This week I have been in touch with many fellow veterans who have struggled to navigate the VA. It prompted me to think about how I can do a better job in service to my brothers and sisters struggling on their journey through health, wellness, and experience at the VA.
I don’t work for the VA, and I don’t have any special superpowers when it comes to the VA, but I am watching, listening, learning, testing, and advocating for change and advances in care for veterans. When I see something repeatable and usable, I have a responsibility to share how we can all solve for x.
I realize that results may vary even though I may have seen something work more than once but it is worth the effort to try.
The idea of “Shipmate on a shelf” comes from my experience with people over the years. Days, weeks, months and even years may pass before I reconnect with people for many reasons. People in my circle are always in my heart whether they’ve come from my military service or if I developed a relationship with them in some other way. We are “Shipmates” of sorts whether coming from a ship or another entity! When people call, I do my best to help them. With that, I consider myself a “Shipmate on the shelf” as ready as one can be to help others and be of service. I know others that would do the same and I have counted on them throughout the years just as they count on me.
Moving forward, I’ll tag or identify posts this way when this context applies.
