After a bit of a hiatus, the Veterans Lounge Podcast has finally managed to put out a fresh new episode!

My guest here in episode 7 is Army veteran Robert Simmons.  Robert reached out to the podcast sometime ago and shared quite an interesting story pertaining to his experiences with the Veterans Affairs hospital.  At first, I was not entirely comfortable with the idea of sharing his story, but after thinking about it, I came to realize the challenges Mr. Simmons was trying to make public were ones that many veterans could relate to.  

Plus, the veterans lounge was always a place where one of our own could vent and get these types of issues off their chest and maybe get some help along the way.  So, in keeping with that idea, it only made sense that Robert should be able to tell his story, and be heard.

#veteranstories #veteransfirst #bettertogether

When you commit 24 years of your life to something, that something becomes part of your identity.  However, when that sense of identity is suddenly removed, the feeling of loss can lead us down a perilous road from which many do not return.

This was the case for 24 year Army veteran Farron Dozier.

Late in his career, Farron’s health mysteriously began to fail.  Finding the reason behind his diminishing health would take several years, but he would eventually learn that he was a carrier of the Sickle Cell trait.  Unfortunately, the new knowledge would be bittersweet for Farron.  Because it would immediately solve the mystery behind his health issues, but also bring his career in the Army to an abrupt end.

The years that followed would put Sergeant First Class (retired) Dozier through the gambit of emotions that come with a loss of identity, bouts of depression, thoughts of suicide, strengthening his mental health education, reimagining his future, and finding a new passion to invest his time and military experience.

#veteranstories #veteransfirst #bettertogether

Episode available on Monday, September 6, wherever you listen to your podcasts, and on YouTube after 10 a.m. 

https://youtu.be/PJOHfpDlGs0

Will Ryan's military experience included a period on active duty and some years in the Air National Guard.  Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, and with little notification, his Air Guard career would be cut short, and he quickly found himself unemployed. 

Lucky for Will, he would found a veteran community that provided him counsel and career advice.  Where he found it is rather interesting.  Under the umbrella of the 501(c)3 non-profit called Military & Veteran Gamers (MVG) mvgcharity.org.