76th District Chavez Praises REBOOT’s Contributions at Graduation

Assemblymember Rocky Chavez of California’s 76th Assembly District attended the graduation of veterans and transitioning military personnel from REBOOT Workshops run by National Veterans Transition Services Inc., NVTSI and held at California State University, San Marcos, CSUSM Friday, July 26.

Nine graduates from REBOOT Workshop class 53 in Orange County at Brandman University Irvine and 21 graduates from class 54 in North County came together for a combined graduation ceremony on the campus of CSUSM. 

Assemblymember Chavez thanked the Orange County class for making the commitment to REBOOT while praising his district’s education leaders and graduates for their support to the North County community.

 “We’re very fortunate in North County to have a leader like university President Karen Haynes. Almost 80 percent of her graduates stay in North County and contribute to the economy and community,” said Chavez. “For those of you from Orange County, you’ve invested in a great thing. You’ve invested in your community, invested in the lives of those around you.”

Chavez shared his long time association with REBOOT and its founders, retired Navy Rear Adm. Ronne Froman and retired Command Master Chief Maurice Wilson. He was there from the beginning when Maurice explained the concept during a meeting in 2010.  When REBOOT got off the ground he spoke at the graduation of the second workshop and with class 53 and 54 he shared his surprise at how many workshops have been completed since then.

“897 veterans have gone through REBOOT. That’s 897 families, 897 communities,” said Chavez.

Chavez went on to explain how investing in the education of our veterans is a smart move economically. “We went into WWII in a depression, we fought a war, the GI Bill came in, we built some of the best universities and community colleges, we invested in veterans through the GI Bill and we rebuilt the economy of the United States,” he said. “Back in the 2005-2006 timeframe we had this great recession and I know the way to rebuild is to give colleges and universities all the resources they need to make sure our students, our citizens are trained for a world economy,” continued Chavez as he explained to the graduates and guests how REBOOT’s vision is about educating veterans so they can successfully contribute in much the same way.

The expansion of REBOOT Workshops from San Diego to locations in North County, Orange County and Norfolk, Va., have been made possible by the relationships built between NVTSI and colleges like Brandman University, CSUSM and Tidewater Community College. 

“We are pleased to co-host NVTSI’s REBOOT workshop at Cal State San Marcos,” said Dr. Jan Jackson, vice president for Community Engagement at CSUSM. “Collaborating with organizations like NVTSI to respond quickly and relevantly to the unique needs of our strong military region is a smart thing to do from a business perspective, and it’s the right thing to do from a community perspective,” she said.

Small businesses in North County and throughout San Diego have benefited from employing REBOOT graduates because these veterans have extensive skills and experience through the military and have gone through REBOOT’s proven reintegration program. 

“I can’t thank REBOOT enough for what they are doing for veterans. I’ve worked with REBOOT graduates and their professionalism and dedication to supporting me as a business owner have been next to none, I can’t thank them [REBOOT] enough,” said Joanna Herr, business owner of Herr Photography in Encinitas, Calif.

REBOOT is a three-week workshop addressing the many aspects of transition from military to civilian life. It helps students refocus from a “we” mindset back to an “I” mindset helping them set and achieve their personal career goals. REBOOT is for transitioning service members within one year of separation from the military and veterans from all services no matter how long they’ve been out of the military.

The workshop was the brainchild of Froman and Wilson when they recognized the need for a program to help veterans reintegrate successfully back into civilian life. Chavez shared his explanation for where he thinks the name REBOOT came from.

“The military does a great job of making civilians into military but they don’t do enough to turn them back into civilians when they leave the military so that was the idea behind REBOOT,” he said but he continued to further explain its relationship to the boots worn by servicemembers throughout their careers.

“You’ve got to keep them sharp, keep them clean, it’s one of the most important elements of your career. What you’re doing right now is transitioning into another career, another experience and you need a different kind of boot,” said Chavez.

The last thing Chavez shared with the graduates was advice given to him by a gunnery sergeant when he served in the Marine Corps. “Bloom where you’re planted, meaning do the best you can wherever you are, “ said Chavez. “Do your best and great things will follow.”

The graduates, a mix of veterans and active duty servicemembers, shared their appreciation for how REBOOT opened their minds to opportunities they didn’t think were possible before. One graduate was still struggling after leaving the military four decades ago but found new insight through the REBOOT Workshop.

“I just want to thank all of you [REBOOT staff] and the sponsors for showing us doors that were never ever opened to us from the Vietnam era,” said Norman Miller, a Vietnam veteran, as he choked back tears. “It’s been a real struggle to get to this point. One of my goals is to somehow get this information to the guys I served with,” said Miller before thanking his classmates for their support.

Funding for REBOOT Workshops come from individuals, businesses and corporations through donations and sponsorships.  Class 53 and 54 received financial sponsorship from Orange County Community Foundation, OCCF. REBOOT Workshops cost $2,500 per student and without financial support from organizations like OCCF and partnerships with host colleges and universities like Brandman University and CSUSM, the workshop and it’s expansion wouldn’t be possible.

“We call the people who make this workshop happen, the Sea of Goodwill and these are people who believe in their heart there’s not enough they can do for our servicemembers and veterans so I want to thank them for their continued support,” said Wilson.

The next REBOOT Workshop begins July 29 in Mission Valley.  Visit www.nvtsi.org for more information about REBOOT or to sponsor a veteran.