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Mid-Chapter update ( 1 June 2010)

Monday, December 21, 2009 18:34 | Jeffrey Backus

(1 June 2010)  Another six months gone!!  Not much new has happened, life goes on.  The night shift has really been wearing on me.  There is a bit of light at the end of the tunnel, but it also involves a 30% pay cut due to a work schedule change that is in the works.  It appears that we will be moving to a 4/10 shift vice the 12 hour shift we are currently on.  This means i'll be at work less each day, but working one additional day every two weeks.  The 30% pay cut is the assumed loss of over time.  Oh well, I can deal with this.

(21 December 2009)  I didnt realize that it's been 6 months since i posted anything here!!!  Please forgive me.  I figured that after I got on shift that I would have lots of extra time.  I was mistaken.  Al told me I wouldn't have the time nor the focus to contribute to the cause.  My shift recently moved to nights, I work from 1600 (4pm) until 0400 (4am) but usually get released around 0600.  I then spend the next 6 hours trying to sleep.  I often feel like i'm terminally jet lagged, especially the day after a three day work weekend.  Other than work, I spend the rest of my time trying to keep up with my yard work and on rare occasions messing with my project truck. 

(11 Jun 09) Hello again and welcome aboard to all the new folks.  Not much new going on in my corner of Fallbrook, except I did get my VA disability rating after a short 6 months!  I was pleasantly surprised at how quick and easy the process was.  Of course I must thank the DAV for their assistance! 

I've only got 3 more weeks of school, and I'll be on a full time shift!  I'll probably miss the good old lazy daze tho after I get assigned to a gate for 12 hours!

(8 April 09) Hello all, I have been busy the past few weeks with my new job as a Marine Corps Police Officer at Camp Pendleton and have not been reading or posting as much as before when I was "retired".   I am also torn between my obligations at my new job and with this organization.  I have a lot of learning to do so that I can accomplish my new mission along with some promises that I have made to the Fallbrook SouthWest Veterans Business Resource Center.   I have also been somewhat discouraged by the difficulties that I have encountered trying to convince folks that they should at least register on this site.  I feel that my approach must be wrong, and I am pushing them away, rather than drawing them in.   I will push on, Failure is not an option.

 

Comments

  • Friday, April 10, 2009 08:15 | LeRoy Scheller Jr
    Jeff,
    Good luck in your new mission in life as a Marine Corps Police Officer and I know you will do well. Look forward to hearing more of your adventures as a police officer and of course your book you are writing. Be careful out there.
    LeRoy
    Link  •  Reply
    • Saturday, April 18, 2009 05:01 | Jeffrey Backus
      LeRoy, Thanks for the comments... I'm hoping to NOT have any adventures in my new job, but I have a hunch that I will!
      Link  •  Reply
  • Friday, April 10, 2009 08:44 | Eleanor Tobias
    I know what you mean, Jeffrey, when you say you are discouraged at the response, or lack of, you encounter with the people you are trying to convince to at least register! I have been having the same trouble with a lot of the retirees here in Vancouver. Many of them are veterans too, but have gotten complacent in their retirement, I believe. Some keep very busy, not just having fun, but volunteering in other places. One person, at my last meeting, even said she was tired of "sending baggies to the troops over seas" because there are so many causes here, and cannot afford all of them. My answer, as always, was "but, these men put their lives on the line for all of us. It's the least we can do." As you stated, failure is not an option, and I will continue to work for our veterans, wherever they are.

    Good luck with your new job! And, I'm sure that once you get acclimated to it, you will still find time for SWVBRC. I admire your attitude tremendously.
    Fran
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    • Saturday, April 18, 2009 05:03 | Jeffrey Backus
      Ms Tobias, Thank you for your continueing work with Operation Interdependence, please let your co-volunteers know that it is appreciated!
      Link  •  Reply
  • Friday, April 10, 2009 10:37 | Chris Thayer
    Hi Jeff,
    It was recently shared with me to “be the change” but that I will not necessarily “see the change”. I share this with you Jeff as I can relate to everything you just posted on your mid-chapter update. Thank you for being so open and so honest.
    I too have wondered why more people have not rushed to sign up on the SWVBRC website to support our veterans and yet I feel I am doing many wonderful things to invite this and show support yet it isn’t happening as quickly as I think it should! Being reminded that wonderful things are at work even though I may not see them is healing for me. I was in the doctor’s office last week and there was only one other person waiting for the doctor at that particular time and it turns out it was a veteran. He was so polite and kept saying “yes maam” so I asked him kindly, are you a veteran? He said yes and we chatted for a moment and then I said, I would like to thank you for all your dedication and hard work and sacrifices in protecting and serving our country and our freedoms. There are many people who appreciate you and I want you to know that. Small tears started to roll down his face. I asked him if I could give him a hug to show my appreciation. He said yes and I held him for a few minutes, just saying thank you and I believe in you.

    I felt so blessed to be able to have such a nice connection and it inspires me to continue reaching out to others even though I don’t always know the difference it will make. Before I left the doctor’s office, I gave him the website address for SWVBRC and said this is a wonderful veteran's resource center and you will feel support and love if you contact them, so please call or register with them.
    Congratulations also Jeff on your new job as a Marine Corps Police officer. So many people are looking for work right now and you are to be applauded that you found a job so quickly and working for the Corps and close to home. I think you will be able to serve both your new job and the veterans' center once you get more adjusted and you are helping ALL VETERANS by setting an example of how to integrate your life after you retire or return from military duty.This is all part of the reintegration process. If there is anything we can do to serve you in your new quest, please let us know. You are an inspiration to all of us. I have even told people in Irvine that quilt to go visit the quilters shop in Fallbrook since you walked me over there and you showed me how great it is! You are more of a positive influence than you realize and like all veterans have such a big heart. Many blessings to you, Chris
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    • Saturday, April 18, 2009 05:14 | Jeffrey Backus
      Ms Thayer, thank you for the words of encouragement. We are still waiting for the "seeds" we planted at the Quilt shop to grow... I know they are busy trying to keep their business going.

      Concerning my job search, I've found that there are lots of jobs available, but there are so many folks applying that the companys are able to "cherry pick" from a set of over qualified applicants... I made the mistake of assuming that my experience would carry me over the top and choose to get myself certified as an automobile and truck technician... unfortunatelly, the key to many opportunities is a college degree!
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  • Saturday, April 11, 2009 07:24 | Fred Scott
    Jeff,
    thanks for your many yrs of service...I wish you the best in your new Job as a Police officer.. sounds like a fun job..

    I served 4 yrs in the Navy, 50 yrs ago in June..time really does fly by... I enjoyed ever min. of it.. I served aboard a troop transport that could carry upon to 1500 marines.. a good bunch of guys to be around..

    enjoy your new job and thanks for all that you have given..

    Fred in Tx
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  • Sunday, April 12, 2009 18:44 | Robert McLeod
    Congratulations on your new career. Well at least you have that monkey off your back. I don't know about pushing people away, I am sure that you have planted that seed and they will return and we will grow!
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    • Tuesday, April 14, 2009 01:30 | Jeffrey Backus
      Thank you Mr McLeod, did you see the note in the registered only section forum?
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  • Friday, April 17, 2009 06:36 | Justin Abril
    Mr. Backus,
    I just wanted to applaud your work and dedication to this organization. I hope all works well with your career and future goals with Southwest Veterans.
    Link  •  Reply
    • Saturday, April 18, 2009 04:55 | Jeffrey Backus
      Mr Abril, Thank you for supporting our Nations Veterans.
      Link  •  Reply
  • Friday, April 17, 2009 08:48 | Sigrid Gilbert
    Jeff,
    First of all, please accept my sincere appreciation for your past service to our beloved country. From reading your blog, I know your dedication and skills were invaluable and still are today with your new USMC police position. Just reading your blog, I know you have the ideal temperment and level of confidence to be very effective. Congratulations on landing what appears to be a very special job which sounds like a good fit both ways.

    As to your disappointment in not being able to get more people to sign onto SWVRBC, all you can do is plant the seed. When the time is right for the people you approached, they will take a closer look. I am with Al's Operation Interdependence and am constantly looking for people to write the notes that go into the 1,7500+ C-rats we ship out of Austin every month. We have two middle schools in Lakeway, I've spoken to both principals, showed them sample C-rats and student letters. The one school sends us 200 student letters every month, and I have not been able to get one out of the other. After I read about a recent graduate of one of the local high schools being killed in Iraq a year ago, I contacted the principal about having the students write letters to the troops in his honor. Nothing! Now one year later, a counselor at the school approached OI about the National Honor Society wanting to have a schoolwide drive to collect product and letters for OI to ship. I supervised the packing of 400 C-rats with the most delightful, heartfelt letters of appreciation and good wishes. We will include a message for the eight platoon commanders receiving these C-rats that they were packed in honor of Matthew T. Morris, Killed in Action in Iraq, April 2008. A year ago, I was discouraged by a dismissive principal. All
    you can do is put out the word, plant the seed. Wishing you
    the best. Sigrid
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    • Saturday, April 18, 2009 05:20 | Jeffrey Backus
      Ms Gilbert, Thank you for your continueing support to our nations servicemembers, it is appreciated. I will continue to plant the seed.
      Link  •  Reply
  • Sunday, April 19, 2009 01:03 | Deleted user
    Jeff,

    First, welcome to "the Great Beyond" -- the 1stCivDiv! As you're finding out, the good news is no more PFTs (Don't know about your PD, but there certainly doesn't seem to be any kind of a fitness standard for police or fire fighters around here). The bad news is we no longer have the 1stSgt to close the door and politely tell us when we're messing up. With no ALMARS, instructions or orders, we have to make this (stuff) up on the fly and we don't always know when we've made less than adequate choices.

    There are a lot of "causes" that will pull at you out here -- most of them fully worthy of our time and attention. But your first duty is to yourself and those who depend on you for shelter and protection. Get them locked on and squared away. Then, to whomever cuts you a paycheck. You're no good to anyone living in a cardboard box under a bridge. After that is up to you. An effort like this is commendable and unique -- I could have used this 11 years ago (Wow ... can it be that long now??) when the big green Rod and Gun Club informed me that my membership was expired with no renewal. That door closed firmly and with a mighty "thunk" and I didn't have anything like this to help me.
    You have no idea how many of us are out here. And, being Marines, we don't whine or complain (except for me right now ;) ), but you, and this effort, have the opportunity to reach out to a vast segment of veterans who neither served a full career to retirement (but wanted to...) nor served just a single term and rejoined the civilian world. I got the cursory 5-minute brief form the Lance Corporal at HQ Co. who was more interested in the Noon meal menu at the chow hall than me. I could have used something like this!

    And an online effort will never give you the immediate feedback of knowing just who, and to what degree, you've made a difference.

    But all I can tell you is that through your friendship, example and fortitude, you've helped me. I can only imagine that your ethic and esprit, applied across this vast electronic medium, will have a far greater impact than you'll ever know.

    Press! There are no shiny medals, badges, parades or meritorious masts out here -- not like you're used to, anyway. The thanks come far more quietly in the form of an email note that you'll have to read twice before you catch it, a simple thanks from a stranger or just the look on someone's face. Grab it and run 'cause it'll do.

    I have no doubt you'll have an impact. You already have.

    Semper Fi,
    Grizz
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    • Monday, April 20, 2009 09:12 | Jeffrey Backus
      John, thank you for the sage words.
      Link  •  Reply
    • Thursday, April 23, 2009 10:17 | Chris Thayer
      Dear Mr. Milliman, Reading your comments along with Jeff's comments inspires me to continue doing the work in supporting our veterans. I have felt lately that maybe it's not enough or fast enough but you have reminded me so wonderfully that every person makes a difference and each person influences and inspires the success of others, and so this will grow if given time and continued support.

      Educating the communities that SWVBRC is a necessary and deserving resource for veterans is one of the tools for success. I value your input and as a grateful American I am listening to what you have to say. Thank you for your honesty and sincerity.

      God Bless you for your service to our country and to your continued support to all veterans. Sincerely, Chris
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  • Monday, May 18, 2009 07:46 | Derek Strauss
    If you feel that you are pushing people away from the organization, utilize "SWOT" in how you approach and present the organization. You did a wonderful analysis of your self and your life with the process.

    Also, be not discouraged. Discouragement is an obstacle that will prevent you from ever completing a task.

    Remember the unofficial Marine Corps Motto: "Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome!"
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    • Wednesday, May 20, 2009 12:09 | Jeffrey Backus
      Mr Strauss, thank you for your advice, I've been working on my approach with my new workmates.
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  • Saturday, June 13, 2009 21:10 | Deleted user
    Jeff,
    Thank you so much for witnessing and supporting Jonathan and I as we signed in as Learners at the SWVBRC in Fallbrook a few weeks ago.

    You made us both feel very welcome, as we talked and shared information. It was apparant that you cared and wanted to help. Thank you! We look forward to seeing you at the next meeting and hope to get to know you better. I hope your enjoying your new job.

    Countless blessings your way. God Bless!
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    • Monday, June 15, 2009 07:57 | Jeffrey Backus
      Mrs Newhouse, thank you for your service to our Country. Good luck in your endeavors and feel free to drop me a note.
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  • Sunday, October 18, 2009 16:42 | Deleted user
    Hi Jeff, Mrs. slow poke here trying to figure out what I have missed and where I should have posted a comment and failed to do so. Don't feel alone about not being able to get people to register. I don't think it is your approach but rather they don't seem to understand what the program is all about and the value of them becoming registered. I find it interesting as a couple of my cloest friends have failed to register, where others have registered immediately after I asked it of them. One of them by the way happens to be a Veteran. I have even offered to register for her when she has memtioned she was having problems. She didn't even reply to my offer. I guess the only thing we can do is continue to be persuasive.
    I wish you the best and will try to be better about keeping up with your blogs.
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    • Monday, December 21, 2009 17:04 | Jeffrey Backus
      Ms Grice, again, thank you for your support.
      Link  •  Reply

DOD Welcome home-small.jpg A welcoming home for our Troops.

Welcoming home our men and women doesn't end after the crowd disperses, it MUST continue on for the life of the Veteran! They've served us, now we will serve them with programs that work so they reintegrate into society.

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