Tag Archive for: Minnesota Military Radio

Care Beyond the VA: Home-Based Primary Care and Medical Foster Homes for Minnesota Veterans

Care Beyond the VA: Home-Based Primary Care and Medical Foster Homes for Minnesota Veterans

This week on Minnesota Military Radio, we check in with the Minneapolis VA Health Care System to explore two important programs delivering care beyond the traditional medical center. Learn how Home-Based Primary Care and the Medical Foster Home Program are helping Veterans receive personalized, comprehensive care in the comfort of their homes or in supportive family-style environments.

We also discuss upcoming improvements to primary care appointments and how the VA is working to ensure Veterans receive more dedicated time with their providers.

Guests

Home-Based Primary Care

The Home-Based Primary Care program brings a full team of healthcare professionals directly to Veterans who may have difficulty accessing care at a VA facility. This team can include nurses, social workers, dietitians, therapists, and primary care providers who work together to deliver coordinated, patient-centered care.

By meeting Veterans where they are, this program helps address complex health needs while supporting independence and improving quality of life.

Medical Foster Home Program

The Medical Foster Home Program offers an alternative living arrangement for Veterans who require more daily support. Veterans live in private homes with trained caregivers who provide 24/7 assistance in a family-style setting.

These homes are carefully screened and supported by VA care teams, creating a unique environment where Veterans can receive individualized care while remaining part of a household and community.

Supporting Veterans at Every Stage

Both programs work together to provide a continuum of care—whether a Veteran remains in their own home or transitions to a foster home setting. With a focus on comfort, dignity, and personalized care, these services help ensure Veterans receive the support they need throughout their healthcare journey.

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Minnesota Veterans Career Fair, Mental Health Resources, and Memorial Day Events

Minnesota Veterans Career Fair, Mental Health Resources, and Memorial Day Events

This week on Minnesota Military Radio, we’re joined by leaders from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs to discuss career opportunities, Veteran mental health resources, and Memorial Day weekend events across the state.

Guests include:

  • Ray Douha, Director, CareerForce Veterans Employment Program
  • Shannon Sprouse, Senior Veterans Employment Representative
  • Krysta Stanenas, Community Health Analyst, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Chase Arden, Veterans Community Health Coordinator, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Tim Uecker, Deputy Director of Memorial Affairs, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs

Segment 1: Minnesota Veterans Career Fair

Ray Douha and Shannon Sprouse discuss the 20th Annual Minnesota Veterans Career Fair, taking place on May 20, including what Veterans can expect and how to prepare.
https://careerforce.mn.gov/VeteransCareerFair2026

Segments 2 & 3: Veteran Mental Health Resources

Krysta Stanenas and Chase Arden share insight into Veteran mental health, suicide prevention efforts, and statewide resources available to Veterans and their families.

If you or someone you know needs immediate support, contact the Veteran Crisis Line by calling or texting 988 and pressing 1.
https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/index.asp
https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/suicide/mhawarenessmonth.html

Segment 4: Memorial Day Events at State Veterans Cemeteries

Tim Uecker outlines Memorial Day weekend ceremonies taking place on Sunday, May 24, at Minnesota’s State Veterans Cemeteries.
https://mn.gov/mdva/news/events/
https://minnesotaveteran.org/cem

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Serving from the Sea: U.S. Navy Careers and Recruiting in the Northern Plains

Serving from the Sea: U.S. Navy Careers and Recruiting in the Northern Plains

This week on Minnesota Military Radio, host Doug Wortham focuses on the United States Navy, exploring career opportunities, recruiting realities, and life at sea with leaders from Navy Talent Acquisition Group Northern Plains.

The conversation highlights Navy service from both a leadership and recruiting perspective, offering listeners insight into career paths, benefits, and what today’s Navy has to offer Sailors and their families.

This Week’s Guests

  • Master Chief Phillip Vogtman
    Command Senior Enlisted Leader, Navy Talent Acquisition Group Northern Plains
    A Minnesota native from Park Rapids, Master Chief Vogtman brings more than two decades of Navy experience, including extensive overseas service in Japan, Guam, and Bahrain. In his current role, he serves as the senior enlisted advisor to the Commanding Officer, overseeing enlisted programs and Sailor readiness across the Northern Plains region.
  • Senior Chief Adam Pace
    Career Recruiter, Navy Talent Acquisition Group Northern Plains
    Originally from Brevard, North Carolina, Senior Chief Pace has served both at sea and ashore before transitioning into the Navy’s Career Recruiting Force. His background includes years of enlisted recruiting leadership and current oversight of officer recruiting programs across multiple states.

From the Heartland to the Fleet

During the episode, both guests share their personal paths into Navy service and how family influence, opportunity, and leadership shaped their careers. Master Chief Vogtman discusses growing up in Minnesota and later returning to the region after years overseas, while Senior Chief Pace reflects on how recruiting has allowed him to change lives while continuing to serve the Navy mission.

Their stories demonstrate the wide range of backgrounds and experiences that lead individuals to serve in the U.S. Navy.

Understanding Navy Recruiting Today

A key portion of the discussion focuses on how Navy recruiting works today. Senior Chief Pace outlines what prospective applicants can expect, including timelines for enlisted and officer programs, medical qualification processes, and how the Navy supports Sailors through training, education, and career development.

The guests also address common misconceptions about Navy service, such as time at sea, deployments, and work‑life balance. Listeners learn that Navy careers extend well beyond ships, offering opportunities in aviation, medical fields, construction, logistics, cybersecurity, submarines, and more.

Why Consider the Navy?

Master Chief Vogtman highlights the Navy’s global presence and opportunities for travel, leadership growth, and professional development. Both guests emphasize that whether someone serves one enlistment or makes the Navy a full career, the skills, education, and benefits earned through service can have a lifelong impact.

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Military Spouse Appreciation Month and Minnesota National Guard Youth Camp

Military Spouse Appreciation Month and Minnesota National Guard Youth Camp

This week, Minnesota Military Radio recognizes Military Spouse Appreciation Month and Military Spouse Appreciation Day with a meaningful conversation focused on the strength, resilience, and sacrifice of military spouses. This episode highlights life on the home front, including the realities of deployments, long separations, family responsibilities, and the importance of strong support networks for military families.

Military spouses often serve without wearing the uniform, yet their role is essential to mission readiness and sustained service. This discussion offers firsthand insight into navigating military life, maintaining communication during separations, and reintegrating after deployments.

In the second segment, we highlight the Minnesota National Guard Youth Camp, a long-standing program that supports military-connected youth by providing connection, structure, and shared experience at Camp Ripley. The camp helps children build resilience while bringing together peers who understand the unique challenges of military life.

This Week’s Guests

  • Christina Rost – A former Minnesota National Guard Soldier and military spouse sharing perspectives on service, family life, and resilience on the home front.
  • Ron Stenger – A retired Minnesota National Guard Soldier discussing life as a military spouse, parent, and the importance of communication and support during deployments.
  • Rich Kemp – A retired Minnesota Army National Guard Master Sergeant highlighting the mission and impact of the Minnesota National Guard Youth Camp.
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Inside the American Legion: Veteran Support, Advocacy, and Leadership

Inside the American Legion: Veteran Support, Advocacy, and Leadership

This week on Minnesota Military Radio, host Doug Wortham sits down with leaders from the American Legion to discuss Veteran support, advocacy, leadership, and the organization’s ongoing impact at the national and local levels.

Guests include:

Listeners will hear about the American Legion’s four pillars — Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism, and Children & Youth — and how Legion posts across Minnesota and the nation serve as cornerstones in their communities. The conversation also explores key initiatives including the Legion’s Be The One campaign to reduce Veteran suicide, legislative advocacy on behalf of disabled Veterans, and programs that provide direct assistance to Veterans and their families.

The episode also highlights:

  • The American Legion’s role in Veteran disability claims and advocacy
  • Efforts to reduce the stigma around mental health
  • Support for Veterans through Minnesota’s Fund 85
  • Preparing for America’s 250th anniversary
  • Why Legion membership matters for strengthening Veterans’ voices
🎧 Listen to the show:
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