Veterans Multi-Service Center’s Post

One thing that was never planned with the organization is the benefits that happened for our Ambassadors. I'm always asked about our incredible female Veteran Ambassadors in interviews, and I came up with an acronym about why I think they derive joy and positivity from their involvement! P.I.C. Purpose, Identity, and Camaraderie. Purpose: First off, I have seen that when Veterans leave the military, often they lose their purpose. They are so used to being on a team, and working everyday towards a common mission. Not all Veterans, but some can feel a bit lost after getting out. Doing "service after service" to continue to support their brothers and sisters in arms can provide the sense of purpose again. We ALL need purpose to lead fulfilling lives. Pin-Ups For Vets gives me purpose as it does with our Ambassadors. A purpose which is trying to make the world a little better for our Veterans. Identity: I have been working with female Veterans for many years. I can see how much they LOVE getting dressed up and getting to express their feminine side, after having to put that on the back burner while being in a male-dominated service. Doing this can help them to reclaim a portion of their identity they may have had to conceal to survive in the military. It's a fun way for them to embrace their softer side and tap into that part of their identity. Camaraderie: Something that makes me SO incredibly happy is to see this sisterhood of support that has happened with our Ambassadors. They have become such a tight-knit group. They are there for each other and they love hanging out together. I think being a part of Pin-Ups For Vets may mirror the camaraderie they had with their team in the military! They find that common connection between them- being a Veteran, and serving their fellow Veterans. It's a way to form similar bonds, the way they did in the military. Just some thoughts. I did a podcast tonight and I was talking about these amazing ladies who inspire me everyday!

This week, Navy Veteran Melissa A. Washington joins Duane France to discuss the Women Veterans Alliance (WVA), an organization focused on improving the well-being of women veterans. The alliance's mission is to grow the global community of women veterans by hosting conferences and community events worldwide. Even outside the conference room, WVA is reaching out to its audience with the first publication of The Women Veterans Magazine, dedicated to providing its readers with local and national resources and addressing issues affecting women Veterans. Additionally, the nonprofit arm of WVA, Women Veterans Giving, has awarded $20,000 to women veteran-owned businesses. 👉 Listen in to learn more about: 1️⃣ Melissa's service story: beginning with 3 years of active duty in the Navy, five years in the reserve, and over 20 years as an active duty Marine Corps spouse. Melissa spent 4 years at LinkedIn managing global events before founding WVA, where she has served as the CEO for the past 9 years. 2️⃣ The Women Veterans Alliance's emphasis on servant leadership and WVA encourages all women veterans to give back through this organization as much as they gain by sharing their industry expertise and diverse life experiences within their community. 3️⃣ The Unconference for Women, a conference created to empower women Veterans that uniquely also provides childcare support. 4️⃣ Ways you can support the Women Veterans Alliance, provide funding for women veteran-owned businesses, offer valuable career support for women veterans, and provide resources to help them successfully integrate into civilian life. Full episode available here: https://lnkd.in/gTeQFMWK #servantleadership #WomenVeteransAlliance #podcast #podcasting #veteranstories 

Today, we roll out the red carpet for our incredible senior veterans! These remarkable individuals have dedicated their lives to serving our country, and their bravery and sacrifices have shaped our freedom. To make this a memorable one, let’s celebrate their legacy and show our appreciation in meaningful ways. Here are some ideas to get you started: First up, how about hosting a vibrant parade? Organizing a parade in their honor, complete with music, flags, and plenty of cheering from the community, will not only recognize their sacrifices but also spread joy and pride among everyone involved. Another great idea is to plan a heartfelt luncheon. Gathering veterans for a cozy meal allows them to share stories, enjoy good food, and connect with one another. This is a fantastic opportunity to foster camaraderie and show appreciation for everything they have done. A simple yet powerful gesture is to write heartfelt letters. Taking the time to express gratitude through handwritten notes can mean the world to our veterans. Letting them know how their service has inspired you and the community can create a lasting impact. Spending quality time with our senior veterans can also bring immense joy. Scheduling visits to sit down for coffee and listen to their stories is a meaningful way to connect. Your genuine interest can brighten their day and make them feel valued. Creating thoughtful gift baskets is another lovely way to show you care. Putting together baskets filled with their favorite snacks or items that cater to their interests is a thoughtful touch that can bring a smile to their faces. Let’s not forget to involve younger generations in this celebration. Encouraging kids to interview veterans for school projects or holding essay contests that reflect on their contributions helps honor the veterans while fostering intergenerational connections. Lastly, supporting local veteran resources is crucial. Connecting with Veterans Affairs offices or mental health services can help those in need. Volunteering at community centers or organizing fundraising events can also make a significant impact and show our commitment to their well-being. Let’s come together to make this Veterans Day a heartfelt celebration of gratitude, respect, and love for those who have given so much for our freedom! 🇺🇸. Let us know how it goes! #veterans #assistedliving #seniorliving

Gratitude. Coming from a military family—both my granddads flew in WWII, and my dad had two tours in Vietnam—Veterans Day has always been a day to express gratitude. We give thanks for two generations getting home safe. Thanks for the sacrifice all service members make. And thanks for everything that their sacrifice has made possible.    But as important as it is to give thanks on Veterans Day, I often wonder… is it enough? What if instead of only honoring our veterans, we doubled down on hiring them, too?    My family connection to the military is one reason I’ve made it a personal priority at McKinsey to help us recruit more veterans… but it’s not the only reason. Returning service members are some of the most skilled people on the planet. They are resilient. Humble. Equally ready to work as part of a team or to lead one. In short, they tend to be exactly the kind of people any organization would love to hire.    You don’t have to look far to see the impact veterans at our firm have made. Members of Veterans at McKinsey—a community committed to attracting and retaining veterans and more—are leading our work with the U.S. federal government, driving our insights on the hydrogen economy, and working with clients in nearly every industry around the world. (Meet more of them and read about their impact here: https://lnkd.in/gZgjyBJq)   We want other organizations to have similar successes. That’s why we offer veterans our support through our SkillBridge program, which helps transition military members from active duty to internships in the private sector, and through our pro-bono support for more than 20 veteran non-profits. One of those non-profits is Hire Heroes USA, which our colleagues recently helped grow through digitizing donor outreach and more: https://lnkd.in/gKCK6ixU   Hiring veterans and supporting these non-profits is not just the right thing to do—it’s the smart thing to do, too. Our research shows that unleashing the value of veterans’ work experience is a potentially $15 billion economic opportunity for the U.S. economy over the next decade: https://lnkd.in/guCm8duR   So, let’s do more. Let’s thank our veterans—then let’s hire them, too. I can tell you from experience that you won’t regret it. To the veterans reading… thank you. We’re waiting to hear from you: https://lnkd.in/gCaWwDbn

https://lnkd.in/gqwJ6jjF is a #transformative #online #platform #dedicated to supporting our nation’s veterans. Designed to connect veterans with #vitalresources and a #thrivingcommunity, the website now includes veteran-specific meetings to #foster #camaraderie, #support, and #growth. Key features include: Service Directory: A comprehensive list of organizations offering assistance with healthcare, housing, employment, and mental health. Veteran Meetings: Regularly scheduled gatherings, both online and in-person, providing a safe space for veterans to connect, share experiences, and build meaningful relationships. Fundraising Highlights: A platform for organizations to promote their initiatives and gain support for their missions. Networking Opportunities: Events and discussions designed to strengthen connections within the veteran community. Community Involvement: Encouraging the public to contribute by submitting names of impactful organizations and groups to be included in the directory. Whether you're #seeking #support, offering #services, or looking to make a #difference, The Warriors Beacon of Hope is here to #guide and #uplift #veterans at every #stage of their #journey. Together, we can create a #brighter #future for those who have #bravely served our #nation.

It is unfortunate and unacceptable when individuals, particularly those who have not served in the military, attempt to minimize or explain away the experiences of veterans, especially women combat-disabled veterans who have served their country. This behavior can be attributed to several factors: 1. **Lack of Understanding**: Non-veterans may lack a comprehensive understanding of the military experience, especially the challenges and sacrifices faced by women in the armed forces. This lack of understanding can lead to dismissive or condescending attitudes towards veterans' experiences. 2. **Unconscious Bias**: Some individuals may hold unconscious biases or stereotypes about veterans, particularly women veterans, which can influence how they perceive and interact with them. These biases can lead to invalidating or minimizing their experiences. 3. **Gender Dynamics**: Gender dynamics and societal norms can play a role in how individuals, particularly men, interact with and perceive women veterans. Some may feel the need to assert their authority or expertise in discussions related to military service, even when they lack firsthand experience. 4. **Mansplaining**: Mansplaining, which involves a man explaining something to a woman in a patronizing or condescending manner, can occur in various contexts, including discussions about military service. In this case, non-veteran men may incorrectly assume they understand the veteran experience better than women veterans themselves. 5. **Overconfidence**: Some individuals may exhibit overconfidence or a sense of entitlement in asserting their opinions, even in areas where they lack expertise or firsthand experience. This overconfidence can lead to dismissive or invalidating behavior towards others' experiences. 6. **Insecurity**: In some cases, individuals may feel insecure or threatened by the accomplishments and experiences of others, leading them to diminish or downplay those experiences in an attempt to assert their own importance or knowledge. It is important to challenge and address these behaviors when they occur, and to promote a culture of respect, understanding, and empathy towards veterans, especially women combat-disabled veterans who have served their country with honor and distinction. By fostering open dialogue, promoting education and awareness about veterans' experiences, and advocating for inclusivity and diversity, we can work towards creating a more equitable and supportive environment for all individuals, regardless of their background or experiences.

Are you a female veteran? If you have ever served, whether for one day or 22+ years, we would love to hear from you. Are you a service provider, employer or charity that work with female veterans? Please head over to our website (https://lnkd.in/edDhQ8mN) and complete the relevant questionnaire to help us identify the key themes that will shape the conversations at our focus groups this summer. You are the experts on service provision for female veterans and we can't do this without your voices. Beyond the demographic questions, there are just 4-5 freetext questions on either questionnaire so it should only take 10-15 minutes to complete. We want to find out: 'What does 'good' look like for female veterans services?'. 📝 If you are a female veteran and also work providing services to female veterans, employ female veterans or work in a charity working with veterans then please complete both questionnaires. 📝 If you are part of an organisation that does not identify as veteran-facing but nonetheless may have female veterans as employees or clients please complete our questionnaire also as we would love to hear from you too.

Today we honor the brave men and women who have served our country. Your sacrifices and dedication make our freedom possible. Let’s take a moment to reflect on their courage and commitment. Happy Veterans Day! 🇺🇸 nextMEDIA Driving Business to Your Business . . . #nextmedia #nextmediadigital #digitalmarketing #digitalmarketingmiami #digitalmarketingagency #digitalmarketingtips #digitalmarketingstrategy #digitalmarketingservices #digitalmarketingtip #digitalmarketing2024 #veteransday #veteransday2024

Today we honor the brave men and women who have served our country. Your sacrifices and dedication make our freedom possible. Let’s take a moment to reflect on their courage and commitment. Happy Veterans Day! 🇺🇸 nextMEDIA Driving Business to Your Business . . . #nextmedia #nextmediadigital #digitalmarketing #digitalmarketingmiami #digitalmarketingagency #digitalmarketingtips #digitalmarketingstrategy #digitalmarketingservices #digitalmarketingtip #digitalmarketing2024 #veteransday #veteransday2024

That's right... it's ATLVets birthday!! After getting off active duty and moving back to Atlanta in 2021, I began laying the foundation for what you now see at Advancing The Line for Veterans! At the time, I had no idea this is what I was building. I wanted to support entrepreneurs and business owners and it went well. Then a veteran kicked me in the butt one day and said veterans needed the level of help our community was providing. After some great advice, mentoring and coaching, we are making amazing headway in areas I never thought we would. We are setting the standard for high achieving veterans that want to keep achieving at the level they did in the military. We aren't for every veteran, we're for the ones taking action. And not just veterans! We love supporting our veteran family members, spouses, parents, children. Our doors are open to every veteran supporter that also wants to achieve at a high level! We've had some big big events, 4-star military leaders, 3day business conferences, personal and professional development retreats, and our flagship program, VetOPS - Veterans Optimizing Professional Success. So how are we celebrating? We are launching a campaign to fight 22 a day. We all know the phrase and the statistics... I think the biggest problem in fighting 22 a day is that we too often given veterans a fish and don't teach them how to fish. We are changing that. BUT... We need your help. In order to fight the 22 a day, I'm asking that you donate $22 a month. A small amount that will be the perfect ammunition for us to keep fighting. Are you in? Check the comments for the direct link. #veteransupport #22aday