At Ease April 2020 : simplebooklet.com

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CONTENTS 06 Q A with Theo Nix of Drone Workforce Solutions PRESIDENT Jim Normandin DIRECTOR OF MILITARY PUBLICATIONS John Rives EDITOR Eli Wohlenhaus MARKETING DIRECTOR Betsy Griffin 10 Operation Homefront recognizes positive impacts made by military teens CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER Paul Wesley Hagood SALES SUPERVISOR Ryan Ebaugh CREATIVE DIRECTOR Greg Mueller 16 22 Hiring Our Heroes helps military members with meaningful employment opportunities Seeing the world while serving your country GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jennifer Helmer CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Brie Burgett Matthew DeWaegeneer Lynn Cooper William Hereford CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Katie Begley Brian Shane Matthew DeWaegeneer Michael J Mika Reen Waterman Donna Cipolloni EDITORIAL CONTACT 240 801 2258 30 ADVERTISING CONTACT 301 848 0175 Comcast NBCUniversal aims for 21 000 military hires by 2021 SUBSCRIPTIONS 410 770 4005 Receive At Ease in the comfort of your own home with a simple phone call SUBMISSIONS info ateasemonthly com 4 36 2020 Expanded Veteran Benefits 38 Brothers Mission reaches out to local working poor homeless AT E A S E A P R I L 2 0 2 0 29088 Airpark Drive Easton MD 21601 www dcmilitary com At Ease is published by APG Media of Chesapeake No portion may be reproduced in whole or in part by any means including electronic retrieval systems without written permission from the publisher STAFF

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Leaders of tomorrow Editor of At Ease Magazine Eli Wohlenhaus Interact with At Ease on our social media platforms Facebook At Ease Monthly Instagram ateasemonthly Twitter DCMilitary Sometimes it is nice to sit back and enjoy a magazine with good and informative articles Other times reading a magazine can be a necessary escape We hope to put you at ease for at least a moment with our stories This month our focus is on the leaders of tomorrow Our cover story is on a young Marine who found a way to merge her passion with her career She takes advantage of wherever the Corps sends her to go explore the world and new cultures and then shares her experiences with the world through a blog Leadership skills are required in every walk of life and from every generation and there are organizations that are dedicated to helping cultivate and harness that for newlyseparated veterans looking to join a civilian workforce Those career opportunities can come even with major companies like Comcast who has a goal to have 21 000 military related hires by 2021 Other companies like Drone Workforce Solutions specialize in helping veterans find work in various fields that require the use of drones There are many people within each community ready to lead it into tomorrow Both nonprofits and major companies are stepping up to help both military family members and veterans when it comes to harnessing those opportunities We are grateful to be bringing you another edition of At Ease and as always would love to hear from you If you have any feedback about the magazine know a story that needs to be shared do not hesitate to reach out MILITARY SENIOR DISCOUNTS CLINTON MINI STORAGE Resident Manager On Site 24 HOUR COMPUTERIZED GATE ACCESS NEXT TO Joint Base Andrews WEEKLY RATES NOW AVAILABLE tes a R st Towneed e B In nt ara u G LONG TERM SHORT TERM TRUCK TRAILER RENTALS RV TRUCK TRAILER PARKING MOTORCYCLE AUTO BOAT PARKING 24 hr Surveillance Well Lit Clean Deliveries Accepted Tractor Trailer Accessible Climate Controlled Available Locks Packing Supplies J B Andrews VAAve Gate Old Alexandria Ferry Road Br an ch Av en ue Bell efo nte Pla ce Truck RV ane te L efon Bell Road dyard Woo 1 1 miles south of VA Avenue Gate Turn left on Bellefonte Ln 301 856 0013 7908 Bellefonte Place Clinton MD www clintonministorage com A P R I L 2 0 2 0 AT E A S E 5

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AE When we think of drones and military we first think of their use as weapons What are the other military uses for this technology I never served in the military but as our Veterans have served to protect our country drones can serve to protect the lives of those military troops by using remote communication to troops on the ground or to deliver essential equipment or supplies AE AE Are you also preparing veterans to provide both drone inspection and training others Absolutely not only inspections in such areas as crops fruits and vegetables inspections in agriculture but also inspections in utilities roofing bridges and working with insurance companies in claims providing security services real estate and construction and search and rescue operations The possibilities and opportunities are endless We intend to train and then train the trainer What are the top three translatable skills a veteran can utilize to successfully complete your program I am passionate about Workforce Development and I want to train and hire Veterans in a tremendous technology that can have a profound impact on our society the world and especially helping them to feed their families Their discipline work ethic and sacrifice make them a great candidate for our company AE Are there any specific cultural attributes the military instills in veternas that makes them ideal candidates Yes again being disciplined Also punctuality being taught to be calm and collected detail oriented decisive and commanding and being able to work individually as well as part of a team These are qualities that will benefit Veterans to be successful drone pilots AE 8 AT E A S E A P R I L 2 0 2 0 What is the advantage a person has when they earn your distinction as fully vetted and FAA Part 107 certified commercial pilots First and foremost an FAA licensed pilot can legally make money using their drones unlike hobbyists DWS intends to be THE Premier global staffing placement company for drone operators in America with Best in Class standards for providing service and Drone training through our Drone training schools DWSdroneschool com

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AE What type of jobs do veterans find in civilian life They can work as drone operators in all kinds of industries or provide editing of the drone data collected and perform data analytics In our 360 Virtualization class graduates will be able to create 3D models and use virtual reality to create information centers for first responders to properly navigate buildings during emergency situations AE What are job forecasts for next 10 years What are the top industries According to Goldman Sachs who analyzed the drone industry by the end of 2020 it will be a 100 Billion industry of which 70 Billion is in military and 13 Billion is in the commercial civil space It is projected that the virtual reality commercial industry will be a 90 Billion industry by 2025 The top industries in drone technology are agriculture utility and bridge inspections infrastructure transportation security and soon deliveries of medicine organs and packages AE What is the percentage of students who are veterans Over 30 of our graduates have been Veterans Now that we have been approved by the US Dept of Veterans Affairs to receive the GI funding we intend to educate train and employ a higher percentage of Veterans in the various technologies AE Can you explain the process your company had to go through to get VA approval It literally took us 2 years to get this approval and we at DWS are very proud of the approval The first requirement was to have 2 consecutive years of drone training After that we had to fill out a voluminous application and send it in for approval This is a huge designation and will allow our school to really ramp up in the education training and employment for our Veterans and others AE Can you share any expansion plans for 2021 and beyond We have lots of expansion plans especially for 2020 Besides our drone technology schools approved in the states of Delaware and Cherry Hill New Jersey and because of the demand we are working on opening schools in Philadelphia Pa Camden New Jersey with plans for a wider geographic area nationally and globally A P R I L 2 0 2 0 AT E A S E 9

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FA M I LY H Q Operation Homefront recognizes positive impacts made by military teens Overcoming Story by Brian Shane Contibuted photos axson Jordan s extraordinary journey of service to others began at the lunch table in elementary school When he noticed one of his friends didn t have anything to eat Jaxson started bringing extra food in his lunchbox to share He told me they didn t have a lot of food at home and that made me sad said Jaxson 14 now a high school freshman in North Carolina So I got with my mom and the principal and we started collecting food I wanted to start doing more I went to soup kitchens and homeless shelters I enjoy helping people It sparked from that one kid realizing I could help him Jaxson s giving heart was recognized in 2019 when Operation Homefront named him Military Child of the Year for the Marine Corps Jaxson s generosity is even more remarkable considering the personal challenges he s faced along the way he s partially blind dyslexic has mobility issues and lives with overlapping autoimmune diseases He s had incredible support from his family including his mom ReBecca at their home near Camp Lejeune and his dad Chris a Marine Corps master gunnery sergeant stationed in Okinawa Chris got to come home from deployment to surprise Jaxson after he was named an award winner 10 AT E A S E A P R I L 2 0 2 0 Jaxson had no idea a family friend had nominated him for Military Child of the Year and he doesn t like to talk about it because that feels like bragging to him according to his mom When asked how the award changed his life Jaxson s answer was pure and simple I got to meet six new friends His mom says Jaxson s new friend group comprised of his fellow award finalists shares an amazing bond and they celebrate each other s accomplishments We have so many amazing military kids out there we re proud of ReBecca Jordan

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said People say this generation is an entitled generation but I say that they re an enlightened generation These children want to give back to their communities especially with military kids it s ingrained in them because they re being raised by parents who serve The Military Child of the Year award recognizes the positive impact made by military teens from every branch of service Winners also each get a 10 000 grant a laptop computer and an all expenses paid trip to visit Washington D C where they tour the city the Pentagon and the National Zoo At first there was one award for all military branches combined But because each branch has its own story Operation Homefront partnered with the Joint Chiefs of Staff to recognize finalists from each military branch and the National Guard At their annual awards gala which falls this year on April 2 each recipient is seated with the head chief of his or her service for example the Army child of the year sits next to the Army chiefs of staff and their families These top military brass present the awards to the children That is the starry eyed night said Margi Kirst Chief Development Officer at Operation Homefront One on one that s what s amazing for these kids and their families they consider that a great honor And we re so grateful to these chiefs for doing that spending a night with these families It shows us the strong commitment from the highest levels of government to these children and we re proud to be a conduit for that Military Child of the Year got started in 2008 as a way to recognize military kids during a time when many of their loved ones were being sent overseas for months at a time in a deployment that came to be known as the surge according to Kirst It s kind of a unique role for an American child she said of military kids Our awardees are not only doing the best they can at school and in other civic engagements but they might be the head of the household They may be the oldest of 5 or 6 helping mom out as dad s deployed When you re a military child in America right now you have an added level of responsibility and turmoil These children deal with more than most of their peers and they excel The award is a service of Operation Homefront a nonprofit that has served military families since 2002 with financial aid housing toy drives back to school programs and more Operation Homefront relies on nominations to find the best and most deserving military kids A panel of about 40 independent judges from the worlds of military business and education select the winning kids Anyone can nominate sometimes people think why would I nominate my kid Kirst said Your typical military child is never typical and they are doing things and building resilience in ways that are amazing If there s a military kid you think is a great kid nominate them let them go through the process Four years ago Operation Homefront added another category for innovation The winning military kid presents a business concept that helps people and then consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton will help them bring the idea to market One such awardee invented a prototype time release medication for peanut allergies so a person could wear the patch hours ahead of the time they expected to be exposed to peanuts according to Kirst A P R I L 2 0 2 0 AT E A S E 11

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Mary Kate Cooper was awarded Military Child of the Year in 2017 for the Coast Guard branch Her father is a Search and Rescue Pilot whose job has taken them all over the country including Maryland Virginia Florida Louisiana Alabama and Colorado As a kid going from place to place Mary Kate enjoyed math and science I found it was the same no matter where we lived so I always threw myself into those subjects she said Today that interest in math and science is paying off Mary Kate now 20 is studying aeronautical and astronautical engineering at Stanford She believes being honored with Military Child of the Year which she mentioned gets abbreviated in conversation as mick coy for the award s initials helped her land a spot at the prestigious university Growing up as a military brat the military is a very tight knit family she said Kids I grew up with were also military kids I know how amazing they are So it s humbling to be selected and represent the Coast Guard branch It was really neat to celebrate all my friends and family who were also military kids Mary Kate also faces a lifelong physical challenge of her own she s a below the knee amputee who lost her left leg to congenital illness as a baby It hasn t stopped her from being active in sports all her life including surfing and swimming It s had its hardships but being an amputee is a lot of who I am It s also opened a lot of doors for me she said She says Operation Homefront is a really awesome organization that offers housing to military families and conducts school supply drives I m grateful for what they ve done not just for my family but my whole military family Photo by Lynn Cooper A P R I L 2 0 2 0 AT E A S E 13

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Be Engage At an Ingleside community you will be engaged in an inclusive active and vibrant lifestyle with the security that comes with a full continuum of onsite health care INGLESID WESTMINSTER INGLESID at Rock Creek at Lake Ridge at King Farm Treasured h e of an inclusive grou Ch ming historic neighborhoo of pe le whose experiences create th imming with small town charm perfect balance for stylish retirement set against the natural forested living in Washingt DC beauty of Northern Virginia www ircdc org www wlrva org Offers a variety of cultural arts well ss programs and some of the area s newest d spaci tment h s in Rockville MD www ikfmd org THESE COMMUNITIES ARE NOW ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS To learn more about our new Gardenside and Creekside additions please call 202 360 4701 Ingleside at Rock Creek Westminster at Lake Ridge and Ingleside at King Farm are not for profit CARF accredited SAGECare certified life plan communities

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Story and Photos by Matt DeWaegeneer Heroes Among Us Heroes come in all shapes and sizes A hero is defined as a person who is admired or idealized for courage outstanding achievements or noble qualities Military members have recently been dubbed heroes for building an all volunteer force Not all Military heroes are defined by their military service some are defined by their transition or their contributions to the civilian workforce Notably it is as tough if not tougher for transitioning military members to find a civilian placement after retiring from the military after 15 20 years How do these heroes refine their skills and transition with confidence Perhaps they try a fellowship with Hiring Our Heroes HOH Hiring Our Heroes is a nonprofit nationwide initiative to connect veterans transitioning service members military spouses and caregivers with meaningful employment opportunities all with the support of the U S Chamber of Commerce Foundation Its Corporate Fellowship is an innovative program that provides transitioning service members with professional training and hands on experience in the civilian workforce to prepare them for a smooth transition into meaningful civilian careers It s not just the service members who benefit from HOH programs Recently HOH stood up its Military Spouse Fellowship Program MSFP The MSFP is a first in class initiative that connects career ready military spouses with paid six week fellowships that provide professional training networking and hands on experience This direct engagement with local employers enables military spouses to quickly build networks and gain localized job experience I can honestly say that my experience as an HOH Corporate Fellow was life changing The knowledge I gained from the three month fellowship was worth every minute of my time I was fortunate to conduct my fellowship at Edelman DC the leader in public relations and branding I worked alongside another former Army Officer and HOH fellowship graduate I was nervous on my first day at the company My mind raced with questions How would people react to me being there How would I fit in Would I understand what they were talking about What do I wear The last question was the biggest one I had been wearing a uniform for over 14 years Would I even feel comfortable going to work in civvies Let me back up a little to a time prior to me wondering what tie I would wear The process for applying to the corporate fellowship is actually quite painless First I went to the HOH corporate fellowship webpage Then I checked the requirements Active Duty within 180 days of transition separation or retirement bachelor s degree plus three years leadership position or associates degree and five plus years of leadership experience I applied with the required documents and resume and waited to be contacted After a few phone and in person interviews I made it to the corporate interviews where I would meet potential industry employers Depending on the skills you have and the needs of the partner organizations you may have two three or more interviews in one day It is stressful but rewarding and then you wait to hear from the program if you were selected which can be a long two or three days Yay I made it now time to embark on this new journey The fellowship features a 12 week syllabus and runs three times a year at select military installations and in host cities around the country Each cohort consists of 15 30 active duty service members and may also include veterans and military spouses in select locations Fellowship candidates are carefully matched with participating companies based on the specific skills of the candidates and the preferences of both parties A P R I L 2 0 2 0 AT E A S E 17

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Candidates then undergo exclusive on the job training at their host companies gaining firsthand experience in the private sector This real world experience is augmented by weekly educational sessions for the cohort which are held in a classroom setting Hiring Our Heroes was launched in March 2011 as a nationwide grassroots effort to help veterans transitioning service members and military spouses find meaningful employment opportunities The organization has connected more than 700 000 veterans and military spouses with career opportunities since it launched in 2011 More than 30 000 of those hires resulted directly from the 1 200 HOH job fairs held across the country Through the support of their advisory councils and strategic partners HOH is able to make its hiring fairs free for both employers and job seekers to attend This makes them accessible to many of the small businesses they believe are making an impact on veteran and spouse unemployment in this country Not only are we helping people find jobs we are helping them find the long term meaningful careers they so richly deserve said Eric Eversole a vice president at the U S Chamber of Commerce and president of Hiring Our Heroes Why Do I Do This But why a fellowship Why would civilian companies want to train and possibly hire veterans Hiring a veteran or military spouse isn t just the right thing to do it s also the smart thing to do for your business Veterans bring discipline and a strong skill set that are unique because of their military service They ve received world class technical training and are able to lead and work in teams They know how to act on their feet and are problem solvers It s not just about bringing veterans to employers it s also about educating both parties on the skills and experience veterans have to offer and showing how those skills transfer to civilian work Similarly military spouses must endure long separations and relocations causing their resumes to be long and varied which can make it difficult for them to fulfill their own career aspirations 18 AT E A S E A P R I L 2 0 2 0 Still they volunteer at three times the national average and continually take leadership positions in their places of worship schools and communities They have managed multiple moves an average of 8 over 20 years of service and multiple deployments with little or no notice or preparation often by themselves Their resilience and dedication are unparalleled This is an issue of national security We cannot expect young men and women to raise their right hands and serve in an all volunteer force if they face higher unemployment than their peers after serving Our nation should view the imminent drawdown as an opportunity and there is a precedent After World War II millions of veterans re entered the workforce and the massive infusion of talent helped the manufacturing sector grow and the entire U S economy thrive The benefits to the military spouse go beyond just finding a job When employed military spouses typically earn less than their civilian counterparts Military spouses stand to lose 12 347 a year in income or 189 614 over the course of a 20 year military career Source Military Spouses in the Labor Market The Council of Economic Advisors May 2018 Like most American families military families want and need two incomes something that is much harder for military families to achieve Seventy one percent of employed military spouses agree that having two incomes is vitally important to their family source Military Spouses in the Workplace Hiring Our Heroes June 2017 The lack of employment opportunities creates stress and influences a family s decision to stay in or leave the military Forty three percent of military spouses ranked equal employment opportunity as a factor in the decision making process to stay or leave the service source Military Spouses in the Workplace Hiring Our Heroes June 2017 Last year HOH placed 65 military spouse fellows sustaining an 88 job offer rate for the program and with an average starting salary of 65 500 We re seeing a lot of companies focus on military spouses as a talent source and we are going to see that number grow Eversole said

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Employers that select veterans to join their originations gain not only competent employees but leaders workers that have a sense of pride and selfless service Veterans add value in so many ways to a company they just need the opportunity to shine Let me return to describing my fellowship I was able to take a break from my assignment working at the U S Army Training and Doctrine Command G 1 to spend valuable time with industry leaders and professionals and I soaked up as much as I could I first learned about HOH during the mandatory Soldier for Life Transition Assistance Program SFL TAP training that all departing Soldiers must attend when they are within 18 months of their end of service HOH is a well kept secret which needs to change This opportunity is extremely valuable but if service members don t hear about it they could miss out on a life changing program Former Fellow I spoke to retired Airman Eric Williams about his experience in the corporate fellowship program Eric told me that the fellowship gave him the opportunity to get his hands on the keyboard again and not worry about management leadership While his military leadership skills will always come in handy he enjoyed being an analyst more and was excited to get the opportunity to prove himself again as one Eric completed his fellowship at the tech company Oath which later transitioned into Verizon Media One of his best takeaways from the fellowship was the weekly huddles where participants meet and discuss the ups and downs tricks and tactics and lessons from business insiders The resume prep pre interview practices and actual interview process were a nice way to get some fresh perspective and skills to apply for and try to land interviews with other companies during the fellowship Eric said One of the difficulties of the fellowship that Eric and other service members find is getting their command to allow them to participate Remember that most fellows are senior enlisted or officers and they carry important or sensitive positions with little backfill However the lack of backfills should never be a reason to keep someone from applying for this outstanding program There shouldn t be a way to block service members from participating in this program at retirement because they are one deep or their work center can t lose them Eric stated I was lucky my com 20 AT E A S E A P R I L 2 0 2 0 mand supported my transition completely Others are not as lucky In the end this program exists to help the service member make a smooth transition from military to civilian life it is not a vacation and often the fellow will work harder longer hours than before This Is the End Once you complete a fellowship the hope and plan is that your host company offers you a full time position Of course this is not a 100 guarantee Sometimes as a fellow you have been interviewing with other organizations and you find a perfect fit elsewhere or your host company just didn t have a position for you Whatever the case is veteran unemployment rates are trending down and have been for years The unemployment rate for veterans who served on active duty in the U S Armed Forces at any time since September 2001 a group referred to as Gulf War era II veterans declined to 3 8 percent in 2018 according to the U S Bureau of Labor Statistics The jobless rate for all veterans was little changed at 3 5 percent in 2018 In August 2018 41 percent of Gulf War era II veterans had a service connected disability compared with 25 percent of all veterans With programs like Hiring Our Heroes this unemployment rate can and will decrease For more on the current report please visit https www dol gov agencies vets latest numbers Take a deep breath make a plan and know as a veteran service member or military spouse there are programs and support systems to help and guide you every step of the way Veterans and transitioning service members often have difficulty communicating their skills and military background in terms civilian employers can understand This can make it difficult for veterans to understand where their skills might fit into the private sector and employers may find military heavy resumes hard to read In addition several members of the post 9 11 generation of veterans especially veterans under the age of 25 have never created a resume or interviewed with a civilian employer while serving in the military These people have years of experience and valuable skills but most have never gone through a civilian job search Having a skilled HOH program leader review your resume or getting a tutorial from their partners at LinkedIn during a Career Summit can

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help translate military training and skills into the civilian workforce Military spouses often deal with high mobility on average a spouse will move his or her family eight times in a 20 year career Most spouses don t work during moves because their employers can t smoothly transition them This can cause frequent resume gaps and substantial income loss Employers assume that spouses are not working during these periods when they are actually volunteering completing internships and leading organizations at no charge The Hiring Our Heroes Corporate Fellowship and Military Spouse Fellowships allow those that serve in any capacity the opportunity to learn and hone their skills for a brighter future For more information To learn more about the fellowships visit https www hiringourheroes org fellowships For veteran resume assistance visit https www va gov VETSINWORKPLACE veteranresources asp All transitioning Service members should create and maintain an accurate LinkedIn profile For more on the proper format visit https www linkedin com pulse when more right jerry welsh Finally make sure to find a hiring event career summit or workshop near you events hiringourheroes org CareerSpark is a digital resume builder for Military Spouses ResumeEngine is a digital resume builder for veterans and transitioning military Digital resources for veterans service members and military spouses https www hiringourheroes org digital resources 2 Everything in HOH world HiringOurHeroes org and HiringOurHeroes on Facebook Twitter and Instagram Remember you are not alone There is always someone that can help you and mentor your transition A P R I L 2 0 2 0 AT E A S E 21

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his makes 107 countries chuckles Marine Officer Brie Burgett from her room in Bulgaria She had recently returned from a military ball in Vienna and was already packed to head to Uganda for an assignment the following day She shares her adventures with readers on her blog The Brie Adventure and on Instagram thebrieadventure But her jet setting lifestyle is only one part of her day to day Brie is also a Marine Brie s love of travel and adventure come naturally Her parents worked with a variety of relief organizations which led the family to live abroad as well as in the United States Spending a good portion of her childhood in Hungary Brie grew up appreciating what she could learn from other cultures She graduated from Ohio University at age 19 and decided to join the United States Marine Corps to serve her country work with exceptional people and see the world The opportunities they give you when you re very young are unparalleled says Brie As a Combat Engineer Brie gets to work on building infrastructure in various places around the world While stationed in Okinawa Japan she worked as part of a team that provided Humanitarian Aid and built schools in Thailand and the Philippines While 24 AT E A S E A P R I L 2 0 2 0 there she hiked Mount Fuji found local waterfalls and took ferries to all of the surrounding islands She did all of this while serving full time as a dedicated Marine Since transitioning to the Marine Corps Reserves Brie has become a Sub Saharan Africa Regional Affairs Officer now serving in Stuttgart Germany When you re flexible you find yourself traveling to Africa all the time she said It s all about careful planning she says of balancing travel with military responsibilities Take advantage of both short and long weekends Save your money and your leave days for travel By planning out her available free time intentionally Brie is able to stick within her budget while experiencing trips of a lifetime While on Temporary Assigned Duty in Morocco she was able to extend her trip by four days to explore the area Only paying for her lodging and personal expenses Brie took a camel trek into the desert seeing the sunset over the Sahara As much as she enjoys globe trotting adventures Brie notes that travel doesn t have to be exotic to be memorable I try to have the mindset of taking advantage of what is local and close by says Brie She has always made it a point to explore both well known landmarks and sights that are off the beaten path where she has been stationed Brie has been stationed internationally and right here in Hampton Roads Virginia There is a lot to see and do within a short drive from most military installations She encourages everyone to find out the best way to get around where you are and start exploring

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Here are Brie s must see attractions in Virginia Shenandoah Valley This nature lover s paradise is just a short drive away from Washington D C and has plenty of activities that are free or cheap to enjoy With over 500 miles of trails campsites and backcountry camping opportunities fishing and special exhibits and events Shenandoah National Park has something for everyone Active Duty military members and Veterans can often take advantage of reduced prices making this the perfect adventure for those wanting to get outdoors Make it a weekend trip by combining your visit with a stop by nearby Luray Caverns and a tasting at a local Virginia vineyard Croaker VA When Presidents Park in Williamsburg Virginia went into foreclosure no one knew what to do with the 43 twenty foot tall busts of our nation s leaders that had been part of the park s open air exhibit Local man Howard Hankins took them to his farm where they now sit ready for exploration The eerie feel of the giant weathered statues makes the perfect backdrop for photos While this is not an official tourist attraction Brie loves to explore really cool unique things and this sculpture graveyard is exactly that Town Point Virginia Wine Festival Festivals and special events are a great way to get to know what s in your area Every spring over 200 vendors set up tents in Norfolk Virginia s Town Point Park Guests can sample the best wine and foods from all over Virginia and the east coast Brie recommends choosing a few vendors to check out after the Festival This is how she ended up kayaking on Virginia s Eastern Shore culminating in a tasting and behind the scenes tour at Chatham Vineyards Washington DC There is so much to see and do in our nation s capital Brie likes to start with a run on the National Mall to see the monuments She also recommends Restaurant Week when diners can try the city s most exclusive restaurants on their fixed price menu Take advantage of last minute bookings to save some money on a hotel and you will quickly be enjoying a fun filled weekend without breaking your budget A P R I L 2 0 2 0 AT E A S E 27

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What s next for this intrepid Marine explorer After reaching her goal to see all seven Wonders of the World before the age of 25 Brie has now set her sights on visiting all seven continents before she turns 30 She loves to share tips with other travel enthusiasts on her blog and Instagram She s worked with travel companies to reach a bigger audience and would love to continue showing the world that an adventurous lifestyle is possible for everyone I just need Antarctica she laughs While there she plans to climb Mount Vinson She has been training for the trek and has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa and Mount Elbrus in Russia If you stick with it you ll finish it she says of climbing higher and higher peaks From seeing the Northern Lights in Tromso Norway to enjoying a rooftop meal amid hot air balloons floating in Cappadocia Turkey Brie Burgett makes the military lifestyle travel friendly Whether she is building things as a Combat Engineer or sharing her latest trip insights at The Brie Adventures you can find your inspiration from her stunning photos and amazing tips Taking that first step doing that first trip is the best thing you can do she says You ll find out it s the most incredible experience 28 AT E A S E A P R I L 2 0 2 0

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are he expectations AE What for 2020 and beyond Comcast Beyond hiring we continue to look towards delivering opportunities for the military community to connect whether it s through our accessibility features aiding disabled veteran customers or with other special Xfinity and Universal Parks offers for service members and their families It s also been reported that Comcast has a nine person team to support your effort of military connected employees AE Can you explain how this team works Comcast Carol Eggert retired Brigadier General The team is led by Brigadier General Ret Carol Eggert who is located in Philadelphia at Comcast Headquarters They provide strategic leadership to all aspects of the core programs we support These include recruiting hiring and building talent at all levels of the organization AE Are most of the roles involved with Comcast core business such as service center call center etc or are you also employing veterans in the creative arts of your business like web design UX and video technicians Comcast Running a company like Comcast NBCUniversal takes a wide array of experiences talents and professional and technical skills We have military community employees at all levels and functions from senior executives leading large divisions to field technicians delivering our products and services to individual customers Like our company the military utilizes hundreds of different types of jobs to function effectively That s why we have dedicated teams of talent acquisition professionals who understand military 32 AT E A S E A P R I L 2 0 2 0 resumes and who will aid military talent in finding the right job opportunity at our company The right fit for a veteran is a company that recognizes their unique talents and fosters an environment where they can grow in their professional careers and be appreciated

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AE What s your advice to military members who may be getting ready to retire and start their second chapters if they want to work for Comcast Should they specifically mention this program or will they be noticed when they fill in your employment application Comcast Comcast NBCUniversal wants members of the military community to know that our company isn t just military friendly we re military ready We understand the experiences and backgrounds that come with our military connected employees and our commitment goes beyond hiring We are focused on the long term success of our military community employees and we help foster their personal and professional growth as they transition from the military to our company When a member of the military community applies to a job at Comcast he or she is able to identify as a veteran military spouse or a member of the National Guard or Reserve on the application Once they are hired we have a number of ways we help transitioning service members whether it s a retired veteran or someone still serving in the National Guard or Reserve One way is through the Veterans Network a company wide employee resource group dedicated to military community employees and The company really goes the extra mile to support those of us continuing to serve in the National Guard and reserve As a drilling reserve soldier Comcast NBCUniversal provides me 15 additional PTO days to attend military obligations and training which is incredibly helpful in allowing me to balance my civilian and military careers 34 AT E A S E A P R I L 2 0 2 0 supporters With nearly 8 500 members and counting chapters throughout the company organize professional development workshops mentorship programs and networking events that focus on the long term success of our military employees In addition Comcast NBCUniversal offers a unique suite of benefits and resources managed by a dedicated concierge team for employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve We also provide support and resources for our military spouses to ease the demands of frequent relocations We want the employees who continue to serve as well as their families to know that we understand their unique circumstances The best way to learn more about Comcast opportunities is through the company s Talent Acquisition site https jobs comcast com programs military Sean Casey Director U S Army veteran

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new season new home For all active and retired military teachers re ghters police paramedic and medical professionals we re o ering you 3 000 to use as you choose when you purchase a new Dream Finders Homes MARYLAN MARYLAND 1 TUSCARORA CREEK Single Family Homes from the Mid 300s 1218 Lawler Drive Frederick MD 21702 BLUE RIDGE ESTATES Single Family Homes from the Mid 600s 600W K Street Purcellville VA 20132 1 70 NORTHERN VIRGINIA 5 Yellow Springs 40 NORTHERN VIRGINI 27 15 MA RYL AND VIR GIN IA 97 40 2 Frederick Liberty Reseroir Woodville 70 27 15 355 340 340 70 3 Brunswick Urbana 15 340 27 70 270 7 Purcelville 11049 Blackburn Cove Manassas VA 20109 rry 28 le rd 190 y ay Dulles International Airport 50 Hw s G re 267 m 28 ac 7 Silver Spring 267 190 1 Washington Fairfax Centreville Centrev ille Ce ntreviille 7 29 234 7 Annandale A Annan An nandale nan dale dale Annand 28 495 295 66 50 66 50 50 66 50 50 495 15 66 1 495 650 R iv er 193 695 Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport 4 395 295 1 Alexandria Alexandria 495 5 495 Bullll Run Bu Ru t CONTACT US TODAY 495 286 66 95 97 By Let us find your dream home TODAY 888 208 7665 OnlineInquiry DreamFindersHomes com DREAMFINDERSHOMES COM O er available on DreamFinders Homes that sell by 4 30 2020 Cannot be combinedwith any other incentives All prices o ers and availability are subject to changewithout notice Please see a new homes sales associate for full details 2020DreamFinders Homes LLC MHBR7985 95 611 NIA 7 29 270 Ha 267 Mercer 95 200 4 355 VIRGINIA 15 50 Rockville 112 MARYLAND 7 to BLACKBURN TOWNHOMES Townhomes from the Low 400s 6 29 200 Pot om a Po GLENMONT METROCENTRE Townhomes from the High 400s Leesburg Wheaton Glenmont Poolesvile w en 42956WildWillowWay Leesburg VA 20175 103 Klee Alley Silver Spring MD 20906 15 7 Single Family Homes from the High 600s 8728 Shady Pines Drive Frederick MD 21704 Dayton New Ha mp s 650 5 l Du 4 VILLAGES OF URBANA Single Family Homes from the High 400s 270 r ive cR 3 42939 Running Creek Square Leesburg VA 20175 29 650 355 AND 8408 Pine Blu Road Frederick MD 21704 WOODLANDS AT GOOSE CREEK Townhomes from the Low 500s ax PkwC o u n ty y 6 ve eA hir TALLYN RIDGE Townhomes from the Low 300s 97 Fair f 2 MA RYL AN VIR D GIN IA 210 5

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VETERAN S CORNER 2020 Expanded Veteran Benefits Story by Reen Waterman Photos oourtesy of Charleston AFB One of the unique benefits afforded to those in uniform is access to the Commissary and Post Exchange PX system with 10 20 savings and no sales tax Having served on Active Duty in the early 1980s on the island of Oahu I fondly recall the experience of shopping at the Commissaries and PXs at Schofield Barracks and the surrounding military bases I was overjoyed to learn that as of January 1 2020 the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs have dramatically expanded PX Commissary and Morale Welfare Recreation MWR facilities both in person and online privileges to an additional 4 000 000 veterans Department of Defense civilian employees are not included in this expanded access Former Army officer Tom Shull is the first civilian CEO of the Army and Air Force Exchange with over 4 000 locations in 30 countries In an article by Michelle Schneider on www army mil Shull explained the extension of shopping and recreation privileges saying It is an honor to welcome these heroes to their Exchange They fought for us They sacrificed for us They deserve this benefit It is truly a privilege to serve them once again These new members will now also have access to all DoD and Coast Guard MWR retail activities that include entertainment special interest activities clubs recreational resorts and lodging golf bowling restaurants marinas movie theatres AmericanForcesTravel com and more This is quite a boon to our veterans and their families This has not been an easy process Over the past year the Department of Defense Veterans Administration Homeland Security and U S Treasury have all been cooperating to transform this vision into a reality Expanding services from over 3 000 000 current members to over 7 000 000 total members has been a gargantuan task Until January 1 2020 active duty and retired service members and their dependents Medal of Honor Recipients and veterans with a 100 service related disability have been the only people allowed access These people will maintain their access and will only be required to show their DoD identification So who are the new customers and how do they gain access I asked myself when I heard of this amazing opportunity As of January 1 2020 these benefits are now extended to veterans who are Purple Heart recipients former Prisoners of War and those with 0 90 service related disability ratings As a partially disabled vet myself I am pleased with this new access Even more astounding for our veterans another category of person is now allowed access to these facilities family caregivers Individuals who have been approved as primary family caregivers of eligible veterans under the auspices of the Department of Veterans Affairs Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers PCAFC can also access commissaries exchanges and MWR facilities 36 AT E A S E A P R I L 2 0 2 0

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However only seriously injured service members injured in the line of duty from Sept 11 2001 onward are currently eligible for this access But there is more good news the VA will be expanding eligibility for the PCAFC beginning this summer The VA s Office of Community Care will send those individuals who are approved as caregivers for eligible veterans an eligibility letter Should you be the family primary caregiver under the PFAFC and lose your letter you can call 1 877 733 7927 and request a replacement Because of the expansion of commissary access to veterans there will be additional charges to make this viable Under the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act there will be a standard 5 surcharge for commissary purchases plus a 1 9 fee for credit cards and 0 5 fee for debit cards To make purchases veterans must present their VHIC card at the point of sale at the commissary exchange or MVR center To avoid the credit debit card fees pay with cash check or Military Star card apply online at www myecp com Eligible veterans must access military installations by the main post entry and present a Veteran Health Identification Card VHIC that displays Purple Heart Former POW or Service Connected below the photograph on the front of the card A Veteran Identification Card will not be accepted If you do not qualify for a VHIC due to a non compensable service connected condition with a 0 rating you must contact the VA for form H623A VA Health Eligibility Center form This form will indicate your placement in the VA health care Priority Group 8E This is a temporary fix until the VA and DoD can develop a long term solution for these individuals Veterans who can t locate their H623A letter can contact the VA at 1 877 222 8387 Presenting this form along with an acceptable credential such as a REAL ID compliant driver s license or U S passport will enable you to gain access Once on base the next place you must stop is the base Visitor s Center This process can take a little while so bring a book or magazine to read while you wait Please be patient and try to understand that the staff at these facilities are doing their best to expedite this new process Veterans must present their VHIC card and a REAL ID Card or passport Before being entered into the system potential new members must pass a background check when they apply to access the system Should a veteran have a derogatory background that includes warrants arrests or convictions access will be denied The same process applies for approved caregivers and spouses Once entered in the system and approved veterans can access their local facility on a recurring basis without this check in The same may hold true for spouses but it is best to check in on each visit At the current time this access is not Department of Defense wide so you must apply at each facility you wish to access Facilities in foreign locations may not have the same access as in the U S For information on access Army and Air Force Exchange Service https www shopmyexchange com vets Coast Guard Exchange https shopCGX com Defense Commissary Agency https www commissaries com Navy Exchange https www mynavyexchange com Marine Corps Exchange http www mymcx com MILITARY STAR Card https www myecp com American Forces Travel https www americanforcestravel com As a military veteran access these benefits and know your service is acknowledged and appreciated today A P R I L 2 0 2 0 AT E A S E 37

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NA S PAT U X E N T R I V E R Brothers Mission reaches out to local working poor homeless In all about 5 000 people came through the door at The Mission in 2019 Families and individuals in need are always welcome its founders say Story by Donna Cipolloni Photos courtesy of Brother s Mission 38 H elping the community one person at a time is the motto of the The Mission a local faith based nonprofit 501c3 outreach founded by twin brothers Robert and Richard Myers both contract specialists working with the NAVAIR Procurement Group and their friend Mark Aldridge The Mission located at 21015 Great Mills Road in Lexington Park serves the working poor those who hold jobs but don t make enough money to afford housing the situational homeless where something unfortunate has caused a job loss those with mental health issues who cannot work and those with drug or alcohol addiction problems AT E A S E A P R I L 2 0 2 0

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People might not realize it but there are a lot of homeless here said Robert the spiritual facilitator better known around The Mission as Pastor Rob You see them walking the streets and you can see the tents in the woods We saw a need that wasn t being met or could be further helped so we decided to do something about it Multiple services for those most in need This year alone nearly 5 000 people passed through the doors of The Mission now decorated for the holidays with a lit Christmas tree and wreaths We want this to be a refuge where people can come and know they re loved Robert said We don t want it to feel like an institution we want it to feel more like a home They can play pool and hang out during the day because they have nowhere else to go added Richard the executive director whose primary job is soliciting the support from the community that keeps the doors open We re busier in winter because they ll come out of the woods more so than in summer Although not a soup kitchen The Mission does occasionally serve food Usually on Tuesdays we have people come in and bring sandwiches and on Wednesdays a couple comes in with a wonderful meal Robert said And we recently served more than 150 people for Thanksgiving dinner Services on site include a food pantry clothing outreach and transportation For those individuals who get jobs but don t have a car the brothers will provide them with a bike to get to work If someone wants to work at McDonald s for example they will buy them the clothing and shoes they need They gave out 50 tents and sleeping bags this year and have a small van to help transport people to jobs medical appointments or group sessions They even offer hot showers the only facility in the area to do so If they have a job but are homeless they need a place to shower in the morning and get coffee Robert noted Anyone can come in and get a hot shower We provide towels toiletries and even a new pair of socks The Mission will also serve as an emergency shelter in times of extreme weather conditions that might endanger the lives of the homeless When it s very cold we ll stay open 72 straight hours so they can just stay here he added totally relate to those in need because we were once there ourselves The Myers both Marine Corps veterans opened The Mission in April 2013 leasing and rehabbing a storefront property that had once been a bar and turning it in to a welcoming day center Whoever came in the door whatever their need was we tried to facilitate that Robert noted And that s how we figured out what was needed and what we could help with The first three years were a struggle The brothers asked for no money from anyone paying for everything out of their own pockets We believed if we weren t willing to open our own wallets then we weren t really invested Robert said After three years the work got larger and larger and we couldn t do it on our own In late 2016 with less than 300 in The Mission bank account the brothers began to solicit donations and by 2018 The Mission was entirely privately funded We are 100 funded by personal donations and are committed to transparency our books are open to anyone who wants to see where donated funds go said Richard We are staffed by volunteers and have only one paid employee Humble beginnings The brothers grew up in humble circumstances said Robert recalling their youth when black trash bags full of clothing or food would be delivered to their home by church groups and organizations We understand what it s like to have a car be repossessed or to have the electric go out he said We can Volunteers serve Thanksgiving dinner at The Mission a local nonprofit founded by brothers Robert and Richard Myers contract specialists with NAVAIR Procurement Group 2 0 at NAS Patuxent River The Mission s purpose is to provide help and assistance for those in need A P R I L 2 0 2 0 AT E A S E 39

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SUBMITTED PHOTO Richard Myers rests his hand on the shoulder of his twin brother Robert front row blue shirt in this group shot showing the people who keep The Mission running smoothly With only one paid employee volunteers handle much of the workload and chores Working closely with Social Services That paid employee is Jean Harmon who has a degree in social work and about 25 years in the business including experience running a teen shelter and a group home for runaway girls She holds several certificates in the mental health field and as the brothers will attest knows all the resources available and the inner workings of the agencies they work with about 20 of them Harmon is a member of the county s Homeless Prevention Board and Interdisciplinary Team partnering with the various agencies to get people the services they need or get them into a group home or housing To expedite assistance some agencies even send representatives directly to The Mission Right now I have five different agencies who send workers here to do initial intakes job coaching and mental health services Harmon said Several people needed a doctor or needed to change insurances and they were taken care of right here 40 AT E A S E A P R I L 2 0 2 0 A few years ago St Mary s County Social Services reached out to The Mission to develop a budget class because a large number of people were coming to the county for emergency funding The idea was to teach them how to handle what little money they have so there would be fewer instances where they d need emergency funding Richard explained We developed the class and got it approved by the county who then took it to the state who made it mandatory Now in this county anyone asking for emergency funding must first take our class before getting funding There is also basic computer training available and assistance from tech savvy volunteers who help people fill out online job applications or communicate with family via social media often the only method by which they re able to stay in touch Relying on the kindness of others Donations and contributions are a major component in the success of The Mission which spent nearly 9 000 in 2019 on just paper products and coffee This year the brothers coworkers at NAVAIR chose their facility to support

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The Intern Council for the Procurement Group at NAVAIR selected a charity to support last year in Calvert county and this year the group supported The Mission in Saint Mary s county said Carlee Gittings one of the of lead event planners for the Intern Council Accepting donations in support of the less fortunate the group contributed more than six boxes of food items coats and blankets to include a monetary contribution We ve been fortunate to not have to buy food this year because people gave it to us Richard said We served about 800 families from our food pantry The brothers are currently rehabbing three small buildings on Great Mills Road that were gifted to them and they re planning to use them to house 12 men and 12 women year round It will not just be a homeless shelter Robert noted The people in it will be required to take job training because there has to be the goal of getting people off assistance not just providing assistance lifelong Open every day of the year The Mission is open 365 days a year with regular winter hours from 8 a m to 2 p m Monday through Friday 8 am to 1 p m Saturday and 8 a m to noon Sunday Each Sunday breakfast is served followed by a religious service The Mission strives to establish relationships start conversations and encourage people to take advantage of the services that can help them improve their own lives The Myers say they know they are blessed to be working in good jobs and live by the saying When much is given much is required It s important for those of us who work at NAS Patuxent River to be out in the community doing our part said Robert who will be retiring soon to work at The Mission fulltime As a minister I always felt we should do something For more information about The Mission visit seekingshelter com or contact Richard Myers at richard seekingshelter com or 562 822 8752 THIS IS YOUR BIG BREAK Call now for your limited time Welcome Home specials And start living your best worry free life Inspired purposeful living Daily programs classes and events Impressive bistro style restaurant Indoor heated pool outdoor putting green Home to commissioned officers and their families NOW G OMIN C L E W evel high l kers l wor federa 14 GS Knollwood resident COL Soriano Ret KnollwoodCommunity org 202 870 5206 Surrounded by Rock Creek Park 6200 Oregon Avenue NW Washington DC 20015 A P R I L 2 0 2 0 AT E A S E 41

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COMING UP Next month At Ease pauses to remember our history from old stories to decorated veterans We will observe Memorial Day with stories from the past Pictured to the left is Medal of Honor recipient and Marine Hershel Woody Williams The photo comes from the American Battlefield Trust which is dedicated to preserving America s hallowed battlegrounds and educating the public about what happened there and why it matters The photo specifically comes from a series this nonprofit is doing called Warrior Legacy where veterans will walk down the same paths that their forefathers took during battles associated with the Revolutionary War War of 1812 and the Civil War The full story will run in our next edition Photo by William Hereford Nation s Gun Show April 24 25 26 APR 17 18 19 MONTGOMERY CO FAIRGROUNDS GAITHERSBURG MD EXIT 11 OFF I 270 3 D AY S O N LY Dulles Expo Center Chantilly VA 1 300 Tables Buy Sale Trade Largest Gun Show in Virginia Over 2 Miles of Guns Knives Accessories Admission Coupons at TheNationsGunShow com BUY TI CKETS w w w S u g a r l o a f C r a f t s c o m 8 O N L I N E 1 0 AT TH E GATE KI D S 1 2 U N D E R F RE E 42 AT E A S E A P R I L 2 0 2 0 Presented by Showmasters Gun Shows 540 951 1344 540 951 2344 ShowmastersGunShows com

At Ease April 2020

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