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The multi-national online transportation network company Uber has set a goal to help military vets and spouses generate half a billion in income by 2020 by creating UberMILITARY. Back in September 2014, Uber announced an ambitious plan of bringing on board 50,000 members of the military community to the Uber platform over the next 18 months. Now, Fox News has confirmed that Uber has met its goal and is now embarking on a new one — generating half a billion in income for the veterans by 2020. UberMilitary Takes Off “I’m proud to be a part of this unprecedented effort by a single company to ensure that tens of thousands of our nation’s military members, veterans and spouses have access to a unique entrepreneurial opportunity.” said former Secretary of Defense and now a volunteer Chairman of the UberMILITARY Advisory Board Dr. Robert Gates on an official company release. “UberMILITARY is committed to providing our service men and women with the economic opportunity, flexibility and entrepreneurship that are the foundation of the Uber platform.” Needless to say, the program offers lots of benefits to veterans and one of them, for instance, is the ability for veterans without cars to get brand new cars at subsidized prices from auto manufacturers such as GM, Toyota and Ford. Veterans also get access to exclusive financing options from approved Uber lenders. UberMILITARY Empowers Veterans The Uber Military program has in a big way empowered many veterans to be entrepreneurs and small business owners, and among some of the most cited advantages by the veteran drivers’ is that joining the program provides them with a steady and growing income as well as flexible working hours. According to Uber, veterans maintain higher driver ratings than non-veteran drivers and they also average more trips per week than non-veteran drivers. Those seeking to join the program can sign up here. By Antony Maina

Many Veterans who have experienced combat have various physical and emotional challenges to manage after they have transitioned from the Military. During combat the military member is subjected to physical and emotional experiences unlike anything else. Even though they are the most physically and emotionally tough individuals on the planet the human being is not built for these types of situations. There is no internal switch that can be turned on or off to alleviate the symptoms that the veteran experiences post combat. Below is a short list of areas that our veterans experience issues with: PTS Traumatic brain injury Depression Anxiety Musculoskeletal problems Hearing problems Regardless of the issues that are present the last thing our veterans need is a label. They know that the circumstances they were exposed to have changed them in ways they wouldn’t have imagined. In talking with various Veterans about their experiences a common consensus is, medication is not the answer. They need avenues to manage what they are currently experiencing and most of all to know they are not alone. The last thing we need to do as a nation is to be assigning labels which is stigmatizing to the veteran. Veterans need very similar support that anyone who has gone through a very traumatic event needs. It all starts with the basics of caring about them, listening to them, being there when they need a sounding board, including them in programs that honor their sacrifice but more importantly utilize their amazing gifts/talents to move them forward into a future that embraces who they are. Isn’t that was drives most of us in our daily lives? Why would veterans be any different? Why would we assume that medicating and placing labels on our Veterans is a solution? Being a combat veteran myself I have experienced various issues as a result of the circumstances. The best thing that I found while recovering from the stresses was to be focused on the future and to surround myself with people who were interested in helping me to get where I wanted to go. This was not an easy road but I did find avenues to process the experiences and feelings which has allowed me to live a highly successful life. There are many non-profits that provide various types of therapeutic services for our veterans. One non-profit that I was recently exposed to from my role on a local Military Alliance Council Board of Advisors is Project Healing Waters. Their mission is being dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military service personnel and disabled veterans through fly fishing and associated activities including education and outings. Isn’t this what we do for ourselves when we feel the stresses of life...we find those avenues that provide us the greatest relief and bring us to a place of internal peace. My challenge to everyone is to find a way you can support our veterans that need our assistance. Landmark Life Coaching’s Mission is to honorably and respectfully serve courageous groundbreakers and transitioning veterans to persevere in defining and executing their future by providing an atmosphere of comradery and trust that honors their dedication and commitment. This will empower our clients to feel whole, honored, respected and fulfilled in defining and living their life purpose. By Dwayne Paro

GREENCASTLE, Pa. (WHTM) – Disabled veterans need help. Shelter dogs need a home. Both needs are being met in a program called Operation Save A Vet, Save A Pet. At Good Dog in Greencastle, Helen Carlson trains rescue dogs. “To assist in at least three tasks; opening up doors, pulling cabinets open, turn on light switches, pick up items, that type of thing,” Carlson said. “We’ve screened probably close to 70 dogs and we have six in our program,” said Justin Slep, director of Franklin County Veteran’s Affairs. “So, it is difficult to find the right temperament and the right abilities for each dog. We’re looking at all breeds.” Once a rescue dog is trained, they’ll be paired with a Franklin County disabled veteran at no cost. Slep, a former Marine, came up with the idea. “Through my personal experience utilizing therapeutic riding programs, through my recovery and challenges with PTSD and my TBI, I wanted to get animals involved with our vets,” Slep said. Some of the dogs will be ready for a veteran by the end of May. “I was like, ‘I’m on board’,” Carlson said. “I’d love to do it.” Not only will the rescue dogs be able to help veterans with everyday tasks, they’ll also provide companionship. “When you look in their eyes, there’s no judgment. They’re not saying this person is unstable because he’s a combat vet. This person is unpredictable. There’s none of that,” Slep said. “You look in their beautiful, big eyes and they just look at you and say I love you for who you are, no matter what it is.” If you’re a disabled vet and already have a dog, they’ll train it for a $50 fee. For more information, contact the Franklin County VA department at 717-263-4326 or jdslep@franklincountypa.gov. By Karissa Shatzer

This is an interview with John Gillard, who explored yoga for several years while he was active duty military. He now teaches at a studio in Warren, RI. “There is no separation between yoga and service for me,” says John. “I receive so much from my practice; it is only sensible to give back, at least a fraction.” Rob: What originally motivated you to do this work, and what continues to motivate you? How, if at all, has that motivation changed over time? The definition of yoga is “the union of opposites.” Although my late mother never taught a single posture, she modeled uniting opposites by gracefully balancing her triumphs and challenges. This is what motivates me to teach. As a man of color from an urban setting, the messages about violence are extremely ambiguous. Yoga provides a practice that clarifies this ambiguity by centering me spiritually, emotionally, and physically. This motivates me to continue to practice; that motivation has become more intimate as time has passed. Is there a standout moment from your work with the Veteran population? Every time I interact with a Veteran who is coping with military sexual trauma (MST), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, or a combination of mental illnesses, I see that relaxation and sleep are very difficult for them. So to hear from a Veteran, for example, that “this is the most relaxed I’ve felt in 20 years,” or to have someone simply fall asleep during yoga class after sharing that they’ve been awake for 72 hours; those are standout moments for me. What did you know about the population you are working with before you began teaching? What were some of the assumptions you had about this population, and how have those assumptions changed? I’m a combat Veteran who has actually experienced more trauma here, at home, than I ever experienced abroad, despite engaging in firefights. I have first-hand experience of what violence and trauma do to individuals. I’ve also worked in human services and that experience has allowed for sound insight into the practical reality of this population. My assumption was that not all Veterans would be receptive to yoga practice, but I’ve found that many more than I expected are, and that number is only growing. I now realize that Veterans will use the tools available as long as those tools are presented respectfully. What are two distinct ways that your teaching style differs from the way you might teach in a studio, and what are the reasons for these differences? My style actually remains the same. This is because the studios that I’ve taught and/or currently teach in share a passion for the practice, not simply the presentation. This is important because it allows me to remain true to my heartfelt and committed service orientation. What has been the greatest challenge in your teaching experience and what tools have you developed for addressing that challenge? My greatest challenge is also my greatest strength. I look more like a football player than a yoga instructor! Many students view me as a fitness instructor. Although, soon they recognize that I’m not interested in pretentious posturing, but rather in heartfelt, soulful, and noncompetitive yoga practice. I remain authentic in who I am — a humble, loving man who seeks opportunities to serve others. So rewarding! What advice would you give to anyone who is going to teach yoga to Veterans? The same advice I received from Tom Gillette, an experienced yoga teacher and mentor: “Teach from your core. There are amazing instructors everywhere; be yourself.” What are some of your ideas about, or hopes for, the future of “service yoga” in America in the next decade? I’d like for yoga to become more accessible and better received in urban settings, as well as in society in general. It’s become normal for us to engage in mindless living. Yoga provides the information for us to either challenge this truth or remain mindless. Over the next decade, I’d like to see it offered widely as a complementary treatment to traditional therapies such as mental health counseling, physical therapy, occupational therapy, etc. I’d also like to see more teachers allow the common thread of holding sacred space and cultivating our interconnectedness rather than focusing solely on branding or trademarking, especially in trauma-sensitive yoga. How has this work changed your definition of service? Your definition of yoga? Your practice? Serving such deserving populations as Veterans — whether incarcerated, coping with MST, PTSD, and/or physical or mental illness — has deepened my understanding of service. I realize that no matter how much I give, I’m always receiving far more than what I’m giving. Yoga is the union of opposites, embracing ALL aspects of who I am without guilt or shame, but with a warm parental love. Service has made my practice more intimate, recognizing my practice in all aspects of my life. Yoga is not simply a posture or series of postures; yoga is every breath and interaction...yoga is the symbol of our interconnectedness. Editor: Alice Trembour

Way back in January, after getting into a spat with Fox News, Donald Trump decided to skip the presidential debate and hold a counter-event — a fundraiser for veterans charities. His campaign reportedly raised $6 million to be distributed to 22 different charities — money that many of the charities say they have never seen, and that Trump's campaign adviser for veterans issues can't account for, The Daily Beast reports. To date, about half of the $6 million owed has been traced by CNN and The Wall Street Journal, but the remaining money is unaccounted for. When asked about it, Trump's campaign adviser for veterans issues Al Baldasaro said, "I could ask, but it's not high on my priority list." When pressed, he said, "I'm not concerned about it, because I know [Trump is] an honorable, honest guy... you guys just want to say, 'gotcha.'" The charity Task Force Dagger told The Daily Beast that while they received $50,000 from the Steward J. Rahr Foundation, apparently on behalf of Trump, the campaign itself has not replied to the question of if they'd be offering a contribution as well. "A highly publicized event such as Trump's fundraiser for veterans charities ought to disclose within a few months what it has done with the funds it has raised," Daniel Borochoff, the president of the watchdog group CharityWatch, told The Daily Beast. "Given the publicity surrounding the event, I believe timely delivery of the donations is in order."  by Jeva Lange

Newswise —  Like an endlessly repeating video loop, horrible memories and thoughts can keep playing over and over in the minds of people with post-traumatic stress disorder. They intrude at the quietest moments, and don’t seem to have an off switch. But a new study in veterans with PTSD shows the promise of mindfulness training for enhancing the ability to manage those thoughts if they come up, and not get “stuck”. Even more surprising, it actually shows the veterans’ brains changed -- in ways that may help them find their own off switch for that endless loop. The findings, published in Depression and Anxiety by a team from the University of Michigan Medical School and VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, come from a study of 23 veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. All of them got some form of group therapy. After four months of weekly sessions, many reported that their PTSD symptoms eased up. But only in those who got mindfulness training – a mind-body technique that focuses on in-the-moment attention and awareness – did the researchers see the brain changes that surprised even them. Shifting brain connections The changes showed up on functional MRI, or fMRI, brain scans that can visualize brain activity as different areas of the brain “talk” to one another through networks of connections between brain cells. Before the mindfulness training, when the veterans were resting quietly, their brains had extra activity in regions involved in responding to threats or other outside problems. This is a sign of that endless loop of hypervigilance often seen in PTSD. But after learning mindfulness, they developed stronger connections between two other brain networks: the one involved in our inner, sometimes meandering, thoughts, and the one involved in shifting and directing attention. “The brain findings suggest that mindfulness training may have helped the veterans develop more capacity to shift their attention and get themselves out of being “stuck” in painful cycles of thoughts,” says Anthony King, Ph.D., a U-M Department of Psychiatry researcher who led the new study in collaboration with VA psychologists. “We’re hopeful that this brain signature shows the potential of mindfulness to be helpful for managing PTSD for people who might initially decline therapy involving trauma processing,” he adds. “We hope it may provide emotional regulation skills to help bring them to a place where they feel better able to process their traumas.” King, who has experience providing individual and group therapy for veterans from many conflicts, worked with a team of brain-imaging experts and PTSD specialists including senior author Israel Liberzon, M.D. They used an fMRI scanner at the VA Ann Arbor that’s dedicated to research. In all, 14 of the veterans finished the mindfulness sessions and completed follow-up fMRI scans, and 9 finished the comparison sessions and had scans. The small size of the group means the new results are only the start of an exploration of this issue, King says. A palatable option Before they launched the study, the researchers weren’t sure that they could find enough veterans to try mindfulness-based training. After all, it has a reputation as an “alternative” approach and has a relationship to traditionally East and South Asian practices like meditation and yoga. But in fact, more of the initial group of veterans stuck with mindfulness-based therapy sessions – held each week for two hours with a trained mindfulness teacher and psychotherapist – than made it all the way through the comparison psychotherapy group that didn’t get mindfulness training. “Once we explained the rationale behind mindfulness, which aims to ground and calm a person while also addressing mental phenomena, they were very interested and engaged – more than we expected,” says King. “The approach we took included standard elements of exposure therapy as well as mindfulness, to help lead veterans to be able to process the trauma itself.” The comparison group received a VA-developed intervention that was designed for “control group” use. It included problem-solving and group support but not mindfulness or exposure therapy. The mindfulness group saw improvement in PTSD symptoms, in the form of decreased scores on a standard scale of PTSD severity, that was statistically significant and considered clinically meaningful, whereas the control group did not. However, the between-group effects in this small study were not considered statistically significant, and therefore King wants to explore the trend further in larger groups, and in civilians. He emphasizes that people with PTSD should not see mindfulness alone as a potential solution for their symptoms, and that they should seek out providers trained specifically in PTSD care. That’s because mindfulness sessions can sometimes actually trigger symptoms such as intrusive thoughts to flare up. So, it is very important for people with PTSD to have help from a trained counselor to use mindfulness as part of their therapy for PTSD. “Mindfulness can help people cope with and manage their trauma memories, explore their patterns of avoidance when confronting reminders of their trauma, and better understand their reactions to their symptoms,” says King. “It helps them feel more grounded, and to notice that even very painful memories have a beginning, a middle and an end -- that they can become manageable and feel safer. It’s hard work, but it can pay off.” Network shifts At the start of the study, and in previous U-M/VA work, the fMRI scans of veterans with PTSD showed unusual activity. Even when they were asked to rest quietly and let their minds wander freely, they had high levels of activity in brain networks that govern reactions to salient, or meaningful, external signals such as threats or dangers. Meanwhile, the default mode network, involved in inwardly focused thinking and when the mind is wandering, was not as active in them. But at the end of the mindfulness course, the default mode area was more active – and showed increased connections to areas of the brain known as the executive network. This area gets involved in what scientists call volitional attentional shifting – purposefully moving your attention to think about or act upon something. Those with the greatest easing of symptoms had the largest increases in connections. “We were surprised by the findings, because there is thinking that segregation between the default mode network and the salience network is good,” says King. “But now we are hopeful that this brain signature of increased connection to areas associated with volitional attention shifting at rest may be helpful for managing PTSD, and may help patients have more capacity to help themselves get out of being stuck in painful ruts of trauma memories and rumination.”

Our Nation is facing an epidemic situation of grand proportions with the level of suicides happening in our Veteran population. While our Veterans may be facing challenges as a result of their combat experience they are also experiencing issues caused from the lack of proper support and resources to get back to a new normal. Many of our Veterans experience the following: Self-Isolation Invisibility Falling through the cracks No obvious support avenues There are various reports and statistics that report varying numbers of suicides per day (1 to 22) but what is alarming is that any number is happening to those that have selflessly defended our Nations freedom. When you look at the short representative list above you have to know and believe that this can be addressed. Why are there more studies and discussions on the exact demographics and numbers of suicides for Veterans than actual action being taken to prevent suicides amongst our Veterans? I would contend there needs to be a surge in education on how to prevent suicide from happening not matter what is leading our Veteran to that place in their life. I would also contend that 1 is too large of a number...let’s stop bantering and writing about what the “real” number is and trying to determine if the rate is higher or lower with those who experienced combat or not..STOP...STOP...STOP. Time to refocus our efforts and energy! Our Veterans need an Advocate, they need many advocates. It is very important that there voice is loud and heard by all. We need to be that voice in our own ways to ensure they know they are supported, they are not alone, and there are programs for support that are run by people who care. The Veteran community is one of the strongest in the world, they have just been exposed to unusual circumstances that as a human you cannot prepare for. As a Nation we need to educate everyone on how they can play a role in supporting our Veterans on a daily basis. To just be disturbed or sad about the alarming statistics is not doing anyone any good. No Veteran wants sympathy or someone to patronize them. They want normalcy, respect and to live a fulfilling life like everyone else. Landmark Life Coaching has made it our mission to partner with as many organizations and non-profits as possible to reach a larger number of Veterans that can benefit from Coaching. Coaching provides support unlike any other by establishing an avenue for Veterans to receive one on one focused support for as long as they need it. Do you hear me....Do you see me....Does what I say matter...The answer to this for our Veterans has to be an emphatic YES. Landmark Life Coaching’s Mission is to honorably and respectfully serve courageous groundbreakers and transitioning veterans to persevere in defining and executing their future by providing an atmosphere of comradery and trust that honors their dedication and commitment. This will empower our clients to feel whole, honored, respected and fulfilled in defining and living their life purpose.   by Dwayne Paro

Newswise —  The devastating consequences of sexual trauma in the military reported by 25 percent of female and 1 percent of male veterans who served in the U.S. armed forces don't end with psychological and physical trauma, but are associated with a much higher risk for homelessness, a study led by Utah researchers has found.
An examination of the records of 601,892 veterans who served in Iraq or Afghanistan found that almost 10 percent of those who reported military sexual trauma (MST) when screened experienced homelessness at some point within five years of first seeking Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) care after their separation from the military between fiscal 2001 and 2011–more than twice the rate of those who reported no MST when screened. Approximately 12 percent of men who reported MST were homeless at some point within five years after seeking VA care compared with approximately 9 percent of women who reported MST.
Just under 584,000 of the vets screened reported no MST, while 18,597 reported MST, including 14,092 women and 4,505 men. The average age of all the veterans in the survey was just under 39. The association with homelessness was independent of other factors including mental health and substance abuse diagnoses. The study, published April 20, 2016, online in JAMA Psychiatry, comes as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs declares April as Military Sexual Trauma Awareness Month.
“Some of our men and women in uniform face challenges after they return from service and post-deployment homelessness is an extreme case of poor community reintegration,” says Adi V. Gundlapalli, M.D., Ph.D., a researcher with the Salt Lake City VA Health Care System, associate professor of internal medicine at the University of Utah School of Medicine and corresponding author on the study. “Our work adds to the body of knowledge to identify factors associated with homelessness among Veterans with the ultimate goal of mitigating the risk. A positive MST screen status turned out to be a marker for homelessness in the absence of further diagnostic information.” 
Emily Brignone, B.S., a Utah State University (USU) doctoral candidate is first author, and Jamison D. Fargo, Ph.D., USU associate professor of psychology, is senior author. Rachel Kimerling, Ph.D., an expert in military sexual trauma at the VA Palo Alto, Calif., Health Care System (National Center on PTSD and Center for Innovation to Implementation (Ci2i)), also is an author. 
“Male and female veterans who report MST are more vulnerable to homelessness both in the short- and long-term following their discharge from the military, with males at differentially greater risk,” Brignone says. “These findings underscore the importance of trauma-informed care and trauma-specific interventions for veterans with a positive screen for MST.” The researchers examined Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) records to determine MST screen status. The MST screen is considered positive if the veteran reports experiencing either sexual assault, or repeated, threatening sexual harassment during military service. The higher rate of homelessness among vets who reported MST is seen not only in the long term but also immediately after discharge. The researchers found that among those with a positive screen for MST, 1.6 percent were homeless at some point within 30 days of being discharged and 4.4 percent were homeless at some point within one year. Each of those rates is more than twice as high as homelessness among vets who did not report MST, the authors found. “Our goal is to raise overall awareness of military sexual trauma, including the impact on male veterans, and associated adverse outcomes such as homelessness,” Kimerling says. “We hope all veterans with a history of MST will avail themselves of the free care offered in the VA for management of MST-related conditions.”

A 76-year-old disabled veteran is appealing the life sentence he was handed for growing pot. Lee Carroll Brooker, from Alabama, was found guilty of drug trafficking back in 2004.  He was arrested after cops raided his son, Darren Lee Brooker’s house in 2011, and seized 42 marijuana plants, which they claim had a street value of $92,000. Darren Brooker was also charged with trafficking—but, he was sentenced to five years’ probation, with a suspended five-year jail sentence that will be dismissed if he doesn’t violate any of the terms of his probation. His father received a life sentence, without the chance of parole, because he had four previous, decades-old, felony convictions, including one for armed robbery in Florida, which he had served jail time for. According to court documents, the defense asserted that Brooker was growing the pot for personal use. Brooker’s attorney argued that his client needed it to self-medicate in light of numerous physical illnesses. However, Alabama law mandates that any felon found possessing more than two pounds of marijuana must automatically receive a life sentence, without the chance of parole. Even the rabidly conservative Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore, has slammed the sentence for being “excessive and unjustified.” In a 2015 memo Moore said Brooker’s case showed a “grave flaw” in Alabama’s legal system, and urged for reform of the statutory sentencing scheme: I believe Brooker’s sentence is excessive and unjustified. A trial court should have the discretion to impose a less severe sentence than life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. I urge the legislature to revisit that statutory sentencing scheme to determine whether it serves an appropriate purpose. Brooker is appealing his life sentence, claiming it violates his Eighth Amendment rights to be free of cruel and unusual punishment. Meanwhile, the ACLU notes that more than 3,000 people are currently serving life sentences, without the chance of parole, for non-violent crimes.   by Maxine Page      

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved an amendment Thursday that would allow Department of Veterans Affairs doctors to recommend medical marijuana as a treatment option in states where it is legal, the Military Times reported. It would essentially allow VA doctors to operate under the same rules as civilian physicians in medical marijuana tates. The bipartisan amendment, adopted 20-10, is an addition to the fiscal 2017 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies appropriations bill and was sponsored by Montana Republican Sen. Steve Daines and Oregon Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley. The Military Times reported it marks the second time senators have moved to give veterans further access to medical marijuana at VA facilities. A provision was approved by the full Senate toward the end of last year in the fiscal 2016 VA appropriations bill but was later removed from the final law.  Marijuana Legality by State | InsideGov   Under the Senate's amendment the VA would be barred from using funds to “interfere with the ability of veterans to participate in medicinal marijuana programs approved by states or deny services to such veterans,” according to the Military Times.  As it stands now, veterans' doctors can't even talk to them about the possibility of their being prescribed medical marijuana, even in a state where it has been legalized. Twenty-three states and Washington, D.C., have legalized medical marijuana, while 17 states have passed laws allowing doctors to prescribe oils derived from marijuana plants. The VA has recommended that its physicians use practices that have been scientifically proved to be effective to treat issues like post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and pain. And while many veterans are already using medical marijuana to treat PTSD or anxiety, there isn't research proving cannabis is an effective treatment for relieving symptoms. Marijuana Support Over Time | InsideGov BY TIM MARCIN