Veterans Empathy

Christensen (1985 - ) joined the Marines as part of the high school DEBT program and attended boot camp in Parris Island, South Carolina. Upon completion, he reported to Marine Combat Training Camp Geiger in North Carolina. Christensen’s first deployment was to Fallujah and his second deployment was to Ramadi. He believes Marines face a huge stigma upon returning home.

Interviewee Unit/Title

1st Battalion 6th Regiment

Years Active

2003-2010 (?)

Dick Brandt (1944-) enlisted in the United States Army. After completing boot camp, Brandt served as a press officer during the Vietnam War in El Paso, Texas. He joined the Reserves and was hired as a Public Relations expert for the Parma School District. After leaving the Reserves, Brandt worked as an executive for the international company AT&T, before fulfilling his lifelong dream of becoming a teacher at Lehigh University. 

Colin Keefe enlisted in the United States Marine Corps prior to September 11th and was honorably discharged in 2003. His unit was charged with taking Gas Operation Separation Plants (GOSPs). Keefe is happy that he joined the Marines and feels he learned a lot and would want the same for his son. On the other hand, Keefe says that the idea of his son being in danger makes him much more appreciative of what his parents went through while he was deployed.

Tymish Halibey (1982- ) enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 2007. After completing ten weeks of Officer Candidate School (OCS) and six months of The Basic School (TBS) in Quantico, Virginia, Tymish received his commission as an artillery officer and was stationed in Hawaii. Following training exercises in Okinawa, Japan, and Camp Pendleton, California, Tymish deployed to Helmand Province in 2011 to train Afghanistan artillery forces. In 2012, he left the Marine Corps and began working at Home Depot.

DJ Todd (1975-) joined the United States Marine Corps via the Platoon Leaders Course program at Lehigh University. Upon graduating college in 1998, DJ received his officer’s commission, went through The Basic School (TBS) at Quantico, Virginia, and then completed flight school and helicopter training at Corpus Christi, Texas, and Pensacola, Florida. From 2003 to 2005, DJ performed flight missions in and around Iraq, Liberia, and Haiti. In 2006, he attached to a Marine infantry unit in Ramadi as a forward air controller, and the following year he left the military.

Steve Daykin (1981- ) enlisted in the United States Air Force after high school. He went to basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He was stationed at Andrews Air Force base in Maryland when 9/11 occurred. He spent time in Korea and was deployed to Iraq in an Army detachment unit. While things may not have turned out the way he wanted them to, he has no regrets about his military career.

Dana Singletary joined the Air Force in 2001 as a way to pay for college. After 9/11, she was deployed to Shaikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain, where she was assigned to a medical decontamination unit. Singletary had a negative experience with the military and urges those thinking about joining to ask questions and talk to people who have real experience in the military, not just recruiters.

Bryan Kinsely (1978-) enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1996. Following basic training at Parris Island, Bryan went to Camp Geiger to learn his Military Occupational Speciality (MOS): O481--Basic Landing Support Specialist. From 1997-1999, Bryan was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, where he was assigned to a Marine Expeditionary Unit Service Support Group (MSSG) tasked with evacuating the staff of embassies that were under assaault. In late 1999, Bryan transferred back to stateside and spent time at Camp Lejeune and Camp Pendleton.

Sean Miller (1972-) enlisted in the United States military in 1992 and served in both the Army and Army National Guard as a combat engineer. After his deployment to Cuba and Officer Candidate School, Sean decided to resign his commission and separate from the military in 2001. Upon finishing his baccalaureate, he attended law school. He currently practices law, but plans to finish his Master’s degree to become a teacher. Sean speaks of his time in the military as enjoyable and essential in shaping him into the person he is today.

John Carter (1997-) joined the United States Air Force in 2015 and was assigned to security forces in San Antonio, Texas. Although looked upon as one of the best performing members of his unit, John explains that he struggled whilst in the Air Force, which led to his discharge in 2017. John describes his frustration with the military and how his service has affected him today. 

Evan Harris (1984-) enlisted in the United States Air Force in 2003. Following Basic Training and Technical School, Evan was stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana. He was deployed to both Diego Garcia and Guam, where he worked on instrument and flight control systems on B-52 Bombers. He was honorably discharged in 2013 and currently attends Louisiana State University in Shreveport. Evan reflects on the benefits and drawbacks of his military service.

Chad Beall (1992-) enlisted the United States Navy in 2013 and served as a Boatswain’s Mate aboard the USS Rodney M. Davisand USS Mahan. Although he enjoyed his time in the Navy, Chad chose to separate in 2017 when he was unable to retain his rate or find another that suited him. Chad describes the lack of assistance available to him during the separation process, as well as his struggle to adapt to civilian life and find employment.

Tom was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the Air Force after high school. He was deployed to RAF Woodbridge in England as a weather forecaster. After he chose not to reenlist, he moved to Allentown, Pennsylvania, and began working as a newspaper reporter. He chose to join the Army Reserve as a teacher and, after September 11, 2001, he was deployed to Iraq to work in Civil Affairs. He now works as the Director of Veteran Affairs of Lehigh County and discusses the challenges veterans face when transitioning to civilian life. 

Andrew Morris (1989-) enlisted in the United States Army in 2010, as part of a newly created enlistment option (18X) for individuals interested in pursuing a special forces career path. He completed basic training, advanced individual training (AIT), and airborne school at Fort Benning, Georgia. After graduating from airborne school, Andrew was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Andrew deployed to Iraq in 2015 as part of combat operations against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

Nikkole Weiss works with veterans suffering from PTSD at Overton Brooks VA Hospital. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Fayetteville State University in 2011 and her master’s from the University of Southern California in 2014, with a specialization in military social work and Cognitive Processing Therapy. In this interview, she discusses PTSD and the methods by which it can be treated. She also discusses some of the major challenges facing veterans as they transition to civilian life, as well as the ways civilians and the VA can assist veterans during this process.

Rebecca Morris (1995-) joined the United States Navy in 2014. Upon completing basic training, she attended Navy A and C School, where she was trained in both radio communication and Automatic Data Processing (ADP) for IT Services. She was first stationed in Burlington, Washington and later deployed aboard the USS John C. Stennis. However, her tour was short-lived once she learned she was pregnant. Rebecca describes the mixed emotions she felt during this time, the sexism she experienced from her fellow seamen, and her decision to separate from the Navy in 2017.

Chris Howard (1984-), who served in the United States Army from 2002 to 2015, was previously interviewed for the Veterans Empathy Project to discuss his military service. In this interview, Chris discusses in greater depth the process of transitioning from the high-paced military lifestyle of five deployments to civilian life. He provides important insight into the ways his military service and training have affected the way he lives and views the world. He also discusses his experiences with PTSD and the strategies he uses to cope with it.

Jason Tipler (1985-) enlisted in the United States Air Force in 2003 and retired from service in 2012. He was initially trained as an Air Transportation Specialist and stationed at Little Rock Air Force Base. He later applied for a position in a Contingency Response Group (CRG) stationed in Ramstein, Germany. From there, he deployed to fifty-two countries over the span of four years. In this interview, Jason talks about his fast-paced lifestyle and while overseas and the excitement he felt.

Gary Flavin (1954-) enlisted in the United States Air Force as a munitions maintenance specialist and was originally stationed in Tucson, Arizona. For two years he was stationed at RAF Bentwaters, in England, which allowed him to travel around Europe. After another year at Tucson, he was discharged. He believes that his time in the service gave him a discipline and way of thinking that have stayed with him.

Maur Levan (1923-) enlisted in the United States Army Reserves while attending Penn State University. After completing basic training in Fort Eustace, Virginia, he received specialized training in military artillery. In 1945, he was deployed to Okinawa, Japan for the Invasion of Okinawa. While Levan was in Japan, they dropped the nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. After the war ended, he returned to the United States and completed his education at Penn State. He worked at Berkleigh Golf Club and is an active member of the Jewish War Veterans. 

Stephanie Young (1991- ) joined the Navy as a means of gaining personal independence. She trained as a sea-faring air traffic controller in Pensacola, Florida. Upon completion she was assigned to serve on the USS Nimitz out of Everett, Washington. While her experiences shattered her illusions of what life would be like on a Navy ship, she does not regret her experiences. She says that her service has provided her the means to continue school and provide a life for her daughter. She is currently pursuing a degree in early education and looks forward to graduation. 

Joel Blaxland (1978- ) served in the United States Army as part of an elite fighting force, the 75th Ranger Regiment. He believes that military training is like a two-pronged attack. Dehumanize the enemy and then dehumanize the soldier that is supposed to kill the enemy. Blaxland was interested in learning more about the Iraqis and the Afghans and often considered what he might do if the roles had been reversed. He was honorably discharged from the Army.

Interviewee Unit/Title

75th Ranger Regiment

Years Active

2001 - 2010 (?)

Stephanie enlisted in the Navy. Initially she was interested in Cryptology, but she ultimately worked in Personnel Management. After the end of her enlistment, Stephanie moved to Pennsylvania and began teaching at the Delaware College of Art and Design. She now works as Coordinator of Veterans Services at Kutztown University, Pennsylvania. She talks about the importance of Veterans Services and what they are doing at Kutztown University to help bridge the gap between civilian and military populations.

Chris Howard (1984-) enlisted in the United States Army in 2002 and was honorably discharged in 2015. During his five deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, he worked as an IFTE Operator and Maintainer. Chris currently attends Louisiana State University in Shreveport. He reflects on his time in the military as a positive experience that, given the opportunity, he would repeat.