After spending time in a combat zone you will certainly need some time to relax and unwind. One program designed to do just that is the Outward Bound Wilderness Excursions for OEF/OIF Veterans. Outward Bound is an international non-profit outdoor education program which is offering fully funded outdoor adventure excursions to all OEF/OIF veterans. It doesn't matter what your current military status is (active, inactive, discharged, retired) - you're eligible to attend as long as you deployed in support of OEF/OIF combat operations while in the military.
These five-day excursions offer adventure activities such as backpacking, rock climbing, canyoneering, canoeing, and dog sledding in beautiful wilderness areas in Maine, Texas, Colorado, California, and Minnesota.
All expedition costs for lodging, equipment, food, and instruction are completely funded by a milt-million dollar Sierra Club grant, including the participants' round-trip transportation between home and the wilderness site.
That is right, these excursions are offered at no cost to the participant! In my book I talk about other great programs that are offered free to veterans.
For more information pertaining to the Outward Bound OEF/OIF War Veterans Expeditions check out their website at www.outwardboundwilderness.org/veterans/html
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Voting While Deployed
It occurred to me during the presidential campaign of 2008 that I am witnessing history in the making. For the first time in American presidential politics all the major candidates are Senators. For the first time in the history of American politics an African American and a former prisoner of war (POW) all have a real and viable chance of being elected President of the most power country in the world, The United States of America.
Yes-siry this is a very exciting time for me indeed! After all, I have always been a political conesore. In December of 2007, I completed an extensive certification training program and was certified by the Department of Defense Federal Voting Assistance Program as a Voting Assistance Officer (VAO). As a VAO, I am responsible for providing accurate, non-partisan voting information and assistance to service members and others attempting to exercise their Constitutional right to vote.
Voting is more then just a constitutional right but it is also a privilege that should not be taken for granted. Many have fought and died to give individuals around the world the opportunity to take part in democracy. Voting is the great equalizer. Your vote matters and your vote counts! It matters not how much money you have, your position in society or your birth lineage, all votes count the same.
For example, the President’s vote carries the same weight as the homeless town bum living on the street. Bill Gates’ vote carries the same weight as the single mother on welfare with 5 children to feed. That is the beauty of our electoral system in America. While you are deployed, you should not give up your right, your duty to vote. You should and must vote!
You may be asking yourself how I can vote when I am deployed and serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait or anywhere outside of the United States for that matter? The answer is simple. Obtain an absentee ballot. With an absentee ballot you will be able to write in your candidate of choice and have your vote counted as though you never left the comforts of home. It is important to contact your individual state for greater details on the voting process as every state has their own election roles. A good starting point to get information may be found at http://www.fvap.gov/index.html
Yes-siry this is a very exciting time for me indeed! After all, I have always been a political conesore. In December of 2007, I completed an extensive certification training program and was certified by the Department of Defense Federal Voting Assistance Program as a Voting Assistance Officer (VAO). As a VAO, I am responsible for providing accurate, non-partisan voting information and assistance to service members and others attempting to exercise their Constitutional right to vote.
Voting is more then just a constitutional right but it is also a privilege that should not be taken for granted. Many have fought and died to give individuals around the world the opportunity to take part in democracy. Voting is the great equalizer. Your vote matters and your vote counts! It matters not how much money you have, your position in society or your birth lineage, all votes count the same.
For example, the President’s vote carries the same weight as the homeless town bum living on the street. Bill Gates’ vote carries the same weight as the single mother on welfare with 5 children to feed. That is the beauty of our electoral system in America. While you are deployed, you should not give up your right, your duty to vote. You should and must vote!
You may be asking yourself how I can vote when I am deployed and serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait or anywhere outside of the United States for that matter? The answer is simple. Obtain an absentee ballot. With an absentee ballot you will be able to write in your candidate of choice and have your vote counted as though you never left the comforts of home. It is important to contact your individual state for greater details on the voting process as every state has their own election roles. A good starting point to get information may be found at http://www.fvap.gov/index.html
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
USO
The Unit
Dennis Haysbert (24 and Allstate Commercials)
Michael Irby
Max Martini
Robert Patrick (Terminator and other great movies)
Me and actress Scarlett Johansson
Pro Golfers in the Photo:
Tom Lehman
Butch Harmon
David Feherty
Tom Mengesha :)
Tom Watson
Joe Inman
Howard Twitty
Me and Cheryl Underwood (Comedian)
Me and Tom WatsonThe United Services Organization or USO is known as a service members home away from home. During my travels both as a deployed service member on active duty and as a part time Army Reservist, I have found the USO to be an Oasis of calm in the middle of my hectic travels.
According to the USO’s own website, “the USO is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to support the troops by providing morale, welfare and recreation-type services to our men and women in uniform. The original intent of Congress — and enduring style of USO delivery — is to represent the American people by extending a touch of home to the military. The USO currently operates more than 130 centers worldwide, including ten mobile canteens located in the continental United States and overseas. Overseas centers are located in Germany, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Qatar, Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan, Guam, and Kuwait. Service members and their families visit USO centers more than 5.3 million times each year. The USO is the way the American public supports the troops.”
During my combat deployment I worked closely with the USO in Kuwait. Among the entertainers and celebrities that visited soldiers included world-renowned golfers such as Tom Watson and Butch Harmen as well as movie stars Scarlett Johansson and actors from the Unit, The Terminator and the hit TV show 24.
Additionally there are USOs throughout the country that serve as rest stops for service members at airports around the country. While returning from my two-year combat deployment, I stayed over night at the USO located at the Chicago airport and was treated like royalty. Most important it did not cost me a dime. I was also provided with more food then I could eat, a phone card to make phone calls, use of a computer, gym and television.
For more information about the USO check out there website at www.uso.org
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
President Bush signs bill that included a pay raise for U.S. troops!
Today President Bush signed a bill that does among other things give a pay raise to our service members! The increase is said to be 3.9%.
It also appears that more founding is on its way for service members deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan along with tighter restrictions for all those contractors out there.
It also appears that more founding is on its way for service members deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan along with tighter restrictions for all those contractors out there.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR)
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve or ESGR is a Department of Defense agency with its stated goal to promote a culture in which all American employers support and value the military service of their employees. This organization recognizes outstanding employer support as well as seeks to increase awareness of the law, and resolve conflicts through mediation. ESGR has three main goals. They are to Inform, Recognize and Mediate.
Informing is accomplished by establishing face to face briefings with the service member, their employer and their unit. The term "Bosslifts" came about from this processes. This gives your employer a first hand experience of the service member's experience of military life. Additional information is provided to the employer such as leave of absence templates, sample letters to employers and USERRA wallet cards through the service members local ESGR field committee and www.esgr.mil
ESGR also recognizes employers who are supportive of their service member worker through the ESGR Patriot Awards program. This award is a great way to tell your boss, "I appreciate your support!". The service member may nominate their boss at www.esgr.mil
Mediation is a free service offered by ESGR. They provide a professionally-trained Ombudsmen to help clear up misunderstandings between the service member and the employer. It is important to note that ESGR volunteers are available in every state and U.S. territory to provide assistance.
The bottom line is that your civilian job is protected. The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) is a federal law which protects your civilian job while you serve in the military whether or not you volunteered for duty!
Some key provisions include the following. If you have been deployed for 1-30 days of service, you must return to work the next scheduled day (after safe travel home and 8 hours rest). If you are deployed for 31-180 days, you must reapply for reemployment within 14 days after service completion. If you have been deployed for 181 days or more, then you have to apply for reemployment within 90 days after service completion.
You should know that USERRA has a 5 year job protection limit. The employer is not required to reschedule work missed due to military service and you are not required to find a replacement worker.
Furthermore, USERRA does not require the use of earned vacation to perform military service and USERRA only requires your employer to provide unpaid leave of absence.
For more information contact 1-800-336-4590 or www.esgr.mil
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Interview with Captain Tom "The Adjutant" Mengesha
Interview with CPT Tom Mengesha author of The Service Member's Guide to Deployment; what every Soldier, Sailor, Airmen and Marine should know prior to being deployed.
Why did you chose to write a book giving advice to service members who are deployed?
Actually my book is not only for deployed or deploying service members, it is also for family and friends of service members who want to better understand what happens and what to expect when their service member is deployed. However, to answer your question directly, I saw a need and decided to fill that need.
How has your experiences both in the military and civilian life made you knowledgeable on the topic of military deployments?
I have served in the United States Army for over 23 years both as an enlisted soldier and officer. I have deployed several times to the countries of Panama, Korea and most recently to the Iraq war theater of operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. I have spent two years (from 2006 thru 2008) in a combat zone. Moreover, I served in various positions to include but not limited to Deputy Chief Theater for Rest and Recuperation, C1 Battle Captain and as Adjutant for Base Support Battalion-North. I have also received numerous wartime service medal awards. Not only am I a licensed attorney in the state of Michigan, I also served as an Adjunct college Professor at The University of Maryland University College in Kuwait where I taught Business Law and Business Ethics. Additionally, I was an instructor with Central Texas College in Kuwait where I taught Criminal Justice and Criminal Law classes. I enjoy imparting knowledge unto others.
So why write this book?
When I was deployed in July of 2006, I had many questions on what to expect and how my family would be protected and assisted during my deployment. While the military has programs to help, there was a great deal of information that was not shared. Additionally, the information that was out there, was not easy to find. I wanted to write a book that gave the deploying service member, their family and friends information so they would be better prepared to "survive" the deployment experience. I also wanted to make it easier for them to find that information. Sort of like a "one-stop-shop" book on military deployment advice.
Are their programs offered to deployed service members that are not offered to other service members or the general public?
Yes! You would be surprised at the number of government and private programs in place that will either reimburse the service member for certain out of pocket expenses for child care or even pay the total cost for their children to attend summer camps. There are even programs in place that will send a returning service member on a week long, all expense paid trip to a camping, rock climbing, and/or boating expedition. When I say all expense paid, I mean all expense paid! (airfare to and from their home, food, and lodging) Even I as the Adjutant was unaware of some of these programs.
What is the biggest advice you would like to give a service member that is about to be deployed?
PREPARE!, PREPARE!, PREPARE! There is a saying that goes something like; "People who fail to plan, plan to fail!" That is very true in military life and certainly with deployments. As with most things in life preparation is the key to success. It was my hope when writing my book that if I could ease the stress on a deploying service member and their family, then the writing of my book would not have been in vain.
Any final thoughts?
Yes... As long as you remember your training, stay focused on the mission at hand you will be just fine. You are about to embark on an adventure that few Americans will ever experience. (less then 1%) Be safe, enjoy the ride and may God Bless You!
Actually my book is not only for deployed or deploying service members, it is also for family and friends of service members who want to better understand what happens and what to expect when their service member is deployed. However, to answer your question directly, I saw a need and decided to fill that need.
How has your experiences both in the military and civilian life made you knowledgeable on the topic of military deployments?
I have served in the United States Army for over 23 years both as an enlisted soldier and officer. I have deployed several times to the countries of Panama, Korea and most recently to the Iraq war theater of operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. I have spent two years (from 2006 thru 2008) in a combat zone. Moreover, I served in various positions to include but not limited to Deputy Chief Theater for Rest and Recuperation, C1 Battle Captain and as Adjutant for Base Support Battalion-North. I have also received numerous wartime service medal awards. Not only am I a licensed attorney in the state of Michigan, I also served as an Adjunct college Professor at The University of Maryland University College in Kuwait where I taught Business Law and Business Ethics. Additionally, I was an instructor with Central Texas College in Kuwait where I taught Criminal Justice and Criminal Law classes. I enjoy imparting knowledge unto others.
So why write this book?
When I was deployed in July of 2006, I had many questions on what to expect and how my family would be protected and assisted during my deployment. While the military has programs to help, there was a great deal of information that was not shared. Additionally, the information that was out there, was not easy to find. I wanted to write a book that gave the deploying service member, their family and friends information so they would be better prepared to "survive" the deployment experience. I also wanted to make it easier for them to find that information. Sort of like a "one-stop-shop" book on military deployment advice.
Are their programs offered to deployed service members that are not offered to other service members or the general public?
Yes! You would be surprised at the number of government and private programs in place that will either reimburse the service member for certain out of pocket expenses for child care or even pay the total cost for their children to attend summer camps. There are even programs in place that will send a returning service member on a week long, all expense paid trip to a camping, rock climbing, and/or boating expedition. When I say all expense paid, I mean all expense paid! (airfare to and from their home, food, and lodging) Even I as the Adjutant was unaware of some of these programs.
What is the biggest advice you would like to give a service member that is about to be deployed?
PREPARE!, PREPARE!, PREPARE! There is a saying that goes something like; "People who fail to plan, plan to fail!" That is very true in military life and certainly with deployments. As with most things in life preparation is the key to success. It was my hope when writing my book that if I could ease the stress on a deploying service member and their family, then the writing of my book would not have been in vain.
Any final thoughts?
Yes... As long as you remember your training, stay focused on the mission at hand you will be just fine. You are about to embark on an adventure that few Americans will ever experience. (less then 1%) Be safe, enjoy the ride and may God Bless You!
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