Returning Service Members

What Has Helped You Since You Got Back?

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:38:00 -0500


	U.S. Soldiers pray before a mission in Kirkuk, Iraq, May 2009. The Soldiers are from Golf Company, 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Heavy Combat Brigade Team, 1st Cavalry Division out of Fort Hood, Texas.

What are some activities that have helped you since you got back from combat?

Here are a few examples of what OEF/OIF Vets have told us have helped some:

Churches, prayer
Buddies
Working out, martial arts
Also reported: drinking, smoking, driving to relax

What helped for you? [More]

More Basic Training -- Understanding Military Culture

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:11:00 -0500

U.S. Sailors load humanitarian supplies onto a Navy HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla., at Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Jan. 18, 2010, to be taken into the city for distribution. Department of Defense assets have been deployed to assist in the Haiti relief effort following a magnitude-7 earthquake that hit the city Jan. 12, 2010.

By Charlotte M. Wilmer, MSW, LCSW
Counseling Services Branch,
Marine & Family Services Division Camp Lejeune, NC

“Nobody understands.”
“How can somebody help me who hasn’t been where I’ve been?”
“You just can’t understand if you haven’t been there.”

Being in the military is not like other jobs. Most of us can leave work at work.

If we get drunk, bounce a check, get in a fight with our spouse, or if our kids mess up in school or get in trouble with the law, no one at work will be notified.

We can fly or drive to where ever we want on a weekend and no one at work needs to know. We can see a counselor, have a medical procedure, take medication. No one at work needs to know nor can they find out unless we decide to tell them. If our kids go to school hungry or dirty and child protective services comes knocking on our door, no one knows except the people we choose to tell.
[More]

Seeking More Feedback = DEMOB Events

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 14:04:00 -0500


	San Marcos, Calif. Vet Center Team Leader Joe Costello is an Army Reserve CWO and Combat Vet who is very passionate and committed to his work. He is pictured briefing returning USMC personnel at a Camp Pendleton DEMOB event.

We asked you for any feedback on VA support of Yellow Ribbon Program (YRP) events, and you responded back. And thank you for that. Now we now ask for feedback on VA's support during the DEMOB cycle.

Is our current support helpful? And what can we do differently?
[More]

If the VA Calls, It's Not a Telemarketer

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:34:00 -0500


	U.S. Navy Machinist's Mate Fireman Ashley Bozeman talks to her mother on a cell phone aboard aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan as the ship pulls into Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, for a scheduled visit Oct. 13, 2009.

On Veterans Day (of course), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) began providing another toll-free Customer Service phone number. Wait -- this one is for you OEF/OIF Veterans to call (1-877-222-8387) to ensure you know about VA's medical services and other benefits.

Getting the word out to our OEF/OIF Veterans (and having you register for the benefits and health care you've earned) is a tough nut to crack, but increasingly a high priority at the VA. (See next week's blog.)

If you've served, you've earned this. Take advantage of it.

Since May 1, 2008, the VA has attempted to contact over 700,000 recent combat Veterans and have directly spoken with over 166,000 of you (or 24.5%). VA continues to make use of a "personal" contact approach to call ALL OEF/OIF Veterans 4 months after you separate from combat.

[More]

Yellow Ribbon Program = Seeking Feedback

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:08:00 -0500


	In fiscal year 2009 alone, VA Medical Center staff have supported over 670 Reserve and National Guard Yellow Ribbon events.

We are looking for suggestions on improving our efforts to reach out to returning Service Members and their families at Yellow Ribbon Program (YRP) events.

Is our current support helpful? And what can we do differently?

So, what is the Yellow Ribbon Program?

The YRP is a veteran's reintegration program designed to provide National Guard and Reserve members and their families with sufficient information, services, referral, and proactive outreach opportunities throughout the entire deployment cycle.

Service units throughout the country host Yellow Ribbon events where National Guard and Reserve members, along with their family members, receive briefings, informational seminars, and opportunities for personal assistance from various community agencies, programs, and services, including the VA.

[More]

My Military Immersion Experience

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:17:00 -0500


	Pamela Goodin, VA Transition Patient Advocate in the cockpit of a Black Hawk helicopter during her Military Immersion

By Pamela Y. Goodin
Transition Patient Advocate

The Tennessee Governor's Veterans Task Force in collaboration with the Tennessee National Guard developed a Military Immersion experience. This “experience” was offered to Mental Health professionals and others in the community who wanted a better understanding of the military culture to better serve the men and women, in their communities, who volunteer to serve and protect this great nation.

First, let me say I can’t believe I agreed to do this. Even though I was never “in” the Army I did spend three years married to a Drill Sergeant, raised two veterans (who by-the-way laughed uncontrollably when I told them what I was doing) so I should have known what I was getting in to right? Wrong!

We were offered the option of spending the night in the barracks or arriving at 0800 the next day. I’ll have to say the thought of sleeping in a bunk in an open bay was okay (just worried about snoring) but taking a shower in an open shower room took me back to middle school and gym class which made me question my sanity. However, I wanted the whole experience and I wanted to watch my co-workers be soldiers for a day so I jumped in with both feet.

[More]

Operation Immersion Helping VA Understand Military Culture

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:30:00 -0500


	VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System workers in front of a C-130 patient transport plane, as part of Operation Immersion.

By Tonia L. Hardyway

OEF/OIF Program Manager

I am the Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom Program Manager for the VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System.

I have worked with the VA for several years and would certainly state that my experience participating in Operation Immersion, November 5-6, 2009 was certainly one of the most unique and gratifying experiences of my VA experience.

The Governor's Veterans Task Force (we are members of this task force) in collaboration with the Tennessee National Guard developed a Military Immersion experience.

This immersion experience was offered to Mental Health professionals and others in the community who wanted to understand the military culture so they could better serve service men and women in their communities. To get more of a military experience several of us spent the night in the barracks.

[More]

Six Marines Arriving Tonight

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:03:00 -0500


	Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Rick West talks with U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Charles Leak and his father, Richard, at National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., during his visit with Wounded Warriors Aug. 19, 2009. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jennifer A. Villalovos)

By Ken Mac Garrigle

I visited National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda a while back, thanks to a tour set up by a colleague (Barry) in this office. Before he came to the VA he and two other folks here (Cedric and Teri-Lynn) used to work there as reps for the wounded from OEF/OIF.

One thing that struck me about the visit was the constant influx of "customers" going through there, and how much apart from real world upscale Bethesda, MD and Montgomery County (one of the richest counties in the U.S.) it felt — located just the other side of the security fence.

[More]

A Journey We Must Make Together

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:53:00 -0500


	VA and DOD jointly held a national conference to discuss the needs and challenges of returning OEF/OIF veterans, their families, and caregivers. The Evolving Paradigms II Conference was attended by 3,000 VA and DOD staff.

Stephen C Hunt, MD, MPH
Director, VA Puget Sound Post-Deployment Health Clinic Programs
National Director, Post-Deployment Integrated Care Initiative

We do not come home from war. We come home with war. The journey home from war — as long, arduous and complex as it can be — is a journey we must make together.

If you were one of the 3,000 people who attended the recent OEF/OIF conference then you saw very clearly that this is what it is all about.

Three thousand people bringing their dedication, fire and creativity together to continue transforming the VA by transforming the care we are providing to our Veterans returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan. [More]

OEF/OIF for the Statistically Inclined

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 10:57:00 -0500


	VA is making better progress meeting the needs of our newest generation of OEF/OIF war Veterans.

By Ken Mac Garrigle

I've been reading "Analysis of VA Health Care Utilization among U.S. Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Veterans."

OK, while it's not a New York Times bestseller, it does have a few interesting facts, figures and conclusions.

According to the report summary, 45% of separated OEF/OIF Veterans have sought VA health care (since 2002), compared to 43% in the last quarterly report three months ago. So, a 2% increase in 3 months.

[More]

Help Wanted: The VA is Hiring

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:04:00 -0500


	If your job was eliminated while you were deployed, or you're out of work, the Veterans Employment Coordination Service may be able to help.

By Ken Mac Garrigle

Employment is the #1 hot button issue of OEF/OIF troops coming home. If you're out of work, your job was eliminated while you were deployed, etc., it can lead to a possible downward spiral — divorce, bankruptcy, etc.

Helping fill the void is the mission of the Veterans Employment Coordination Service within VA's Office of Human Resources Management (www.va.gov/vecs).

[More]

What Should We Call Our Newest Vets?

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:35:00 -0500


	OEF/OIF – Definition: An acronym that refers to the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Specifically, OEF/OIF refers to "Operation Enduring Freedom" and "Operation Iraqi Freedom."

By Ken Mac Garrigle (OIF 2003-04)

If you fought in the Vietnam War, you of course came home a ‘Vietnam Vet’.

Yet no one I know these days talks about having served in the Iraq War (which one - 1991 or 2003?) or the Afghanistan War. (An 'Iraq Vet' or 'Afghanistan Vet'?)

And many of our combat vets have served in both theaters — numerous times.

As for this web page's name — Returning Service Members (OEF/OIF) www.oefoif.va.gov

[More]

Iraq Vet Offers Insights on New Post-9/11 GI Bill

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 16:19:00 -0500


	Guest blogger MAJ Mike Dunne (left) is with the 425th Civil Affairs BN out of Encino, CA. He is an Iraq/Afghanistan Vet starting his redeployment at Fort Dix, NJ, after his fifth overseas combat tour.

By: MAJ Michael Dunne

When I first heard of this program, I was unsure on how it could help me. Once I found out about being able to transfer it to my spouse or child, I needed to find out more info.

My daughter is starting her freshman year at a NY State Public School, so anything that would help pay for it, I would try.

In late April, I found out that an online application would be available through the VA starting in May. On May 2 I went to the VA website and filled out the app. www.gibill.va.gov

[More]

Finishing Up Demob

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:41:00 -0500


	Social Worker Linda Gillespie-Gateley explains VA benefits to a soldier recently returned from Iraq during the Fort McCoy demobilization effort.

Today is finishing up. the last few soldiers are getting claims processed and finishing their out processing so they can receive their plane ticket home.

Today was especially rewarding as I took more time to talk with the soldiers, explain the benefits they've earned and see the light bulb go off as they realize they aren't returning to civilian life alone. There are hundreds of organizations in Washington and around the country who exist only to help Veterans.

[More]

Demob: "Do you have a job when you get back?"

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:20:00 -0500

Employment. Unlike active duty service members who return home and are still being paid by the military, Reservists and National Guard Soldiers often come home to unemployment and/or underemployment. While there are laws protecting service members with jobs who deploy on active duty orders, not every service member comes back to a job with benefits. This sudden loss of a paycheck and benefits can have wide-ranging implications.

To lessen the impact of this loss on the soldier, their family, their unit and their community, the Washington State WorkSource agency, Employment Security Department and many unions and job placement agencies are working with the National Guard to ensure that soldiers return to a job or have the skills to find a job.

[More]

Returning Service Members

What Has Helped You Since You Got Back?

More Basic Training -- Understanding Military Culture

Seeking More Feedback = DEMOB Events

If the VA Calls, It's Not a Telemarketer

Yellow Ribbon Program = Seeking Feedback

My Military Immersion Experience

Operation Immersion  Helping VA Understand Military Culture

Six Marines Arriving Tonight

A Journey We Must Make Together

OEF/OIF for the Statistically Inclined

Help Wanted: The VA is Hiring

What Should We Call Our Newest Vets?

Iraq Vet Offers Insights on New Post-9/11 GI Bill

Finishing Up Demob

Demob: "Do you have a job when you get back?"

Operation Immersion Helping VA Understand Military Culture