This episode is the first of a 2-part series where we hear a powerful interview with Army combat vet, Purple Heart recipient turned software developer Lukas Simianer- who fights the VA for vets, and wins.

Wounded in Afghanistan at the age of 19, Lukas left the military with only a few hundred bucks in his pocket and started the difficult transition from enlisted soldier to civilian life.

He struggled with his own mental health, isolation, lack of any meaningful DoD support and eventually endured being so poor that he lived in a rat infested trailer.

But rather than accepting a tragic defeat, he made a bold commitment to change his life and taught himself computer programming.

Lukas shares his dramatic story, exposes how the DoD still fails to properly support enlisted veterans after their service and how he became a pioneering tech entrepreneur.

We conclude this episode with the story behind his first success as a software developer, creating Clusiv- the world’s first online learning platform built for people who are blind.

But that was just one step toward founding a revolutionary company that unleashes the power of AI to help his veteran brothers and sisters. Many of whom are currently battling the VA to get the support and benefits they rightfully earned.

If you are struggling to get your VA benefits or correct disability rating, check out:

https://vetclaims.ai/

For more on Lukas Simianer, VetClaims Founder and 82nd Airborne veteran:

https://vetclaims.ai/founder-story/

Contact Phil Briggs, Host, CBS Eye on Veterans

phil@connectingvets.com

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@philbriggsVet

@EyeonVeterans

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Thinking you might need to stop drinking? This episode is for you.

As we kick off the New Year, many folks attempt to give up alcohol in what’s commonly called “Dry January”.

But for many veterans, drinking becomes more than just a social vice … it can have dangerous, criminal and even deadly consequences.

We talked with former Navy Destroyer Commanding Officer, Jay Wylie, who shared his battle with booze, and how drinking went from a coping mechanism, to collapsing his military career.

Tracing the origins of his drinking to college, Wylie described a military culture that appeared to embrace it. He shared a remorseful look at his drinking problem, “I ended up getting so drunk and stupid on liberty with a couple of female crew members, that I broke every rule in the Captain’s book.”

His booze-fueled behavior eventually led to conviction on sexual assault charges, which resulted in; being relieved of command of USS Momsen (DDG-92), court martialed, and sentenced to 42 months.

In hindsight Wylie revealed, “as painful as that was… that’s what it took to get me sober.”

He also shared the steps he personally took to end the destructive pattern caused by his out of control drinking.

Now with 13 years of sobriety, he’s dedicated to helping other veterans quit drugs and alcohol.

Wylie also shared how his work with Confidential Recovery, in San Diego, helps guide clients through the 12-Step process, and works with VA recovery services to help vets get the treatment they need, before suffering severe alcohol related consequences.

He also offers insight on whether cannabis is helpful, or just another vice.

As veterans (and even non-veterans) look to goals of self-improvement in the new year, Wylie’s story reveals there is hope and resources for veterans searching for a way to break the cycle and begin a better life.

Learn more about Confidential Recovery here:

https://www.confidentialrecovery.com/

For more resources check out Veteran Navigation Center here:

https://veteransnavigationcenter.org/

Contact Phil Briggs, Host, CBS Eye on Veterans

phil@connectingvets.com

Follow on X:

@philbriggsVet

@EyeonVeterans

@connectingvets

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’re keeping the Christmas spirit alive, by sharing incredible letters written by service members deployed long ago.

The letters come to us from Andrew Carroll, Founder of The Center for American War Letters, who has archived and preserved over 200K letters- some dating back to the Revolutionary War.

We discussed several pieces from the collection, including; a letter from an Army nurse, expressing her condolences to the family of a soldier she cared for at the end of the war, and who didn’t pass from combat injuries, but rather from influenza. Like the era we experienced during the global pandemic in 2020, the letter shows an empathy and compassion we wish we could see more often today.

Carroll also shares letters from the Pacific during WWII, a snow covered Germany during WWII, and a Christmas themed letter that offers an inspiring look at post WWII Europe.

Together, these letters portray how previous generations beautifully captured the human spirit in a writing style that sounds like classic Hemmingway.

Check out more of these incredible letters or preserve your own famliy mementos, see Chapman University's Center for American War Letters here:

https://www.chapman.edu/research/institutes-and-centers/cawl/index.aspx

Contact CBS Eye on Veterans Host, Phil Briggs

phil@connectingvets.com

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@philbriggsVet

@EyeOnVeterans

@connectingvets

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s a week after the thrilling 125th Army-Navy Game, but even after the game, we still love hearing stories from our fellow Soldiers and Sailors.

During our time on USAA’s Media Row, we had fascinating conversations with military vets and senior military leaders.

We start with Maj. General Brett Sylvia, Commanding General of the Army’s mighty 101st Airborne (Air Assault). He shared some history from this legendary unit and offered a glimpse at the lethal capability they're bringing into the future.

We also had a good time talking with Army Special Forces veteran, football player and filmmaker Nate Boyer. He discussed his "late bloomer" path to the Army and football, and how his organization “Merging Vets and Players” brings vets together with former NFL athletes.

He was joined by American Legion, Executive Director of Government Affairs Director and Marine Corps veteran Mario Marquez. who shared how The American Legion is not your grandfathers pub, but remains an awesome organization for veterans from every generation.

We wrap our time on Media Row, with two vets and Senior Executives from the Army Navy Game's proud sponsor, USAA. Former Army Major Rob Braggs shared how service has become a family tradition and former Navy Captain Bill White shares some of his favorite military memories, including how we actually served on the same ship back in the 90s. Plus how USAA offers services that can truly help our nation’s veterans live their best life.

For more on the Screaming Eagles of 101st Airborne (Air Assault):

https://www.army.mil/101stAirborne

For more on a great organization for veterans, check out The American Legion:

https://www.legion.org/

See Special Forces vet Nate Boyer’s organization MVP, a collaboration with FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer here:

https://vetsandplayers.org/

Follow Nate @NateBoyer37

Contact CBS Eye on Veterans Host, Phil Briggs

phil@connectingvets.com

Follow on X

@philbriggsVet

@EyeOnVeterans

@connectingvets

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.