FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

REBOOT workshop to be held at Brandman University’s Irvine Campus

The transition back to civilian life can be a difficult challenge for military personnel, especially for younger military service members who were deployed on the war front multiple times in places like Iraq and Afghanistan. Recognizing the critical need for assistance, National Veterans Transition Services, Inc. (NVTSI) has announced the Orange County location for REBOOT™ a comprehensive, three-week workshop that guides service members through the transition into all aspects of civilian life, including employment assistance upon completion.

WHEN: Workshop begins September 17, 2012 (register quickly – seating is limited)
WHERE: Brandman University, Irvine Campus, 16355 Laguna Canyon Rd

REBOOT is being offered at the Brandman University Irvine Campus. It is free to veterans and active duty personnel in Orange County thanks to a partnership with the Orange County Community Foundation, Brandman University and the Patriot Group. Seating is limited. To register, visit www.rebootworkshop.org.

“We are very proud to serve as a sponsor for the REBOOT workshops in Orange County,” said Sgt. Major (retired) USMC Chermaine Harrell, Director of Military Relations at Brandman. “We have a long and rich history of serving military students at Brandman so it just makes sense for us to host this vital resource for veterans in our community. Having made the transition after serving for 26 years in the Marine Corps myself, I know how crucial this type of support is for service members concluding their service to our nation.”

Designed for service members, veterans and dependents, REBOOT Workshops™ are a series of cognitive-restructuring educational seminars that promotes a successful social transition from military service to civilian life. REBOOT was launched by retired Navy officers Rear Adm. Ronne Froman and Master Chief Petty Officer Maurice Wilson in July 2010, after they became concerned with the increasing number of former service members who reported issues with the transition back to “real life” after military service.

“The goal of REBOOT is to assist veterans in reframing their thought patterns from military service to civilian life, helping veterans to realize their potential and personal goals in employment and career, education, living situations, personal effectiveness, wellbeing, and functioning in the community,” said Master Chief Petty Officer Wilson. “With the conflict in Iraq winding down and the coming military withdrawal from Afghanistan, more and more service members need support like this.”

“Statistics show that veterans suffer from high unemployment, and higher rates of substance abuse and homelessness; while there are many assistance programs in place, none address the underlying causes of poor re-adaptation back to an independent life in the civilian sector” said Rear Adm. Froman. “The concept is that if you have to go through Boot Camp to be acculturated for military service, there should be a program when you leave service as well – that is the goal for REBOOT, and we have been able to assist over 600 men and women since the program launched.”

REBOOT organizers also welcome Orange County employers who interested in participating in the the veterans Ready 4 Hire program. For more information, or to donate, call (866) 535-7624 or visit www.nvtsi.org.

About National Veterans Transition Services, Inc. (NVTIS)

NVTSI is a San Diego-based 501(c)3 organization dedicated to assisting veteran in adjusting to civilian life and securing meaningful employment by combining best-practice performance social solutions and techniques. The organization provides returning service members and veterans with a social and career transition workshop program called “REBOOT.” NVTSI was established by a group of retired high-ranking Naval and Marine Corps officers and workforce development professionals who seek to fill a tremendous gap in the continuum of veteran services. For more information visit www.nvtsi.org.

About Brandman University
Brandman University is a private, non-profit institution accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Established in 1958 and a part of the Chapman University System, Brandman blends a legacy of academic excellence with progressive, innovative curriculum and strong support services designed for working professionals. The university serves more than 10,000 students annually in 52 undergraduate, graduate, credential, and certificate programs in arts and sciences, business, education and health, both offered online and through 26 campuses in California and Washington.  For more information, visit www.brandman.edu.

About the Orange County Community Foundation:
Founded in 1989, the Orange County Community Foundation works with donors, strengthens the local nonprofit sector and works to find solutions to community needs. The Foundation has granted more than $200 million since its inception. In 2011 OCCF ranked as the 10th most active grantmaker among more than 750 U.S. community foundations. For more information visit www.oc-cf.org or call 949-553-4202.

For more information contact Maurice Wilson, President/Executive Director NVTSI at 619-563-2691 or maurice@nvtsi.org