Stress Redux, Vets in Congress, Silver Star Families, VA Feedback, Vicarious Trauma

Square Breathing Tutorial from Linda Spero on Vimeo.

Stress Reduction Video of the Week describes Square Breathing, a technique used in Qi Gong, at: http://vimeo.com/21329552

Their mission of service continues: Stripes.com highlights nine veterans among the newly elected Congress at: http://www.stripes.com/news/us/9-new-house-members

Silver Star Families of America is a non-profit organization supporting wounded warriors and their families, check them out at: http://www.silverstarfamilies.org/

Invitation for feedback about the VA Healthcare system: The VA wants to hear veterans’ good and bad experiences, so they can begin to address the trust issues.  See the article at: http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/8635/bridging-the-va-trust-gap/

We’ve previously highlighted the amazing and heroic efforts of Team Rubicon, a group of veterans and skilled volunteers who respond to disasters around the globe.  Their website also has an informative article on vicarious trauma, the impact of repeatedly witnessing dramatic tolls on human life that they encounter – a work side-effect they share with combat veterans, EMTs, doctors, nurses, and humanitarian workers.  Learn more at: http://teamrubiconusa.org/understanding-and-addressing-vicarious-trauma

Veterans to Farmers Mission, Diigo, Buddy Finder, Free Tax Prep, VRAP Deadline

Veterans to Farmers is an inspired program to reduce veteran unemployment by helping create local farmer/entrepreneurs.  Learn if you’re ready for a new mission to help solve the sustainable farming issue on the Video of the Week: http://youtu.be/AAYSO4WH8Qg  Hint: Yavapai College offers several agriculture programs and courses, here's an example: http://www.yc.edu/academics/degrees-and-certificates/hort.

Do you Diigo?  Diigo is a free “cloud-based” way to organize and share your bookmarks or favorite websites, so you can access them from any computer or mobile device.  This is a helpful tool for busy students, or people who are on-the-go.  Check out the video introduction on their webpage: http://www.diigo.com/

Highlights from Military.com: You can subscribe to a free e-newsletter at www.military.com with articles like these:
• If you are trying to find someone you used to serve with, check out: http://www.military.com/military-report/buddy-finder
• Free tax preparation assistances through VITA is described at: http://www.military.com/military-report/free-tax-return-prep
• September 30, 2013 is the deadline to apply for VRAP, a chance for unemployed veterans between 35-60 to jump start their education, see more at: http://www.military.com/military-report/vrap-deadline-looms

212 Degrees of Effort, Study & Test Strategies, Newly Employed Veterans

Need a little Inspiration to keep going on those resolutions?  Try this video called “212 Degrees” at: http://youtu.be/WDgKdjf7M4I

Need a memory boost, or new study strategies?  Here are some more tools for your toolkit: aromatherapy and music.  These are easy, low-cost tools with no side effects.  Certain scents and some music have been linked to improved recall or concentration.  Here’s an article on the aromatherapy: http://www.livestrong.com/article/175395-aromatherapy-and-memory/ And here’s one on music and brain exercises to help anxiety during tests: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/classroom_solutions/2011/05/state-assessments-reducing-test-anxiety The author of the 2nd article includes a video, and she uses these techniques for high-stress testing in K-12 classrooms, but I found them very easy and useful too.

Five Tips for Newly-Employed Veterans: Once you’ve found a job, how do you adjust and excel in the new civilian surroundings?  Abcnews.com gives five tips: translating, observing, educating, connecting, and communicating at: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/tips-newly-hired-veterans-16164742

Music as Medicine, Home for the Brave

Video of the Week: Make your own music, anyone can do it, see: http://youtu.be/vol0mYBVImg

The VA highlighted a new way of helping veterans heal, through song-writing.  See more at: http://www.tennesseevalley.va.gov/TENNESSEEVALLEY/features/Veterans_Songwriting_Group.asp

If you are interested in more about how music can heal, here is a fabulous TED Talk at: http://www.ted.com/talks/robert_gupta.html and an MSNBC story at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30990170/ns/health-health_care/t/music-medicine  So, put on some music, and feel your best!

Home for the Brave:  This article in Philly.com highlights a veterans’ transitional shelter which features job training and placement and counseling.  See more at: http://articles.philly.com/2013-01-22/news/36464942_1_veterans-job-america-delaware-valley-voa

Hot Jobs, Medal of Honor, Food Safety

Five “Hot Jobs for Veterans” include math/science teacher, police officer, IT specialist, entrepreneur, and public service, according to Military.com at: http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/career-advice/military-tran

The newest recipient of the Medal of Honor from the Afghanistan War, Army Staff Sgt. Romesha, is highlighted in Stripes at: http://www.stripes.com/news/us/fourth-living-veteran-of-afghanistan-war

Food Safety 101: Did you know that 1 out of 6 Americans get food poisoning each year?  Here are four things we can do about food safety: http://www.foodsafety.gov/blog/resolutions2013.html

Job Hunting, Gulf War Biorepository

Today’s Video is about your job search, tips for transitioning from military to civilian jobs, and what helps you be successful: http://youtu.be/RjXjzKb1Lss

To see when Hiring Our Heroes is having a job fair in your area, check out this nifty map: http://www.uschamber.com/hiringourheroes/events

Monster.com has a special area on their job search website for veterans.  They highlight employers with veteran-preferences, like KCI (a nationwide medical device company) at: http://www.military.com/jobs-in/employer/kci/

About 36% of Gulf War veterans have experienced some long-term or chronic health impacts of their service, according to the VA.  A biorepository has been created to provide insights into Gulf War Syndrome, and volunteers are sought to provide medical information.  More information can be found at: http://www.boston.va.gov/BOSTON/features/VA_Launches_Biorep , or http://www.research.va.gov/programs/tissue_banking/, or by calling toll-free 855-561-7827.

Hero Highlights: Tillman Scholarship, First-Generation Students, Coast Guard Compass

CBSnews.com has the Video of the Week featuring another 4-legged hero at: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-57563087/diabetes Service dog, Kira, alerted her owner when his blood sugar felt to dangerous levels while he slept, saving his life.

Scholarship Opportunity:  The Pat Tillman Military Scholarship application is available now at: http://www.pattillmanfoundation.org/, with a closing date of February 15.  Over 200 veterans/military spouses have benefited from this scholarship, provided by the Pat Tillman Foundation.  Pat Tillman, ASU graduate and Arizona Cardinals NFL player, left his promising football career to serve as an Army Ranger in the post-911 era.  He was killed in action in 2004, and the Pat Tillman Foundation was created to continue his mission of leadership and service.

Are you a first-generation college student, meaning neither parent has a Bachelor’s degree, so you are blazing the trail in higher education?  If so, you might want to hear inspirations of other first-generation students, or share your own at: http://beta.imfirst.org/  Here's a sample video, by a young TRiO student (TRiO programs include Veterans Upward Bound) at: http://youtu.be/fQGAcO8FSVI

If you are a social media pro, or just testing the waters, check out some of the military blogs at military.com, www.milblogging.com, or blogs specific to your branch of service, like the Coast Guard Compass. Today's Compass features the opening address to the new Coast Guard class at: http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2013/01/there-is-no-short-cut/

Transformation, Free Modules Begin, SVA Scholarship, Personal Branding

Arthur, a disabled paratrooper, provides an inspirational transformation in the Video of the Week at: http://youtu.be/qX9FSZJu448 Arthur’s story has something for everyone, no matter what your challenge may be.

January 14th, the Veterans Upward Bound in-person free modules begin, but we also have open-entry modules – so if you are a veteran in Northern Arizona and want more confidence to begin or continue your educational journey, see our information at www.yc.edu/vub

Student Veterans of America and Google’s 2013 scholarship application is available at: http://www.studentveterans.org/?page=Google_SVA_Scholars Eight $10,000 scholarships will be awarded to student veterans in the computer or technology fields, see if you qualify!

Are you transitioning from military life to the civilian job market?  Military.com has tips for building your ‘personal brand’ before you send out your resume at: http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/career-advice/

TBI, Student Veteran Grad Rate, Transition Tips, VA Paperwork

Video of the Week is about TBI: http://youtu.be/3A8SGCJg3fo  The video shows symptoms and one veteran’s feelings about being ‘put on the bench’ as well as his progress and resources for improving his condition.

Student Veterans of America has been working to find ways of documenting student veteran success, see their latest info at: http://chronicle.com/article/Veterans-Graduation-Rates-Are/136503/

This article has some tips about the transition to being a student, including getting involved socially, and seeing graduation as your new mission: http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/8512/five-overlooked-adjustments-from-veteran-to-student/ 

VA reduced some paperwork by eliminating annual Eligibility Verification Reports for pensions, which will allow VA employees to help with the backlog of claims.  See the full article at: http://www.newstribune.com/news/2013/jan/04/feds-cut-veterans-benefits-paperwork-requirements/

Weatherization, US Vets Anniversary, Vietnam Women Veterans Memorial, Charity Ratings

Having trouble keeping warm?  A no-cost weatherization program is offered by NACOG (Northern Arizona Council of Governments) to provide cost effective, energy saving weatherization services. This service is available at no cost to low and moderate income families in Apache, Coconino, Navajo and Yavapai Counties to help reduce utility bills and carbon footprint. Rentals and multi-family units are also included. Application is available at www.nacog.org or call NACOG Weatherization Assistance at (928)774-3759 in Flagstaff.

U.S. VETS in Prescott, a nonprofit that provides housing and supportive services to homeless veterans, invites the public to attend their 10-year anniversary celebration on January 16 from 4-7 p.m at the Prescott Resort. Enjoy free hors d’oeuvres, bid on unique auction items and enter a raffle to win a trip to Laughlin. This event is free to the public (no admission tickets are required) and funds raised will be used to furnish new housing units. Info: Andrea 445-4860 x5938 or visit www.usvetsinc.org. U.S. Vets’ mission is the successful transition of military veterans and their families through the provision of housing, counseling, career development and comprehensive support.

Here’s some interesting information about women veterans who served during the Vietnam war at: http://www.vietnamwomensmemorial.org/vwmf.php  with some wonderful photos of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial sculpture, and their Sister Search program.

Note: Mention of any non-profit organization in this blog is not to be construed as an endorsement, please check out any charitable organizations prior to making any donations.  Several good online rating sources include: www.charitynavigator.org/, www.charitywatch.org/ratingguide.html, and www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/national/ Not all non-profit organizations are large enough to be rated, so do your own research on those causes you want to support, including what percent of funds go toward the stated purpose (vs. administrative and fund-raising expenses.)

Inspiration & Information

Here's a Video for the New Year to inspire your resolution writing at: http://youtu.be/U3NgzQ9Pcsg

Here’s an uplifting story to start off the New Year!  You’ve heard the expression about making lemonade when life gives you lemons?  Well, these young students have literally made music from trash: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-20863789

After celebrating the holidays, here’s a sobering article about the relationship between drinking alcohol, PTSD, and anxiety: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/09/120902143143.htm This study showed that one long term effect of drinking alcohol is that it rewires the brain, making recovery from traumatic events more difficult.

Dr. Amen’s blog talks about the relationship between Traumatic Brain Injury and crime at: http://www.amenclinics.com/?p=6358&option=com_wordpress&Itemid=204  This article highlights the importance of early diagnosis and treatment for head injuries of all types, because prisons are not likely to help TBI situations.  There are several articles on Amen’s blog about TBI (and PTSD) treatment and resources, and you’ll find a lot of good resources at Military.com and the VA also, such as: http://www.military.com/benefits/veterans-health-care/traumatic-brain-injury-overview.html