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The Dog Tag is a podcast for Veterans by Veterans produced by the Texas Veterans Land Board. We want to educate and empower our Veterans, military members and their families about all the different programs, benefits, services and resources that are offered throughout the state of Texas and beyond. Each episode will introduce subject matter experts who can help cut through the bureaucracy, dispel any myths and provide a clear path to these benefits and programs. Visit www.texasveteransblog.com/dogtag to find additional show notes and links, so you can access every program and service you or your dependents have earned and are eligible for.
On this episode of The Dog Tag, our hosts Jim Bob Mickler, Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) Director for Marketing & Outreach, and Jimmy Smaragdis, VLB Marketing Specialist, talk about how to find a lender, prequalify for a mortgage and why you need a good real estate agent. Their guests include Director of Strategic Products Elizabeth Robertson and Loan Officer Marcia Boyer of Gateway Mortgage Group, as well as Kim Mangum, Loan Origination Manager for the VLB Veterans Land & Housing Program.
After you’ve established your credit score and calculated how much house you can afford, the next step in the home buying process is finding a good mortgage lender who can help you pre-qualify for a home mortgage. On this episode you can find out how the VA Home Loan Guaranty works, what kind of documents you initially need to provide the lender and how an experienced real estate professional is essential to help you find the perfect home that fits your budget.
The information and advice in this episode can help you take the right steps to becoming a homeowner.
On this episode of The Dog Tag, our hosts Jim Bob Mickler, VLB Deputy Director for Marketing & Outreach, and Jimmy Smaragdis, VLB Marketing Specialist, talk about the first steps to take when buying a home. Their guests include Elizabeth Robertson, Director of Strategic Products at Gateway Mortgage Group, Marcia Boyer, Loan Officer for Gateway Mortgage Group, and Kim Mangum, Loan Origination Manager for the VLB Veterans Land & Housing Program.
Buying a home can be a very intimidating process, especially if it’s your first time, so we’re going to break it down with some of the most knowledgeable real estate people we know. On this first podcast we’ll cover the first two subjects related to buying a new home: credit scores and budgeting.
We’ll discuss what credit is, why it’s important and how to obtain it. We’ll also go over how to read your credit report and fix any incorrect items, so you can raise your credit score. We’ll also talk about how to budget for a home including how to calculate your desired monthly payment. We’ll get into down payments, closing costs, housing-related expenses, loan terms and much more.
On this episode of The Dog Tag, Matt Elledge talks with Terry Tottenham the founder of Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans (TLTV). Mr. Tottenham established this program with the State Bar of Texas to develop and assist pro bono legal clinics throughout the state for Veterans who otherwise cannot afford, or do not have access to, the legal services they need.
Matt and Terry discuss the mission of this unique program, how it’s funded, and what kind of legal services they provide to Military Members, Veterans and their family members in Texas. The attorneys who volunteer for TLTV provide legal advice and assistance on a wide range of issues including VA disability claims, family law, criminal matters, real estate and tax law, and much more.
The Dog Tag® is brought to you by the Texas Veterans Land Board. Find more episodes at TexasVeteransPodcast.com. If you have questions about this topic, or suggestions for other podcast topics, call 1–800–252-VETS or email vlbinfo@glo.texas.gov. Visit TexasVeterans.com to find out more about your benefits!
On this episode of The Dog Tag, Matt Elledge takes a deeper look at the variety of programs and assistance for Military Members and Veterans provided by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). Matt’s guests are Dale Robertson, Manager of the Office of Employer Initiatives and Outreach and Project Development, and Jeff Singh, Program Manager for College Credit for Heroes.
Matt, Dale and Jeff discuss how to find a Workforce Solutions Office in your area and connect with a Veteran Resource & Referral Specialist. You’ll learn how to register as a job seeker on the Work In Texas website and what special priority status is afforded to Veterans looking for work.
Whether you’re planning your transition from the military, or you’ve already left, listen to this podcast and let the Texas Workforce Commission help you find a career that’s right for you.
The Dog Tag® is brought to you by the Texas Veterans Land Board and the Texas Veterans Commission. Find more episodes at texasveteranspodcast.com. If you have questions about this topic, or suggestions for other podcast topics, call 1–800–252-VETS or email vlbinfo@glo.texas.gov. Visit TexasVeterans.com to find out more about your benefits!
On this episode of The Dog Tag, Matt Elledge talks with Deputy Director, John Berkely, and Program Administrator, Kathy Johanns of the Texas State Veterans Homes.
The VLB Texas State Veterans Homes provide affordable, long-term nursing care for Texas Veterans, their spouses and Gold Star parents. Located across Texas, each first-class facility is designed to enhance quality of life with a clean, caring and dignified setting appropriate to those men and women who have served our country with honor.
Matt, John and Kathy discuss the origin of these special homes, eligibility requirements, associated costs, quality of life and much more.
John Berkely, a Navy Veteran with 23 years of experience in long-term care administration, took on the role of Deputy Director for the Texas State Veterans Homes at the Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) on Monday, May 12, 2014.
Kathy joined the Texas Veterans Land Board in 2015 and has almost 20 years of experience in the field of long-term care. Her father was a U.S. Air Force Veteran who served in both Korea and Vietnam and she is also the spouse of a U.S. Air Force Veteran. Kathy, and her colleague, Sara Rodriguez, a registered nurse who also works for the Texas State Veterans Homes, developed and teach the Post-Traumatic Stress Program to every staff member at all eight Texas State Veterans Homes.
The VLB is extremely fortunate to have these very compassionate and dedicated people on our team serving Texas Veterans!
On this episode of The Dog Tag, Matt Elledge talks with Bill McLemore, Deputy Director for the VLB Veterans Land & Housing Program, and Charlotte Mumphord, Director of the Land & Housing Program, about the Texas Veterans Home Improvement Program (VHIP).
Matt and his guests break down the home improvement loan process including how to apply for pre-approval online, select a contractor and which projects are eligible. These loans are available to Veterans, Military Members and eligible spouses in Texas.
Charlotte Mumphord has served Texas Veterans and Military Members in Texas for 32 years at the Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB), helping them realize their dream of owning their own little piece of Texas.
Before Bill McLemore retired from the U.S. Army in April 1986, he deployed on four combat tours — three in Vietnam and one in the Dominican Republic. After leaving the Army, Bill worked as the Travis County Veterans Service Officer until 2001 when President George W. Bush appointed him to the position of Senior Advisor and Deputy Assistant Secretary for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, where he served until 2008. From 2008 to 2013 he served as a Senior Staff Advisor and Veteran Advocate to the Director of the VA Heart of Texas Health Care Network. In 2013 Bill joined the Texas Veterans Land Board.
We are very proud to have these two hardworking, dedicated individuals on board serving Texas Veterans and Military Members.
The Dog Tag® is brought to you by the Texas Veterans Land Board and the Texas Veterans Commission. Find more episodes at texasveteranspodcast.com. If you have questions about this topic, or suggestions for other podcast topics, call 1–800–252-VETS or email vlbinfo@glo.texas.gov. Visit TexasVeterans.com to find out more about your benefits!
On this episode of The Dog Tag, Matt Elledge sits down with Deputy Director, Eric Brown, and Chief On-Site Representative, Doug Gault, of the VLB Texas State Veterans Cemeteries.
VLB Texas State Veterans Cemeteries are special resting places, where friends, family and fellow Texans can honor Texas Veterans. These hallowed grounds are an expression of our respect for the men and women who have served our nation with distinction.
Matt, Eric and Doug talk about the history of these cemeteries and discuss eligibility, costs, burial options and much more.
Eric Brown served in the U.S. Air Force for 22 years and in 2012 joined the Texas Veterans Land Board. Doug Gault served in the U.S. Army for 30 years as a Combat Engineer, deploying three times during Desert Storm/Desert Shield, Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).
The Dog Tag® is brought to you by the Texas Veterans Land Board. Find more episodes at TexasVeteransPodcast.com. If you have questions about this topic, or suggestions for other podcast topics, call 1–800–252-VETS or email vlbinfo@glo.texas.gov. Visit TexasVeterans.com to find out more about your benefits!
On this episode of The Dog Tag, Matt Elledge talks with Pam Maercklein, the Women Veterans Healthcare Liaison for the Women Veterans Program at the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC). Pam served eight years in the United States Air Force and has a Master's Degree in Education from the University of Texas at Austin. She's worked at the Texas Veterans Commission since 2008 and assists Women Veterans with their health care needs.
Matt and Pam dive deep into the issues that affect Women Veterans' physical and mental well-being including maternity care, military sexual trauma, post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury and more. If you are a Woman Veteran, or know one, please listen to this podcast and find detailed insights about health care for the brave women who have served in our nation's military forces.
Show Notes:
Introduction. [:48]
How the Women Veterans Program at the TVC helps Women Veterans. [2:24]
How Pam advocates for Women Veterans within the VA Health Care System. [3:11]
The eligibility requirements for VA Health Care. [5:37]
Health care statistics for Women Veterans. [10:18]
How the VA provides maternity care to Women Veterans. [11:52]
How health care challenges are sometimes different for Women Veterans versus male Veterans. [14:39]
Most common health care issues for Women Veterans. [20:30]
Types of health care services Women Veterans can expect from the VA. [23:10]
How Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) affects Women Veterans. [24:58]
Military Sexual Trauma (MST) and PTSD in Women Veterans. [28:00]
How to get a VA service-connected disability rating for MST. [30:01]
Suicide rates among Women Veterans. [34:51]
Is the VA providing better health care to Women Veterans? [37:49]
Other organizations that support Women Veterans. [40:39]
Homeless Women Veterans. [42:32]
Assistance for Women Veterans in rural areas. [45:01]
Women Veterans mentoring other Women Veterans. [46:29]
Join the Texas Women Veterans Professional Network. [49:26]
The Dog Tag® is brought to you by the Texas Veterans Land Board and the Texas Veterans Commission. Find more episodes at www.texasveteransblog.com/dogtag. If you have questions about this topic, or suggestions for other podcast topics, call 1-800-252-VETS or email vlbinfo@glo.texas.gov. Visit TexasVeterans.com to find out more about your benefits!
On this episode of The Dog Tag, Matt Elledge talks with Nicole Anderson, the Women Veterans Employment Coordinator for the Women Veterans Program at the Texas Veterans Commission. Nicole and Matt discuss topics such as career counseling, resume assistance and interview techniques. They also cover some of the unique challenges that Women Veterans face when seeking employment including child care and homelessness.
Show Notes:
Introduction. [:47]
How the TVC Women Veterans Program helps Women Veterans find employment. [2:33]
The barriers that Women Veterans face when seeking employment. [4:12]
How the program provides career counseling, job search and resume assistance, and interview preparation. [5:14]
Nicole gives advice on how to succeed at a job fair. [7:04]
Are many Women Veterans returning to school to earn degrees or learn new skills? [9:52]
Specific skills and abilities Women Veterans bring to the workplace. [10:58]
Benefits that attract Women Veterans to a particular employer. [12:39]
What the Women Veterans Professional Network is and how to join. [14:47]
Other organizations who help Women Veterans. [16:32]
Upcoming events for Women Veterans. [17:32]
Does the Women Veterans Program help military spouses? [18:16]
The Dog Tag® is brought to you by the Texas Veterans Land Board and the Texas Veterans Commission. Find more episodes at www.texasveteransblog.com/dogtag. If you have questions about this topic, or suggestions for other podcast topics, call 1-800-252-VETS or email vlbinfo@glo.texas.gov. Visit TexasVeterans.com to find out more about your benefits!
On this episode of The Dog Tag, Matt Elledge talks with Martin Traylor, the Transition Service Manager for the SFL-TAP at Fort Hood. Martin shares his insights on how to get the most out of any military career fair. Martin and Matt have several years of experience working together on Fort Hood to help transitioning service members find their post-military careers.
Martin and Matt cover the whole spectrum including how to prepare for a hiring fair, what to do and not do at the hiring fair, and how to follow up with recruiters after the hiring fair. Looking for a job is a full time job, but don't let that discourage you. You already have the skills and training to prepare for any mission and this is no different.
Show Notes:
Introduction. [:50]
How to prepare for a job fair. [3:15]
The difference between a recruiter and a hiring manager. [5:30]
Why you must tailor your resume to each job posting and hiring organization. [6:09]
Research the companies featured at an upcoming job fair. [9:15]
How to conduct yourself at the career fair. [13:23]
How to dress appropriately. [15:24]
How to personally interact with recruiters at the fair. [17:21]
What kind of discussions to expect when talking with a recruiter. [18:10]
What to do during and after the job fair to set yourself apart from everyone else. [21:12]
Business cards versus job application packets. [26:28]
Opportunities for Veterans at job fairs on military installations. [27:27]
Online job search resources and social media. [28:23]
Know all you can about the industry and organizations you're interested in. [31:34]
Entrepreneurship often happens three to four years after transitioning out of the service. [34:01]
Martin talks about what being a Veteran means to potential employers. [36:07]
The Dog Tag® is brought to you by the Texas Veterans Land Board and the Texas Veterans Commission. Find more episodes at www.texasveteransblog.com/dogtag. If you have questions about this topic, or suggestions for other podcast topics, call 1-800-252-VETS or email vlbinfo@glo.texas.gov. Visit TexasVeterans.com to find out more about your benefits!
Amanda is a wife. A mother. A blogger. A Christian.
A charming, beautiful, bubbly, young woman who lives life to the fullest.
But Amanda is dying, with a secret she doesn’t want anyone to know.
She starts a blog detailing her cancer journey, and becomes an inspiration, touching and
captivating her local community as well as followers all over the world.
Until one day investigative producer Nancy gets an anonymous tip telling her to look at Amanda’s
blog, setting Nancy on an unimaginable road to uncover Amanda’s secret.
Award winning journalist Charlie Webster explores this unbelievable and bizarre, but
all-too-real tale, of a woman from San Jose, California whose secret ripped a family apart and
left a community in shock.
Scamanda is the true story of a woman whose own words held the key to her secret.
New episodes every Monday.
Follow Scamanda on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.
Amanda’s blog posts are read by actor Kendall Horn.
