2023 MF FEBRUARY

FEBRUARY 2023

by AMERIFORCE MEDIA, LLC

COAST GUARD COMMANDANT ‘LASER FOCUSED’ ON BUILDING

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

THE ROMANCE OF

MILITARY MARRIAGE On July 27, 2001, my then-Marine boyfriend and I went to the magistrate’s office near Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and said our “I do’s” in a smoke-filled office that had a sports game playing in the background. We didn’t even have the required $50 fee (not surprising since we made the rookie mistake of doing this a few days shy of payday), so we had borrowed it from a guy my husband, Ron, worked with. Two Marines served as our witnesses, took us out for a steak lunch to celebrate, then I worked the night shift at my job.

Our justice of the peace ceremony wasn’t quite the lavish tale of a Hollywood rom-com, but it was good training for my younger self to learn that military couples can’t always do things in traditional ways.

The nature of a service member’s career tends to fast track our lives. Ron and I knew we wanted to marry each other, but by doing it sooner rather than later it ensured certain securities — like, I would be included in unit information while he was deployed. These are the realities we face, and I would argue military marriages are the most romantic.

EDITORIAL PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER Todd Taranto MANAGING EDITOR Bianca Strzalkowski ASSOCIATE EDITOR Kari Williams

Three years after our justice of the peace ceremony, Ron and I were able to have a bigger celebration with family and friends. As you can see, he made sure we played out all of the usual wedding traditions.

There is nothing quite like the first letter you receive while they are at boot camp, or the sound of their voice to tell you they arrived safely on deployment. And homecoming gets its own category. Sure, the awkwardness of reuniting after months apart may show its ugly head later, but the anticipation of seeing those boots land safely on the ground is unmatched to anything I have ever experienced.

Valentine’s Day is often thought of as a cheesy, Hallmark-created holiday, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to highlight examples of other couples, who, like me, took vows at the local courthouse. When I

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put the call out on our Instagram account, I was surprised by the overwhelming response.

If anything, it reminded me of our commonalities — not to mention, I could feel the emotion in the words of military spouses rehashing their special day. You can read some of the tales that captured our heart on page 12.

We don’t need a specially marked day on a calendar to celebrate the relationships we have, but in the busy moments of daily life, a reminder never hurts.

Yours in reading,

contributors Melinda Walker Jessica Manfre Crystal Kupper

Ben Greene Will Martin

@militaryfamiliesmagazine @MilitaryFamiliesMagazine

Printed in the United States. ©2023 AmeriForce Media, LLC

www.militaryfamilies.com |

3

Contents FEBRUARY 2023 ISSUE

10 A historic appointment

by Jessica Manfre

FEBRUARY 2023

by AMERIFORCE MEDIA, LLC

of the Peace couples 12 Justice share courthouse romances

by Crystal Kupper

book details efforts to 20 New save thousands from Taliban

COAST GUARD COMMANDANT ‘LASER FOCUSED’ ON BUILDING

by Will Martin

spouse stroke survivor 26 Navy advocates for awareness

by Kari Williams

Coast Guard Adm. Linda Fagan, the 27th Commandant of the Coast Guard, with coasties in Pensacola, Florida. Cover image by Petty Officer 1st Class Brandon Giles

Military Families Magazine is published by AmeriForce Media, LLC, 10 times a year for active-duty service members, veterans, and their families.

Free copies are available through participating family service centers, relocation offices, transition offices, base lodges, libraries, daycare centers, MWR activities and other locations by request. Unit requests can be made at https://militaryfamilies.com/print-magazines/. Individual requests can be made at https://militaryfamilies.com/subscribe-free/. Information and advertisements in this publication do not constitute endorsement by any branch of the military or the Department of Defense. No part of this publication may be copied without the express written permission of the publisher. AmeriForce Media, LLC, the publishers, and publisher’s agents make no endorsement of any advertised services or products and none should be inferred.

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MILFAM matters 2023 TILLMAN SCHOLAR APPLICATIONS

The annual Pat Tillman Foundation fellowship program is open to active-duty service members, veterans and military spouses. Scholarship awards for the 2023 class of Tillman Scholars will be awarded for the fall/spring 20232024 academic year. Apply at https://pattillmanfoundation.org/apply/ by Feb. 28.

GOING VIRAL What is your ideal date night at your duty station?

We asked our audience on Instagram to share their most creative ideas for a chance to win a $100 gift card.

“We are very, very remote! No base in sight.

Date night is very rare for us but … My husband and I have done fun let’s explore and play in Walmart. Only dessert - pick 3 local restaurants and just order dessert for dinner and see the next movie at the theater.”

- @stacy_bilodeau_

“We love going to the indoor shooting range and then to @pineyrivertaproom66 for pizza, local drinks, and board games!”

- @brit_raines, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri

“At Ft. Bliss @1922bar is an amazing place for a date night. It’s a 1920s themed speakeasy.

Dress up in period pieces for extra fun!”

- @meredithflorywriter

VETERANS SET WORLD RECORD Special operations veterans successfully completed a record-breaking skydiving expedition, which also raised funds for spouses and children of the fallen. The team completed jumps across all seven continents. Scan the QR code to read more.

6 | www.militaryfamilies.com

“One of my favorite dates was when we were stationed at FE Warren. We went to Downtown Fort Collins an did a progressive date. Scrumpy’s Hard Cider Bar for drinks, Rio Grande Mexican for appetizers, Blue Agave for the Main Course, and Social for more drinks & dessert. We also asked each other “40 questions to make strangers fall in love”. It was a really fun night.”

- @melindagrace

STAFF ON THE MOVE Managing Editor Bianca Strzalkowski joins Trish Alegre-Smith, Air Force veteran and photographer, on assignment at the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia. They were on site to take images for March’s cover feature.

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“Technical capabilities are important, but combat is ultimately about people,” Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson said. “And that’s what sets the Guard apart.

I would put our people up against any other fighting force in the world.”

Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, made the remarks to Army Guard leaders in January. He is urging division and unit commanders and senior enlisted leaders from across the country to tell the National Guard’s story. Read more in the latest issue of Reserve + National Guard Magazine at http://publications.reservenationalguard.com/1st-quarter-2023 www.militaryfamilies.com |

Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Zach Sheely

OVERHEARD

7

BEYOND THE BASE

AVIANO AIR BASE

BY MELINDA WALKER, AIR FORCE SPOUSE

INTRO

Aviano Air Base is located in Northern Italy and is home to both Air Force and Army units. Aviano is a small, quiet town located just outside the base. The nearest big city is Pordenone.

FOOD

Pasta, pizza, gelato. Italy has it all. Aviano has multiple restaurants where one can fill their belly with delicious Italian food. If spaghetti and pizza are on the list, look no further than Ristorante San Giorgio, aka “Spaghetti House.” They have an extensive menu that includes pasta, pizza, meats and desserts. It’s popular among Americans because the food is great and they have an English menu.

After dinner (or really any time of day) visit 86 Il Gelato for a delicious taste of Italy. There are almost 20 flavors of gelato available,

8 | www.militaryfamilies.com

including classics like chocolate and vanilla.

Pumpkin, pistachio, cookies and passion fruit are among their rotating seasonal flavors.

Besides gelato, they also offer cookies, cakes, frozen yogurt and granitas (shaved ice with fresh fruit poured on top – no artificially flavored syrups here).

WINE

Aviano Air Base is located in an agricultural area and surrounded by wineries. One of the closest wineries to the base is Bessich Wines.

In the tasting room, sample a variety of wines from a sweet Moscato Spumante to a bubbly Prosecco DOC Spumante Brut or a dark Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso.

Plus, the vineyards have a stunning view of the Dolomite Mountains.

An easy day trip from Aviano is Prosecco Road, an area where some of the best prosecco in the world is bottled and grown.

There are multiple wineries to visit, including San Gregorio, La Tordera and the Prosecco vending machine. There is no wrong choice when visiting the vineyards at Prosecco Road.

ADVENTURE

Sitting at the feet of the stunning Dolomite Mountains, Aviano is surrounded by hiking trails. Minutes from the base is Chiesetta di San Giorgio. Park at the end of the road and enjoy this easy 1-mile hike up to a little 15th century church that offers beautiful views. On a clear day, one can see all the way to Croatia.

More hiking trails can be found in nearby Dardago and Polcenigo.

In the winter, the local mountain town of Piancavallo is covered in snow. Visit Nevelandia with the children for bounce houses, sledding and fun. For skiers and snowboarders, there is a ski lift available for just 40 euro.

The town is less than 30 minutes from the base and perfect for a fun day trip.

ART

Italy is a country of art. A unique art form to this region is mosaics. Spilimbergo is a town 30 minutes from Aviano that is famous for its mosaic art. Visit the Scuola Mosaicisti del Friuli to see beautiful works of art. Or save the drive and visit the on-base medical clinic where the walls are decorated with multiple intricate mosaics.

Nove is a town an hour away from Aviano known for crafting beautiful ceramics. Many of the workshops in Nove create pieces for Tiffany’s, William & Sonoma and other large retailers. One of the biggest shops is La Ceramica V.B.C. They offer everything from hand-painted plates, full sets of dinnerware, tiles, cake platters, piggy banks and more.

TRAVEL

Hop on the train, and it is one hour to Venice, two hours to Verona and less than five hours to Rome, Milan or Florence. In two hours or less, travel by car to Austria, Slovenia or Croatia.

Accommodations range from apartments to cabins and villas. In less than three hours by plane, visit almost all of the countries in Europe. www.militaryfamilies.com |

9

COVER FEATURE

COAST GUARD COMMANDANT USES HISTORIC APPOINTMENT TO ELEVATE IMPORTANCE OF FORCE DIVERSIT Y

BY JESSICA MANFRE, COAST GUARD SPOUSE PHOTOS BY PETTY OFFICER 1ST CLASS BRANDON GILES

The first woman to lead a branch of the Armed Forces said she is focusing on building a Coast Guard that looks much different than when she graduated from the academy more than 37 years ago.

Adm. Linda Fagan made history when she was sworn in as the 27th Commandant of the United States Coast Guard on June 1, 2022. She said being the first enables her to promote the value diversity brings to force readiness.

“Being first, there’s a lot of ‘We want to talk about you,’ which is my least favorite thing to do,” she laughed. “But with that, there’s been access and doors opened because I am the first and it allows me to pivot to our incredibly talented workforce and advocate.”

Working her way to the top was never a plan, Fagan said. In fact, she applied to the Coast Guard Academy because she just wanted to drive small boats.

She grew up outside of Boston, Massachusetts. Weekends were for boating, and Fagan loved watching the Coast Guard cutters and small boats going in and out. As a sophomore in high school she discovered a pamphlet for the Coast Guard Academy.

During her extensive career, she has served on all seven continents – from the snows of Ross Island, Antarctica, to the heart of Africa, from Tokyo to Geneva, and in many ports along the way, according to her official biography.

“I’ve never looked back. It’s just been the plan that I wanted to serve, I wanted to serve as a commissioned officer. I really didn’t have a plan beyond that,” she said. “My daughter is a lieutenant, and she would tell you one of the cool things about me now being commandant is she looks across an organization and it sees women serving at every level.”

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Fagan stands with military women attending the Halifax Security Forum in Halifax, Canada, in 2022.

When Fagan began her Coast Guard career, there were no women in senior leadership roles.

“Diversity was definitely not there when I entered into the service,” she said. “The reason it’s critical is because diverse work teams outperform homogenous teams. They’re just stronger, more resilient, have better perspective and deeper strength of thought.”

Over the past decade, the service has received hard-won support for budget increases and the vital acquisitions it has long needed for its mission. The COVID-19 pandemic and a shrinking population qualified to serve has impacted recruitment for all branches, but for the ones already struggling to fill positions, the cost could be devastating.

“The reason I’m laser focused on the workforce is because if we don’t turn the corner on recruiting, it doesn’t matter that we’ve got the icebreaker or fast response cutter we wanted.

We need to be able to operate it,” Fagan said.

“Once you show people who we are and the value proposition that we offer, they will come and they stay. I bring my best self to work every day to advocate for this workforce and for the organization. I would not have encouraged my daughter to join if I didn’t believe in it.”

This means taking a hard look at rigid requirements for advancements and frequent moves, she said, while also recognizing that accepting the status quo is far more risky than trying new things that may not work.

Another point of importance for the new commandant is staying engaged with the force. This means frequent trips across the globe to meet with coasties and hear about their needs firsthand.

“Front-line touch points are really critical,” she said.

One of her most influential mentors is retired Adm. Thad Allen, whom she credits with bringing her out of her comfort zone and challenging her.

And though she has a large volume of information to process and read in her role, Fagan looks for opportunities to keep learning.

“I’ve been reading ‘The Storm Before the Calm’ by George Friedman,” she said.

“It talks about this sort of American exception­alism and the great betrayals as well as our role as a global power.”

She is also reading “The Long Game” by Rush Doshi, but tries to mix up these educational books with some more fun fiction reads.

“The other leadership book I really liked is Marshall Goldsmith’s ‘What Got You Here Won’t Get You There,’” she said. “It goes into detail about how some of what made you successful up to this point is now counterproductive for you and the need to develop new skills.”

Her role is a serious one, but Fagan makes time for fun, too. The military is known for humor (albeit inappropriate at times) and coasties are no exception, often nicknaming their new leaders. So, what does Fagan really think of being called the “Mommandant”?

“It’s pretty funny; they weren’t mean and could have said a lot worse. I actually got a text from Thad Allen after he saw it and he told me it was the funniest thing he’d ever seen. He signed that text ‘The Thadmiral’. He told me he used to hate his own nickname and now accepts it,” she laughed.

Her daughter mailed her “Mommandant” koozies not long after the moniker was given.

“That’s what you get when you have a millennial in your life,” she said.

As for what advice the new commandant would give others pursuing their goals, it was to the point.

Adm. Fagan and daughter Lt. Aileen Fagan participate in a holiday celebration at Coast Guard Headquarters on December 8, 2022.

“Don’t take the easy way. You need to take the hard jobs … There’s no growth in the comfort zone,” Fagan said. “To the women, particularly junior women, I would say you’re far stronger than you realize. When you find yourself with a seat at the table, use your voice because you’re there for a reason. Never come to the table unprepared and do not be somebody other than who you are. Bring your passion, abilities and lean in.”

www.militaryfamilies.com |

11

MILITARY MARRIAGE

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COUPLES SHARE

courthouse romances

BY CRYSTAL KUPPER, AIR FORCE SPOUSE

Military romance is a favorite storyline for Hollywood — but the real story often looks far different. Approximately 3% to 4% of couples eschew the big wedding bash, according to The Wedding Report, opting for a courthouse wedding instead. Military unions are no exception.

In honor of Valentine’s Day, meet five military couples who went low-key for their wedding days — and are still going strong.

Gerard & Kendra Thomas, Army This joint Army couple met the first day of Kendra’s new duty assignment 22 years ago. Kendra was so hungry at their first dinner that she asked to finish Gerard’s meatballs and mashed potatoes. The move must have worked, because Gerard next asked her to a movie.

“I told him that I like to read the book first,” Kendra said. “I went to my room soon after only to find the book on my bed.”

Four months after meeting, the couple married at a Hawaii courthouse on their lunch break with their friend Chico as the witness. They simply wanted to be together.

“We were really cool and organic together,” Gerard said. “We liked going to the beach and just being around one another.”

Decades later, Kendra wouldn’t change a thing.

“We were so young and confident about our love,” she said. “I was uncertain about so many things but had no doubt or fear about this commitment.”

12 | www.militaryfamilies.com

Johnathan & Terra Gomez, Army With his boot camp departure date looming, Johnathan and Terra wanted to get married in a hurry so she could easily join him after graduation. Their son Christopher, several relatives and two best friends watched as the couple married at their local courthouse.

“Seeing her standing there solidified that we were going to be together forever,” Johnathan said.

With the passage of time, Terra now recommends really examining your wedding priorities before taking the courthouse route. There is a small twinge of regret over not having the big wedding she dreamed of as a little girl, alongside the fact that her mother-in-law never got to have a mother-son dance.

Even so, “I do think that it was better the way we did it,” she said. “It was so stress-free and no fuss.”

The couple, in love since their teens, now has three children and is stationed at Camp Humphreys, South Korea. They have discussed having a “redo I do” ceremony at some point when their children are older.

“We think it would be really special to share that with them,” Terra said.

Brian Oden & Sheri Gravette, Marine Corps With Brian in flight school in Florida and Sherri furthering her career in Virginia, finding a time to have a big wedding ceremony was proving difficult. It would have been at least a year-long engagement — not what the couple wanted. So they headed to a Florida courthouse in 2016, “woefully underdressed,” Sheri remembered.

A fellow Marine served as the witness, alongside his wife. Sheri met them for the first time at the courthouse.

“Kyle and Rebecca were dressed so nicely, while Brian and I looked like we were dressed for a movie date,” she said. “Pictures from our courthouse ceremony remain intentionally tucked away in frames in our home.”

Just a few months after the courthouse, Brian and Sheri held a vow renewal ceremony where they dressed up, hired a photographer and wrote their own vows. Five years later, they saved up for an anniversary party — but instead decided to pay off student loans and purchase necessities for their first child.

“We have no regrets about that decision,” Sheri said.

Not about any of it.

“Had we done what others wanted for us, we’d have had a big ceremony and likely spent way more than we wanted to,” Sheri said.

“Don’t let other’s opinions dictate what you do. As long as it’s special for you and your partner, that’s what matters most.”

www.militaryfamilies.com |

13

MILITARY MARRIAGE

Kiara Smith-Paul & Chris Paul, Army After just a few dates, soldier Chris Paul couldn’t stop thinking about Kiara. The two had connected on a dating app, then met in person the night before Kiara’s 21st birthday at an Applebee’s. Their height difference initially bothered Kiara, but it wasn’t long before she was hooked.

“I enjoyed his laid-back, easygoing personality and adventurous spirit,” she said.

Neither Chris nor Kiara viewed themselves as traditional, and a typical wedding struck them as unimportant. So about a year after meeting, they drove to a courthouse in Augusta, Georgia. The officiant was out, but after a quick call, she left her shopping downtown and married them.

Emily & Jerod Konowal, Navy A 90-day visa kickstarted the Konowals’ marriage. Emily, a member of the Australian Air Force, had met Jerod, a U.S. sailor, when he was in Australia on an exchange with the Navy. She didn’t like him — until she got to know him better at an Air Force ball.

“We both had big plans for the future,” Emily said. “We were interested in traveling, music and having a family.”

After moving to the States, the couple had 90 days to get hitched. Though they initially planned for a traditional wedding, the logistics of flying everyone from Australia simply were not feasible. So to the courthouse in Santa Ana, California, they went, alongside Jerod’s parents. His wedding ring hadn’t arrived, so they used a mood ring. Their honeymoon was spent driving across the country to their next assignment.

Since that day in 2010, they have PCSed six times and now have two daughters. The girls dream of planning a wedding for their parents someday — mainly for the fancy dresses. Even so, their mother’s only regret is that they didn’t get photos taken at their courthouse ceremony or soon afterward.

“Your wedding day is just about the two of you and your commitment to each other,” Emily said. “Nobody else matters at that moment.”

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“Having a fancy ceremony is something that most little girls dream of, but my thought process was: why would we spend all that money to put on a show for everyone else?” Kiara said. “This is supposed to be about us, but we would be spending money to cater to everyone else. That just didn’t make sense to either of us.”

The couple might have a family-only vow renewal ceremony for their 10th anniversary. But that decision is not as important, they said, as the time they have invested into their relationship.

“All the time that we spent together before Chris went off to basic training, all the letters back and forth, and all the time in between graduations, proved to us that we were meant for each other,” Kiara said.

Jacqueline & Nathan Gapp, Space Force The Gapps have a story not many others can claim: they got married at a mass wedding ceremony at the Route 66 Summerfest in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

One of the best parts of their relationship had always been their ability to laugh and have fun together — so why not keep having fun right into a unique way to get married?

“We loved the spontaneity of our legal ceremony,” Jacqueline said. “Also, the day ended with a spectacular New Mexico sunset.”

Their witnesses were a couple from Texas, and the Gapps did the same for them. They took the mass ceremony route to obtain “legal legitimacy, stability and security,” Jac-

queline said, as well as ease her entry into nursing school with in-state tuition rates.

One year later, the couple held another ceremony with family and friends in attendance.

“We got creative with that party and made it really special down to the details,” she said.

Ditching the traditional entry into marriage is a “huge decision,” Jacqueline said, but it doesn’t have to come with excessive pressure.

“Let it be as special or as casual as the couple desires,” she said. “Ultimately, you both decide what that day will look like.”

www.militaryfamilies.com |

15

KENNEL TO COUCH

ARMY VETERANS

WORK TO DISPEL

PIT BULL

MISCONCEPTIONS

BY KARI WILLIAMS

Chillie is one of several dogs that has been adopted from Maryland’s Harford County Humane Association through a partnership with Kennel to Couch, a pit bull advocacy organization that partners with animal shelters to help long-term residents find their furever homes.

Courtesy photo/ Harford County Humane Society

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Army veteran Amber Baum used Goldfish crackers to lure in a stray pit bull that had been dumped in the private, wooded area near her home. Then waited for her husband, Thomas Bohne, to return. “[I] pulled up into the driveway and there’s these two glowing eyes in the darkness,” said Bohne, also an Army veteran.

He grabbed a chair, sat down and waited.

“The dog came up, jumped right into my lap, curled into a little ball and went to sleep,” Bohne said. “And I was like, ‘Oh my god, you’re home.’ You’re here to stay.”

Bohne, who joined the Army in 1999 and served on active duty for nearly 12 years, said that before this dog, later named Rocky, they never had a pit bull.

“Over the next couple of years, he just became extremely impactful to our lives,” Bohne said. “He changed the hearts and minds of every single person he met about the breed.

Amber’s also [a] two-time cancer survivor. He actually is the one that identified the cancer in her neck when she had thyroid cancer … It was just crazy the impact he had.”

But in 2018, Rocky suddenly became “super lethargic” and his gums turned white. He was diagnosed with Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia – a disease in which red blood cells attack each other – and died a few weeks later at only 5 years old.

“It absolutely crushed us,” Bohne said. “I have PTSD and my dogs have become such an integral part of my healing process of just stress management, so I was really struggling to understand how to deal with such a rapid loss.”

At that time, Bohne said, he kept seeing dogs – specifically pit bulls – on Facebook that had been in shelters for 12 months or more.

He was searching for a way to not only give meaning to Rocky’s life and death, but to give himself a mission to cope with the loss.

So along with Baum – a former combat medic and a Gold Star spouse whose husband, Sgt. Ryan Baum, was killed in action on May 18, 2007 – Bohne founded Kennel to Couch. The pit bull advocacy organization partners with shelters nationwide to adopt out long-term shelter residents.

“I think one of the hardest things that veterans deal with when they get out of the military is losing that sense of purpose or that mission,” Bohne said. “We’re very mission oriented.

And when you don’t have that anymore, some of the other things that are negative in your

Kennel to Couch has held walking-challenge fundraisers in which supporters and their pets walk 31 miles in 31 days. Pets that complete the walk receive a bandana.

Kennel to Couch/ Courtesy photo

life can tend to take over. And then you have to find other ways to cope with those things because you’re not preoccupied with the mission … So, Kennel to Couch was really my way of giving myself a mission through Rocky to continue coping with all the things that he was helping me cope with.”

That led to research on long-term shelter dogs and their impact on a shelter’s overall business operations. Bohne, who also worked as a chef, said he wanted to know if there was a way to have a “macro impact” on a shelter with micro resources.

“Every kennel in a shelter is like a table in a restaurant,” he said. “If a restaurant wants to make money, they have to turn that table over several times in a night. And if a shelter wants to keep its numbers up … they have to turn that kennel over many times in a year.”

Kennel to Couch creates incentive packages where the organization sponsors the longest-tenured dog at the shelter and runs a social media campaign within a certain radius of the shelter. Harford County Humane Association in Maryland was the first partner.

“There was a dog there named Ace and he had been there a year and a half,” Bohne said.

“And we got him adopted within two months.

And then we sponsored the next longest resident and the next longest resident and the next longest resident, and within a year had all of their long-term residents adopted.”

Bob Citrullo, Harford County Humane Society’s executive director, said it takes about two to three months to find the “right fit” for the dog and for the adoption to occur.

“Now the only one left is Wave,” said Citrullo, a retired soldier who served for 25 years. “He’s been here a year.”

One of the recently adopted dogs, Chillie, returned for a visit, and Citrullo said the difference between then and when he was at the shelter was “amazing.”

“Just getting him out of this environment was the No. 1 one thing,” Citrullo said.

The work with Harford County “proved the concept,” according to Bohne, and Kennel to Couch is now partnered with five shelters in four states with a goal of expanding nationwide.

In the simplest terms, according to Bohne, Kennel to Couch is a “force multiplier.”

“We’re a free marketing firm for shelters to focus on their hardest problems,” he said.

“Shelters, they have to promote all of their dogs, and we are hyper-focused on that one that they’re having the hardest time getting adopted.”

As of press time, Kennel to Couch had gotten its 25th dog adopted.

Kennel to Couch also recently created the Kennel to Couch Furever Fund Endowment to ensure that programs are funded “in perpetuity,” Bohne said.

For more information, or to donate to the Kennel to Couch Furever Fund Endowment, visit https://kenneltocouch.org/.

www.militaryfamilies.com |

17

NONPROFIT

VETERANS AIRLIFT COMMAND OFFERS

FREE TRANSPORTATION TO WOUNDED WARRIORS

BY BEN GREENE

The challenge of airport security, no matter how long or stressful, couldn’t deter Adam and Carrie Kisielewski. The couple was committed to introducing their first child to family in Wisconsin.

Their perseverance, though, far transcends typical passengers: Adam said he “got blown up and lost his arm and leg” in 2005 after the Marine sergeant kicked down a door in Iraq. Flying commercial required waiting in security lines, removing his prosthetics and reattaching them before making long walks with a baby boy.

So two Veterans Airlift Command pilots had another idea. They offered a free, private flight. There’d be no security, no long walks and no baggage claim.

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Mike Bell (left) with an unnamed veteran and woman.

“They flew me out to Wisconsin so I could introduce my baby to my family,” Adam said. “There was an aircraft owner and two pilots all giving up something valuable to help me and my family, having never met me before.”

That experience motivated Adam to join the VAC community of volunteers, first as an ambassador and later as a pilot. He has since participated in about 20 missions, including several as an associate pilot and one as the command pilot. He’s also on the nonprofit organization’s advisory board.

Walt Fricke started VAC in 2006, alongside volunteer pilots and airplane owners, to reduce the agony and expense of medical care for veterans. VAC also helps veterans visit family, reconnect with fellow soldiers and complete bucket-list adventures.

The organization now has 2,700 volunteer pilots who transport veterans nearly every day of the year at no cost. One of those pilots, Mike Bell, has flown 184 missions for VAC since he first volunteered in 2011.

“It’s been an amazing 12 years,” Bell said.

“It’s enhanced my life in unbelievable ways.”

In addition to flights, Bell has hosted patients from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center at his home near the hospital. He and his family also have had guests over at Easter and other times of year.

“We get to know them and respect them and what they’re going through,” he said.

Sometimes the connections aboard private planes even form friendships and develop veterans into pilots. That’s the case for Adam and Bell, the son of a Korean War radioman. The civilian lent his friend a $500,000 Diamond DA40 plane so the medically retired Marine could earn his instrument rating, something pilots must have to fly under instrument flight rules.

Families can request a VAC mission at https://veteransairlift.org/request-flight/.

The organization then sends an email to volunteer pilots within a predetermined distance of the veteran’s home. These emails include a short summary of the veteran’s needs and where they are going.

Once a pilot agrees to fly a veteran, he or she makes travel plans with the family.

For example, Bell recently helped a family near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The city’s main airport was 30 minutes away but the family had a grass landing strip behind their house.

When weather conditions made that strip unusable, Bell changed plans to a small airport

not five minutes from the family’s home.

Bell said VAC pilots can usually takeoff and land at more than 3,000 airports, airstrips and airfields. That allows veterans with traumatic injuries to avoid the usual airport security procedures and have much easier flights.

Adam still remembers his first VAC flight as a passenger 13 years ago. He and his wife drove to a specific hangar near their Maryland home. Their luggage quickly

went into the private plane and the family took their seats. He never once removed his prosthetics, worried about security procedures or wondered how to pay for an expensive flight.

“Within 10 minutes you’re usually in the air,” Adam said. “It’s much easier than commercial travel.”

For more information, visit https://veteransairlift.org/.

www.militaryfamilies.com |

19

WHAT WE’RE READING

NEW BOOK DETAILS

EFFORTS TO SAVE THOUSANDS FROM TALIBAN

BY WILL MARTIN, ARMY NATIONAL GUARD AND AIR FORCE RESERVE VETERAN

When Chad Robichaux learned the U.S. military would be pulling out of Afghanistan, a single thought pressed to the front of his mind: “I have to go get my friend.”

20 | www.militaryfamilies.com

and the royal family of the United Arab Emirates. Ultimately, Robichaux said, “the flights dried up” and the “State Department pretty much shut us down.”

The book is an extension of Robichaux’s heart for the Afghan people — and a testament to the humanity of the veterans involved. Its rich descriptions of Afghan culture read as heartfelt admiration, even love. It speaks to the transformative power a deployment can have on those in uniform.

A former Force Recon Marine with several Afghanistan deployments under his belt, Robichaux had grown inextricably close with Aziz, the Afghan translator assigned to him during each of his eight tours. Buried deep in Afghan communities, they drank tea with locals, collected intel on Taliban targets and cheated death on the regular.

“When we were not operating, I didn’t go back to base. I typically stayed at his home,” Robichaux said during a recent interview with Military Families Magazine. “The first warm meal I got coming out of the mountains was made by his wife. I was there when his oldest son was born, when his daughter was born, I held them as babies. He became family to me.”

So, when news broke in April 2021 that the last of the U.S. forces would withdraw from Afghanistan, the safety of Aziz and his family consumed Robichaux. What he didn’t anticipate was how his effort to save his friend would escalate into arguably the greatest rescue mission in the wars against terrorism.

all people of faith. Let’s help as many Americans, and interpreters and their families, and women and children (as possible),’” said Robichaux.

Robichaux and his band of highly skilled veterans, operating as an NGO, pressed on with little rest for weeks, rescuing about 17,000 people. “(The U.S. military) allowed us as an NGO to go onto the airport, land aircraft, go outside the wire … even the military wasn’t allowing the military to do that,” said Robichaux. “I believe God orchestrated that.”

Robichaux and his team exhausted every available option in bringing thousands to safety, including calling in high-end favors from political commentator Glenn Beck

“Like most Americans, I used to think, ‘We’re going there because of 9/11. We’re going to crush these people. How dare they?’” Robichaux said. “But you get over there and you realize, we’re not at war with Afghanistan. Yes, we went there to rid the world of terrorism and the Taliban, but it’s about helping the Afghan people. … They didn’t desire to live this way. They actually desired freedom, and they were willing to fight and die for it.”

Today, Robichaux has turned to his work through The Mighty Oaks Foundation, which offers faith-based, peer-to-peer resiliency training to veterans, first responders and their families. But the Afghan people remain heavy on his heart. He hopes the book can compel readers to advocacy on their behalf.

“The reason this happened (was) everyday people said our government wasn’t doing the right thing (and) stood up and did the right thing,” Robichaux said. “(But) people can only help if they’re educated. … People shoot 10-15 emails a day; drop one to their congressional rep and say, ‘I’m not OK with this.”

Robichaux captures that story in “Saving Aziz: How the Mission to Help One Became a Calling to Rescue Thousands from the Taliban,” recently released by Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Knowing that active-duty service members would be prohibited from operating on Afghan soil after the retrograde, Robichaux turned to former Green Berets, Force Recon Marines, Navy SEALs — the usual suspects for an off-the-books mission like this. But one of the vets raised a question to which none of the others had a good answer: “Why are we going to get just one family?”

“That led to, ‘We have this incredible talent, we have a willingness to go, we are www.militaryfamilies.com |

21

FINANCIAL AID

2023 SCHOLARSHIP

LISTING F OR M I L I TA RY- AF F I L I ATED ST U DEN T S

BY AMERIFORCE MEDIA STAFF

YEAR-ROUND SCHOLARSHIPS National Military Family Association The basics: Awards available for all levels of degrees, professional licenses and certifications, supervised clinical hours, and business expenses.

Details: Open year-round.

Link: www.militaryfamily.org/programs/ spouses-scholarships/ MyCAA (My Career Advancement Account) Who’s eligible: Spouses of service members with the rank of E1-E5; W1-W2; O1-O2.

The basics: Maximum tuition-assistance benefit of $4,000 to be used toward an associate degree, license or certification.

Details: Open year-round.

Link: https://mycaa.militaryonesource.mil/ mycaa/

BRANCH AID SOCIETIES Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Who’s eligible: Spouses of active duty or retired sailors and Marines.

The basics: Interest-free loans and grants for undergraduates at an accredited two- or four-year education, technical or vocational institution.

Details: Applications open in early 2023.

Link: www.nmcrs.org/pages/educationloans-and-scholarships Air Force Aid Society Who’s eligible: Spouses of active-duty airmen and Title 10 reservists, and widows; dependent children of active duty, Title 10 reservists on extended active duty, Title 32 Guard performing full-time active duty, retired, retired reserve and deceased Air 22 | www.militaryfamilies.com

Force or Space Force members.

The basics: Need-based grant ranging from $500 – $4,000.

Details: Applications close April 30.

Link: https://afas.org/haparnoldgrant/ Army Emergency Relief (for military spouses) The basics: The Mrs. Patty Shinseki Spouse Scholarship Program is a need-based scholarship program established to assist Army spouses in obtaining an undergraduate degree or similar professional certification.

Details: Students can apply year-round.

Link: www.armyemergencyrelief.org/ scholarships/spouse/ Army Emergency Relief (for military kids) The basics: The Maj. Gen. James Ursano Scholarship Program is a need-based scholarship program established to assist children of Army soldiers in obtaining their first undergraduate degree.

Application details: Applications close April 1.

Link: www.armyemergencyrelief.org/ scholarships/child/ Coast Guard Mutual Assistance Who’s eligible: Spouses of coasties.

The basics: Loans and grants for a number of reimbursable education-related expenses.

Details: Students can apply year-round.

Link: www.cgmahq.org/programs/education.html

PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS Pat Tillman Foundation Who’s eligible: Active-duty service members, veterans and military spouses.

The basics: $10,000 scholarship to assist with academic expenses, such as tuition, fees and books.

Details: Applications close Feb. 28.

Link: https://pattillmanfoundation.org/ apply/ Fisher House Foundation Who’s eligible: College students of active duty, Guard and reserve or retired military commissary customers.

The basics: A total of 500 scholarships are distributed in the amount of $2,000 each.

Details: Applications close Feb. 15.

Link: https://fisherhouse.org/programs/ scholarship-programs/scholarships-formilitary-children/ FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Fellowship Program The basics: The fellowship provides military spouses the opportunity to earn the Accredited Financial Counselor® certification.

Details: Applications open March 1.

Link: www.afcpe.org/certification/militaryspouse-fellowship/read-first-then-apply/ Florida Advisory Council on Military Education Who’s eligible: Active duty, Guard or reserve service member of the U.S. armed forces; Spouse of any active duty, Guard or reserve service member of the U.S. armed forces; and veteran with an honorable discharge (must provide documentation).

Details: Applications close March 15.

Link: www.fla-acme.org/scholarships Hope For The Warriors The basics: Five categories of scholarships with application cycles in the spring and fall.

Details: Applications close April 30.

Link: www.hopeforthewarriors.org/ transition/military-spouse-scholarships/

Coast Guard Foundation Who’s eligible: Spouses and children of enlisted Coast Guard members; children of fallen Coast Guard members; and enlisted Coast Guard members.

Details: Applications close March 15.

Link: www.coastguardfoundation.org/ scholarships

NATIONAL SPOUSE CLUBS Navy Wives Clubs of America Who’s eligible: Up to 31 scholarships awarded annually, with eligibility for spouses/ dependents of the Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps.

Details: Applications must be postmarked by March 31.

Link: https://navywivesclubsofamerica.org/ scholarships/

LOCAL SPOUSE CLUBS There are dozens of spouse clubs co-located to military installations around the world, including OCONUS locations. These organizations are a place of camaraderie for spouses, but also participate in philanthropic activities like scholarships and charitable giving. At the start of each year, the clubs usually open applications for scholarship programs with specific eligibility requirements. Some require applicants to be a member; some do not.

How to find them: A simple internet search of your installation and the phrase ‘military spouse club’ should produce results. Also, the club might be officer, enlisted or combined.

Below are a few examples of those offering education assistance— • Eielson Air Force Base Spouses’ Club (AK) • Fort Huachuca Community Spouses Club (AZ) • Military Spouses Club of Yuma (AZ) • Military Spouse Association of Camp Pendleton (CA) • Monterey Bay Officers Spouse Club (CA) • Travis Spouses Club (CA) • Fort Meade Spouses’ Club (MD) • Maryland Military & Civilian Spouses’ Club (MD) • Camp Lejeune Officers’ Spouses’ Club (NC) • Association of Bragg Spouses (NC) • Minot AFB Spouses Club (ND)

• Offutt Enlisted Spouses Club (NE) • Offutt Officers’ Spouses’ Club (NE) • North Country Spouses Club (NY) • Tinker Spouses’ Club (OK) • Military Spouses of Newport (RI) • Fort Bliss Spouses’ Association (TX)

DID WE MISS SOMETHING? If your organization offers a militaryaffiliated scholarship or grant, submit your information to https://militaryfamilies.com/submit-your-story/

• Fort Hood Military Family Member Scholarship Fund (TX) www.militaryfamilies.com |

23

TAXES

2022 TAX-FILING GUIDE RESOURCES FOR MILITARY FAMILIES

BY AMERIFORCE MEDIA STAFF

Service members and military families have access to several tax services, but before filing, you need to know a few things. Like, what documents are required, what your rights are as an employee or independent contractor, and, of course, where you can file (for free in some cases).

We put together some quick tax-filing resources to help service members and their families expedite the process — and no, we cannot speed up how fast Uncle Sam sends your refund.

Step one: The W-2s If you work for the Department of Defense as a uniformed service member or civilian, or if you are now a retiree, DFAS (Defense Finance and Accounting System) is responsible for releasing your 2022 tax statements.

The full list of when tax statements are released by branch can be found at the 2022 myPay Tax Statement Schedule.

Step two: Civilian tax documents If you have other sources of income, employers have until Jan. 31, 2023, to send W-2s, according to the Internal Revenue Service.

Examples of other items you might need

24 | www.militaryfamilies.com

to file are college tuition statements, bank statements, receipts and mortgage interest statements.

IRS Free File – for any taxpayers with an income less than $66,000. Access free fillable forms after Jan. 28.

When in doubt, ask professionals at Military OneSource (for free). Contact them at 800342-9647.

TurboTax – offers free federal and state tax filing for E1 – E9.

Step three: Where you can file as a military member and military family (hopefully for free) After you have gathered your tax documents, decide if you are going to file for yourself or use an external agency. Military ID card holders have a few options for free or discounted filing:

Installation tax centers: Look up your installation’s information at https://installations. militaryonesource.mil/. In most cases, you can set an appointment or walk in.

Military OneSource offers free tax-filing support through its MilTax program. [We have used it, and it is so easy to navigate]. In addition to the e-filing software, MOS also offers consultants who can be contacted at https:// www.militaryonesource.mil/financial-legal/tax es/miltax-military-tax-services/. Note: To use this service, you must establish a free account with Military OneSource.

TaxSlayer – free federal filing for all military.

Make sure you file federal income taxes no later than April 18, 2023. To receive a six-month extension, visit https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/ extension-of-time-to-file-your-tax-return.

Step four: When will you get your refund?

The IRS confirms on its site that it will start processing tax returns on Jan. 23 and refunds will be issued on schedule.

Also, and we cannot stress this enough, as awesome as it is to receive a nice chunk of money, put some thought into what you plan to do with it. Installations around the U.S. have personal finance counselors and Military OneSource has representatives you can speak with over the phone.

We’re not saying you should hold off on planning that Disney getaway, just don’t have the full refund spent before it even hits your account.

SUPPORT

Telemynd’s personalized approach to supporting military mental health ‘saves lives every day’

BY CRYSTAL KUPPER, AIR FORCE SPOUSE – SPONSORED

Former sailor Grant Khanbalinov saw plenty of heartbreak during his nearly 13 years in the Navy. But one of the hardest was when a military buddy took his own life.

“That’s the extreme importance of services like Telemynd, because we in the military community don’t have months to wait,” Khanbalinov said. “You need to be seen ASAP, and that’s how Telemynd saves lives every day.”

Telemynd is a new instrument in the mental health care toolbox, and it doesn’t come with long wait times or impersonal cookie-cutter answers. It’s a provider of telebehavioral health services for active-duty service members, retirees and their families.

It’s also TRICARE approved, meaning a service member can get a referral from their military treatment facility (MTF) and have quick access to a nationwide network of qualified therapists and prescribers, specifically chosen to meet their individual needs.

Family or dependents can get started with Telemynd right away, without any referral or authorization required.

And it’s all done via secure virtual video sessions.

“I’m a Telemynd fan,” Khanbalinov said.

“Having access to quality mental health care can truly be life changing if you let it.”

Extreme passion Telemynd went national in 2020 with the East and West regions of TRICARE. From the beginning, Reuben Dickenson, Telemynd vice president of strategic partnerships, said Telemynd leadership were driven by a passion to reach the unmet needs of the military population.

“There is a mental health crisis in the military,” said Dickenson, a former Army officer.

“Getting access to mental health services has always been a challenge, even pre-pandemic.

It can be even more complex for military members to get help in rural or even urban areas where providers are not dedicated to the military population.”

Telemynd expedites that process, connecting patients with a provider uniquely suited to their needs and preferences. There are no impersonal questionnaires or algorithmic pairings; instead, a “care coordinator” speaks to patients to understand their situation. Dickenson described it as a “people-first approach” to therapy and other aspects of behavioral health, such as medication management.

“In this industry, we see more and more technology being used as a substitute for actual people interactions, but our team personally reviews every new request,” he said. “This is extremely beneficial because if someone is in significant need, we bring them to the best match, as quickly as possible.”

Making the most Khanbalinov, a popular military influencer who often discusses mental health with his millions of followers, said that recognizing a need for mental health assistance isn’t as simple as base posters and pamphlets purport. It’s common for cries of help in the post-Afghanistan era to not always be obvious after a deployment.

That’s why person-to-person interaction is so crucial, he said, including talking about services like Telemynd.

“You need to say, ‘It’s OK to be hurting or feeling this way, and you don’t have to feel like an outcast,’” Khanbalinov said. “There are resources like Telemynd where you can get help.”

How the process works Once you or your family member(s) decide to speak with a Telemynd provider, here’s what happens next: • If you’re active duty, talk to your PCM and request a referral to Telemynd.

Once that is provided, you can proceed.

If you’re a veteran or a family member, skip straight to the next step.

• Contact Telemynd through telemynd.com or call 1-866-991-2103.

• Your care coordinator matches you with a provider and assists with scheduling your first appointment.

• On the day of your appointment, join your virtual session to take the first step on your mental health journey.

• Book as many follow-up appointments as needed - there are no session limits for the military community.

Once someone reaches out for help, the best way to maximize an online patient-provider relationship, he said, is through trust-building and having faith in the process. So far, it seems to be working.

With over 200K hours of mental health care delivered to military members and their families each year, 98% of Telemynd users say their needs are met and their conditions treated effectively.

“We want to assist more members of the military community, because the mental health crisis shows no sign of abating,” Dickenson said. “We want every person in the military community to know that Telemynd is an option for behavioral health services, and that we can help.” www.militaryfamilies.com |

25

HEALTH

NAVY SPOUSE

STROKE SURVIVOR ADVOCATES FOR AWARENESS

BY KARI WILLIAMS PHOTO BY BRITTANY COLLINS PHOTOGRAPHY

Sybil Jones had no indication that anything was wrong – until her speech began to slur, her vision went black, voices became faint and her face smacked against a table.

“I’d been out all day,” Jones, a Navy spouse, said. “It was still COVID, but at that time the world was opening up.

I had been out with my daughter … at a three-hour [riding] practice at the barn for her. There was literally nothing that made me think anything was wrong until they saw something wrong.”

26 | www.militaryfamilies.com

But on April 17, 2021, during her husband’s farewell party, she had a stroke caused by carotid webs – a rare condition in the carotid artery.

“Those eyes and their speech is a telltale sign,” she said. “ … My talking all the time – I have the gift of gab – that is what saved my life.”

Jones, 43 at the time of her stroke, now shares her story publicly, bringing attention to the cause of her own cardiac event.

“You get full emotions. I don’t practice what I’m going to say … Sometimes I’m crying,” Jones said. “They’re just those raw emotions.”

The demographic of stroke is wide – ranging from babies to people in their 70s and beyond – and people can’t say that because they’re young or healthy, they might not be at risk, said Dr. Sarah Song, a neurologist at Rush University Medical Center.

“Without sounding alarmist, young people can have strokes too … Just to be aware and to talk about having medical conditions and taking medication for them, there’s no shame in that, right?” Song said. “You should know your numbers. Know what your blood pressure runs, if you have risks.”

Carotid webs are an “atypical” vascular disease that there isn’t a good way to diagnose, according to Song, who also sits on the American Heart Association’s Metro Chicago Board of Directors. But those with carotid web as their stroke cause trend younger – in their 20s, 30s and 40s.

STROKE

WARNING SIGNS Time is of the essence when someone has a stroke, so it’s important to

B.E.F.A.S.T.

Balance: Check for instability or loss of balance.

Eyes: Check for blurred vision or vision loss.

Face: Check for an uneven smile or drooping in the face.

Arms: Check if one side is weaker than the other.

Speech: Check for slurred speech.

Time: Call 911 immediately.

Treatments can be administered up to threeto four-and-a-half hours after symptom onset if patients qualify for the medication. For certain types of stroke, Song said, patients can receive treatment for up to 24 hours.

Jones was hospitalized for a week, where she started speech, physical and occupational therapy, before being released into outpatient care.

“I think one of the hardest parts was once I did get home, having 24-hour care. I had teenagers and they were going to the bathroom with me,” she said.

Sometimes patients have a transient ischemic attack (TIA), which produces stroke-like symptoms but doesn’t scar the brain, according to Song.

But she was hospitalized again for a procedure to address the carotid web that triggered her stroke. Jones said her family and her faith in God helped her through the recovery.

Jones said she didn’t know much about strokes until she had one. It was something she assumed just happened to older people.

However, Jones said there are some “residuals, and the mental health aspect of it still haunts me a little bit to this day.”

“I would really say one thing that has stuck with me from that is don’t – especially within the military community – you’re out and people just assume, ‘Oh, the spouse is drunk.’

No, double check is she OK. Can she make that eye contact?” Jones said.

“Something that just came up recently is the anger,” she said. “Understanding because I didn’t understand, ‘Why am I so angry?’ Just kind of working through the anger management piece of it. Really just releasing all of those emotions.”

Time, Jones said, is of the essence. And telling the 911 operator about the possibility of a stroke so EMTs are prepared on arrival.

Jones said she has met a few other spouses who have had strokes or know someone who has.

Similarly, Song said when symptoms appear it’s important to get to the hospital right away.

“There’s medication to treat stroke, meaning we can reverse the symptoms if you get to the hospital in time,” she said.

“Let’s really start talking about this more,” Jones said, “because again, at 43 you’re young, you’re not thinking you’re having a stroke at that age. I really want to just share – share about the signs to look for, and that recovery. That behind-thescenes piece for someone who doesn’t have any visible sign of stroke.” www.militaryfamilies.com |

27

MILITARY KIDS

MARINE CORPS KID SUCCESSFULLY ADVOCATES FOR

IMPROVED PLAYGROUND

BY CRYSTAL KUPPER, AIR FORCE SPOUSE

Military children at one South Carolina base-housing community received an upgraded playground thanks to the efforts of a local 10 year old.

“Mrs. Mangas? We wanted you to know that we got your daughter’s letter and talked it over. We’ve decided to install the swings she asked for, and we want to have a ceremony so she can cut the ribbon for them,” the caller on the other end said to Ashleigh Mangas, a Marine Corps wife currently stationed at Parris Island, South Carolina.

Mangas, who is the mother of an elementaryaged student named Savannah, said she had no idea what the base housing official was talking about. Soon, Mangas learned of the letter her daughter wrote.

“Hi, This is Savannah Mangas and I have a suggestion for our Wake Village park,” Savannah wrote in pink ink. “My idea for our park is to add swings for both babies and kids. If you do not have the money for it I could try and help raise money for it. I also know this might take a couple of weeks or even months but I will try my best to commit to this.”

Savannah, a fourth grader, said she first noticed the park was lacking something last summer.

“Me and my friends were walking, and I was like, ‘The playground needs something to spice it up,’” she said. “A lot of kids at my school like swings, so I thought maybe they’d like it in the neighborhood, too.”

28 | www.militaryfamilies.com

Savannah said she got to work that day, writing a letter to base housing and hand-delivering it to the nearby office without her parents’ knowledge. She did her best to be persuasive, telling housing authorities in the note, “If you do not I understand because it would probably take a lot of time and money but I would like you to think about it. I really think this could make the park more fun.”

Lendlease, the housing owner, agreed.

“Lendlease is committed to listening to its residents, no matter their age, to improve its communities,” wrote a Lendlease representative in an email.

In November 2022, Savannah proudly cut the ribbon to new swing sets at the park she can see from her backyard. There are swings for infants and people with disabilities, as well as for older children like herself.

“I am super proud,” Mangas said. “Savannah thought of everything and decided it was worth it to take a shot at something she wanted.”

Her daughter, meanwhile, is just enjoying her time swinging through the South Carolina sunshine.

“I feel really grateful and so happy that I got this moment, that this all went through the way I hoped,” Savannah said.

Be the first to receive a complimentary copy of Military Families

Signup to receive a free copy of our magazine, delivered right to your inbox www.militaryfamilies.com/subscribe-free SUBSCRIBE

FEDERAL HIRING

Q&A WITH

DIRECTOR GILLUMS Retired Marine Sherman Gillums Jr. is the director of FEMA’s Office of Disability Integration and Coordination whose mission is to help people with disabilities before, during and after disasters. He provides insight into his career and how veterans can pursue careers at the agency. In November 2022, veterans accounted for approximately 15.6% of the FEMA workforce.

How did your experience in the Marines prepare you for your current role?

My experience in the Marines prepared me for my current role by exposing me to what ordinary people can do under extraordinary conditions under the right leadership. People from all walks of life take up the challenge to become one of the “The Few and the Proud,” so we know there’s no one approach or prototype for successful leadership. I’ve seen and led Marines at many levels and know what they’re capable of when facing a common enemy or challenge. I am honored to continue to serve my country at FEMA in the capacity of representing underserved communities and the most vulnerable populations to prepare for, respond to and recover from disaster.

What benefit do you see in having veterans in leadership roles at government agencies, like FEMA, when it comes to advocating for veteran hiring?

FEMA is committed to hiring veterans to meet our mission to help people during disaster. In fact, nearly 16% of our workforce are veterans, including our current Administrator Deanne Criswell, who served in the Colorado Air National Guard for 21 years.

FEMA and the entire federal government can benefit greatly from having veterans in leadership positions given many veterans’ proven leadership experience, adaptability, discipline and, most importantly, their display of genuine concern for people under their watch.

What are the roles veterans can play in their communities when it comes to disaster preparedness, response and recovery?

Are there specific types of jobs in the military that you think translate well to a career at FEMA?

Veterans are selfless and service-oriented by nature, and they also have leadership skills that are critical during emergency response.

Everyone becomes a first responder when disaster strikes, and veterans were trained to problem-solve and operate efficiently under pressure. So, when a community faces hardship due to a disaster, the veterans within those communities are better equipped than most to play a major role in the response by doing what they were trained to do: encounter, adapt and overcome. Except this time, it involves an entire community that must tap into the same resilience, with veterans leading the way.

To be honest, I think many veterans possess job skills that make them uniquely positioned for a wide variety of jobs in FEMA. Every type of job skill you gain from military experience, from logistics to administration to supply to food services, is transferable to FEMA because they are critical to keeping America safe. Although FEMA is not the military, the emergency management mission has many of the same roles and functions we see in uniform. Former military members draw on those unique skills learned in service, as well as their training, to move quickly, efficiently and decisively in high-pressure situations where lives are at stake.

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Where can veterans find more information about federal jobs and volunteer opportunities in disaster response and recovery?

Veterans should start by going to FEMA.gov to find out more about career and volunteer opportunities at the agency. Visit these links for information about careers and volunteering: www.fema.gov/careers/position-types/veterans www.fema.gov/disaster/recover/volunteer-donate Feds Hire Vets also has information on federal career opportunities: Additional information on the use of the special noncompetitive appointing authorities can be found on OPM.gov and EEOC.gov.

What are your tips for how veterans can stand out when applying to your agency?

1. Read position announcements very carefully and align past experience with every bullet in the description of required competencies.

2. Be prepared to paint a picture in the mind of the interviewer of the type of person you will be in the job if selected. Remember, the interviewer may be thinking about team chemistry as well, so take the time to outline the success you’ve had when joining new teams.

3. Ensure you place an emphasis on your role as a “people” leader, not a “paper” leader.

No one will care how much rank you had, how many military programs you completed or decorations you earned unless you can concretely relate it to what is needed in the role you’re seeking.

Visit www.fema.gov/careers/position-types/ veterans for more information on careers at FEMA

Editor’s note: Responses were edited for brevity.