Women Veteran Outreach Update from Leaphy Khim – CSULB, American Legion 43

Here’s a quick Women Veteran Outreach Update from the NVF Women Veteran Outreach Coordinator Leaphy Khim.

Leaphy Khim served the United States Marine Corps for 8 years from 2002 – 2010 as an Electrician and PWST (Peacetime / Wartime Support Team) officer. She served with the 6th Engineer Support Battalion, Bridge Company Bravo in Folsom, Pennsylvania.

Veterans Services, CSULB

• This was my first trip to the Veteran Service office at the CSULB (Calstate University  of Long Beach) Division of Student Affairs. I spoke to Dr. Marshall Thomas who is the director of the program and also former Marine! OOH RAH! He talked about what the program offers: Benefit certification, advising, outreach, and networking. Then we discussed the challenges of being a veteran and transitioning into a non military culture. We had a great conversation that lasted 2 hours! I found out that he also does a seminar (VET NET Ally Awareness Program) designed to educate the university community about student veterans.  He invited me to one of them next week in Cerritos.   Check out this great video from Dr. Thomas: Understanding the Military Culture.

Women Veterans Night at Hollywood American Legion Post 43

• I had the opportunity to talk to many female veterans from all different generations. I had dinner there and we all shared many great stories. Our guest speaker was Patricia Jackson-Kelly who served in 3 different branches (Airforce, Navy and Army!) throughout her career until she retired. She told us about all the inspiring female vets throughout history and how we’ve came a long way since.  She mentioned new bills that are being passed and addressed in congress regarding female vets.  Overall great night to network with other women veterans! Check out this great video with Patrica Jackson-Kelly: I Am The American Legion.

Heroes Movement

• I met up with Mike from Heroes Movement (Heroes’ Movement is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing free strength training and conditioning to ANY veteran of the United States Armed Forces. They offer small-group training as well as one-on-one coaching, our programs are designed to meet the fitness goals and physical limitations of each veteran while helping rebuild mobility and strength.) at the Legion. Mike was there to support the event. I mentioned to him that he can always come to NVF to do a session with us. He was excited and would love to. He said next Wednesday would work, but when I told him that we might not have many participant he wanted to see if this Friday would work. Check out this great video from Heroes Movement.