With an impressive resume and a long-time commitment to the U.S. Navy, it’s no wonder that Admiral Lisa Franchetti was nominated and assigned as the Chief of Naval Operations. In November, Franchetti was sworn in as the 33rd Chief of Naval Operations at a small ceremony in the Pentagon. She is the first woman to lead the U.S. Navy in its history. According to the BBC, this is also the first time that a woman was nominated to head a Pentagon military service branch. She was voted into the position on a 95-1 vote.“I am honored to have been confirmed…
Author: Veteran Community
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The Department of Veterans Affairs announced several critical advancements in its veteran suicide prevention initiatives, including $52.5 million in new veteran suicide prevention grants, a new set of veteran suicide prevention public service announcements (PSAs), and, for the first time, statistics on the impact of VA’s new program offering free emergency medical care to veterans in acute suicidal crisis at any VA or non-VA health care facility. Specifically, more than 32,000 veterans in acute suicidal crises have received free emergency health care under the new, life-saving VA policy.“There is nothing more important to VA than preventing veteran suicide—nothing,” said VA…
In their annual study, the PenFed Foundation has compiled a list of the top 20 cities for veteran entrepreneurs. The foundation’s Veteran Entrepreneur Investment Program (VEIP), which supports veteran-owned startups and businesses through education, preparation and network access, conducted the study in partnership with Edelman Intelligence.“The military community’s resilience and entrepreneurial spirit is invaluable for our nation’s business sector. That’s why the PenFed Foundation is proud to commission this study for the fourth year in a row, highlighting the cities that are making strides to support veteran businesses,” said PenFed Foundation President Andrea McCarren. “We want to help cities across…
By Kellie Speed When Army Sgt. Brandon Korona first deployed to Afghanistan in January 2013 with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, they were on a route clearance in search of IEDs. Their company was divided into two route clearance packages when he was hit by an IED on June 23, 2013.Korona nearly broke every bone below his left knee. After spending two years at Walter Reed Hospital, undergoing multiple surgeries in an attempt to reconstruct his heel, he continued to be in a lot of pain.After four years of continuous pain and being unable to do the…
In an extraordinary acknowledgment of U.S. Veterans Magazine’s (USVM) commitment, actor, producer, director and dedicated veterans advocate Gary Sinise recently endorsed the publication. This endorsement came as he received the Heroes Linked Distinguished Service Award during the MVAT Foundation’s annual Gala at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California on November 17, 2023. Cover Star Recognition at MVAT Foundation’s Gala During the prestigious event, Gary Sinise was presented with a copy of the Fall 2022 issue of U.S. Veterans Magazine, where he featured prominently under the title “Positive About Service.” Sinise lauded the magazine, stating, “This is a good…
The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced 10 winners of Mission Daybreak, a $20 million challenge aimed at developing innovations to reduce veteran suicides. During this challenge, VA received more than 1,300 innovation submissions from veterans, veteran service organizations, community-based organizations, health technology companies, startups and universities—with solutions ranging from lethal means safety concepts and targeted virtual care programs to other promising suicide prevention solutions that offer healing and recovery to veterans. Mission Daybreak is the largest federal cash incentive prize since the establishment of the Prize Authority. This effort is a key part of VA’s 10-year national strategy for preventing veteran suicide and the…
As a veteran, military retiree, spouse or dependent of a service member, you may be eligible for a Defense Department identification card. Called the Uniformed Services ID card, this military ID proves your identity and connection to the DoD and gives you access to certain military services and programs. Here are some frequently asked questions about military IDs for spouses, dependents, veterans and retirees. Who is eligible for a military ID? Those eligible for the Uniformed Services ID card are military spouses and dependents, military retirees, reservists and National Guard not in active-duty status. Also eligible are members on the Temporary Disability…
By Staff Sgt. Tawny Kruse Two National Guard chaplains have made history together by becoming the first women to serve as State Chaplains in their states and the country. Lt. Col. Martha Kester will serve the Iowa National Guard, while Lt. Col. Heather Simon will serve the New Jersey National Guard. “These two women represent the best of our Guard, and you could not have picked better individuals to lead their states,” Chaplain (Col.) Laurence Bazer, Deputy Director of the National Guard Bureau Office of the Joint Chaplains, “They’re going to bring their wisdom and experiences to help not just…
By Donna Bell Each March since 1987, hundreds of disabled veterans descend on Snowmass Village in Colorado. They are there to participate in the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic, co-hosted by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Disabled American Veterans. The clinic draws veterans like Marine Corps veteran Ryan Garza, who, in 2011, suffered a traumatic brain injury and severe damage to his leg while serving a fourth tour in Afghanistan. Only 25 years old at the time, the unthinkable happened fast for Garza when an IED blast rocked the seven-ton truck he was riding in. While doctors at…
The most comprehensive bill for care workers and those in need of care has been passed, and it’s a win for veterans. Signed by President Biden in April, a new executive order was put in place that will expand access to affordable, high-quality care and provide support for care workers and family caregivers. This executive order, which includes more than 50 directives for agencies across the government, is the most inclusive set of executive actions any President has ever taken to make care more affordable and accessible for hardworking families and to increase support for care workers and family caregivers.…
