Borne The Battle

This week's episode of Borne the Battle features Marine Corps Veteran and entrepreneur Jake Wood, co-founder of Team Rubicon.Wood's post-military story began on January 12, 2010, when a devastating magnitude 7.0 earthquake ravaged Haiti, killing and injuring hundreds of thousands and displacing over a million people. Several thousands of miles away, in Los Angeles, the recently separated Iraq and Afghanistan combat Veteran was waiting for his graduate school admissions results and turned on the television. Seeing the crisis in Haiti unfold, Wood thought that it would be a waste to not put his military training to use by helping with the humanitarian relief efforts. He called eight Veterans to join him, and together, they headed off to Haiti. It was during their service in Haiti that Wood and his group came up with the ideas that led to the creation of Team Rubicon.Under Wood’s leadership, Team Rubicon went from an 8-person idea to an acclaimed nonprofit with over 140,000 volunteers across America. The organiz

In this episode of Borne the Battle, Army Veteran Dr. Anneke Vandenbroek, a board-certified clinical psychologist, discusses changes in treating Veterans in times of COVID, cognitive behavioral therapy, the importance of mental healthcare and how any Veteran, regardless of discharge status, can receive cost-free mental health care at any Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic in the country.Dr. Vandenbroek joined the Army during her doctoral program when she received the Health Professions Scholarship. She had little idea of the variety of jobs and opportunities that awaited her in the military. After graduating from Nova Southeastern University with her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, she was later stationed in Hawaii.After serving at Tripler Army Medical Center, Dr. Vandenbroek retired from the military and transitioned to a similar civilian position within the Department of Defense, which allowed her to maintain a career while her husband was still in the military. She continued to pivot within her career as

On this week’s episode of Borne the Battle, Navy Veteran Dan Kloeppel shares the story of his military career and how he later became an airline pilot who founded two nonprofit organizations. He formed the latter alongside his wife, Deb, to help Veterans and military spouses with job placement.In service, Kloeppel was a naval aviator. He discusses his 36 years in the Navy and Navy Reserve. After transitioning out of the military and retiring from a career as a pilot, he and his wife founded two non-profit organizations called Corporate America Supports You and Military Spouse Corporate Career Network.Kloeppel breaks down why their two non-profits are serving two sectors of the Veteran and military communities and shares how transitioning service members, Veterans, military spouses and Veteran caregivers can successfully land a job through the job placement process. He then details how this population has the necessary skillset to succeed in corporate America.The non-profits have successfully grown, becoming n

Mikal Vega is an accomplished actor, Kundalini Yoga teacher and founder of the nonprofit, Vital Warrior. In this episode of Borne the Battle, Vega discusses his struggle with military transition, finding treatment for his PTSD, discovering alternative therapies, and founding a nonprofit with the goal of sharing what he has learned.Vega served 22 years in the Navy as an EOD specialist and SEAL. He found his purpose as a shield for people who couldn’t protect themselves. During a mission, an IED hit his vehicle and the damage from the blast resulted in severe cervical trauma. That trauma changed the course of Vega’s life.Only later did he realize the extent of his injuries when he began to struggle in his civilian life and personal relationships. Instead of crumbling under the weight of injury and PTSD, Vega channeled his recovery successes into helping other Veterans and their families. Vital Warrior is a non-profit organization and therapeutic system designed to help Veterans and their families to destress, h

On Feb. 8, 2021, Denis McDonough was confirmed by the Senate to be the United States’ 11th Secretary of Veterans Affairs. He heads into the job with a rich background filled with experience navigating the government’s complex bureaucracy. Being a veteran of Capitol Hill, he aims to leverage his knowledge to better serve our nation’s military Veterans.In this episode of Borne the Battle, McDonough touches on topics important to many Veterans: His vision for Community Care. His priorities when improving the VA health care system. Ensuring every Veteran gets a COVID vaccine in a timely fashion. Making sure rural Veterans can consistently and reliably access VA health care services. Maximizing VA mental health services to best benefit Veterans in need. Transitioning VA records from paper to electronic. While being VA Secretary is a new position for McDonough, he has taken steps to bridge the gaps in his knowledge by renewing a tradition that he followed as White House chief of staff. He reached out to as many

Army Veteran Diane Carlson Evans, founder of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Foundation, joined Borne the Battle to discuss her decision to become a nurse, time serving in Vietnam as a combat nurse, decision to re-enlist after working in a civilian hospital and her fight for a women’s memorial on the National Mall.Growing up on a farm in Minnesota, Evans always knew she wanted to be a nurse. After her second oldest brother was drafted, she had no doubt that she would go to Vietnam herself. So she went to Minneapolis, found an Army Nurse Recruiter and asked how she, too, could go to Vietnam.Evans enlisted and served in Vietnam from 1968-69 as a trauma nurse in the surgical and burn wards at Vung Tau and later as head nurse in a surgical unit at Pleiku. She treated wounded soldiers and civilians, many of whom came straight from the worst of the fighting.When she came home, Evans worked in a civilian hospital for three weeks. She wasn’t allowed to do many of the procedures that had been part of her everyday duties

This week’s Borne the Battle episode features Army Veteran Major General Peter Aylward (Ret.). He discusses his military career, mentors, how he became the national director of the Vietnam War Commemoration and how the program adapted its events during the COVID-19 pandemic.On March 29, 2021, National Vietnam War Veterans Day will be celebrating its 4th anniversary. The commemoration was authorized by Congress and established by the Department of Defense to reach out and provide a long overdue thank you to Vietnam Veterans who did not receive a proper welcome after they returned home.Today, there are over 6.2 million living Vietnam Era Veterans who earned our nation’s gratitude. Maj. Gen. Aylward breaks down the history and mission of the program and how others can contribute and become a Vietnam 50th War Commemorative partner.The commemoration gives a lapel pin to every living Vietnam Era Veteran, as well as their next of kin. The pin is a token of appreciation to all who served and sacrificed for their coun

This week's Borne the Battle features Air Force Veteran Graciela Tiscareno-Sato, who discusses her efforts in overcoming the adversity of a stereotypical workforce, and breaking barriers while transitioning to become the founder of a niche publishing, marketing and communications firm. She is also the author of bilingual children and entrepreneurship books.Tiscareno-Sato joined the Air Force on the advice of her high school counselor’s husband to apply for a ROTC Scholarship. After school, she completed Undergraduate Navigator Training at Mather Air Force Base (AFB) in Sacramento and then graduated near the top of her class – as the only woman in the class. She then trained in the KC-135R refueling tanker at Castle AFB in California before reporting to the 43rd Air Refueling Squadron at Fairchild AFB in Spokane, Washington.On her first deployment was to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, she was a member of one of the first few aircrews to patrol and enforce the Southern NO FLY Zone in Southern Iraq after the conclusion o

Army Veteran Dawn Halfaker never expected she would be be in the military. She was a guard on her high school basketball team when the NCAA sponsored her trip to visit West Point, one of the schools recruiting her. Hesitant but with nothing to lose, she accepted the trip. She soon fell in love with the school and her thereby set the course of her future career.Halfaker graduated from West Point in 2001, and since then, she has gone on to accomplish many great things. In this episode of Borne the Battle, she spoke on a few of her many accomplishments: Overcoming adversity despite suffering a permanent injury while serving in Iraq Serving as a military liaison to the House Armed Services Committee Working for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency at a time when the agency developed groundbreaking new technologies Bringing an important woman’s perspective to the Wounded Warrior Project as its board’s chairwoman Being part of a VA committee that fundamentally reshaped how VA provides care for its wounded

This week’s Borne the Battle is a Benefits Breakdown, exploring the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) service and chatting with its Executive Director and Navy Veteran William Streitberger.In the Navy for nine years, Streitberger served in intelligence, recruiting and career counseling. Since then, he has dedicated almost 20 years of his career to VR&E, a service that he, himself, used. Following the loss of his job in 2001, Streitberger leaned on the support of VR&E, which at the time was called the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VocRehab).He was appointed executive director of Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) service in September 2018. As executive director, Streitberger is responsible for overseeing the delivery of VR&E services to Veterans with service-connected disabilities and service members who're in the process of transitioning from the military to prepare for, find and maintain suitable careers, or obtain independence in their daily living.VR&E is not

On this episode of Borne the Battle, Air Force Veteran Jackson Henderson shares his transition story and becoming an Electrical Maintenance Technician.Henderson was influenced by two of his friends to join the military, and he would soon develop relevant technical skills that he would carry with him to his future careers. He discusses serving his entire enlistment in Minot, North Dakota, the importance of maintaining friendships while serving in the military and transitioning into civilian life.Recently, Henderson left the Air Force, and landing a job was not an easy task. He shares about searching for and applying to various jobs, talks about how he was invited to attend the Rockwell Automation Academy of Advanced Manufacturing Program, and emphasizes the importance of putting your name out there through various websites that help Veterans find jobs.What is the Rockwell AAM program? Henderson details the available course opportunities within the program and offers advice to transitioning service members on h

This week's episode of Borne the Battle features retired Marine Corps Veteran Lieutenant General Walter Gaskin, the first Black American to command a Marine Division and the 19th Deputy Chairman of the NATO Military Committee. Gaskin discusses the challenges in overcoming adversity, stereotypes and biases in the international military community.Inspired by a cousin who fought in Vietnam – and who was celebrated as a hero by his family and friends – Gaskin joined his high school’s ROTC program to pursue a military path through college. He deferred his draft to finish school and, later, earned a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Oklahoma.Gaskin served as the Commanding General of the 2d Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, NC, from June 2006 until July 2008. In addition to this role, he concurrently served as the Commanding General of II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) during its year-long deployment to Al Anbar Province, Iraq, as well as the Commanding General of Multinational Fo

In addition to revisiting Navy Veteran Debra Russell's interview, this week's Borne the Battle Rewind shares information about, future Fisher House locations, rural COVID vaccines and how caregivers can receive the vaccine through VA.*Interview originally aired 3/17/2017This week’s podcast features Navy Veteran Debra Russell. Debra joined the military in 1984 and served until 1997. She worked in supply early on and went on to work on the staff for an Admiral.  She was “med-boarded” after a running accident and was separated from the military. Around that same time, she was dealing with a sexual assault she experienced with a superior. Debra opens up regarding her service, her transition, and how she uses art and photography for therapy.Covered in the Episode: Why Debra joined the military Her experience in the Navy Being sexually assaulted by a superior Overcoming an emotional crisis Using her local Vet Center Why she enjoys photography Being a part of the women veterans art exhibit Resources for women Veter

John Del Vecchioattended Lafayette College in the late 1960s, a time when tensions over U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War was high. Anti-war protests emerged all around him and popular media figures constantly spoke of the war in negative terms. He even had professors who refused to teach in protest of the war. Yet, Del Vecchio remained skeptical about how bad things really were in Vietnam. On Nov. 4, 1969, he got his chance to see the Vietnam War for himself.In this episode of Borne the Battle, Del Vecchio shares how he went from being a combat correspondent to a very accomplished author. Some of the topics covered include: His experience training at The Defense Information School. The hurdles he had to go through to get his orders changed and be sent to Vietnam. His unique experience serving as a combat correspondent with the 101st Airborne Division. The act of heroism that earned him a Bronze Star Medal with a “V”. His experiences after returning from Vietnam. How he got his first book published and what

If you have a federally backed loan (VA, FHA, USDA, etc) and are having difficulty paying your mortgage due to the coronavirus pandemic, deadlines are approaching to apply for CARES Act forbearance or foreclosure assistance. Listen to this Borne the Battle bonus episode. It answers many questions about forbearances and gives information on how to apply.

This week’s Borne the Battle episode features Marine Corps Veteran Scott Stump, who discusses his military career to becoming President and CEO of the National Desert Storm Memorial Association. Stump became intrigued with joining the military while in college and soon decided to follow in the footsteps of several family members who served before him. Stump discusses serving 4 1/2 years in the Marine Corps Reserve, being activated for Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, learning valuable lessons in the military, and transitioning into civilian life.While on active duty, Stump was so dedicated to finish his college degree that he would complete assignments right in the fighting hole. In the episode, he shares an interesting story about the conversation he had with the dean of his school on a field phone while serving overseas. Stump also provides a surprising fact about how Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield reshaped the relationship between the American public and those who serve in the military. Later on

This week's Borne the Battle episode features Navy Veteran and New York Times bestselling author Jack Carr. He discusses his dreams of becoming a Navy SEAL and author. Through his enthusiasm for reading and on military-science novels, Carr's dreams became a reality.Carr's two career goals were inspired by two people. The first person was his grandfather, a Marine who fought and died during World War II. The second person was his mother, a librarian who instilled in him a love of reading. It was this love that helped him on his path to reading about and eventually joining Navy SEAL teams.During his Navy SEAL career, Carr led special operations teams as a team leader, platoon commander, troop commander, task unit commander, operations officer and executive officer. In the interview, he shares how his military experience and travels allowed him to develop and share realistic stories for his novels.Additionally, he shares his mindset about his military transition, tips for entering the publishing world and how co

As we say hello to 2021, we look back and see who made the list for Tanner's Top 10 of 2020.

Every five weeks Borne the Battle goes internal and breaks down a VA benefit, program, or office. These are the most downloaded Benefits Breakdown episodes of 2020. 

Snippets of Borne the Battle's most downloaded interviews of 2020. The list may surprise you.