The PSI Post - June 2024 by Planned Systems International

Letter from the Editor.

Summer is here! Dust off your shades and find the nearest body of water, we’re jumping right into this issue of The PSI Post. This quarter we’ve gathered what might be our best collection of articles yet. From Keven LeBlanc’s Top Summer Drinks to our 2024 Intern’s Favorite Summer Flicks, we’re excited to show you everything we have in store.

We want to submerge you in all things fun and stress-free! One of the best parts of this quarter was the Stay Cool Summer Contest where we got to see all the ways PSI-ers beat the heat. As always, it is such a pleasure to hear from all corners of the company. This is ultimately a collaboration as we couldn’t make the Newsletter without you.

We have been so grateful for your participation this quarter and want to give a special shoutout to all the employees who contributed across the PSI Enterprise! We really do appreicate every picture, post, and reccomendation you send us. We hope this issue brightens your day and wish you a fun (and relaxing) summer!

The Marketing Team

CONTRACT WINS

(NSS) AFSOC Field Skills Support Services (NSS) FBI ITSSS-2 (NSS) Unified Platform (formerly Level Up and Platform One) sub to BridgePhase (Health) Benefits and Memorial (BAM) Program Management Office (PMO) and Technical Management Support (Health) MQS TOPR 16325- SWCM @ Moody AFB (QL) (Health) MQS TOPR 16448 IM Physician @ Langley (QL) (Health) VA SORCC Veteran Guest Internet Access (VGIA) (FedCiv) NIST SETA CHIPs Support BPA (FedCiv) DOE SB NW DD& R (Small Business Nationwide DD&R) (FedCiv) USDA Stratus Cloud BOA (FedCiv) DOE WRPS Engineering Design Services (BMA)

DEPARTMENT UPDATES

Growth: Held joint BD and Ops Growth Strategy offsite June 24. Quality: Shifted to ISO shared services model and received certificates for all companies through consolidated approach HR: Congratulations to Carola Ammer on her wedding!

MARKETING BULLETIN

Need a flyer or and don’t know where to start? We can help! The Marketing Team is excited to share our new Approval App where you can submit requests for collateral support. We cover (almost) everything under the sun, so don’t be afraid to reach out. Check out the link below!

Submit Your Requests Here

PULSE POLLS

THE RESULTS ARE IN!

PSI’S #1 VOTED SUMMER MOVIE

ROAD MAP

PAST

Waste Management Symposium (FedCiv)

ATL had a large presence at the Waste Management Symposium in Phoenix, AZ in March. The ATL Team took advantage of many networking opportunities to further strengthen ATL’s position within the Department of Energy and overall Nuclear Waste Management Industry.

H2F Symposium (Health)

Cognito Systems had the opportunity to attend the 2024 H2F Symposium in Hampton, VA. The Cognito team had the privilege of connecting with hundreds of service members and showcasing how H2F is revolutionizing health and fitness with its comprehensive, integrated, and immersive system.

TeCMEN Industry Day (NSS)

PSI participates in TeCMEN Industry Day in Fort Walton Beach, FL. Hosted by the One Okaloosa Economic Development Council, the Technology Coast Manufacturing and Engineering Network (TeCMEN) Industry Day serves as a day to promote economic growth along the Florida panhandle within the aerospace, defense, manufacturing, engineering, and technology industries.

PRESENT

National Athletic Trainer’s Association (NATA)

Cognito Systems attends the 75th Anniversary NATA Conference in New Orleans, LA. Cognito Systems already has a large presence in recruiting and retaining Certified Athletic Trainer’s in the US Army’s Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) Program. The NATA Conference serves as an opportunity to further strengthen Cognito’s stance as a one-of-a-kind, top-tier employer for Certified Athletic Trainers and recruit new Certified Athletic Trainers to support our Army in bases across the nation.

FUTURE

Defense Health IT Symposium (DHITS)

PSI will be attending DHITS in Dallas, TX in August 2024. This opportunity will strengthen the bond between PSI and DHA while showcasing PSI’s prowess in Health IT to customers. DHITS will also serve as a way to build rapport amongst business partners and new customers for a future pipeline to win new work.

2024 FORUM INNOVATION AWARD

PSI’s customer was awarded the 2024 FORUM Innovation Award for the C2MS III Team’s work executing the first major effort leveraging Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) within Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), accelerating their path toward adoption of modern systems engineering practices and the use of Digital Engineering tools and techniques. Implementation of MBSE through Innoslate allowed the Special Operations Advanced Capabilities Squadron (SOACS) to design, build, and field a new secure Satellite Communications capability to 3 aircraft types spanning 6 Air Force installations around the globe simultaneously.

The leadership demonstrated by the program managers in bringing together expertise from six teams is commendable.

Artifacts and documents generated through MBSE Tools improved collaboration between Engineers, Program Managers, Developers, and Integration Specialists, which led to improved coordination with external agencies for approval that considerably shortened the timeline of each upgrade project. By leveraging commercial tools, government-only resources, and industry best practices, they were able to deliver enhanced combat capabilities to Special Operations Aviators 3 years sooner than typical large-scale government acquisition projects.

Integration of MBSE with modern CI/CD Tools shifted the SOACS to an agile-oriented project management methodology. The resulting DevSecOps approach led to shorter development times for a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) which met all the requirements for the new system, further reducing development and testing timelines.

Ultimately, the result—a responsive software package incorporating advanced SATCOM communications and updated hardware—represents a significant leap forward in preparing for the challenges of future conflicts. This achievement underscores the importance of inspirational leadership, cutting-edge technology, and a commitment to driving meaningful change.

Pictured: Jon Cook, PSI C2MS III Technical Lead and Jim Peters, PSI C2MS III Deputy Program Manager.

TEAM SPOTLIGHTS

HELP US RECOGNIZE YOUR TEAMMATES & THE GREAT WORK THEY DO!

CODE MX TEAM

In recognition of dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence, and constant kudos from the customer, a long overdue time away from the desk was in order! The CodeMX-HSS team in San Antonio from left to right are Jorge Ramirez, Mike Muniz, Pradier Nwafor, Rolando Rocha and David Ringle. In the back left corner is Quarterline’s JPM Denise Muniz, who was an added bonus.

ENTERPRISE TESTING TEAMS VOLUNTEERS AT CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

Planned Systems International’s (PSI) Enterprise Testing Team in the Tampa/St Petersburg, FL area recently volunteered at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital (JHACH) helping to maintain spruce up the patient garden located on the campus. “Knowing the mission of this critical institution and the importance to children across central Florida made this an extremely worthwhile volunteer opportunity – despite the sweltering heat!” said Tamaira Heyward, Director of Enterprise Testing.

Coordinated by PSI’s Treva Davis, several PSI’ers had a wonderful time volunteering in the garden on June 21, 2024. While working in the garden, employees built a Free Little Library, planted items, pulled weeds, labeled plants, and painted decorative rocks. Treva is very familiar with JHACH, as she proudly serves as a Trustee on the JHACH Board of Trustees.

JCACH is a premiere clinical and academic health system, providing expert pediatric care for infants, children, and teens with some of the most challenging medical problems. Located in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg, FL the hospital’s mission is to provide leadership in child health through treatment, education, advocacy, and research.

Zoe’s Garden was started more than 10 years ago by a grateful patient family to give back to others at JHACH, including patients, families, and employees. The garden is completely sustained with the help and dedication of staff and volunteers. It is a fully edible garden and utilized for education and sharing fresh produce in the Allkids Campus Market (which is a no cost market for patient families and employees).

PSI’S COMPLIANCE PROGRAM

Ethical business conduct is taking care of our customer.

Ethical business conduct is taking care of our people.

Good ethics is good business. At PSI, we have had the privilege to support federal and state governments in carrying out their most critical agency missions for over 35 years. With that privilege comes the responsibility of adhering to a myriad of rules and regulations that seek to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse, of the taxpayer’s money.

As PSI continues to grow, it is more important than ever to be ethical in all of our business dealings. With the full support and collaboration of the Executive Team, PSI Legal will be rolling out an enterprise-wide Compliance Program in the upcoming months. This Program entails training employees on how to make ethical business decisions that positively impact our customers and colleagues. With knowledge of the ethical rules comes true empowerment to do what is best for the government and PSI. This Program will also establish policies and processes that encourage employees to raise ethical concerns without fear of reprisal. Finally, the Compliance Program will establish internal controls to effectively prevent and address unethical behavior that is detrimental to our Core Values of People Service and Integrity.

I look forward to working with you in making PSI the safest and most rewarding place to work.

David Truong, General Counsel

THIS YEAR MARKS THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT MILITARY CAMPAIGNS OF ALL TIME. Officially, the events that took place on the beaches of Western France on June 6th 1944 were known by the code name “Operation Overlord,” but most people refer to it simply as D-Day. Once again, grateful citizens and world leaders will converge on historical sites along the Normandy coast to pay tribute to the thousands of heroes that placed their lives on the line to defend the principles of freedom and fight against the forces of evil that were rapidly spreading across Europe. Many of the those heroes, most of whom are well over 100 years old, will be in attendance to pay tribute to fallen friends and comrades, as well as tell their story to younger generations who have benefited from their sacrifice.

PSI is in a unique position to play a small part in the events honoring those members of the greatest generation. As part of our C2MS III contract, we have a dedicated team of specialists embedded with the 352d Special Operations Wing at RAF Mildenhall, UK. This team provides Command and Control support to the SOW’s leadership team as well as specialized airborne networking and mission planning capabilities throughout Europe and North Africa. These capabilities are vital to the operational mission of the unit, but are just as critical to the safe execution of their D-Day missions this week, which once again includes dropping parachutists on the beaches of Normandy.

Jason Rose, the PSI Site Lead in the UK says, “Our team in the UK is comprised entirely of veterans, so being able to provide support to such a historic and solemn event, is truly an honor and something we all take great pride in.” He continues, “For several members of the team, we were able to participate in D-Day anniversary drops while we were on Active Duty. Being able to continue in this fantastic tradition of remembrance as civilians is truly an honor.” Other members of the team carry that sentiment as well. “Being able to continue to serve the nation alongside our Active Duty counterparts is great, but playing a small role to honor these great warriors is truly humbling” said John Coleman, an Airborne Network Technician supporting the 352d SOW.

Join us as we pause to reflect and raise a toast to the men and women who helped liberate a continent from the forces of evil. The contributions they made to Europe and the rest of the world will never be fully appreciated. We all owe a debt of gratitude to those willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for the betterment of humanity. Your efforts and dedication will never be forgotten. We would also like to extend a special “Thank You” to MC-130J Instructor CSO, and transitioning Veteran, Timothy Prather for his fantastic photography from the beachside drop zone at the base of Mont Saint-Michel.

FLIGHTS FOR 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY

MARKETING ON THE MOVE: THE ONE WHERE THEY WENT TO FLORIDA

The Marketing Team recently embarked on a crazy 3-day excursion to the Valparaiso, FL office. From start to finish, re-live the experience with us as we recount our time with the Command and Control Missions Systems III (C2MS) team!

DAY 1 - BRYAN LY

OUR FIRST DAY ON OUR WORK TRIP WAS DEFINITELY JAM-PACKED TO SAY THE LEAST.

Starting the day at a bright and early 3am, the marketing team met at my place to uber together to the airport. Although pretty mundane, the uber drive had it’s moments with our driver swerving out of lanes and trying to overcharge our ride by an extra $130.00 but other than that.. pretty normal drive. The flights (we had a connection in Atlanta) were not bad at all but it was when we landed in Valparaiso was when the real day started. We landed around 10:30am and picked up the rental car.

This rental car was massive, I am not used to driving super big cars so it was pretty intimidating but I got the hang of it pretty quickly. We took off and headed straight to PSI’s Valpo office… until our stomachs said otherwise. We were starved since we didn’t eat anything in the morning so we made a pit stop at a local sushi place that was right down the road from the office. It was pretty good!

After eating lunch, we got to the office and were welcomed by Mr. Jim Peters, who was very kind in showing us around the Innovation Facility and overall helping guide our entire trip, which we are very thankful for. We toured the facility and took some great photos of the collaborative spaces and as we made our way to our next schedule, a sense of envy hit me because the Innovation Facility is NICE. If only the Arlington office looked like this. Nonetheless, we had to make our to our next schedule which was going to meet the PSI Valpo team at TeCMEN Industry Day.

TeCMEN Industry Day is a day that local businesses/companies (in industries such as aerospace, defense, technology, etc.) come together to promote economic growth along the Florida panhandle. PSI had their own booth there, which is where we met up with other PSIers! We had the chance to walk around and see all the showcases and booths which was an amazing experience. Around this time it was 3:003:30PM so we all were exhausted from travel so the Marketing Team set off to check into the hotel.

We checked into our rooms- FINALLY rest.. for about 15 minutes at least. WE had to meet Jim at the Hurlbert Field visitor center to get passes to enter the base to conduct our interviews. After laying down for 10 minutes, we hit the road once again- hitting rush hour but making it at our scheduled time. Unfortunately, the visitor center had closed around 2-3 hours before.. woohoo. But, it’s okay we always can adapt so we decided to meet up very early the next day to get the passes.

At this point, the 3 of us were delirious due to the lack of sleep (reminder: we were up since 3am(EST) and at this point it was 6:30pm(CST) so I HAD to make a pitstop at a grocery store for an energy drink- spoiler alert: it did not help. We decided to head back to the hotel to rest for an hour or so til our stomachs told us it was time to eat.

Ashley’s birthday just happened to be during this work trip so we seized the opportunity to celebrate it with her (hopefully she didn’t mind). We went to a Korean barbeque restaurant, which I know your probably thinking, “there’s Korean barbeque in DESTIN, FLORIDA?” Don’t worry we asked the same thing- but it turned out to be really good! After eating and being up for nearly 20 or so hours we trudged back to the hotel and made it to bed for our next bright and early day!

DAY 2 - ASHLEY SESE

OUR SECOND DAY IN VALPARAISO WAS FILLED WITH MEETING NEW PEOPLE, EATING GREAT FOOD, AND SEEING A GLIMPSE OF THE C2MS TEAM’S DAILY LIFE.

After a well-rested evening (thanks team for the birthday celebration!!), the team left for Hurlburt Field to meet with Jim Peters early the next day. After waiting in the packed visitor center, we got our day passes to be on base at 7:30am. We made it to the office where Jim explained the intricate process behind Command and Control Mission Systems (C2MS) and the importance of each team to keep everything running smoothly. After going over who we were interviewing and the buildings we would tour, the marketing team shifted into work mode, ready to take on the day.

At around 8am we drove to our first filming location, the main logistics building. The logistics team keeps track of all the equipment for their government customers. Managing items like iPads and laptops, the team ensures that the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) has everything they need to perform effectively and efficiently. After exploring the building, we filmed our first (of many) interviews and shot some additional footage of the facility.

We took a short walk to our second interview location, the engineering workshop. Filled with 3D printers, computer parts, and electric sanders, the workshop is where equipment gets assembled, replaced, or broken down. Seeing the work that goes into maintaining the hardware for the customer (and realizing the sheer amount they handle) gave us a deeper appreciation and understanding of the project.

We drove back to the office where the rest of our interviews took place. The Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) team graciously let us use their office to film. C2MS III has been recognized by FORUM IT for MBSE. We spoke with the team about the innovative impact MBSE has made. It was interesting to see how the tasks for the many teams within C2MS III work together and influence each other.

After eating lunch at a local Thai restaurant, we made it back onto base for (you guessed it) more interviews. Now in the groove of things, the interviews seemed to fly by. Our final recording was with Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Greiner and Nate Pierpoint, Program Director. They spoke about the success of C2MS III and becoming a sponsor for FORUM.

Leaving the base at around 3:30pm, we went back to the hotel. After a much-needed nap, we loaded up the car and drove to Destin for dinner. It was the first time all of us had been there, so we didn’t know what to expect. Little did we know there would be many vacation-goers. We arrived at the restaurant, immediately taking note of the full parking lot. After hearing about a 2 HOUR wait, we turned around to check out the boardwalk and brainstorm a new dinner spot: an Italian restaurant. With our stomachs full, we happily went back to the hotel. It’s safe to say we slept like babies because of our jam-packed day!

DAY 3 - ARIEL RONAYNE

BY THE TIME WE GOT TO DAY THREE, WE COULD SET UP A VIDEOSHOOT IN FIVE MINUTES FLAT, APPEAR BOTH CONSCIOUS AND HUMAN, BUT STILL DIDN’T KNOW WHAT DAY OF THE WEEK IT WAS.

At this point our sole focus was on getting ourselves to the office one last time to squeak in two more interviews before catching our flight(s) back home. Easy right? The interviews went smoothly; we packed up, said one last goodbye to the team and high-tailed it to the airport. After returning the rental car we went to print our tickets. Bryan, our designated airport dad & ticketholder, went quiet.

Our flight was delayed. Instead of getting home around 5 or 6pm, we’d be lucky to make it back by midnight. Only one option gave us any chance of making home that day. In that moment, three people had the exact same thought. “Let’s get out of here.” We had to wait an hour or so for the first flight, but the second flight stranded us in Atlanta for 5 hours. Our solution? Dinner at P.F. Changs (note: highly recommend the spicy shrimp). We refueled, relaxed, and tried to forget the fact that we’d spent most of our day in an airport.

This ended up being quite peaceful as all the hardwork was behind us and we had the promise of a comatose weekend to keep us going. After one of the more harrowing plane rides of my life, we landed safely at Dulles and piled into an Uber. I managed to survive a 45-minue drive that tested both the speedlimit and my sanity, arriving home just as the clock struck midnight. Our trio wished each other one last goodnight, and promptly went to bed. Thus brought our crazy 72-hour Florida Trip to a close.

THANKS FOR COMING ALONG FOR THE RIDE!

Meet Trevor Pass, a Mechanical Engineer for PSI’s C2MS III project! Get a glimpse of his work and how his team contributes to the mission and success of Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC).

BYTE-SIZED

EPISODE 3

Get to know Keven LeBlanc, PSI’s COO, in this episode of Byte-Sized! Dedicated to service, Keven speaks about his goals of empowering not only the company but also his community.

If you would like to be featured in Byte-Sized or ask a question for our mailbag segment, please contact us at marketingteam@plan-sys.com.

COL. GREG GADSON (RET) INTERVIEW WITH KEVEN LEBLANC

On May 6, I had the distinct pleasure of connecting with Col Gregory Gadson (Ret) about his recent book, Finding Waypoints: A Warrior’s Journey Towards Peace and Purpose by Terese Schlachter and Colonel Gregory Gadson (Ret). Col Gadson is an American actor and motivational speaker; and a retired colonel in the United States Army and former commander of the U.S. Army Fort Belvoir garrison. He is also a bilateral above-the-knee amputee. He served in the U.S. Army for more than 26 years as a field artillery officer and served on active duty for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Operation Joint Forge, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Col. Gadson and I chatted about our mutual trips to Scotland, my experience running for public office (not a goal of his), and his trips to New Orleans, but our interview focused on his experiences in the military and his recent book.

Col Gregory Gadson (Ret) is the Managing Partner of Patriot Strategies, LLC (SDVOSB), partnered with PSI, providing operational expertise infrastructure and advanced technical solutions.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEW BOOK? WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE IT?

That’s a story in a story. I didn’t set out to write a book. It was a Pentagon producer, Therese Schlachter, who coauthored, and this is her first book. We just received the Eric Hoffer First Horizon award for first time authors (one of 11 books receiving out of 1500). About 4 months after I was wounded when the Pentagon was doing something on the war-wounded at Walter Reed Hospital, we met and developed a friendship. Early the following year she asked me if she could write about me during a class. I had two conditions: 1. She couldn’t use my name and 2. I didn’t want it published. She began to put this book together and shelved it, ending with the Giants winning Super Bowl XLII coached by my friend Mike Sullivan. A friend subsequently convinced me to publish the book as he was fighting ALS. I begrudgingly agreed, but many things happened…I was approved to stay in the Army, appeared on the movie Battleship, etc. Therese did the hard work to find a publisher, Shatner Publishing, and was released last November.

WHY DID YOU JOIN THE MILITARY? WAS IT A CALLING?

I was recruited to play football at West Point. Originally West Point came to recruit another gentleman, but my football coach recommended they look at me. I had my heart set on playing Division 1 Football. I discussed the longer version in the book, but I was offered an opportunity to play at UVA then they changed their minds, and I had no plan B, so it was West Point when they recruited. I often say, “No plans survive first contact.” So, I went to West Point with a chip on my shoulder to prove what I could do.

HOW HAS YOUR MILITARY SERVICE SHAPED YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE AND LEADERSHIP, ESPECIALLY SINCE NOT DRIVEN TO IT INITIALLY?

The comradery of people from all walks of life willing to put their lives on the line for one another and country… the egalitarian aspect of it. We had to prepare our best to take care of one another and care for the mission.

WHAT DO YOU FIND YOURSELF COMING BACK TO IN LIFE?

It has become the way I live my life; has become second nature and who I am and not what I do.

WHAT CHALLENGES, BEYOND YOUR WOUND, DID YOU FACE DURING YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY, AND HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THEM?

I talk about confronting racism. I was one of three black captains in 82nd Division. It didn’t reflect the Army and I had to deal with that. I had some folks who advised me not to give up. Nothing we do, we do by ourselves. We have a chance every day to [face challenges] and even though I wasn’t on Gridiron, I developed a tenacity to keep pushing and belief that I was going to overcome.

IN MAY 2007, AS COMMANDER OF THE 2ND BATTALION, 32ND FIELD ARTILLERY, YOUR GREATEST CHALLENGE CAME IN IRAQ, WHERE AN IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE (IED) ATTACK COST YOU BOTH LEGS ABOVE THE KNEES AND NORMAL USE OF YOUR RIGHT ARM AND HAND. I’M SURE THAT WAS LIFE CHANGING. HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THAT?

I have a quick quote that summarizes the enlightening piece of this journey - “I am freer now without my legs than I was with.” I became unencumbered in my life and not afraid to fail. I live my life knowing that tomorrow is not promised so let me live my best day today. I heard someone say something recently that those of us who have had a second chance at life know how to live.

YOUR BOOK DELVES INTO THEMES OF RESILIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU COULDN’T HAVE RECOGNIZED AT THE TIME, BUT YOU SEE NOW, AND PEOPLE COULD TAKE AWAY?

Tomorrow [May 17, 2024] is my 17yr alive date, since my wounding and I was in the Army for 17 years when I was wounded. I don’t bog myself down. It wasn’t just me wounded – it was my family and friends. While I am a face of the physically wounded in war, it changed all our lives. My wife, a teacher, was plucked out of her job without replacement income. My kids were plucked out of school. It was a devastating, dynamic event and life changing.

HOW DID YOU GET THROUGH IT?

We stuck together. My wife bore the lion share of what it took to hold the family together. We got through it with unconditional love and through our faith. This kept us together but also allowed us to heal. There are things in life we will never be able to understand. Seeking an answer for “Why Me?”, I counter with “What would it change?” The answer is “son of a bitch was out to get me,” but accepting, and truly accepting and being at peace with it, is what allowed me to begin to heal physically and mentally. As long as I hold on to it, I can’t move forward – holding on to it only affects you and your loved ones. Holding on to the past is like dragging an anchor around.

THAT’S VERY POIGNANT. SO IN THE VEIN OF MOVING PAST IT, IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT ARE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ISSUES FACING VETERANS TODAY, AND HOW CAN SOCIETY BETTER SUPPORT THEM?

One of the things, and I say this to Veterans, is we are not victims of anything. We need to personify our resiliency and show that we can overcome. I often say that as long as our time in service may be, our time out of service is typically longer. We have stood on the shoulders of those that came before us and those that come after will stand on ours. I encourage all Veterans to live up to that. We need to continue to serve; even with disabilities we need to figure it out. I am not here to disappear into isolation and collect disability. Let’s focus on those that paid the ultimate price and didn’t come back and make it [their sacrifices] worth it – let’s live our lives in service. My life is complicated. I got educated and life has had to become more streamlined. We can do better if we hold ourselves to being more efficient. We shouldn’t have to fight for something we already earned. As an example, I cracked a tooth and called VA for an outsourced (Community Care) appointment and the VA called me back 6 months after I put in for the consult. I am fortunate I work and so had resources myself, but it would have been disastrous if I didn’t have the root canal. So, God forbid, someone has to make choices between food, medicine and getting their tooth fixed if they didn’t have the means. And I couldn’t even get reimbursement since it wasn’t pre-approved. You just throw up your hands, and ask “what?” It becomes an uphill battle for things in your service record that they miss. And it impacts not just what you get but what your wife and family gets. It’s really disappointing and cumbersome to get the benefits and many just give up – that shouldn’t happen.

CAN YOU DISCUSS ANY SPECIFIC PROJECTS OR INITIATIVES YOU’RE CURRENTLY INVOLVED IN TO SUPPORT VETERANS OR PROMOTE AWARENESS OF VETERANS’ ISSUES?

I’m a Board Member for Gary Sinise foundation and Hope for the Warriors, the Patriot Project and others. In some way, shape or form, formally or informally, I support with my voice and platform, as many things as I can in supporting Veterans. I do a lot of public speaking, I even get to engage with Employee Resource Groups and companies so they may get more engaged. I am working on the Community Care Network with Optum Serve, but I am still looking to win my first VA contract. That’s where I choose to focus my support of Veterans.

WHAT WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE LIKE APPEARING IN MOVIE/TV?

I say “impressive.” I wasn’t afraid about learning lines. Acting, in hindsight, is about commitment and putting yourself into something. I’m not pretending to be somebody -- I am becoming somebody. They call it acting, but you’re not pretending; you are transforming into somebody. That’s the hard part about acting and ultimately, I came to appreciate it. Some people outwardly say I was just being myself, but I say not at all – I hoped to bring everyone I met at Walter Reed and their stories to the role.

HOW DO YOU HOPE YOUR BOOK WILL IMPACT READERS, BOTH VETERANS AND CIVILIANS? WHAT’S THE LASTING IMPACT YOU HOPE TO HAVE?

My hope is this, Keven. In some of my presentations it’s not about what we accumulate, but what we leave – what we leave, lasts. I am hoping that I don’t really do anything, but someone who reads the book or is around me or something I shared or seen helps them to unlock their best lives. I’ve been interviewed for 17 years, and I appreciate your thoughtfulness. Thank you for taking the time to get to know me.

SUBSIDIARY SPOTLIGHT:

3 ATHLETIC TRAINER’S TIPS FOR STAYING ACTIVE

JAY BAKER

COGNITO, A JOINT VENTURE BETWEEN QUARTERLINE AND RESOLUTION THINK LLC, PROVIDES ATHLETIC TRAINERS FOR THE HOLISTIC HEALTH AND FITNESS (H2F) PROGRAM WITH THE U.S. ARMY. THE H2F SYSTEM IS GEARED TOWARDS SOLDIER READINESS BY OPTIMIZING PERFORMANCE, MINIMIZING INJURIES, AND INSTILLING BEST PRACTICES. FOR THIS SPOTLIGHT, WE SPOKE WITH THREE OF THE AMAZING ATS TO GET THEIR PERSONAL TIPS ON HOW TO STAY ACTIVE. CHECK OUT THESE TIPS FROM SOME OF COGNITO’S ATHLETIC TRAINERS ON HOW TO STAY ACTIVE!

TREVOR VAN HAUTE

1. GET A WORKOUT DURING THE DAY.

1. DO WHAT YOU LIKE TO DO.

It is much easier to be active if it is something you like to do. I like to run, walk, hike, and lift weights to stay active, whether it’s for a 10 minutes run or a 45 minute run. Find what you like to do, walk, ride a bike, surf, rock climbing. Do what you like to do and move. Nothing is worse mentally than doing something you’re not a fan of doing versus doing what you like to do. The time will go by way sooner.

2. TIME IS LIMITED, JUST DO WHAT YOU CAN.

With our busy schedules, it’s hard to commit to a lengthy session of whatever activity you like to do. A 10 minute walk versus an hour walk, just do the 10 minute walk because that 10 minute walk is going to make you feel better if you didn’t walk at all. With having a busy schedule sometimes you just have to be a little selfish to take the opportunistic times that open up or have a hard schedule to give yourself the time to be active.

3. FIND A GROUP OR PARTNER TO BE ACTIVE.

Being active can be hard, find a local group or a friend that has the same common interest in the mode of activity that you like to do. This will help make the commitment to being active much more consistent with what you like to do. For me, I’m on Strava and I see all of my friends on Strava that like to run, bike, walk, lift weights, and mor activities and they give kudos for my 10 minute walks when I can

This could be anything from weight lifting to cardio to a spin class or even yoga. I personally enjoy a good sweat at some point during the day. I appreciate getting the heartrate up and feeling like I accomplished something for myself.

2. BE ACTIVE IN THE KITCHEN. Make your own meals whether it’s meal prep or a menu for the week. My wife and I enjoy cooking together and sharing new recipes. Just because it’s not a workout doesn’t mean you’re not being active.

3. ENJOY YOURSELF AND THE THINGS YOU DO WITH OTHERS.

With summer biting at our heels it is perfect pool weather. Catch a tan and have some friends over. Play some fun pool games like P.I.G. or just enjoy your time with each other. Life is too short to not enjoy it.

MATTHEW RODRIGUE

1. SPENDING MORE TIME OUTDOORS

A lot of the work day is spent indoors so whenever I get the chance to be outside I take it. Whether you like being out on the water or in nature, Fort Johnson offers many outdoor activities(hiking, fishing, kayaking, etc.)

2. BE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE AS AN H2F STAFF

Our H2F staff makes time for teambuilding activities on at least a monthly basis which usually involves some type of physical activity (pickle ball, bowling, obstacle course, etc.)

3. GARDENING

I find gardening relaxing, creates a sense of accomplishment, and promotes healthy eating.

5 WAYS TO STAY COOL THIS SUMMER

1. Hydrate. Hydrate. HYDRATE!

It’s important to stay hydrated because as you sweat, your body loses important water and minerals. It’s recommended to drink 2-3 liters of water a day even when you don’t feel thirsty. Drinking isotonic beverages like Liquid IV™ can help replenish lost electrolytes and minerals that are often sweated out. Drinking beverages like soda or alcohol can actually make you more de-hydrated! So you just might want to put that cool glass of Coke down in favor of that good ole H20.

2. Linen for Summer? Groundbreaking.

Trend Alert! Linen is not only trending in popularity (again) but is also a great fabric for the Summer heat! Linen is a super breathable fabric and a great way to elevate your Summer look. Gone are the days of the t-shirt, shorts, and flip flop combo (it’s okay if you still rock that look- you look good in anything).

3. You Can Always Vent to Me

Proper ventilation can save lives. Air conditioning and fans are one of the best ways to stay cool. Keeping a window open when there is a breeze can flush out hot stagnant air from a room and give you the cooling relief you need.

4. A Dip in the Pool, A Trip to the Spa…

Take the leap.. into a pool. Water is one of the best ways to cool your body off from that dizzying Summer heat. That’s why a pool or beach is always a popular option for the whole family to cool down. But, did you know even just soaking your feet in cool water can give you that instant cooling relief?

5. Quench Your Thirst with a Fork

When you’re in the mood for a snack opt for more hydrating foods like berries, cucumbers, or even mushrooms! These types of fruits and veggies retain a lot of water and can be instantly hydrating as you eat!

KEVEN’S KITCHEN

Fig Glazed Sweet Potatoes with Roasted Broccolini & Olive Tapenade

1/2 cup French green lentils

2 sweet potatoes, halved lengthwise

8 oz broccolini, ends trimmed

1 tbsp fig preserves

1/4 cup balsamic glaze

1/4 cup olive tapenade

0.5 oz parsley, leaves & stems chopped

2 oz baby arugula

2 tbsp pistachios, chopped

2 tbsp + 2 tsp olive oil

Salt

Preheat oven to 425°F. Combine lentils, 2 cups water, and a pinch of salt in small saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until lentils are tender, 18 to 20 minutes. Drain any remaining water.

Rub each sweet potato half with ½ tsp olive oil and place, cut side down, on one half of foil-lined baking sheet. Add broccolini, 1 tbsp olive oil, and a pinch of salt to other half of baking sheet and toss. Roast until sweet potatoes are tender, 22 to 26 minutes. Transfer broccolini to medium bowl and cover to keep warm. Set oven to broil on high.

Whisk together fig preserves and balsamic glaze in small bowl. Combine tapenade, parsley, 1 tbsp olive oil, and just 1 tbsp fig glaze in small bowl and stir to combine.

Rub cut side of roasted sweet potatoes with remaining fig glaze and return to oven, cut side up, and broil until glaze is sticky and browned, 1 to 2 minutes.

Add arugula and just 2 tbsp fig tapenade to bowl with broccolini and toss to combine. Divide lentils between bowls. Top with fig glazed sweet potatoes, broccolini and arugula, remaining fig tapenade, and pistachios.

Enjoy!

FAVORITE SUMMER DRINKS

BRAZILIAN LIMEADE

• 5 limes

• 1/2 cup plus 2 T sweetened condensed milk (10 T or scant 2/3 cup)

• 1/4 cup fresh mint

• 2 cups ice water

• Ice, for serving

I like to zest the limes (save zest), remove pith (the white part in between the flesh of the lime and the dark green rind), then chop flesh but you can also chop up limes, rind and all, into the blender with some ice water. Blend it up, but not too long if you chopped all together! Only about 15 seconds of pulsing. If you blend too long without having removed pith initially, you will break up too much of the pith of the lime and that will make your drink bitter. Press through a strainer into a large measuring cup. Press, press, press to ensure you get all the liquid out. Pour the lime juice right back into the blender, add the sweetened condensed milk, more ice and blend until it is blissfully frothy.

SUNSHINE SMOOTHIE

• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped into inch-long chunks

• 1 medium vine-ripe tomato, cored

• 1 1/2 cups watermelon

• 1/2 banana, frozen would be good, but not necessary

• 1 1/2 oranges, peeled

• 4-6 cubes of ice

Combine all ingredients in a blender and whir until smooth!

STRAWBERRY MOJITO

• 1 lime

• 6 strawberries

• 6 mint leaves

• 2 Tbsp sugar

• 2 oz rum

• 2 oz club soda

Cut lime into wedges. Destem and halve strawberries. In a medium-sized lowball glass or highball, add mint leaves, lime wedges, strawberry halves, and 2 tablespoons sugar, adding limes and strawberries in batches. Muddle until lime and berry juice is released and mint is fragrant. Add 2 ounces rum and swirl. Add a handful of ice and top with 2 ounces club soda. Stir once or twice to incorporate and garnish with additional mint and lime wedges. This works well with blueberries, blackberries, peaches, watermelon as well.

HIBISCUS TEA SANGRIA

• 5 tsp crushed hibiscus petals (buy bag of hibiscus or hibiscus tea)

• 4 mint leaves

• 3 cups water

• 1 cup frozen mixed berries or your favorite berries/cherries

• 1-4 tbsp honey, based on taste

Add crushed hibiscus petals and a few mint leaves to a pitcher. Boil 3 cups of water and pour it over the tea. Let it steep for 5 minutes. Once the hibiscus petals have had time to steep, add 1 cup of mixed fresh or frozen berries. Fill up the rest of the pitcher with cold water and place it in the fridge to steep overnight. When you’re ready to serve, take out the tea and mix in the honey to taste. I usually like about 2 tbsp, but start with 1 tbsp and then add more to taste. To serve, pour your refreshing hibiscus cold brew over a glass full of ice and enjoy! You can also add vodka or bourbon for a punch.

BOOK NOOK FLICK PICK

INTERN EDITION

By Adrian Soh, Digital Marketing Intern

Welcome to the June Edition BookNook FlickPick, featuring the Summer 2024 intern class! Looking for your new favorite TV show, movie, book, or podcast to beat the heat? We’ve got you covered!

My personal favorite has got to be Stranger Things. A perfect sci-fi horror series set in the 1980s. It’s got four packed seasons with one more to release next year. The best show for when you want to huddle inside and binge during the hot summer days!

Check out the rest of the Intern Picks and what they have to say about them!

Riya Shah – The Middle (TV Show)

WHAT KEEPS YOU COMING BACK TO THIS SHOW?

“It’s full of chaos and never gets old. Being in 22-minute episodes, it’s always super entertaining and it also makes it super easy to binge watch!”

Audrey Paul – House of the Dragon (TV Show)

WHAT MAKES IT PERFECT FOR THE SUMMER?

“The new season actually just released last week, and they’re releasing one episode every week! It’s definitely gonna be the show I’m watching all summer!”

Matthew Sokolowski – One, No One, and One Hundred Thousand (Book)

“It’s a wonderful book about the perception of oneself, and it relates to a lot of things regarding your friends, your family, society as a whole, and random people you meet. It’s about how everybody’s perception of yourself changes.”