BTM203 – James Wartski – Community Engagement for SMVF
01/28/25 • 30 min
Show Summary
On today's episode, we're featuring a conversation with James Wartski, the former Executive Director of the Veteran Family and Community Engagement Directorate in the Veterans Experience Office, Department of Veterans Affairs.
Provide Feedback
As a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health.
About Today’s Guest
James Wartski previously served as the Executive Director for the Veteran, Family, and Community Engagement (VFCE) Directorate of the Veterans Experience Office. He leads his team in fostering relationships with Community Veteran Experience Boards (CVEB’s), setting the standards for delivering excellent customer experience to veterans, their families and survivors, and finally, incorporating means to measure success in both training programs and market surveys. He also supervises the Federal Advisory Team, who in partnership with various Federal Advisory Committees throughout the nation, advocate for improved services and support for Veterans and their family members.
Jim entered the United States Military Academy through the Preparatory School (USMAPS) and graduated West Point in 1982. As a commissioned Second Lieutenant assigned to the Armor Branch, Jim was stationed at 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized), First Brigade, 1-40th Armor Battalion. His assignments included Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer and Battalion Adjutant. During his tenure with 5th Mechanized Division, Jim served on two National Training Center rotations and a REFORGER Exercise in Europe. Jim then returned to Fort Knox, KY with assignments as the Force Integration/Development officer at the Directorate of Combat Developments. Jim served an extended Troop Command as the Commander of B-Troop, 2-10 Cavalry, 194th Separate Armored Brigade, XVIII Airborne. Missions included Heavy Armor Support to Rapid Deployment Forces (First Heavy Armor on the Ground). Later Jim served in the Tank Systems Management office responsible for classified briefings on the Abrams Tank. After additional schooling, Jim was assigned to Orlando, Florida as the Project Director for Tank Training Devices. Jim’s experience and knowledge spans tanks from the M-48A5 to the present state of technology with the M-1A2 Abrams. Jim served as an officer for five years with the US Army Reserves as a Corps of Engineers project officer with worldwide missions. Being close to his alma-mater, Jim served as the liaison officer for the Admissions Department back at West Point. Jim was then mobilized to serve as an Engineering and Facility Consultant on the Command Group at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC), Washington, DC. He remained at WRAMC for two-years through the transition to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center at Bethesda, Maryland. Jim retired at the rank of Colonel. In the private sector, Jim held leadership roles in private corporations, Industrial Data Link (a San Diego, California based company), Lockheed Martin Information Systems, Walt Disney Company. Jim retired from The Walt Disney Company in May 2015.
Links Mentioned in this Episode
Community Veteran Engagement Boards
PsychArmor Resource of the Week
This week’s PsychArmor Resource of the Week is the PsychArmor Course, Why Collaboration Is So Important In Supporting Military Members, Veterans, Their Families And Caregivers. This course is designed for community leaders, interested in exploring some key components to a successful collaborative journey. You'll learn how collaboration can provide the structure needed to impact the lives of military connected people
You can find the resource here: https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/why-collaboration-is-so-important
Episode Partner:
This week’s episode is brought to you by J.B. Hunt, an industry leading transportation and logistics company offering hiring, training and resources for military veterans, active-duty service members, and military spouses. For more information, check out their military culture at jbhunt.jobs.
Contact...
Show Summary
On today's episode, we're featuring a conversation with James Wartski, the former Executive Director of the Veteran Family and Community Engagement Directorate in the Veterans Experience Office, Department of Veterans Affairs.
Provide Feedback
As a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health.
About Today’s Guest
James Wartski previously served as the Executive Director for the Veteran, Family, and Community Engagement (VFCE) Directorate of the Veterans Experience Office. He leads his team in fostering relationships with Community Veteran Experience Boards (CVEB’s), setting the standards for delivering excellent customer experience to veterans, their families and survivors, and finally, incorporating means to measure success in both training programs and market surveys. He also supervises the Federal Advisory Team, who in partnership with various Federal Advisory Committees throughout the nation, advocate for improved services and support for Veterans and their family members.
Jim entered the United States Military Academy through the Preparatory School (USMAPS) and graduated West Point in 1982. As a commissioned Second Lieutenant assigned to the Armor Branch, Jim was stationed at 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized), First Brigade, 1-40th Armor Battalion. His assignments included Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer and Battalion Adjutant. During his tenure with 5th Mechanized Division, Jim served on two National Training Center rotations and a REFORGER Exercise in Europe. Jim then returned to Fort Knox, KY with assignments as the Force Integration/Development officer at the Directorate of Combat Developments. Jim served an extended Troop Command as the Commander of B-Troop, 2-10 Cavalry, 194th Separate Armored Brigade, XVIII Airborne. Missions included Heavy Armor Support to Rapid Deployment Forces (First Heavy Armor on the Ground). Later Jim served in the Tank Systems Management office responsible for classified briefings on the Abrams Tank. After additional schooling, Jim was assigned to Orlando, Florida as the Project Director for Tank Training Devices. Jim’s experience and knowledge spans tanks from the M-48A5 to the present state of technology with the M-1A2 Abrams. Jim served as an officer for five years with the US Army Reserves as a Corps of Engineers project officer with worldwide missions. Being close to his alma-mater, Jim served as the liaison officer for the Admissions Department back at West Point. Jim was then mobilized to serve as an Engineering and Facility Consultant on the Command Group at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC), Washington, DC. He remained at WRAMC for two-years through the transition to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center at Bethesda, Maryland. Jim retired at the rank of Colonel. In the private sector, Jim held leadership roles in private corporations, Industrial Data Link (a San Diego, California based company), Lockheed Martin Information Systems, Walt Disney Company. Jim retired from The Walt Disney Company in May 2015.
Links Mentioned in this Episode
Community Veteran Engagement Boards
PsychArmor Resource of the Week
This week’s PsychArmor Resource of the Week is the PsychArmor Course, Why Collaboration Is So Important In Supporting Military Members, Veterans, Their Families And Caregivers. This course is designed for community leaders, interested in exploring some key components to a successful collaborative journey. You'll learn how collaboration can provide the structure needed to impact the lives of military connected people
You can find the resource here: https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/why-collaboration-is-so-important
Episode Partner:
This week’s episode is brought to you by J.B. Hunt, an industry leading transportation and logistics company offering hiring, training and resources for military veterans, active-duty service members, and military spouses. For more information, check out their military culture at jbhunt.jobs.
Contact...
Previous Episode
BTM202 - Travis Collier - United States Coast Guard
Show Summary
Coast Guard Veteran Travis Collier, a retired field grade Coast Guard officer who most recently was a Senior Commander at the Coast Guard Training Center Petaluma, where we talk about mental health and wellness in the Coast Guard, as well as his approach to planning for transition during and after the military.
Provide Feedback
As a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health.
About Today’s Guest
Links Mentioned in this Episode
PsychArmor Resource of the Week
This week’s resource of the week is the PsychArmor course, What You Should Know About Transition. Transitioning from military service can be difficult. It is more than just hanging up your uniform and putting on civilian clothes. In this course, you will receive a brief overview of resources and tools to consider during your transition.
You can find the resource here: https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/What-you-Should-Know-about-Transition
Episode Partner:
This week’s episode is brought to you by J.B. Hunt, an industry leading transportation and logistics company offering hiring, training and resources for military veterans, active-duty service members, and military spouses. For more information, check out their military culture at jbhunt.jobs.
Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media
Theme Music
Our theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.
Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families. You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com
Next Episode
BTM204 – Kaitlyn Siewert – REINS Therapeutic Horsemanship Program
Show Summary
On today’s episode, we’re featuring a conversation with Marine Corps Spouse Kaitlyn Siewert, the Executive Director of REINS Therapeutic Horsemanship Program located in Fallbrook, CA. During our conversation, we talk about REINS of Valor the military and veteran mental health program that has blossomed from REINS Therapeutic Horsemanship program.
Provide Feedback
As a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you about the show. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts about the show in this short feedback survey. By doing so, you will be entered to receive a signed copy of one of our host's three books on military and veteran mental health.
About Today’s Guest
Kaitlyn Siewert is the Executive Director of REINS Therapeutic Horsemanship Program located in Fallbrook, CA. She has worked and volunteered in the Equine Assisted Services industry for 30 years and has experience in both the programming and administration areas of the non-profit organization. Acquiring a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology as well as a master’s in business administration, Kaitlyn has been fortunate to have experience both in conducting therapeutic sessions as well as navigating the challenges of fundraising and fiscal management.
As a Marine Corps spouse, Kaitlyn has lived the personal trials of military life and is aware of the tribulations and celebrations that affect those that have served; thus, feeding her passion for providing services to our veterans, active-duty military and first responders. REINS of Valor is the mental health program that has blossomed from REINS Therapeutic Horsemanship program. While experiencing the struggles of watching her husband’s transition from military to civilian life, she became aware of the benefits REINS had in their lives. The importance of mental health in the military and first responder populations, and their families became apparent, and Kaitlyn knew that REINS had the potential to make a difference.
Links Mentioned in this Episode
REINS Therapeutic Horsemanship Program
Ideas for Equine-Assisted Services with Veterans
https://www.horsesandhumans.org
PsychArmor Resource of the Week
This week’s resource of the week is the PsychArmor course, Goodbye to Going It Alone
This course explains ways to overcome the stigma of asking for help and finding the courage to take action. This course teaches Veterans and caregivers when it is time to ask for help and the steps required to take care of themselves.
You can find the resource here: https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/goodbye-to-going-it-alone
Episode Partner:
This week’s episode is brought to you by J.B. Hunt, an industry leading transportation and logistics company offering hiring, training and resources for military veterans, active-duty service members, and military spouses. For more information, check out their military culture at jbhunt.jobs.
Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media
Theme Music
Our theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.
Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families. You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.vetera...
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