Military Monday: Episode 194
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTRe3qOOPrw[/embedyt]
Veteran of the Day
After graduating high school, Cristie Remmel joined the Navy as a hospital corpsman. She attended training at Camp Pendleton in California, before serving alongside the Marines as a combat medic with a field Marine force unit. Remmel deployed to the Persian Gulf for six months. She served on active duty from 1987 to 1991. While serving, she was often known as “Doc Remmel.”
“The Marines taught me perseverance, dedication, humility, passion and commitment,” Remmel said. “They taught me all of the skills I’ve continued to use over and over again no matter what comes my way.”
After leaving the service, Remmel became a stay-at-home mom and received a bachelor’s degree in graphic design as well as a master’s degree in fine arts. She then found her way into serving the Veteran community.
From Combat to Campus
No matter how many active-duty days you have seen, the prospect of going back to school as an adult and a veteran may be one of the most frightening challenges you’ve ever faced From Combat to Campus. But, it doesn’t have to be an uphill battle. The Dallas-Fort Worth Veterans Chamber of Commerce wants all of our veterans to succeed.
From Combat to Campus
With this in mind, today’s post is aimed at those who wish to go back to school before owning or operating a new business.
It Starts With the Strategy
In the military, you learned all about strategy. It’s time to take that training and translate it into your education. Start by gathering as much information as you can about your G.I. Bill and other education benefits. The US Department of Veterans Affairs shares all you need to know about these, along with tips, links, and resources on how to do additional research and manage your education benefits. (If your veteran benefits don’t cover all of your tuition, you may need help funding the balance of your education. You may be eligible for scholarships depending on your hobbies, interests, or nationality)
The next step in your strategic move is to determine what degree to pursue. Many veterans choose law enforcement, but if you prefer to be in a more business-like environment, consider jumping headfirst into your MBA. Earning your MBA can open up many professional opportunities as you will graduate with skills in research and statistics, marketing, and corporate finance. You may find a new career as anything from a facilities manager to an operations director or GM. You can go to school online as you acclimate to work and family as a civilian.
Going Back
Once you have decided on a degree path, it’s time to develop good study habits. Fortunately, you are already used to keeping a strict schedule and tight regimen. Keep your military training at the front of your mind here, and make sure to set a schedule to ensure that you have adequate time to devote to your studies.
More than just time for study, you have to make time for yourself and for your basic needs. If you start to feel overwhelmed, which is particularly prevalent among those who are also working and raising a family while going back to school, Mental Health America suggests going for a walk or stepping away from your responsibilities for a moment. You can also try and schedule your working hours so that you have time to eat dinner or visit with your family and friends before hitting the books.
Keeping Yourself Well
Although we previously mentioned managing stress, something that many veterans don’t consider is how previous trauma can rear its ugly head when going back to school. Although, on the surface, going back to school seems like a mundane event. The reality is that you can begin to feel the same type of anxiety that you felt during combat, and you have to take care of your mental and physical health. Task & Purpose recommends enrolling with your local VA and being a self-advocate as it pertains to school. Make sure that both the administration and your professors understand that you are a veteran recovering from a physical or emotional injury. Remember, your college can’t discriminate against you based on a disability, but you may be required to show proof of need if you require accommodations, such as additional time to complete assignments.
Going back to school is intimidating, there’s no doubt about that. But, you have faced greater challenges. Earning your degree now may not be easy, but this is one hurdle that will make it much easier to earn an income and care for your family as a civilian.
If you want to start networking now, consider volunteering at the Dallas-Fort Worth Veterans Chamber of Commerce. The organization is always looking for people to help with maintenance, videography, graphic design, and other basic business functions.
Celebration WWII Veteran
Join us as Congressman Taylor presents WWII medals to the Gibbs Family for the dedicated service of their Veteran family member
About this event
Please join as we pay respects to the Gibbs family as Congressman Taylor presents World War II medals in honor of their Veteran family member.
After the ceremony, please take time to appreciate the 1000 flags celebrating our Country, our brave Veterans and courageous First Responders. The Flags of Honor celebration at Oak Point Park, Plano is available 6 – 13 November.
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May 19, 2021 – Overcoming Stress through Self Care
May Deep Dive
The global pandemic in 2020 has caused many challenges in our lives both professionally and personally. Suddenly businesses needed to shut down, employees furloughed, operations restricted, kids home-schooled, spouses all working from home, and worst of all friends and family getting ill or dying. These unprecedented changes and circumstances are resulting in dramatic increases in stress, depression, and suicides among youths. Our member: Domingo Rodriguez will help us recognize the signs of stress and depression, and recommend some techniques for self-care and best practices to ensure we and our families can emerge from this pandemic healthier and stronger than ever.
This will be a valuable workshop for business owners and entrepreneurs for Overcoming Stress through Self Care. This workshop requires a $20 donation. When you register, you will be redirected to our payment gateway.
Domingo Rodriguez
Military Veteran Peer Network
Domingo Rodriguez is the Military Veteran Peer Network (MVPN) Service Coordinator for Metrocare Services of Dallas County. He is a 20-year retired Navy OIF/OEF Veteran. He has a passion to serve and it is that passion for those in need, that led him from uniformed service to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management from the University of North Texas. While at UNT he became actively involved with the Student Veterans Association and this was the impetus for his familiarization with local area Veterans organizations. It was these relationships that allowed him to give advice to fellow Veterans and family members that set him on a course toward working exclusively with the Service Member, Veteran and Family (SMVF) community of North Texas. As a Board member of the Veterans Coalition of Tarrant County and of the Poetry Society of Texas he has allowed his passion for service to help grow and inspire others in their passions. As a PHSS Instructor with the American Red Cross, Past Fellow at The Mission Continues, and current active member of Team Rubicon, he has served on many disaster and humanitarian relief efforts and continues to give to his community whenever possible. Through MVPN and StopOneInfo he is a dedicated instructor who has taught hundreds and constantly reaches out to the community to teach about Military Culture, Suicide Prevention, Moral Injury, Trauma Affected Veterans interacting with Law Enforcement and Counseling on Access to Lethal Means.