcat. A list of donors will also be featured at the bottom of the panels.

If you would like to contribute to the monument that will be in San Diego, go to the following website: www.tomcatmonument.org Award winning Director Mark “Viz” Vizcarra of Speed and Angels Productions flew the F-14 Tomcat and is supporting the effort in his newly released documentary, Tomcat Tales www.F14TOMCATS.com

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / OCTOBER 2020

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www.SanDiegoVeterans Magazine.com - Publishing Date – The 1st of each month.

- Space Reservation Deadline – Mid Month (Call for monthly details)

INSIDE THE ISSUES * Editorial Content Each Month Includes the following: • Monthly Featured Editorial Support, resources, inspiration and human interest articles from contributing veteran organizations throughout the country.

Join Us In 2020 San Diego’s BEST resource for San Diego veterans, transitioning military personnel, active military, military families & veteran organizations

GET CONNECTED! 2019 SAN DIEGO VETERANS MAGAZINE OF THE YEAR 62

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / OCTOBER 2020

• Veterans In Transition Educational Opportunities, Recruiting Civilian Jobs, Articles, Jobs for Vets, Careers in Law Enforcement & Veteran Entrepreneurship • HEALTHCARE Fighting PTSD, Healthcare , Research, Studies & more • Monthly Calendar Information Military & National Holidays, Including Events ( Airshow, Military/Veteran Film Festivals, Feet Week, City Job Fairs, EDU Seminars,Workshops etc...)

• SD Vets Columns Transition, Financial, Legal, Health, Veteran Life, Arts, & more...

• Community Endorsements Supporting businesses, organizations, educational institutions, community services and promotions for veterans, military personnel & military families.

2020 Editorial Calendar & Themes • JANUARY

Veterans Life 2020 Military, Veterans and Families 2020 Health 2020

• FEBRUARY

Adaptive Sports Transition / Education Military Spouse & Family

• MARCH

Women’s History Month Brain Injury Awareness Month Month of the Military Caregiver

• APRIL

Month of the Military Child Transition - Health - Service

• MAY

Memorial Day Issue National Military Appreciation Month

• JUNE

PTSD Awareness Month Mental Health Programs - Clinics

Editorial Additions July - Dec 2020 * Starting July 2020 - Added focus on health education & transition for active military and veterans to combatthe challenge of transitioning due to the effects of COVID-19

• JULY

Independence Day Disabled Veterans Health - Transitioning to Civilian Life GI Bill - Education - Workshops & Guides Careers - Entrepreneurship

• AUGUST

Summer Issue Purple Heart Day Tribute To Service Dogs Health - Transitioning to Civilian Life GI Bill - Education - Workshops & Guides Careers - Entrepreneurship

• SEPTEMBER

9/11 “Never Forget” Gold Star Mother’s Day National Suicide Prevention Month Health - Transitioning to Civilian Life GI Bill - Education - Workshops & Guides Careers - Entrepreneurship

• OCTOBER

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Transition Assistance Programs Health - Transitioning to Civilian Life GI Bill - Education - Workshops & Guides Careers - Entrepreneurship

• NOVEMBER

VETERANS DAY ISSUE * (GOLD STAR ISSUE) Health - Transitioning to Civilian Life GI Bill - Education - Workshops & Guides Careers - Entrepreneurship

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Holiday Issue / BEST of 2020 Pearl Harbor Remembrance Wreaths Across America Health - Transitioning to Civilian Life GI Bill - Education - Workshops & Guides Careers - Entrepreneurship

WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / OCTOBER 2020 63 mikemiller@SdVetsMagazine.com - (858) 275-4281 - www.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com

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