Author: USVM Editor

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…

By Mike Richman       Roy Wilkins was a football and basketball star at his North Carolina high school. He competed in the same two sports at Clemson University, a big-time Division I program in South Carolina. Playing defensive back, he contributed to Clemson’s 1981 football team that finished 12-0 and won the national championship.Then, in an instant, Wilkins lost his athletic superiority—or so he thought. Serving as a command sergeant major in the Army’s special forces, Wilkins was riding in an armored vehicle that went over a roadside bomb in Afghanistan in November 2004.Two months later, he emerged from a coma…

By Capt. Eric Streeter and Philip Regina         Each year, U.S. Army Soldiers and U.S. Marines team up with military allies in other countries for the African Lion (AL24) exercise, a two-week-long event that brings training and humanitarian efforts to Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia.Consisting of 8,100 participants from over 27 nations and contingents from NATO, the 20th annual event held a multitude of activities during the two-week exercise, including combined infantry tactics led by the Maryland Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 175th Infantry Regiment, a comprehensive staff exercise orchestrated by the U.S. Army’s 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade, and…

Candace Terry, a dedicated advocate for veterans and a driving force behind the University of South Carolina’s (USC) veteran services shared her inspiring journey and the impactful initiatives that have earned USC recognition as a Top Veteran-Friendly School.A Journey from Navy to AdvocacyTerry’s story is one of resilience and dedication. She served eight years in the Navy as a Russian and Persian Farsi crypto analyst and developed a unique skill set that later facilitated her transition into civilian life. After her military service, she pursued an undergraduate degree in Russian studies at the University of Kentucky, where she joined the…

By John Register    After six years as a Soldier and 10 years as a sports specialist and associate director in the Army, transitioning to a nonprofit was like stepping into a new environment.I couldn’t understand why my performance appraisals were always three out of five, regardless of my efforts. One year, I landed a $15 million grant, and the next year, with average performance, I received the same evaluation.I was attending a mastermind program for my professional speaking business. I told one of my colleagues about an encounter I had with Secretary Hillary Clinton. I was on an advisory committee…

By Kellie Speed     According to a recent study conducted by Duke University and the Department of Defense, over 44 veterans lose their lives to suicide each day. The impact of a veteran’s sudden suicide lingers, and U.S. Army veteran Cary Reichbach knows firsthand just how difficult it can be to attend another fellow Soldier’s funeral year after year.As a result, Reichbach has dedicated his life to helping other veterans ease the burden of PTSD by founding the nonprofit, Grey Team.Reichbach comes from a long line of service members who served in World War I, World War II and the Korean…

Are you looking to transition but don’t want to work for someone else? Many veterans agree, which is why small business opportunities are so popular within the community, especially in the world of franchising. According to the International Franchise Association, about 14% of all franchises are owned by military veterans—serving as a fantastic career opportunity that puts your skill sets to work. U.S. Veterans Magazine sat down with Navy SEAL and founder of TRX Training and OutFit Training, Randy Hetrick, to talk about franchising, business ownership and its impact on the veteran community.What made you decide to join the Navy…

By Paul Peng    When service members leave the military, the realization of “Where do I go from here?” occurs way too often. By default, many service members return to school to obtain a bachelor’s and hopefully land a successful career upon graduation. Others start looking for employment to provide for themselves and their families. Yet, many veterans seldom know that nonprofit organizations and resources are available to them and their loved ones to assist with this transition.I had a chance to sit down with Jeff Pagano, the head of the Orange County Veterans Military Family Collaborative (OCVMFC), a free service…

Stressful station-to-station moves may soon be a thing of the past. This summer, the U.S. Transportation Command began utilizing its new Global Household Goods Contract (GHC), which aims to make the movement of household goods a better experience for service members and their families.While several changes have been implemented, GHC’s updates include improved communication between service members and moving contractors, providing online mobile tools and establishing a trusted network of subcontract movers. The first families to utilize the program will be notified of their contract before moving and will be filling out surveys to suggest improvements as the program becomes…

Labor Day weekend is still a few days away, but sales are already live. Amazon has many products at pretty impressive discounts. This includes hundreds of dollars of savings on TVs, tech, home and kitchen, toys and games and more. Labor Day weekend marks the official end to summer, which means the start of school. So there are tons of back-to-school savings as well.Apple/CNETApple iPad (9th generation): $199Save $130 This tablet is great for the basics like checking your email, streaming shows and exploring social media. It comes with an A13 Bionic chip, an 8-megapixel wide-angle rear camera and a…