Military Community
November 2017-Ashford University Newsletter
Military Development and Engagement
The Military Community Newsletter at Ashford University was created for you to learn about and share community events, resources, and key topics relevant to service members, veterans, and their families nationwide. Please contact Ashford's Military Development and Engagement Specialist if you have questions or additional resources you would like to share with your fellow military community.
IN THIS ISSUE
November is National Military Family Month
- Marine Corps 242nd Birthday
- Flu Season is here! Veterans protect yourselves and get a NO COST flu shot!
- Military Education Outreach Team and Events
- Introducing LinkedIn Job Search App
- Council of College and Military Educators: Scholarships
In which industries are veterans well-suited to work?
Site Tour of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
Postal Service Offering Discounted Holiday Shipping for Military Families
Student Veterans Organization
Fall Commencement Military Appreciation Event
Nationwide Conference Calendar by Month: US Veterans Magazine
- Previous Editions
November is National Military Family Month
In 2013 President Obama made a Presidential Proclamation that November will be designated as Military Family Month.
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Throughout our Nation's history, an unbroken chain of patriots has strengthened us in times of peace and defended us in times of war. Yet the courageous men and women of the United States military do not serve alone. Standing alongside them are husbands and wives, parents and children, sisters and brothers. During Military Family Month, we celebrate the families who make daily sacrifices to keep our Nation whole, and we remember a most sacred obligation -- to serve them as well as they serve us.
Military families exemplify the courage and resolve that define our national character. For their country and their loved ones, they rise to the challenges of multiple deployments and frequent moves -- spouses who care and provide for children in their partners' absence, kids who make new friends and leave known comforts behind. They are the force behind the force, patriots who support their family members in uniform while enriching the communities they call home. (Presidential Proclamation -- Military Family Month (2013). Retrieved September 25, 2017, from https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2013/10/31/presidential-proclamation-military-family-month-2013
Marine Corps 242nd Birthday
View the video above to see a message from Capt. Charles Broun when reflecting on the 241st birthday of the Marine Corps.
"What others wouldn't do, we have done. You will sweat for each other, you will bleed for each other if you need to, that's what true family is." — Capt. Charles Broun
Flu Season is here! Veterans: protect yourselves and get a NO COST flu shot!
The cold and flu season is upon us and the Department of Veterans Affairs has once again teamed up with Walgreens Pharmacies nationwide to allow all veterans who are currently enrolled in the VA healthcare system to be able walk into any of the over 8000 Walgreens nationally to receive a vaccination at no cost. Vaccinations will be available through March 31, 2018.
Veterans wishing to receive the no cost vaccination simply need to present a Veterans Identification Card and a photo ID, at any participating Walgreens to receive the vaccination. The Group ID is: VAFLU
In addition, after the Walgreens pharmacist administers the vaccine Walgreens will transmit that information securely to VA where it becomes part of the patient’s electronic medical record.
VA is committed to keeping veteran patients healthy, and during this flu season, vaccination is the best way to prevent the spread of flu. No matter where you live, visit your local VA clinic or Walgreens to get a no cost flu shot.
- To find your local VA, visit va.gov/directory/guide/home.asp.
- To locate a Walgreens store near you, call 800-WALGREENs (800-925-4733), or go to com/findastore.
- To learn more about the partnership, call 1-877-771-8537 or visit https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/programs/veterans/immunization.asp .
- To get more information on flu and flu vaccine, visit publichealth.va.gov/flu or www.cdc.gov/flu.
Military Education Outreach Team and Events
Introducing LinkedIn Job Search App
The LinkedIn Job Search App provides a one-stop shop for your job seeking needs. Whether you are actively on the hunt for a new gig or just keeping an eye out, the new app comes packed with the core LinkedIn features you’ve come to rely on to help manage your job search, including:
A streamlined end-to-end experience: Landing your dream job can feel like a full-time job. So we wanted to make it easier to find, research, and apply for your next opportunity by maximizing your “in between” moments. The next time you’re in a line for coffee or stuck waiting for a delayed flight, why not jump start your job search from your phone.
Customizable search: Job searching is not a one-size-fits all process and we want to make sure you have the tools to find just the right fit. To take a more tailored approach, you can use Advanced Search to filter jobs by fields such as title, location, company, industry, or seniority level.
Recommended jobs tailored for you: You have a lot on your plate, so let us do some of the heavy lifting for you. Based on your saved searches, jobs you’ve viewed, and your LinkedIn profile, we’ll surface new and relevant opportunities for you.
Be in the know: Finding a job that interests you is just the first step. Use the app to learn more about the company and check out who you know that already works at the company to get the competitive intel you need to stand out. We’ll also make sure we’re keeping tabs on the jobs that interest you with important notifications when jobs you’ve saved are about to expire or when a recruiter has viewed your application, or when there are new jobs that meet your search criteria.
Retrieved from: https://blog.linkedin.com/2014/06/19/new-job-search-mobile-app
Council of College and Military Educators: Scholarships
In which industries are veterans well-suited to work?
- "Why should companies hire veterans?"
- "Are veterans natural leaders?"
- "What do you wish all veterans knew before they transitioned into the civilian sector?"
More about Lida
A TEDx Speaker, she presents her unique personal branding training programs across the U.S., at military installations and events, serves on the Board of Directors of NAVSO, volunteers with ESGR, and has produced numerous programs and materials to help military veterans successfully transition after service. If you have a transition question Lida can help answer, email her at LidaCitroen@lida360.com. She is also the author of the best-selling book, "Your Next Mission: A personal branding guide for the military-to-civilian transition," available at www.YourNextMissionBook.com and on Amazon.
Site Tour of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
Ashford University students and alumni had the exciting opportunity to tour NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland in October. This event was coordinated by our own veteran and Ashford alum, Olumide Onanuga, and Ashford’s Career and Alumni office.
During the visit, attendees heard tips first hand from a NASA recruiter that could help them land a federal job and why NASA is such a great place to work. After the presentation by the recruiter, students and alumni had a behind the scenes look of the Space Flight Center. Attendees learned about, and experienced first-hand, the innovating and exciting work NASA is doing in space. They met scientists, asked questions about the newest telescopes, and watched engineers in a clean room. The excitement among those on the tour was contagious.
Each student and alumni expressed their passion for space exploration, and sought to learn how they could be a part of the action. Many of the attendees were active military or veterans and were eager to use their skills in such a setting. With such a successful event, the Career and Alumni office is working to partner with other organizations to provide these opportunities for students and alumni to meet recruiters and peek behind the curtain to see how an organization operates.
Postal Service Offering Discounted Holiday Shipping for Military Families
The U.S. Postal Service is offering discounted shipping of presents and cards to military members this holiday season.
Among other benefits, those sending packages in the largest priority mail boxes would receive a discounted price of $16.75.
These flat rate boxes are free at local post offices or can be purchased online.
In addition, the postal service has launched a free military care kit, which includes four priority mail flat rate boxes, priority mail tape and address labels and customs forms.
To order the care kit, you can call 800-610-8734. Learn about shipping guidelines.
Source USPS.com
Veterans Day Facts
Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and Nov. 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. Unlike Memorial Day, Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans—living or dead—but especially gives thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime.
WHEN IS VETERANS DAY?
- Veterans Day occurs on November 11 every year in the United States.
- In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower officially changed the name of the holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans Day.
- In 1968, the Uniform Holidays Bill was passed by Congress, which moved the celebration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. The law went into effect in 1971, but in 1975 President Gerald Ford returned Veterans Day to November 11, due to the important historical significance of the date.
- Great Britain, France, Australia and Canada also commemorate the veterans of World War I and World War II on or near November 11th: Canada has Remembrance Day, while Britain has Remembrance Sunday (the second Sunday of November).
- In Europe, Great Britain and the Commonwealth countries it is common to observe two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. every November 11.
VETERANS TODAY
The military men and women who serve and protect the U.S. come from all walks of life; they are parents, children, grandparents, friends, neighbors and coworkers, and are an important part of their communities. Here are some facts about the veteran population of the United States:
- 16.1 million living veterans served during at least one war.
- 5.2 million veterans served in peacetime.
- 2 million veterans are women.
- 7 million veterans served during the Vietnam War.
- 5.5 million veterans served during the Persian Gulf War.
- Of the 16 million Americans who served during World War II, about 558,000 are still alive.
- 2 million veterans served during the Korean War.
- 6 million veterans served in peacetime.
- As of 2014, 2.9 million veterans received compensation for service-connected disabilities.
- As of 2014, 3 states have more than 1 million veterans among their population: California (1.8 million), Florida (1.6 million) and Texas (1.7 million).
- The VA health care system had 54 hospitals in 1930, since then it has expanded to include 171 medical centers; more than 350 outpatient, community, and outreach clinics; 126 nursing home care units; and 35 live-in care facilities for injured or disabled vets.
Source: http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/veterans-day-facts
Student Veterans Organization
The mission of Ashford University’s Student Veteran’s Organization (SVO) is for military and veteran students and alumni to assist active duty and veteran students with their educational goals through mentoring, tutoring, professional networking, and support with their job search. The SVO supports the unique needs of service members and their families, encourages persistence by celebrating accomplishments, and motivates military students and their dependents to achieve personal, professional, and educational goals.
The SVO has been rapidly growing over the past 2 years from just 88 members to more than 615. Join* now and get connected with peers who have walked in your shoes, speak the same language, and share in the challenges you face as a military affiliated student. Share transition advice, find local military affiliated students you didn't know were in your own backyard, and share job postings and career fairs.
With less than 7.3 percent of the American population ever serving in the armed forces
(What Percentage Of Americans Have Served In The Military?
MAR. 19, 2015), this community makes for a small and tight knit community where we rely on our brothers and sisters in arms for support and advice. Join the SVO and start connecting with your fellow student veterans at Ashford!
*Must have a LinkedIn account to join.
What Percentage Of Americans Have Served In The Military?
(MAR. 19, 2015) from https://fivethirtyeight.com/datalab/what-percentage-of-americans-have-served-in-the-military/
Fall Commencement Military Appreciation Event
Nationwide Conference Calendar
Previous Editions
* The newsletter may contain now or in the future links to other websites, such as links to military charities, discounts or offers, or other third parties that may provide services or products to you. These links and this information is being provided to you for your convenience and as a resource. We are not responsible for the privacy practices, the content of, or any other actions of such other websites or their owners or operators, information they may collect or information they may share. Further, the inclusion of an organization on this newsletter does not indicate an endorsement of such organization (or of any religious or political point of view promoted by such organization) by Ashford University or its affiliates.
Citations and URL Image Retrieval
LinkedIn Image. Retrieved from: https://www.flickr.com/photos/hansbrouwer/4929145358/in/photolist-8vzabN-aitUjh-dXDEwv-oC3Uv-vnuHKi-yQKKt-beKTxv-nPzLWU-jqeZqH-eUxXj3-
Veterans Day Flag Image. Retrieved From: http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/hledej.php?hleda=veterans+day
Military Thank You Dog Tags Image. Retrieved From: https://www.shutterstock.com/image-illustration/military-dog-tags-flag-thank-you-224233078?i
Postal Service Deadlines Image. Retrieved From: https://media.defense.gov/2010/Oct/08/2000317727/670/394/0/101008-F-9999D-001.JPG
Obama Proclamation Image. Retrieved From: http://www.dodlive.mil/files/2013/11/ObamaFilePhoto131101.jpg
Flu Image. Retrieved from: https://www.flickr.com/photos/europedistrict/6263270500
About the Editor
Stephanie Kinman is the Military Development and Engagement Specialist at Ashford. She served six years as a Navy Corpsman with two of those years attached to a Marine unit. She is well versed in understanding the unique challenges military students face. She achieved her undergraduate degree in Psychology from University of Phoenix and her MSW with a focus on Military and Veteran Populations from University of Southern California.
Stephanie is dedicated to the military student population and brings her education, social work background and personal experience, both in the military and in the classroom, to provide resources, community events, and pathways for students to connect outside of the classroom.
Email: stephanie.kinman@ashford.edu
Website: http://www.ashford.edu/military/military_resources.htm
Location: 8620 Spectrum Center Blvd, San Diego, CA 92123, United States