AmVets Hawaii Welcomes Our New Legislative Director and Editor Brooks Outland

 

  

FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE

AmVets Hawaii is proud to announce our new Legislative Director 

and Writer/Editor of our AmVets 

Hawaii Newsletter, Brooks Outland.



 

Military BIOGRAPHY

BROOKS W. OUTLAND YNCS(SW)

Served as a Fire Controlman Trainee (FCSN) aboard the USS Missouri (BB-63) during that ship’s first combat deployment to Korea in 1950.   General Quarters station during combat operations as Telephone Talker/Assistant Director Operator for a quad-40mm anti-aircraft gun emplacement (fantail, port side).  Qualified to take over any gun crew position should they become incapacitated. Awarded Combat Action Ribbon, Korea Service Medal with two Battle Stars, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, Korea War Service Medal (1950/1952)

Served as a Yeoman Trainee (YNSN) with Commander Service Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet (COMSERVLANT) in Norfolk, VA (1952/1954).  Advanced to YN3 in April 1952.

Broken Service (1954/57)

Served aboard the USS Forrestal (CVA-59) as Petty Officer-in-Charge of Administration – Operations Office.  Responsible for the 24-hour operation of the office by two enlisted crews.  (1957/1959).  Advanced again to YN3 in May 1958.

Student at the Underwater Demolition Team (UDT) Training School, Little Creek, VA (1959/1960).  Did not complete training due to previous spinal injury (Korea).  Advanced to YN2 in June 1959.

Served with Enlisted Personnel Distribution Office, Atlantic (EPDOLANT) in Norfolk, VA as Assistant to the Chief Petty Officer-in-Charge of the Command Mail Room and Central Files.  (1960/1962).  Advanced to YN1 in November 1961.

Served with Commander Striking Fleet Atlantic Representative in Europe (COMSTRIKFLTLANTREPEUR) at NATO Headquarters in Paris, France as principle assistant to the Representative (Captain C. K. Ruiz, USN).  One of two individuals assigned to this activity.  Responsible for all functions of the activity in the absence of the Representative.  (1962/1964)

Served with Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic (SACLANT) at NATO Allied Command Atlantic in Norfolk, VA as Supervisor of Command Typing Pool.  Responsible for editing all outgoing correspondence originated in the command. (1964/1966)

Served with Military Assistance Command Vietnam, Studies & Observations Group (MACV/SOG) in South Vietnam, as Assistant Top Secret (SPECAT) Control Officer.  SOG was formerly more accurately titled as Special Operations Group.  Recommended for the Meritorious Service Medal (awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm, Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation with Palm, Vietnam Campaign Medal).  (1966/67)

Served with Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic, Representative in Europe (SACLANTREPEUR) at NATO Headquarters in Paris, France and later in Brussels, Belgium as Writer and Administrative Assistant to the Representative (Rear Admiral, Royal Navy succeeded by Rear Admiral Netherlands Navy).  Recommended for the Meritorious Service Medal (awarded the Navy Commendation Medal).  (1967/1970).  Advanced to YNC in April 1968.

Served with Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic (SACLANT) at NATO Allied Command Atlantic in Norfolk, VA as Writer and Administrative Assistant to Chief of Staff for Plans & Operations (Rear Admiral, USN).  Awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal (2^nd Award).  (1970/71).  Advanced to YNCS in November 1971.

Served as Personal Aide and Writer for Rear Admiral Dean L. Axene,  Deputy Chief of Naval Education and Training (CNET), in Pensacola, FL.   The first and only Enlisted Flag Officer Personal Aide in the U.S. Navy at that time.  Authorized to wear the Aiguillettes that identifies an Aide for a two-star Admiral.   Awarded the Navy Commendation Medal (2^nd Award).  (1971/73)

Retired from U.S. Navy as Senior Chief Yeoman (YNCS) on 1 Nov 1973 (20 years, 5 months, 21 days)

Served in U.S. Government Civil Service as Manpower Analyst, (GS-11) at CNET, Pensacola, FL.  Responsible for projecting total numbers of students and support personnel for all U.S. Navy training commands, for use in the Navy’s annual five-year budget projections.  (1973/1976)

Served as a partner in an all-volunteer group of four 100% disabled military retirees (CRLegislation.com) later Veterans Political Action Committee (VETSPAC).  The group was instrumental in getting legislation passed which now permits disabled veterans with VA disability ratings of 50% or higher to receive their earned retirement pay and their awarded VA disability compensation, concurrently.

Realizing that the state of Hawaii does not provide some of the benefits provided by other states, convinced Hawaii Senator Maile Shimabukuro to submit legislation which would provide certain disabled veterans an exemption of the annual vehicle tax.  That bill is SB 539.

 

Nearly 15,000 Hawai‘i DOD Employees Began Furloughs

Nearly 15,000 Hawai‘i DOD employees began furloughs. That’s a 20% paycut over 3 months.

Navy officials in Hawaii said they have 10,890 civilian employees, but 4,500 of those people who work at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Facility won’t be affected.

Approximately 1,680 Air Force civilians in Hawaii will be impacted by the furloughs, Capt. Robert Howard said in an email.

Marine Corps Base Hawaii officials said 510 employees there will be furloughed. And according to the Army, more than 850 U.S. Army Hawaii Garrison civilian employees may be furloughed. The Army figures don’t include numbers for the Tripler Army Medical Center, U.S. Army Pacific Command and some other Army commands.

The branches of the military said the furloughs will affect all sorts of employees including accountants, human resources personnel, contracting specialists, plumbers and electricians.

American Forces Press Service reported that the furlough notices started going out Tuesday, 9 July 2013.

AMVETS CALL OF DUTY ENDOWMENT CAREER CENTER IN HONOLULU, HAWAII ANNOUNCES VETERANS UNEMPLOYMENT INITIATIVE

                                                                                 AMVETS NEWS  

                                AMVETS National Headquarters, 4647 Forbes Blvd., Lanham, Md. 20706

Media contacts:  Jay Agg, jagg@amvets.org, (571) 991-6998

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AMVETS CALL OF DUTY ENDOWMENT CAREER CENTER IN HONOLULU, HAWAII ANNOUNCES VETERANS UNEMPLOYMENT INITIATIVE

Center seeks to address 20% unemployment rate among veterans aged 18-24.

Honolulu, HI, June 18, 2013 — Today Honolulu Call of Duty Endowment Career Center Team Leader Donovan Lazarus announced a new initiative to combat unemployment among veterans, especially those between the ages of 18 and 24.

“We will be providing workshops, resume writing advice, and interview techniques,” said Lazarus. “Most importantly, we want to make lasting relationships with these men and women.”

While unemployment among veterans dropped 1.3 percent during the past year to 7.0 percent, unemployment among veterans aged 18-24 remains at 20.4 percent. AMVETS National Commander Cleve Geer believes the centers are uniquely suited to address today’s veteran unemployment crisis.

“AMVETS Call of Duty Endowment Career Centers are on the cutting edge of providing our men and women in uniform with the employment assistance they deserve,” said Geer. “Our centers partner with veteran-friendly businesses to help service members find lasting, meaningful employment and ultimately make a smooth transition back into civilian life.”

The Honolulu center is one of 17 Endowment Career Centers nationwide. Each center provides free training and employment assistance to veterans, active service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and their spouses.  Center volunteers offer an array of services including career assessments, help obtaining licensing, resume writing and interview tips, and job search assistance and support. Lazarus is proud to be part of an initiative that offers veterans so many employment services.

“We are proud to help veterans get a foot in the door with businesses so they can get a job,” said Lazarus. “Additionally, we have a wide range of resources and techniques to draw on to help veterans improve their employment opportunities as well. Most importantly, we are lucky to have a talented and industrious group of volunteers ready to help veterans obtain gainful employment.”    

To contact the Honolulu career center, email career@amvets-hawaii.org. For more information about AMVETS Call of Duty Endowment Career Centers visit www.amvets.org/careercenter/ or call 1-877-726-8387.

About AMVETS:  

A leader since 1944 in preserving the freedoms secured by America’s armed forces, AMVETS provides support for veterans and the active military in procuring their earned entitlements, as well as community service and legislative reform that enhances the quality of life for this nation’s citizens and veterans alike. AMVETS is one of the largest congressionally-chartered veterans’ service organizations in the United States, and includes members from each branch of the military, including the National Guard and Reserves. To learn more visit www.amvets.org.

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Vet­er­ans of For­eign Wars and National Guard Asso­ci­a­tion of the US endorse AMVETS Anti-Discrimination Ini­tia­tive

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Vet­er­ans of For­eign Wars and National Guard Asso­ci­a­tion of the US endorse AMVETS Anti-Discrimination Ini­tia­tive to pro­tect vet­er­ans in hous­ing and employment

WASHINGTON, DC, June 24, 2013—Today AMVETS National Com­man­der Cleve Geer announced two major vet­er­ans ser­vice orga­ni­za­tions have endorsed the Amer­i­can Vet­er­ans Anti-Discrimination ini­tia­tive, a national leg­isla­tive effort to pro­tect vet­er­ans from unfair treat­ment in employ­ment, hous­ing and all areas of pub­lic life.

Cur­rently, Sen­a­tor Richard Blu­men­thal (D-CT) and Rep­re­sen­ta­tive Derek Kilmer (D-WA6) are in dis­cus­sions with AMVETS about prospec­tive vet­eran anti-discrimination bills for the Sen­ate and House of Rep­re­sen­ta­tives (respec­tively). Geer antic­i­pates the sup­port from the 1.4 mil­lion member-strong VFW andNGAUS, the nation’s old­est orga­ni­za­tion lob­by­ing on behalf of the National Guard, will cre­ate momen­tum for AMVETS’ Anti-Discrimination Initiative.

“The Amer­i­can Vet­eran Anti-Discrimination Ini­tia­tive is an impor­tant leg­isla­tive pri­or­ity for AMVETS and our com­mu­nity,” said Geer. “The added sup­port of VFW and NGAUS gives us the momen­tum we need for action on Capi­tol Hill and to pro­tect our tran­si­tion­ing veterans.”

“The value of mil­i­tary ser­vice has eroded to the point that being a vet­eran is seen as a lia­bil­ity to many employ­ers,” said VFW Exec­u­tive Direc­tor Bob Wal­lace. “That is why the VFW sup­ports AMVETS in their effort to pro­tect vet­er­ans from employ­ment discrimination.”

“NGAUS strongly sup­ports this AMVETS effort,” said Maj. Gen. Gus L. Har­gett, Jr., (Ret.) pres­i­dent of the National Guard Asso­ci­a­tion of the United States. “Lead­er­ship and tech­ni­cal expe­ri­ence gained from mil­i­tary ser­vices can bring great value to the civil­ian work­place. Our vet­er­ans deserve full and fair con­sid­er­a­tion for employ­ment oppor­tu­ni­ties as they arise.”

The Amer­i­can Vet­er­ans Anti-Discrimination Ini­tia­tive will: raise aware­ness among employ­ers of vet­er­ans and vet­er­ans’ issues; give vet­er­ans expe­ri­enc­ing employ­ment and hous­ing dis­crim­i­na­tion legal recourse to pur­sue their claims; ensure that an individual’s mil­i­tary or vet­eran sta­tus will not be used against them in seek­ing employ­ment, hous­ing, or edu­ca­tional oppor­tu­ni­ties. No one who has served and sac­ri­ficed for this coun­try should be penal­ized for it.

For more infor­ma­tion about the Amer­i­can Vet­er­ans Anti-Discrimination Ini­tia­tive, visitwww.amvets.org/legislative.

About AMVETS:
A leader since 1944 in pre­serv­ing the free­doms secured by America’s armed forces, AMVETS pro­vides sup­port for vet­er­ans and the active mil­i­tary in procur­ing their earned enti­tle­ments, as well as com­mu­nity ser­vice and leg­isla­tive reform that enhances the qual­ity of life for this nation’s cit­i­zens and vet­er­ans alike.AMVETS is one of the largest congressionally-chartered vet­er­ans’ ser­vice orga­ni­za­tions in the United States, and includes mem­bers from each branch of the mil­i­tary, includ­ing the National Guard and Reserves. To learn more visit www.amvets.org.

Interviewing Techniques Workshop

For widest dissemination,

Interviewing Techniques Workshop

When: Mon, June 24, 6:30pm - 8:00pm

Where: Small Room, Oahu Veteran Center

(map<http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=Small+Room+>)


***For Servicemembers, Veterans and Spouses, at no cost*** 

Seating is limited to the first 25 people.

To register or for additional information and directions,

Contact AMVETS Hawaii Education Officer Mr. Ric Mesa at:
ric@amvets-hawaii.org or 808-397-3131.


AMVETS Veterans Career Center
Oahu Veterans Center
1298 Kukila Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96818
Phone: (808) 888-6075

Resume Writing Workshop

For widest dissemination,

Resume Writing Workshop

When: Thu, June 20, 2:00pm - 3:30pm

Where: Small Meeting Room, Oahu Veteran Center

(map<http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=Small+Meeting+Room>)

***For Servicemembers, Veterans and Spouses, at no cost*** 

Seating is limited to the first 25 people.

To register or for additional information and directions,

Contact AMVETS Hawaii Education Officer Mr. Ric Mesa at:
ric@amvets-hawaii.org or 808-397-3131.


AMVETS Veterans Career Center
Oahu Veterans Center
1298 Kukila Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96818
Phone: (808) 888-6075

University of Phoenix and AMVETS Offer Scholarships

An AMVETS Hawaii Bulletin for widest dissemination-

University of Phoenix and AMVETS Offer Scholarships:

University of Phoenix and AMVETS, a vocal advocate for veterans' education, are awarding $350,000 via 50 $7,000 scholarships to active duty service members, veterans and eligible family members to pursue a degree from University of Phoenix.

AMVETS has partnered with University of Phoenix since 2007, offering more than 225 scholarships to eligible veterans and family members.

Applications for the 2012 University of Phoenix AMVETS Scholarship are being accepted May 22, 2012, through August 21, 2012, and scholarship recipients will be notified by Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2012.

For more information on how to apply for the 2012 University of Phoenix AMVETS Scholarships, please visit

http://www.phoenix.edu/tuition_and_financial_options/scholarships/amvets-scholarship.html

or contact the AMVETS-Hawaii Education Officer at (808) 397-3131 or email at

ric@amvets-hawaii.org<mailto:ric@amvets-hawaii.org>.

Mahalo and Aloha!