Happy Veterans Day: Honoring #TeamHVAF Veterans

Meet Team HVAF: RRH Case Managers Erin & Paul

October 20, 2021

Check out HVAF’s new informational video!

November 16, 2021

Happy Veterans Day: Honoring #TeamHVAF Veterans

November 3, 2021

In honor of Veterans Day coming up, we want to honor those on #TeamHVAF who served our country ❤️

TRANSITIONAL PRESIDENT BRIAN

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧?

Army (Indiana Army National Guard)

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞?

I enlisted as a 17-year-old high school dropout with a pregnant wife, a part-time job, and no insurance. I joined the Army to pay for my son’s birth. Everything after that was a bonus.

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞?

From 1977 until 2015 (38 years).

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨?

I was initially trained as a helicopter mechanic and served in that role for 7.5 years advancing to the rank of Staff Sergeant (E-6) and the position of Aircraft Quality Control Technical Inspector. After I was commissioned as an officer (second lieutenant), I completed training as an Infantry Officer and then completed helicopter flight training and flew for 17 years accumulating just over 1,700 flight hours. My final 15 years I served in senior staff and command positions with my final assignment for 9 years as the Chief of Staff for the Indiana National Guard and dual-hatted for the last three years as the Deputy Adjutant General.

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐨?

I was always based in Indiana with the Indiana Army National Guard. I served for 23 years at the Shelbyville Armory (the helicopter base next to I-74) then at Stout Field on the west side of Indianapolis. I deployed to Afghanistan for a year in 2009 and responded to Hurricane Katrina in Mississippi in 2005. I accompanied my 2-star general commander on troop visits to Egypt, Kuwait, Bosnia, Kosovo, Germany, Slovakia, and all over the United States.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲?

Life-changing. Rewarding. Fulfilling. My military service shaped my character and defined the trajectory of my adult life and that of my wife and children. It defined us as a “military family” and extended its influence to our parents and siblings and friends.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐯𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐕𝐀𝐅?

To recognize and honor the service and sacrifice of those who CHOSE to wear the cloth of our nation and defend and protect our American freedoms, values, ideals, and way of life.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐯𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐰?

I wish more people recognized that NOT all veterans are “broken” or “dangerous” and that all veterans do NOT suffer from post-traumatic stress or suicidal ideations.

TRANSPORTATION SPECIALIST WAYNE

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧?

United States Marine Corps

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞?

It’s a family tradition as I am a 2nd generation Marine.

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞?

1982-2005

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨?

Protector of the Constitution & communications

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐨?

Everywhere!

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲?

Good

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐯𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐕𝐀𝐅?

I wanted to pay it forward.

How we are conditioned.

EMPLOYMENT SPECIALIST TOM

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧?

U.S. Army

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞?

I watched the second plane slam the second WTC tower on live T.V. during class my senior year of high school. I remember watching in horror and watching people jumping from the burning building before it collapsed. After that, I said forget college for right now, I’m going into the Army.

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞?

2003-2007, 2008-2011

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨?

Cavalry, Public Affairs, Dental Assistant

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐨?

Operation Iraqi Freedom; Baghdad, Iraq 2004-2005

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲?

Very stressful, but successful and manageable. I grew up at the age of 20 in ways that I never thought were possible. I deployed to Iraq two months out of basic training right when I got to Ft Hood, Texas. But even in the rough times, I was blessed for the friendships that I did make.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐯𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐕𝐀𝐅?

Veterans have always been a passion of mine. I remember my Grandpa taking me to the VFW “tavern” when I was a kid so I could eat pretzels and color in my coloring book while he had his Brandy. Hearing the WWII and Korean veterans’ stories from a young age on always inspired me. Now that I have been in the service, deployed, and witnessed things most people will never see or understand, I want to give back and make sure other veterans (young and old) have the resources and tools to piece a new life together outside the military. Coming from a family with a big military background, my job as an Employment Specialist here at HVAF allows me to continue serving even after my service time.

Don’t judge a veteran by their outside cover. You never know what veterans are fighting internally based on their time in the service. Be humble to them, be graceful to them, be compassionate to them, and always be willing to give them a chance regardless of their giving situation.

VP FOR SUPPORT BERNIE

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧?

Indiana Army National Guard

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞?

I’m a third-generation service member. My father always told me this was the greatest nation on earth and those who are able need to serve their country to give back.

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞?

February 1982 thru Jun 2014

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨?

I was an Army Aviator – flew UH-1H’s, UH-1M, OH-58, AH-1’s and UH-60’s

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐨?

Bosnia, Kuwait, Iraq, and Hurricane Katrina Relief efforts

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲?

I wouldn’t trade any of it for anything. I’d do it all over again if I could

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐯𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐕𝐀𝐅?

I found throughout my military career I was happiest when in positions I was able to help people. I also knew several soldiers, who served with me, that fell on hard times after they left, a few became homeless. It seemed a great fit to be able to work at an organization where the primary mission was to help Veterans.

MAINTENANCE FACILITY DIRECTOR RANDEN

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧?

United States Army

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞?

I did not enlist, I was drafted – in the last draft the United States has had – in 1968-1969

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞?

1969-1973 – four years

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨?

I was a Team Leader/Staff Sergeant of a Long Range Reconnaissance team in Vietnam.

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐨?

Jungle of Vietnam

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲?

Going to the Republic of Vietnam was my duty. Duty is more important than desire, convenience, or safety. Duty is something that you do – not something that you feel.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐯𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐕𝐀𝐅?

Working at HVAF gives me the opportunity to be a servant to others and giving my fellow Veterans the confidence to move forward to better their life and hope for a future.

IT & END USER SUPPORT COORDINATOR DEWAYNE

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧?

United States Army

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞?

My father served in the Navy, and I had a few chances to see the “Navy life.” I knew I was going into the military but I wasn’t sure at first which branch.

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞?

June 1997- June 2019

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨?

Like many servicemembers I did a variety of jobs. I started off as an 11 Bravo (Infantryman) from ‘97-’02 and ended my time there as an Infantry Squad leader. Then I served as a Telecommunication Specialist (31F then later changed to 25F). In between I have served as a Team Chief, Anti-Terrorism Officer, Platoon Sergeant, Operations Officer, and many other roles.

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐨?

Fort Benning, GA; Korea, Fort Campbell, KY (x2); Egypt, Israel, Fort Lewis, WA; Fort Huachuca, AZ; Okinawa, Belgium, and Camp Atterbury, IN. I also deployed with Fort Lewis, Fort Campbell, and Fort Huachuca to Iraq for a total of 39 months.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲?

My overall experience with the military was generally good. Worked with some of the best people ever, and made lifetime family members.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐯𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐕𝐀𝐅?

When I talk about HVAF with others it is all about mission. To grab their attention, I say I am trying to work my out of a job. I thrive to serve others and help our veterans become better versions of themselves.

Generally, most people look at Veterans as either having PTSD or heroes. I would tell people they are just Americans trying to make a positive impact in the world. We talk about sacrifice, and our mission before ourselves. We never do anything alone.

TRANSITION IN PLACE (TIP) CASE MANAGER BOBBY

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧?

Army

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞?

Honestly, I was just looking for something different. I worked in a factory before joining. I stayed partly because of my family and partly because of the people I met while serving.

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞?

March 23, 2000 – May 31, 2021

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨?

12Z Senior Combat Engineer. Easiest way to explain is that we blow things up and look for things that blow up.

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐨?

Fort Hood, Fort Leonard Wood, Camp Atterbury, Fort Campbell, Iraq 3x, Kuwait, Boarder Mission in Arizona, and Texas.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲?

Loved it, met lifelong friends that are considered family now. It also gave me the ability to ensure that my children will be successful.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐯𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐕𝐀𝐅?

Being on the TIP team allows me to give back to Veterans that paved the way for my career while in the service, but also veterans that served along side of me. The TIP program in my eyes is designed to help set up our Veterans for success and if completed successfully can ensure that the possibility of them falling back on hard times will be miniscule. Working at HVAF allows me to help people in need and make our community stronger while doing so.

That they made a sacrifice that is only made by less than one percent of United States population, and with saying that they are not expecting anything in return all they need is another chance to be successful. Given that chance the vast majority will use it to ensure that they will be better prepared next time they face a crisis or an emergency that was out of their control.

PEER MENTOR FRED

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧?

Army

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞?

I wanted to be independent and learn from different cultures.

And because I could buy booze at 18 😊

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞?

I served from 1975 – 1978 active duty and then 3 years reserved status.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨?

I was a petroleum supply specialist, I worked at the flight line around choppers and at the motor pool around jeeps, trucks, oversized vehicles, and generators. I also kept any supplies related to those in stock as well as tools.

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐨?

I was all stateside.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲?

It started off scary then it turned out great.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐯𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐕𝐀𝐅?

I struggled with my addiction, drugs and alcohol and the issues that came with it, and someone helped me get my life turned around, so I must do that for others.

SOME GAVE ALL, BUT ALL GAVE SOME!!!