National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships
ETS Sponsorship Program (ETS-SP)
VA partnership guides service members through transition to civilian life
U.S. Army Veteran Brian Roeder thought he knew what transitioning from the military to civilian life would be like. He had a job lined up and a plan to get started on his master’s degree. However, he said he didn’t realize the toll that transitioning to civilian life would have on him emotionally.
“There is a loss of identity when you transition out,” Mr. Roeder said. “I thought I wouldn’t have any of that, but I definitely did.”
Fortunately, Mr. Roeder was able to turn to one of his Army colleagues, Joseph Geraci. Dr. Geraci is a retired lieutenant colonel, a licensed psychologist at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center, and co-director of the VHA Transitioning Servicemember/Veteran and Suicide Prevention Center. Mr. Roeder said Dr. Geraci’s support, insight, and mentorship provided him “the light that kept me going in the right direction.”
“Joe coached me through the things that you don’t know about during your transition, and he had this relentless gentle pressure of positive encouragement.”
When Mr. Roeder’s plans for his transition were scuttled by the COVID-19 outbreak, Geraci helped him to stay busy and continue to look for new opportunities. Eventually, they realized that Mr. Roeder had a knack for speaking with other service members about the transition—so he joined the Expiration Term of Service Sponsorship Program (ETS-SP)—a program that helps guide service members through the transition to civilian life.
Mr. Roeder now helps transitioning service members enroll in the ETS-SP program, which recently formalized a partnership with VA to facilitate better access to community and VA programs for transitioning service members and Veterans during this important time of their lives. The partnership was facilitated by HAP.
“Anybody can get you out, get you a job, get you a place to live,” Mr. Roeder said. “But this program works toward what you want. It doesn’t allow you to settle, and it maximizes your potential.”
Mr. Roeder is currently sponsoring a transitioning service member in South Carolina.
“His goals are good,” Mr. Roeder said. “I’m working with him to put that plan together and linking him to resources. And he told me that for the first time in his life, he has nothing but positive options to choose from!”
Mr. Roeder said mentoring a transitioning service member has been incredibly rewarding for him as well.
“I think I’m getting as much out of it as they are,” Mr. Roeder said. “Just reconnecting with service members is rewarding and it’s enjoyable. I’m happier than the service member is when I hear he’s doing well and how he’s turned his life around.
“It’s been completely positive—both being mentored and at the same time sponsoring another service member and giving back.”
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Posted August 05, 2021
