The Department of Veterans Affairs provides benefits and services to meet the needs of veterans and service members. While many VA programs are designed to serve veterans, particularly disabled veterans, VA services are not limited to those who have left the military.Military One Source reports if you are an active-duty disabled service member and need help covering the cost of school, securing a home loan or acquiring life insurance, or require medical care for your disability, the VA can help you and your family.Medical CareMore than 1,300 medical centers and clinics form the core of the VA’s services. In addition,…
Author: USVM
How can you learn more about the ins and outs of a specific job? Consider an informational interview! Unlike a traditional job interview, an informational interview is a meeting that you set up with someone in a specific industry so you can learn more about that profession’s necessary education and expertise. Finding a contactFinding someone to talk to about their job and industry can be easy once you tap into your professional and personal networks. Reach out to family and friends, a Ticket to Work service provider or your LinkedIn contacts to help you. Chances are, someone either knows or works…
VA home loans are designed to help service members and veterans achieve affordable homeownership, turning their aspirations into reality. Here are three key insights to help pave the way for a smooth and successful homebuying.Know the Benefits of VA LoansUnderstanding the benefits of VA loans is key to making informed decisions and maximizing your loan potential. VA loans offer veterans unique advantages such as no down payment requirement on home purchases, competitive interest rates, no monthly mortgage insurance premiums and more flexible credit guidelines. The lifetime entitlement feature further enhances the value, allowing veterans to use this benefit multiple times…
Courtney Swoboda has dedicated the past six years to the University of Central Missouri (UCM), where she serves as the Director of Military and Veteran Services. Swoboda’s journey began as the coordinator of certifications within the Military and Veteran Success Center, a role in which she excelled before rising to her current position as director. Not only is she a committed professional at UCM, but she is also actively serving in the Air Force Reserves, marking her 11th year of service. Her dual experience in academia and the military uniquely positions her to support and advocate for UCM’s veteran and…
Before becoming the iconic voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars, James Earl Jones had already led a remarkable life. In his youth, Jones answered his country’s call and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. His time in the military deeply shaped his character and set the stage for his future in the entertainment world. He was born in 1931, in Arkabutla, Mississippi and grew up with his maternal grandparents on their Michigan farm after his father, Robert Earl Jones, a boxer and actor, was largely absent. He is of Irish, Cherokee, and African descent.Together We Served…
Deadline approaching soon! From August 1, through September 30, applications are being accepted for the spring 2025 semester for the Hope For The Warriors Military Spouse and Caregiver Scholarship Program.Since 2006, Hope For The Warriors has awarded Military Spouse and Caregiver Scholarships twice a year. The nationwide program recognizes and rewards post-9/11 spouses and caregivers for their strength, fidelity and resolve despite adversity as they assume critical roles in the financial well-being of their families.Scholarships vary from $1,800 to $2,500 and are applied toward higher education at an accredited U.S. university, college, or trade school. Unique to the program is…
You may have heard that veterans can be valuable assets to the workplace, but what does that mean, and what are recruiters actually looking for when hiring veterans? U.S. Veterans Magazine had a conversation with a veteran-specific recruiter, Brian Wieters, with Neighborly to discuss the value of veteran employees, what they bring to the table and how other companies can be veteran-friendly.You work extensively in hiring veterans. Why is this important to you?Hiring veterans is important to me because I deeply respect the skills, dedication and resilience they bring from their military service. Veterans have made significant sacrifices for our…
Starting a business can be expensive, but you don’t have to fund your company alone if you’re a veteran business owner. From government-funded business grants to scholarships from nonprofit organizations, here are some top funding opportunities you should take advantage of:Second Service Foundation Military Entrepreneur ChallengeHosted by the Second Service Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping veteran entrepreneurs, the Military Entrepreneur Challenge is an annual coaching and competition event that awards grants to veteran, military spouse and Gold Star family entrepreneurs. Participants are given the opportunity to prepare and present a pitch to a panel of judges that award monetary…
Each year, two athletes are chosen as the Department of the Air Force’s (DAF’s) Athletes of the Year to support veterans in work outside their service, foster camaraderie and promote health and wellness. One male and one female athlete are chosen and honored for the previous year. This year, the 2023 Athlete of the Year award was bestowed upon Space Systems Command handball player Capt. Andrew Donlin and Air Mobility Command triathlete 1st Lt. Rose Smith.“It was extremely difficult choosing our DAF-level winners,” Maj. Tiffany Lewis, DAF Fitness and Sports Division chief at the Air Force Services Center, said in a…
After learning Russian and robotics, plus training in jets and spacesuits over the past two years, NASA’s newest astronauts are ready to take a giant leap forward in space exploration.Chosen from a pool of more than 12,000 applicants, the DoD’s Katie Lange reports that eight of the 10 Americans from NASA’s Class of 2024 happen to be current or former service members. Among those who successfully made it through the program are Navy Lt. Cmdr. Jessica Wittner, retired Marine Corps Maj. Luke Delaney and Coast Guard Cmdr. Andre Douglas.Navy Lt. Cmdr. Jessica WittnerWittner is no stranger to reaching heights that…
