Our Military Community

00:00:39:54 - 00:01:00:21
Unknown
Hello, everyone. Gerry Tabard with you with another edition of our military community. And we're talking today education not with grade school or high school, but we're talking about careers that our military personnel, once they get out of the service, are still on active duty that they can pursue. And we're going to talk to some folks today that got some good insight on Haiti.

00:01:00:25 - 00:01:21:01
Unknown
Haiti has been a great place. In fact, I'm an ex student in Haynie and had a lot of fun over there. So let's get right to it. Joining me, first of all, is the assistant director. And some of you may know this guy because he used to be the principal over at Rutherford to Mr. Clay Pilson, Lenny Walker, who's actually Reserve, Army Reserve and Laney Wilder.

00:01:21:01 - 00:01:41:15
Unknown
Let me get that right. He's Army Reserve and also an aviation student. And then Michael Campbell, the guy over there, he's okay. Don't worry about him and his beard. He's retired army and lo and behold, he's now a Haney employee. So things just change constantly. Coy I'm going to start with you. I'm so excited about this today. What is this history behind Haney anyway?

00:01:41:15 - 00:02:13:14
Unknown
Why is it so important here? Well, Haney was founded almost 55 years ago, I think 55 years ago this year. And Tommy Haney was a prominent member of our community and he was a successful businessman. But when he was younger, he did most of his training on the job. And he felt that our community needed a place where students or young people could learn and get technical skills without having to go to the job to get that training.

00:02:13:19 - 00:02:41:51
Unknown
And so it actually started at the shipyard. And I learned that today and then over the years is moved to the current location and they had several different versions and we're still growing and changing day by day. But his vision to provide quality career technical education is still alive and well today. And we at Haney say that our goal is to help people change their lives and give them skills to be successful.

00:02:42:00 - 00:03:05:37
Unknown
New indeed are doing that. And one of your successors right now, Laney Wilder. Laney, you're in the Army Reserve, yet you're an aviation steward and everything. Tell me tell me your story and why are you going to. Haney and becoming a aviation specialist? Well, actually, my cousin, he's in the Army and he works on Apache helicopters. And he was telling me about, you know, working on on aircraft and stuff like that.

00:03:05:37 - 00:03:26:45
Unknown
And it really intrigued me. And it made me want to go to Haney and start a class. And you feel comfortable over there still being in the military? Some people say a little, but, you know, they make you feel right at home. Yeah. Yeah. So they they accommodate to, you know, my military schedule and, things that I have to do and stuff like that.

00:03:26:45 - 00:03:48:49
Unknown
So, Michael, you sitting over there grinning, you retired from the army? Yes, sir. You went to Haney, and lo and behold, you're now an employee over there. Well, one, the world happened. Well, so it's exciting and exciting. Exactly. That course that is, you know, everything going on for me after 24 years, I knew I was going to Haney.

00:03:48:54 - 00:04:04:13
Unknown
I graduate from high school, not a writer for golf. It was a high school. And I was, we can go to Haney. But I realize it takes money to go to college inside your military. And I was just going to do three years, get in, get out, get some money and go to Haney. Two hour collision course.

00:04:04:18 - 00:04:21:55
Unknown
Well, loved it. I fell in love with it. 24 years later, I still stay with the plan I got in Haiti. I did a year and a half later of graduating, and I was going to start the auto auto mechanics, you know, next until I got a phone call. And this weekend. Now, listen, the schedule for me was so easy.

00:04:21:55 - 00:04:38:34
Unknown
It was so nice. And I was able to do Haney and work on my bachelor's degree at the same time. And when I graduated my bachelor's degree, that's when Haney called me and said, Hey, we need some assistant structure up here. So I loved it. I love him so much that it just became the career that we keep talking about.

00:04:38:39 - 00:05:04:59
Unknown
You want here, you want to get a career? Well, they gave me one and I'm happy to be a part of their crew to do that. He can talk a lot about that. Yeah, let's get into this a little bit. Now that one of the reasons and I want you to expound on that and that that you get so many military associated people come in is because they don't have to go back to college and get, you know, the basic out of the way they want to further their career.

00:05:04:59 - 00:05:33:42
Unknown
And a lot of things you have is program wise, are tailored. They actually pick up on what happens with what they're been doing in the military. So it's very easy for them to come in. What kind of programs are going on for our military veterans? It's it's an easy transition and one we are working on employability skills. And most especially if you get to retirement in the military, you have employability skills down, right?

00:05:33:44 - 00:05:55:36
Unknown
So you just working on honing your craft. But we offer a variety of programs and we have veterans in everything we have veterans in aviation, we have veterans in auto collision, we have veterans and massage. I haven't checked out nursing numbers, but we also have a nursing program. Yes. And we have a cosmetology program. And our veterans are open to any of the programs that we have.

00:05:55:36 - 00:06:23:15
Unknown
And I encourage anybody they want to come check it out. Give me a call. I'll be happy to show them around. But it's it's a wonderful opportunity and it seems like our veterans really expound on it and we're very affordable. So if you compare what our rates are compared to, say, and I just had two students graduate, two kids graduate from college, what if they had a went to hey me right now?

00:06:23:16 - 00:06:42:14
Unknown
They had a lot more money in my pocket. And those programs are going to keep growing and they're needed. The way this community is starting to expand and everything. Now, you brought up something about affordable lending. You you and I were talking before the show today and you have kind of a unique perspective. You're not using any military benefits.

00:06:42:14 - 00:07:03:55
Unknown
You decided, I'm going to pay for it myself. Yes. Yes. I decided to pay for it for myself because I didn't necessarily join the military for the benefits. I did it for like experience and work. And so what? And, yeah, I thought I would take on the responsibility of just, you know, doing it myself and having that response.

00:07:04:00 - 00:07:20:22
Unknown
Yeah. Yeah, I love it. It makes me feel like, you know, I can do it and I don't have to rely on anything. One thing I noticed when I was going to Haney is that the instructors over there, a lot of them have military experience, so they kind of just they fit in naturally. Yes, they fit in naturally.

00:07:20:22 - 00:07:42:32
Unknown
We have several instructors who are retired military. And actually in November, we honored each of our veterans with a special cup with Haney's logo on it. And the was last year. We gave them hats, but we really appreciate what our veterans bring not only to our school but to our community. And they do it. They do a great job and they integrate well.

00:07:42:40 - 00:08:06:11
Unknown
And like Mr. Campbell here, they're actually a role model for the young. Right, Right. So we're seeing a change in our demographic. Our students are actually getting younger. So we see students graduating high school and wanting to come directly to Haney. But when you have veterans like Mr. Campbell and Laney here, they are wonderful role models for the younger students, and they give them options.

00:08:06:22 - 00:08:28:22
Unknown
And some of our students talk to them about possible military careers with things like that. And so it's a wonderful little community. I really I love my time in Rockford, but Haney is one of the happiest places on Earth, and I enjoyed it a lot when I went there, too. That was a couple years ago. But but, Michael, you actually use your military benefits and tell tell everyone so they understand how that works.

00:08:28:22 - 00:08:50:20
Unknown
When you go to Haney, what do you have to do? Do you automatically get it? You have to apply for what? What? I definitely have to apply for it. Obviously know look, if you have any questions about your your your benefits and self and a veteran look on VA gov and then even more for an education look at VA dot gov for slash education for last night go straight to all the information you need.

00:08:50:20 - 00:09:11:19
Unknown
It's right there with phone number. You can call people if you want to read and if you don't understand what's going on, all the information is there on your, you know, right there on that web page for me when I use it. What surprised me with Haney is because we're in our based, you know, college itself, you're not using as much as you would if you went to write a write in Florida State.

00:09:11:19 - 00:09:29:09
Unknown
So I had 36, 36 months of actual education benefits. I had a year and a half class, but it only took five months of waiver. So I still have 32 months of college still ready to go. So that's why I wanted to go to another class, mainly because I was getting more bang for my plug and I was getting more certified.

00:09:29:09 - 00:09:44:59
Unknown
And I was I was, you know, and it's what I want to do and just keep on that same trend. So it is exciting to know that the money you're getting or the money you're giving, it stretches even farther in places like Haiti. So definitely get into it and look into and get on that web page and find out.

00:09:45:04 - 00:10:15:17
Unknown
Now quite once, once someone is approved for their V.A. benefits. And how does that work? Does the VA pay the student and they pay Haney or does the money go directly to Haney, or how do you get paid for these veterans? It depends. And I'm not the financial aid expert, but through the students all apply. And if they have VA benefits, they the VA will alert all student services and they work with our student services program and our financial aid office.

00:10:15:22 - 00:10:41:26
Unknown
And so I would imagine that most of our veterans actually and Mr. Campbell can probably speak to this at certain points in the semester, they'll probably get a refund check because they've covered their tuition. And all of our veterans are also, just like all of our students are also eligible for other pots of money if necessary. So that's the calculation made by the financial aid office.

00:10:41:40 - 00:11:12:04
Unknown
So they take every all the benefits that a student is eligible for and then they address the funds as needed. But, you know, we have a Haney Foundation. They support students and gives them scholarships. And we actually have and this is a testament to our community. We just have a wonderful community. We have a gentleman and I really don't know, we he gives us money anonymously, but he comes in like once or twice a month and gives us like $150 and says, put this toward students.

00:11:12:07 - 00:11:37:00
Unknown
All right. And so we we do all we can to support our students. But a veteran that they have VA benefits like Mr. Campbell said they they have to probably they don't worry and we've had veterans that have done multiple programs because their veteran value stretches so far. So we've had veterans do everything from aviation to auto collision, auto repair.

00:11:37:05 - 00:12:00:25
Unknown
And so it's a wonderful opportunity. And you do get a lot of educational bang for your buck. And if you're looking for a job in that particular field, man, we have nearly 89 and 90% placement rate. So if you want to work and if you get the certification, good. The job. You know, Nalini, you said that you're paying for it yourself.

00:12:00:30 - 00:12:24:52
Unknown
Is it cheaper to pay for at Haney by yourself than it would be to go to some four year college or something? Do you get a break on your financing because you're in the military? It's a it's definitely cheaper at Haney, than it would be like a college. So you're just paying for it right out of your own pocket?

00:12:24:53 - 00:12:50:03
Unknown
Yes. Yes. You can have usually a benefit. Yeah. We've talked about the VA money and everything. What are the kind of finances available for someone if they don't qualify for a VA? Well, some people don't qualify. Some people don't qualify for VA benefits. We encourage all students to fill out when they apply for Haynie, also fill out Fassel.

00:12:50:07 - 00:13:22:38
Unknown
And so you can Google the facts before and go on going to the college website and make sure that you complete the fast and form almost a majority of our students qualify for some type of federal aid. So between Pell Grants, the Haynie Foundation and other all sources, most of our students are have help in meeting their financial need and periodically the state right now.

00:13:22:38 - 00:13:54:49
Unknown
And I hope that this continues but the state is really involved in CTE. And so a few months ago the state gave all technical colleges in the in the state of Florida a lump sum of money and said this needs to go directly to students. So our financial aid office looked at students that were self-pay first and they basically gave them a refund check because that's that money had to go directly to the student and we had 30 days to spend it.

00:13:54:53 - 00:14:23:47
Unknown
And so right now is a great time in the state of Florida to get involved in career technical education, because that's the trend right now. And people are the state is really into it. And there's a huge need across the country. Every technical field is projecting shortages, everything from aviation to nurses to surgical techs. We haven't spoken much about that, but we're expanding our medical program.

00:14:23:47 - 00:14:43:18
Unknown
That's what's happening in our new building. And we're hoping to add and I forget the exact name that you call it, but the people that prepare the instruments for surgery, we're going to add that program next year will do. And so it's it's a good time to be in education. And there there are funds they're willing to know if you're wanting to go.

00:14:43:23 - 00:15:04:04
Unknown
Yes, sir. Michael, being retired military and everything, you went you retired from the Army, you went to Haiti as a student and now you're in the administration. I know you've seen a lot of changes and things going on and quite mentioned that the students are getting younger, like Laney, She's she's getting younger, but she knows what she wants to do and she has her mind set on it.

00:15:04:09 - 00:15:28:57
Unknown
What are some of the changes you've noticed since you've been there? Is it not only is an older retired person, a, you know, student, and then finally now as an administrator, so we're going to say not too old. You know, what I've noticed really is, is and when I'm and all of is the students and really the the passion that I have behind what they're doing.

00:15:29:01 - 00:15:45:29
Unknown
This is not like a high school, obviously, or college to where you're trying to learn other things. And this is basically focus on what you want to do for a career and because of that, they're more passionate about it. And so what I'm noticing is they're actually putting a lot more effort into it versus what you would see in a regular class.

00:15:45:33 - 00:16:01:29
Unknown
I want to get that be or that, you know, I'm not worried about getting that top score, but these individuals are wanting to get certified. They're want to get as you certified, they're want to get the aviation certifications that's going towards something. They know what's going towards something. And so their attitude is just different. It's just more passion.

00:16:01:29 - 00:16:23:46
Unknown
I'm seeing more passion behind it. And that's what makes it so exciting is why I keep going over here and nod my head because I see Lady, I'm I'm not her. She's that 1% is still in the military. They're still going to college. They can probably still get a job. You know, at the same time. So that's why also backing these kids up to where they can actually go to work after class.

00:16:23:50 - 00:16:56:14
Unknown
So they're working in the field. They're actually being in and learn the field and then going in their work in the field while they're still going to class, working that opportunity to do it. So it's just exciting all around for me really. Is Laney as one of the younger students now? How does that work or what did you see the camaraderie between students like you that are just starting out in life to someone that would say, be in Michael's position that you're not treated like, look, I'm older than you, so I know more than you, but it's like an equal basis.

00:16:56:14 - 00:17:16:37
Unknown
Did that surprise you? yeah, it did, because I was a little bit nervous coming in because it's a mechanic job, aviation mechanic job. So I know there was going to be older individuals in the class and people not my age because I'm still young. And it surprised me because I didn't think I thought there was going to be like a big difference there.

00:17:16:37 - 00:17:44:40
Unknown
But everybody definitely gets treated equally in the classroom for sure. And knowledge bases in different right areas. Like, you know, you got older people, you got younger people and like the knowledge just like spreads within the classroom because you know, you have different experiences and it's great. And that's one thing I noticed earlier. It's like, yes, there's faculty, there's students, but more importantly, you guys really love your students over there.

00:17:44:40 - 00:18:10:42
Unknown
And it's like a family. You're there to help. We are there to help. We we try to help students wherever they are need. And I want to give a shout out to our director, Angela Reese. She really tries to inspire a family atmosphere. And for example, today we all dressed up in ugly Christmas sweaters and snacks and we went around with Christmas music and we passed out candy canes.

00:18:10:46 - 00:18:43:39
Unknown
And so it's it's a unique educational experience in the sense that and this is from a lifelong educator, and I loved my time in kids. Well, I love I still love Rutherford High School, and I visit it regularly. And actually, I might be working the Rutherford Holiday Fair tomorrow. But this is is is a the people at Haynie, the staff, the students, the faculty is just a pleasant place to be.

00:18:43:50 - 00:19:08:32
Unknown
And so like every morning myself and a couple of the ministry just sit in the front door and we welcome each student into class. And so it's just it is a family affair. And we're hoping that we can grow and make this an opportunity for people that want to get training and technical education. And the the really neat part I would like to piggyback on something like this.

00:19:08:35 - 00:19:34:38
Unknown
It is is amazing to see. So I'll go to our age back class, for example, and if you go into the parking lot, you'll see trucks jumping tarpon dogs, right? I mean, that tarp and dogwood, tarp and air conditioning or. Stevenson And so students will come in and get their classroom from 7 to 12. They'll grab a sandwich and then they'll get on the company truck and they'll go to work.

00:19:34:43 - 00:20:02:34
Unknown
So there's not many places where you can train and work at the same time and is really unique in our electrical program. And I'm giving the shout out, I'm not going to tell them that if you live on a Facebook page, you can probably find it. But one of our electrical students got hired from the city of Panama City to be in their electrical department, and since he's been there, he hadn't finished the program yet and he got promoted.

00:20:02:39 - 00:20:24:43
Unknown
So now he's a supervisor and he came to he said, Hey, I might need to work, I might need to leave early, can you work with me? Because I've got more responsibilities at work. No. Yeah, that was my class. I had the commercial industrial centricity. It was great. I mean, I had a good time, of course, when I graduated, but I didn't end up doing electrical work.

00:20:24:43 - 00:20:51:23
Unknown
I ended up on television for almost 30 years. But one other thing I want to talk about now is, Michael, maybe you can expand on this because you understand just a little bit more. There are people with disabilities. How can you accommodate people with disabilities? And let's face it, some of our veterans have bad disabilities. Well, like like anything, I think those situations are like case by case basis.

00:20:51:23 - 00:21:15:34
Unknown
And what the situation is, of course, with our disabilities, they're hard to work through, especially with our veterans. Like I'm right there with a lot of our transition was hard. I joined Haynie because I felt like it saved my life. I needed that structure in life. And so I think that the administrators, as a student knew and understood and were able to to to talk to me about things that were coming up.

00:21:15:34 - 00:21:34:50
Unknown
If I had a VA appointment or someone or so forth, we had things set up to where we you know, that you can take those appointments after class and all that stuff. And if you just have to, if you just got a break and we were in a very unique situation where. Haynie that not even 200 yards is our VA center right with our with our our our counselors.

00:21:34:50 - 00:21:54:25
Unknown
They can can take all our mental counselors. Right? And you can walk right in and just unload if you need to. And that's so important, especially our VA and our and our, you know, our military vets who come out and they are battling and it's hard. And I don't want to get emotional about it because I'm one of those you can't help we get a bit of help but we have those things out there.

00:21:54:25 - 00:22:15:07
Unknown
And with Haynie being right next to our VA center, that was special to me because I actually had to walk in there a couple times myself. Yeah, And that's what you can feel you can feel safe with if you're a vet. Know that if you're are going through it, that you can feel safe and reach out. Those individuals like myself who walk those halls every day and understand what you're going through, you're more than just number 487 student.

00:22:15:07 - 00:22:32:34
Unknown
You're a person with a name. Lenny, before we run out of time here, I want to ask you, you we were talking before the show and you said that you're too in the aviation part because that's what you want to do in the military and you want to get a job out there. Tyndall, Tyndall, if you're listening, we got seven, right?

00:22:32:34 - 00:23:03:05
Unknown
I'm your girl. But how how's this going to help you to transition back onto the instead of reserve doing maybe active duty and becoming an aviation specialist? Right. So my son going to school for the aviation. Right. And I have the military background in applying for Tyndall. I can say, hey, I went to school here. I have the certifications, the license, and I have really a military background and I feel like I just want to help a lot.

00:23:03:10 - 00:23:28:49
Unknown
And you're looking forward to that. Yes. Yes. If there's anything we can do, just let me know, because I still know a couple of people. yes. And call 20, 25. Can dependents enroll? Yes, Military dependents. Military dependents can enroll. And it's up to you the the the sponsor. But the sponsor can sign off. You can sign their benefits.

00:23:28:54 - 00:23:59:38
Unknown
Right. They have to they have to declare. And I'm being married because I'm a military spouse, you know. wow. Being married to a military to a to a retired colonel in the Air Force, our children used my wife's VA benefit to help them get to school. And so I am thankful and appreciative for all military service and all military families because being a military spouse, I understand the challenges that military families go through.

00:23:59:43 - 00:24:21:25
Unknown
You know, Jindal's rebuilding now and they're going to get all these F-35s in there. They're going to bring in thousands of of active duty personnel that includes dependents coming in. So there's going to be a big influx of just military alone. Then you have businesses that are coming in. Those students are coming or coming to go to school in the in the in the area to.

00:24:21:30 - 00:24:56:04
Unknown
Do you guys expected increase in it. So do you think you're equipped right now to handle it? Well, we're we're growing as as you see we've completed our building and that building actually is replacing some of the buildings that were destroyed. And so all of our classroom space right now is being used. So we're really thankful that the the new building is coming online that will housed some of our medical programs on nursing on my side and our computer, our computer systems and information technology programs.

00:24:56:09 - 00:25:29:43
Unknown
And that's going to free up that big gray building for more mechanical stuff. So we're what we're looking for hoping to do is to expand some of our heavy trades. We're in a partnership actually with a group that's going to provide drone training for military people that are straight out. So they're going to give a bootcamp. So we're allowing this group to use our space to train to military people to do the drone stuff so they can get their license.

00:25:29:48 - 00:25:51:43
Unknown
And that's that's like a quick boot camp. So that's a few weeks. And then so is we expecting growth and we have petitioned we wrote grass with the state of Florida. Hopefully we'll get it to. So if you if you to our new building, you'll see there's a sidewalk. Well, I'm going to go in there too, but there's not with him, so I'm going to have to cut.

00:25:51:48 - 00:26:18:18
Unknown
But in the back of it, there's a wall that leads to nothing. So hopefully we'll get the fall out. So to build another building, to expand our program. So we're we're projecting growth and we also are trying to expand our programs and offer more programs for not only our veterans, but everybody in our community. So before we have to shut this down and everything, like I got a quite a question for you now.

00:26:18:27 - 00:26:38:06
Unknown
Yes, sir. The credits that the students use and I mean the credits they get for graduating from a program over there, if they want to go to, say, a four year college and get an advanced degree in the field, the children. Are these credits transferable? Yes, sir. So some of them are. Some are. It really just depends on the institution you're going to.

00:26:38:06 - 00:26:55:53
Unknown
And so my suggestion for a move like that, get all the guidance counselors, get all your transcripts, and just just see what what comes in there. Some some of mine did transfer over, some mine did not. So it's just it's just a matter of communicating with your institution. So if there's any questions or anything, all you got to do is get a hold of you guys over there and they'll take care of you.

00:26:55:53 - 00:27:18:48
Unknown
Yes, sir. All right, before we shut this down, I want to give you the opportunity for some closing remarks. Ladies first lady, what do you think about this whole deal with Haiti? And do you think it's worth it? yeah, it's definitely worth it, for sure. Sure. You get the education. You know, you all right? I'm put on the spot.

00:27:18:48 - 00:27:38:51
Unknown
It's worth it, right? Michael? Look, the closing remarks from you. So. Absolutely. It's definitely worth it. I think the transition, it gets you back into a routine. Lot of soldiers in service there just need a routine and helped with their minds. That routine helps out a lot. I do want to jump in and we only missed off one on one more benefit than most.

00:27:38:51 - 00:27:57:41
Unknown
We just did go ahead with housing allowance. There's also housing allowance that you get. Okay in school. So it helps with your, you know, your housing and rent and all that stuff while you're going to school. So that's also with dependents of your dependents going with your V.A. benefits. Then they're getting the housing allowance as well. So I want to make sure thank you for doing this.

00:27:57:46 - 00:28:17:06
Unknown
I'll give you about 40 seconds to write that Haney is a wonderful place. If you want to come check us out, you can check us out in person. Give me a call and I'll be happy to give you a tour or you visit us online. HANEY That to you, our programs are actually some of our programs are actually open right now, too, for applications.

00:28:17:18 - 00:28:37:18
Unknown
So if you want to investigate, you can give us a call or go to Haney that interview and look it up on the website. And we have an a wonderful time and we want to wish everyone out there a very merry Christmas and happy holidays and quite Lani, Michael, thanks very much for coming in today and explaining what's going on over there in Haiti.

00:28:37:18 - 00:28:57:24
Unknown
It's a great place to be, a great place to go and get your education in. And they love the military and unfortunately, that's it. So we're wrapping it up here on another edition of our military community. We got many things we want to talk about today. But remember at Haney, all you veterans out there, all you dependents, go talk to them.

00:28:57:24 - 00:29:15:29
Unknown
Go to their website, give them a call. They're there. They're going to help you. And you heard today from my three guests that that's what they're here. They're here to help you make yourself better in this community. Doesn't make any difference if it's young or if it's older. Go to Haney, get the career you need, and get one of the great jobs that are available here in Bay County.

00:29:15:34 - 00:30:11:46
Unknown
All right, everyone, we hope you have a great day. I'm Jerry Tablet. This is another edition of our military community. I'll see you next time. Have a good day, everyone.