NEWS & COMMENTARY: the demographics of “Veteran Suicide” will surprise you + thoughts on the President’s Veteran Suicide Plan
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Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Most of what we read on the front pages of news websites and in our news papers about the US Veterans Administration is not good. But good things are happening there as President Trumps keeps veteran healthcare and support at the top of his administration’s agenda. We’ll talk to two Marine veterans who are VA employees and who are pushing from their end to get to veterans who need help: Ben Kaler served as an infantry officer in 2/4 and Tim Hudak was an enlisted intelligence specialist for HMH-363.
During the course of this interview you hear the following websites and phone numbers referred to:
Tim Hodak, Veterans Experience Office, Communications Chief: Timothy.Hudak@va.gov
Ben Kaler, Veterans Experience Office, Community Engagement Division, Field Consultant – New England: Benjamin.kaler@va.gov
Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255
White House Hotline for Veterans: 855-948-2311 (White House VA Hotline serving as an outlet when all other options are exhausted)
Health Care: 1-877-222-8387
Benefits: 1-800-827-1000
MyVA311 (directory assistance and other questions): 1-844-698-2311
The VA Welcome Kit — “Where should I start?” It’s a great resource with very simple steps of how to enroll and find points of contact: https://www.vets.gov/welcome-to-va/
Get your VA ID card in the mail! https://www.vets.gov/?next=%2Fveteran-id-card%2F
How to Apply for a Discharge Upgrade: https://www.vets.gov/discharge-upgrade-instructions/
Vet Centers: https://www.vetcenter.va.gov/
VA Employment: https://www.va.gov/jobs/
Veterans Experience Office: https://www.va.gov/ve/
Follow us on Twitter: @VetsExperience
Podcast: Play in new window | Download