Transitioning

Sam Westfall is an Army Veteran and passionate bow hunter. After being medically retired from the military following a debilitating injury as a tank mechanic, Sam struggled to find his place. It wasn’t until a friend put a bow in his hand for the first time that Sam started to feel the vivaciousness of life again. Sam tells us about one of his bear hunts, as well as why he made the morally driven decision to switch from rifle to bow hunting.

We are proud to have our friend John Bartlett back on the Veterans Voice Podcast! John shares with us 23 lessons he's learned the hard way through a life of overcoming adversity. We're calling it "lessons learned the hard way: by MACV-SOG veterans". We will also get an update on John's Purple Heart sign trail that he is now looking to grow nation wide. 
Our mission here on the Veterans Voice Podcast is to remind you all that you are not alone. As you hear through the stories of our guest each and every week, we have all struggled, we have all turned to poor outlets to cope with life, and we have all felt alone at times. But these are the reasons we need to all be there for one another within the veteran community; a community whose voice is needed in America more than ever. This is the Veterans Voice Podcast, and this is a reminder that you are not alone. 

This week on the Veterans Voice Podcast, Stryder Sartor honors his father, SGM Ryan Sartor, by sharing the legacy and inspirational attributes he passed down to him in 2019. We’ll hear Stryder talk with Colin Lightfoot who looked up to SGM Sartor as a mentor during his younger years as a Green Beret. Stryder also tells us how he is acting as a mentor for younger gold start children at A Soldiers Child, a summer camp-based foundation who supports children who lost a parent in the military. A common theme you’ll hear throughout the episode is that Stryder Sartor, who is now 20 years old, is a truly inspiration young man.
Our mission hear on the Veterans Voice Podcast is to remind you all that you’re not alone. As you hear through the stories of guests each and every week, we have all struggled, we have all turned to poor outlets to cope with life, and we have all felt alone at times. But these are the reason we all need to be there for one another within the Veteran community, a community whose voice is needed in America more than ever. This is the Veterans Voice Podcast, and this is a reminder that you are not alone.

The longest serving airman in Air Force history, Major General (Ret.) Alfred Flowers, and a new partnership with USAA to prevent veteran suicide.  Then, Melba Robinson-Santa and the Colorado Enterprise Fund helping veterans start and grow their own businesses.  The Colorado Veterans Business Outreach Center at Mt. Carmel is open for business!  And, a group teaching networking and interviewing skills to help veterans land their dream job.  
 
 
The Veterans Voice Project presented by USAA is an Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center service.  Veterans Voice Colorado Springs is produced in the OPTUM Podcast Studio, distributed via the Medicare Mentors Veterans Voice Podcast Channel, powered by Technology Partner Colorado Computer Support, and made possible in part by Supporting Partner, The WireNut Home Services. 
 
 
 
 
 

We’re making the case for hiring veterans with a lift from Pikes Peak Work Force Center; Mt. Carmel’s Director of Transition and Employment; veteran owned Delta Solutions and Strategies and a Navy veteran with a business superpower. 
 
 
The Veterans Voice Project presented by USAA is an Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center service.  Veterans Voice Colorado Springs is produced in the OPTUM Podcast Studio, distributed via the Medicare Mentors Veterans Voice Podcast Channel, powered by Technology Partner Colorado Computer Support, and made possible in part by Supporting Partner, The WireNut Home Services. 
 
 
 

Spring and Summer mark the start of PCS season. Permanent changes of station mean pulling up stakes, starting over in a new community and all that entails. Our experts and host have PCS'd nearly 50 times between them and they've got some helpful tips and advice to help you survive it all.
 
 
CLINT JORDAN AND NEXT MOVE MILITARY
 
 
LINDSEY MEEK AND ARMY COMMUNITY SERVICE
 
 
LAURA EARLY AND WISE ADVISE + ASSIST TEAM
 
Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center Transition and EmploymentMilSpouse Career AssistanceBlair Erato:  719-4758
 
 
The Veterans Voice presented by USAA is a service of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, produced in the OPTUM Podcast Studio, distributed via the Medicare Mentors Veterans Voice Podcast Channel, powered by Technology Partner, Colorado Computer Support and made possible in part by Supporting Partner, The WireNut Home Services.
    
 
 

A veteran business owner has received a well-earned accolade from a consortium of business support organizations and their leaders.  Model Citizen Coffee's Enrique Camacho stood out among 90 other nominees and has been named 2023 Veteran Owned Small Business off the Year.  Find out how this 30-year Army veteran got his start in business and why he won this prestigious recognition.  
 
VISIT AND SUPPORT MODEL CITIZEN COFFEE COMPANY
 
 
The Veterans Voice presented by USAA is a service of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, produced in the OPTUM Podcast Studio, distributed via the Medicare Mentors Veterans Voice Podcast Channel, powered by Technology Partner, Colorado Computer Support and made possible in part by Supporting Partner, The WireNut Home Services.
 
 

Financial Advisor and Mt. Carmel Community Ambassador, Jennifer Oliverio, paid a visit to Veterans Voice to explain the Colorado SecureSavings Act, a new retirement savings program created by the Colorado SecureSavings Board in the Office of the State Treasurer. In Colorado, more than 40% of private-sector workforce does not have access to a retirement savings plan at work.  That's nearly 940,000 workers. Colorado SecureSavings was created to meet this urgent need.
 - Copy partially excerpted from the SecureSavings website.
 
EMPLOYERS WITH 5 OR MORE EMPLOYEES, IN BUSINESS FOR 2 YEARS OR MORE, MUST REGISTER
SIGN UP HERE
 
 
SECUERSAVINGS QUESTIONS?
Contact Jennifer OliverioEdward Jones Financial Advisor
D:  719.545.3564E:  jennifer.oliverio@edwardjones.com
 
 
DOWNLOAD THE SECURESAVINGS GUIDE HERE
DOWNLOAD SECURESAVINGS 2.0 HERE
 
 
The Veterans Voice Project presented by USAA is an Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center service.  Veterans Voice Colorado Springs is produced in the OPTUM Podcast Studio, distributed via the Medicare Mentors Veterans Voice Podcast Channel, powered by Technology Partner Colorado Computer Support, and made possible in part by Supporting Partner, The WireNut Home Services. 
 
 
 

Your military life in stages:  going in, serving and afterward.  Along the way, you can't plan for or control the unexpected.  But, as our panel will tell you, you can make smart, advance financial, estate planning and end of life decisions. 
 
      
 
CONTACT RYAN PLUNKETT, FINANCIAL ADVISOR
D:  719-380-1177MORE ABOUT RYAN
 
 
CONTACT KEVIN HANCOCK, ESTATE PLANNING ATTORNEY
THE LAW OFFICE OF KEVIN R. HANCOCKD:  719-575-9690WWW.COTRUSTATTORNEY.COM
 
 
CONTACT MIKE THOMAS, VETERAN LIAISON
PIKES PEAK HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CAREWWW.PIKESPEAKHOSPICE.ORG
 
 
The Veterans Voice Project presented by USAA is an Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center service.  Veterans Voice Colorado Springs is produced in the OPTUM Podcast Studio, distributed via the Medicare Mentors Veterans Voice Podcast Channel, powered by Technology Partner Colorado Computer Support, and made possible in part by Supporting Partner, The WireNut Home Services. 
 
 
 

CTU makes it possible for those serving in the U.S. Armed Forces — along with their families and caregivers — to earn a university degree anywhere, anytime. Scholarship recipients have the Option to complete an associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree program online or at one of CTU’s campuses in Colorado Springs or Aurora.
 - Copy Credit:  Colorado Technical University
 
 
APPLY HERE THROUGH JUNE 30, 2023
DOWNLOAD THE FLYER
 
 
The Veterans Voice Project presented by USAA is an Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center service.  Veterans Voice Colorado Springs is produced in the OPTUM Podcast Studio, distributed via the Medicare Mentors Veterans Voice Podcast Channel, powered by Technology Partner Colorado Computer Support, and made possible in part by Supporting Partner, The WireNut Home Services. 
 

In this edition of Veterans Voice, an Honor Flight for women warriors; honoring Pat Tillman's memory by helping both the homeless and Veterans in need; a new L.I.N.K. between Veterans and jobs, and a healthcare provider staffing to better serve Veterans!
 
 
 
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WOMEN'S FLIGHT
DONATE TO HONOR FLIGHT
 
 
REGISTER TO RUN HERE!
 
 
TO REGISTER FOR L.I.N.K. OR GET MORE HIRING EVENT INFO
ContactMark Smith at 719-309-4724 or marksmith@mtcarmelcenter.org
 
 
 
GET OPTUM CARE IN COLORADO
 
ABOUT DR. HARPER  |  ABOUT DR. JULSON  |  ABOUT DR. MACMANAMAN
 
 
The Veterans Voice Project presented by USAA is an Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center service.  Veterans Voice Colorado Springs is produced in the OPTUM Podcast Studio, distributed via the Medicare Mentors Veterans Voice Podcast Channel, powered by Technology Partner Colorado Computer Support, and made possible in part by Supporting Partner, The WireNut Home Services. 
 
 

Thinking of starting a business after your life in the military?  In this episode of Veterans Voice, a dream team of Veteran-friendly business advisors with tips and advice on how to research your niche and market, get financing, market the smart way, and one Veteran in particular who shines as a business success story.   
 
CONTACT JIM VAN HORN DIRECTLYFSWB Specialized Lenderd:  719-483-975e:  jim.vanhorn@fswb.com
 
 
CONTACT TERRY ZARSKYSCORE Mentore:  terryzarsky@gmail.com
 
 
GET YOUR FREE NETWORKING TIPS
Power Networking Tips
 
 
LEARN MORE ABOUT 1350 DISTILLING'S SUCCESS
1350 Distilling
 
 
 
 
Meet Your Veterans Voice Host
Nanette Brédé  |  Transition and Milspouse Employment Specialist
Nanette Brédé Mueller is a difference-maker. Following her retirement after 29 years with the U.S. Army as a strategic planner and program manager, Nanette continues as a servant leader volunteering thousands of hours to the veteran community focusing on career transition, spouse employment and veteran-focused national and state legislative issues. An award-winning volunteer, Nanette was selected as the 2020 El Paso County, Colorado Veteran of the Year, in the nation’s largest veterans community. She is also a Distinguished Partner and Community Ambassador with Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center.
 
 
The Veterans Voice Project presented by USAA is an Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center service.  Veterans Voice Colorado Springs is produced in the OPTUM Podcast Studio, distributed via the Medicare Mentors Veterans Voice Podcast Channel, powered by Technology Partner Colorado Computer Support, and made possible in part by Supporting Partner, The WireNut Home Services.     
 
 
 

Meet Al Maxwell, Chief Master Sergeant, USAF Ret., Mt. Carmel partner and LINK* program facilitator.   
 
"I believe people are capable of doing incredible things and being successful at it if they are given the right tools and a chance to prove their abilities."
 - Chief Master Sergeant Al Maxwell, USAF Retired
 
*Learning, Interviewing, Networking and Knowledge (LINK) is Mt. Carmel's soon-to-launch, two-day transitional interviewing workshop led by Mark Smith, Mt. Carmel's Director of Transition and Employment. 
For more information about LINK and how you can participate, please call Mark Smith at 719-309-4724.
 
 
The Veterans Voice presented by USAA is a service of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, produced in the OPTUM Podcast Studio, distributed via the Medicare Mentors Veterans Voice Podcast Channel, powered by Technology Partner, Colorado Computer Support and made possible in part by Supporting Partner, The WireNut Home Services.
 
 
 

This edition of Veterans Voice features three institutions of higher learning and three ways veterans can engage!

This week on Veterans Voice, the best start to the new year could be getting a great job.  Get the details on Mt. Carmel's January 25, hiring event.  Then, also in January, the Travis Manion Foundation is teaching how to lead with your strengths and family character building.  
 
 
 
 
The Veterans Voice presented by USAA is a service of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, produced in the OPTUM Podcast Studio, distributed via the Medicare Mentors Veterans Voice Podcast Channel, powered by Technology Partner, Colorado Computer Support and made possible in part by Supporting Partner, The WireNut Home Services.
 
 

In this podcast, DRF's Mike Lawyer and Scott Schnurr share some startling facts about the plumbing trades and how you can leverage that information to your advantage.
Work in the Plumbing Trades
 
 
Ken Fisher, founder of Fisher House, is providing refuge to the families of ill veterans.
Connect with Fisher House  
 
 
FREE massage for Veterans provided by Sarah Meadows, licensed massage therapist and Navy veteran at Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center every Monday. Openings in January.
Call 719-309-4714 to Reserve Your Session
 
 
The Veterans Voice presented by USAA is a service of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, produced in the OPTUM Podcast Studio, distributed via the Medicare Mentors Veterans Voice Podcast Channel, powered by Technology Partner, Colorado Computer Support and made possible in part by Supporting Partner, The WireNut Home Services.
 
 

Veterans Voice Pueblo host, Cassime Joseph, introduces you you to Josh Wills, a key member of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center Pueblo. Josh was born in California, but his parents owned land in Huerfano County, Colorado, so they moved their family there in 1990. He followed family customs and served in the United States Navy.
Josh returned to school after serving in the military and earned an associate's degree in criminology at Bellevue College in Washington State. Afterward, he returned to Colorado and started working as a prison officer where he was later elevated to the case manager position. 

 
In this hour of Veterans Voice, completing Financial Peace University yields financial success for a veteran couple.  Then Bill Nash on employment opportunities for veterans in the high-demand construction trades; Byron Edwards on OSHA certifications in facilities management and Blake Schwank on work in the IT/cyber security space.  
 
Register for 2023 Financial Peace UniversitySeminar Openings in February and AugustCall Jonathan Helm:  719-772-7000
 
 
 
Interested in OSHA HAZMAT Certification?Classes are FREE for Veterans!Learn more at www.nationalpete.org/military-training-program
 
 
Start Your Career in Facilities ManagementVeteran Friendly Companies are Hiring Across the CountryByron Edwards:  bedwardsfm@gmail.com
Explore a Career in IT TechVeterans Owned Colorado Computer Support is Hiring!Call:  (719) 355-2440
 
 
The Veterans Voice presented by USAA is a service of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, produced in the OPTUM Podcast Studio, distributed via the Medicare Mentors Veterans Voice Podcast Channel, powered by Technology Partner, Colorado Computer Support and made possible in part by Supporting Partner, The WireNut Home Services.
 
 

Employers won't tell you this but interviewing is a survival skill.  Imagine being asked what kind of tree you would be if you you were a tree... or car... or whether you've ever had a disagreement with your boss.  Learn to survive the interview process, how to network your way to employment and much more.  Join the next Prep Connect 360 class at Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center November 14-18.  Sign up now!  Call 719-309-4724.
 
             
 
The Veterans Voice presented by USAA is a service of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, produced in the OPTUM Podcast Studio, distributed via the Medicare Mentors Veterans Voice Podcast Channel, powered by Technology Partner, Colorado Computer Support and made possible in part by Supporting Partner, The WireNut Home Services.

Get ready for the next phase in your life.  September 19-23, join Prep Connect 360 for a no-cost, 5-day advanced job seekers workshop for veterans, active duty, guard/reserve and military spouses.  Prep Connect 360 Founder, CEO and lead facilitator, Nanette Brede', and Mt. Carmel's director of transition and employment, Mark Smith, have all the details.

August 22, 2022 - Special to the Veterans Voice - your monthly update from Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center in Pueblo featuring operations manager Justin Verhulst and community coordinator Sal Katz.  Changes coming to the Pueblo office, more services being added and new connections to the community being made all to benefit military, veterans and their families!   

August 6, 2022 – Mt. Carmel’s Director of Transition and Employment, Mark Smith, talks about how he and his team will help you get job-ready as you transition out of the service.  Then, recruiter for veteran friendly employer Cox, Inc., Peter Mahmood, is holding the door open for you on the automotive side at Cox.  The opportunities are available locally and across the nation.

July 7, 2022 - Special to Veterans Voice - Great news!  If you're looking for employment, now is an especially good time.  Veterans Voice Host, Mike Lewis, and Mt. Carmel Transition and Employment Peer Navigator, Elan Rainford, have all the information you need about the upcoming hiring event on July 12!  Call Elan at 719-309-4721 for more information and directions to the event.

April 9, 2022 - For many, transitioning out of active-duty service is life-changing.  Mt. Carmel’s Transition & Employment team partners with the federally-mandated Transition Assistance Program (TAP) at the local military bases to continue being a Beacon of Support following full transition.  Hear from a local TAP leader and recently retired service member on the many opportunities locally to set individuals up for success post-military.