Tag Archive for: veterans

Beyond the Yellow Ribbon: Starkey’s Hearing Tech for Veterans + The Power of Volunteers at State Veterans Homes

Beyond the Yellow Ribbon: Starkey’s Hearing Tech for Veterans + The Power of Volunteers at State Veterans Homes

In this weeks episode of Minnesota Military Radio, host retired Command Sergeant Major Doug Wortham highlights two powerful ways Minnesotans are supporting Veterans and service members.

Featured Guests:

Starkey Recognized as a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Company

Starkey, the only American-owned hearing technology company based in Eden Prairie, was named a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Company in November 2025.
LTC Dustin Snare discusses how Starkey provides cutting-edge hearing aids and advanced hearing protection to the VA and Department of Defense. These modern devices feature noise reduction, directionality, waterproofing, and Bluetooth streaming — far beyond traditional hearing aids.
Jenni Hargraves explains Starkey Cares and the company’s commitment to hiring Veterans, offering military-friendly benefits, and supporting service members and their families.

The Power of Volunteers at Minnesota’s State Veterans Homes

Erin Betlock shares how volunteers are essential to the quality of life at Minnesota’s eight State Veterans Homes. They help with bingo, church services, outings, parties, one-on-one visits, and major events like Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and the State Fair.
“Volunteers are vital,” says Erin. “We can’t do activities without them.”
She encourages anyone interested to apply through MinnesotaVeteran.org, where a single application covers all homes.

Listen to the full episode here:

Support Veterans by volunteering at a State Veterans Home or exploring opportunities with veteran-friendly companies like Starkey. Visit MinnesotaVeteran.org to get started.

Thank you to our guests for their important work supporting Minnesota’s Veterans and service members.

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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Paul District: Navigation, Flood Protection, and River Recreation

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Paul District: Mississippi River Navigation & Recreation

This week Minnesota Military Radio features the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Paul District, highlighting their essential civil works missions across Minnesota and the upper Midwest.
Hosted by retired Command Sergeant Major Doug Wortham, the episode explores how the district—primarily civilian-led—supports national security through reliable Mississippi River commerce, protects communities from flooding, restores ecosystems, and manages public recreation at locks, dams, and reservoirs.
Key guests include:
  • Nate Wallerstedt, Project Management Branch Chief, who discussed the district’s core missions and the new “Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork” initiative to speed up projects and cut red tape.
  • Dan Fasching, Civil Engineer, who explained water level management as “art meets engineering,” emphasizing drought control for navigation and the river’s role in efficient logistics.
  • Tammy Frauenshuh, Natural Resource Planner, who covered recreation opportunities, park ranger duties, and free Military Pass benefits via the America the Beautiful program for service members and veterans.
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Walser Automotive Group: Minnesota’s First Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Automotive Company

Walser Automotive Group Becomes Minnesota's First Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Automotive Company

On this week’s show, Walser Automotive Group has proudly earned the designation as Minnesota’s first automotive retailer to become a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon (BTYR) Company. Proclaimed in November 2025, this recognition honors employers who go beyond symbolic gestures to deliver real support for veterans, service members, National Guard/Reserve members, and their families through intentional policies, culture, and opportunities.

In this episode of Minnesota Military Radio, host Retired Command Sergeant Major Doug Wortham sits down with Sherry Schultz, Chief Human Resources Officer and Executive Vice President, and Greg Davis, General Manager and Vice President of Walser Toyota in Bloomington. They discuss Walser’s journey to this milestone, driven by employee-led initiatives like the Veterans at Walser resource group (now nearly 200 members), leadership commitment, and practical programs that make a difference.

Key highlights from the conversation include:

  • Guaranteed interviews for any veteran applicant, with an open-door policy for support and de-escalation.
  • GI Bill-eligible accredited training programs in sales (about 30 days) and service advising (about 2 weeks + 2 days).
  • Deployment support, including differential pay, continued 401(k) vesting, and family outreach/check-ins.
  • Mentorship and onboarding to bridge military-to-civilian transitions, helping veterans translate skills and adapt to workplace norms.
  • A goal to hire 50+ veterans in the first year post-designation (already well on track).
  • Ongoing support for current Guard/Reserve employees, including deployment send-offs and reintegration.

Sherry Schultz, a military spouse herself, emphasized creating structure, empathy, and purpose for transitions, while Greg Davis shared insights as a parent of active-duty service members, noting the value of veterans’ discipline, efficiency, and purpose-driven mindset in Walser’s transparent, customer-focused environment.

For more details on Walser’s commitment, read their official announcement: Walser Earns Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Designation in Minnesota.

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Serving Here, Living Here: SSG Joe Hance Shares His Path with the Minnesota National Guard

Serving Here, Living Here: SSG Joe Hance Shares His Path with the Minnesota National Guard

This week on Minnesota Military Radio, host Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Doug Wortham welcomes back Staff Sergeant Joe Hance, a recruiter with the Minnesota Army National Guard. In this anniversary revisit from his previous appearance, SSG Hance shares his full story—from enlisting as a high school junior through the split-option program, serving as an infantryman with multiple assignments and an overseas deployment, transitioning to full-time Active Guard Reserve (AGR) status, mentoring future officers in the University of Minnesota Army ROTC program, and now recruiting in his hometown area.

He reflects on his lifelong draw to military service (always Army, never other branches), the pivotal moment a recruiter contacted him after a strong ASVAB score, choosing the Guard to balance a civilian career goal in law enforcement with part-time military duty, the essential support from his family amid young children at home, and why the motto “We live here, we work here, we serve here” truly captures the Minnesota National Guard experience.

The conversation also dives into the recruiting process: basic qualifications, the ASVAB’s role in job placement, what to expect at MEPS (including the two-day physical and oath), current enlistment incentives and bonuses in select fields, education benefits like Minnesota tuition assistance and the GI Bill, and the kind of motivated, patriotic individuals the Guard is seeking—no need to be a perfect student, just ready to serve and grow.

Interested in exploring service with the Minnesota Army National Guard? Get started today or connect directly with a local recruiter in the Cottage Grove area at recruiting.minnesotaarmynationalguard.com/local-recruiters/cottage-grove.

Whether you’re considering enlisting, supporting a loved one, or simply interested in stories of service, this honest discussion highlights the opportunities, camaraderie, and community impact of the Minnesota National Guard.

Listen now and hear firsthand about building a future while serving your state and nation.

 

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Minnesota National Guard 2025 Year in Review

Minnesota National Guard 2025 Year in Review

In this special Year in Review episode (recorded late 2025), retired Command Sgt. Maj. Doug Wortham sits down with the Minnesota National Guard’s command team:

They discuss leadership dynamics, 2025 accomplishments, domestic and international missions, and exciting plans for 2026.

Key Highlights from 2025

  • Force growth and high readiness levels (nearly 13,000 Soldiers and Airmen strong)
  • Domestic support: Wildfire response on the North Shore and cyber assistance in St. Paul
  • International partnerships: Deepened ties with Croatia (29 years) and Norway (including the 52nd troop exchange)

Looking Ahead to 2026

  • 53rd Norwegian Reciprocal Troop Exchange (NOREX) in February
  • 30th anniversary celebrations with Croatia, including joint training
  • Upcoming deployments and returns (e.g., 34th MP Company, 148th Fighter Wing)
  • Modernization: New C-130J aircraft arriving for the 133rd Airlift Wing
  • New facilities opening, including the Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum

The leaders emphasized trust, community connections (“We live here, we work here, we serve here”), and pride in the Guard’s motto: Always Ready, Always There
Interested in joining? As CSM Rost says: “This is a great time to be part of this team—we need leaders for the next generation.”

For more information or to explore service opportunities: MinnesotaNationalGuard.ng.mil

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