Joint Forces Training Base expands Vet Center services to drill weekends for soldiers

Photo By Yvonne Najera | Soldiers get valuable job services information from the representatives of Vet Net, Costa Mesa during the Open House, Feb. 8, at the Vet Center on the Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos, Feb. 8. (Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Yvonne Najera)  

LOS ALAMITOS RESERVE CENTER AND AIR STATION, CA, UNITED STATES

02.08.2014

Story by Staff Sgt. Yvonne Najera 

40th Infantry Division

JOINT FORCES TRAINING BASE, Los Alamitos, Calif. – For the first time ever, the Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos’ Vet Center opened its doors to business during a drill weekend, Feb. 8. Just past the front gate of the base, many Soldiers drive past the center and are not aware of what’s available to them in this center.

“We’re here five days a week. We want to let the Soldiers know, we have all these services here on a regular basis in the service center,” Russell Nakaishi, a service officer with Am Vets.

One of the many vendors present was the Working Wardrobes’ Vet Net program that provides job services. Among some of the services and workshops offered are career assessments, job training opportunities, career placement assistance, resume writing, and professional wardrobing.

“I consider myself an employment broker,” said Max Salera, with Vet Net of Costa Mesa. “So depending on your skill set, your background, and the experience you have, we’ll look for those types of companies that are hiring and have those opportunities for you.”

Then they’ll make the calls and reach out to agencies that are with the veteran population in your area.

Also present was a representative from the transition assistance advisors office for the state of California, resident experts on transitioning from military life to civilian life. They assist service members, recently separated veterans and their families in accessing both Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs benefits, as well as assisting in identifying resources for unmet needs. They also act as a conduit between veterans' agencies and County Veterans Service Officers.

“When Soldiers deploy and go through the deployment cycle, I go to the Yellow Ribbon events and help with any VA questions, and with any financial assistance questions,” said Nicole Townsend, transitional assistance advisor, J-1 health benefits in Sacramento.

Currently there is a California Military Family Relief Fund, which is a grant for service members who deploy 60 days or more. When a service member experience a 10 percent or more decrease in their income due to deployment may be eligible to the grant. This grant covers food, shelter, vehicle payments, prescriptions, and anything that couldn’t be paid based on the income in a hardship that was due to the deployment even after six months.

Jones’ concept is that the Veteran Services Center will now be open once a quarter during homestation drill weekends to give the Soldiers the opportunity to get their financial, educational, and medical needs taken care of.

“One of the things about Soldier services is that they’re only as good as they are accessible to Soldiers,” said Maj. Gen. Keith D. Jones, commander, 40th Infantry Division.

• Date Taken: 02.08.2014
• Date Posted: 04.07.2014 20:39
• Story ID: 124774
• Location: LOS ALAMITOS RESERVE CENTER AND AIR STATION, CA, US