{"id":8022,"date":"2024-11-12T19:30:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-12T19:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=8022"},"modified":"2024-11-12T19:30:00","modified_gmt":"2024-11-12T19:30:00","slug":"veterans-continue-brotherhood-as-peer-specialists-with-va","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=8022","title":{"rendered":"Veterans continue brotherhood as peer specialists with VA"},"content":{"rendered":"

Originally published:<\/strong> 2024-11-12T19:30:00+00:00. Historical source article: benefits, rules, amounts and deadlines may have changed. Check the official source for current information.<\/p>\n

For Marine Corps Veterans Noe Tejeda and Robert Hernandez, the brotherhood that began in battle more than 20 years ago continues to this day. As lead peer specialist and peer specialist at Greater Los Angeles VA<\/a>, the two had each other\u2019s backs while in Iraq and still have each other\u2019s backs as they \u201ccontinue the mission,\u201d in Tejeda\u2019s words.<\/p>\n

As peer specialists, the two are part of a group of Veterans with lived experience who help guide other Veterans through recovery from mental health issues, homelessness, substance use and other challenges they face in transitioning to civilian life.<\/p>\n

Peer specialists are there for Veterans every step of the way, helping connect them to critical services and resources through VA and its community partners. \u201cThe mentality we all have, never leave a brother behind, I think that really sticks with us,\u201d said Hernandez.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The bond between Tejeda and Hernandez speaks to the power of peer support, both for each other and for the Veterans they serve.<\/p>\n

From Iraq to Los Angeles VA<\/h2>\n

Tejeda and Hernandez first met as roommates in the military. With both hailing from California, they became fast friends.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Both went on to become assault amphibious vehicle crew chiefs. While each chief typically leads his own vehicle, they requested to be assigned to the same one. After 9\/11, they deployed together.<\/p>\n

\u201cPrior to going to war I remember telling his mom, \u2018Everything is going to be ok. I\u2019m going to bring your son back,\u2019\u201d said Tejeda.<\/p>\n

Years later, Tejeda had started working in Veteran services and, while Hernandez had found success in a civilian job, it didn\u2019t provide the fulfillment or sense of connection he was looking for.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Tejeda reached out to check on Hernandez. \u201cI told him I work with Veterans and I think it\u2019s something you might be interested in,\u201d Tejeda said. \u201cRobert took that risk, but at the same time he found his passion.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both had been through their own recovery journeys with help from VA, which put them in a unique position to guide other Veterans through the process. Both eventually ended up working at Greater Los Angeles VA.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe just never really separated,\u201d said Hernandez. \u201cHe checks on me. I check in on him. We\u2019re still there supporting each other.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Creating true family ties, Hernandez is the godfather to Tejeda\u2019s son.<\/p>\n

What peer support specialists do<\/h2>\n

Peer specialists are a growing part of VA\u2019s work in helping Veterans through recovery and rebuilding their lives. Once paired with a Veteran, they work as a team, along with the Veteran\u2019s other providers, to identify areas of need, then help the Veteran get access to the support and services that can meet those needs.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re Veterans who have gone through our own struggle and we\u2019re here to empower those individuals,\u201d said Tejeda. \u201cWe\u2019re always trying to identify their needs and connect them with the right resources. And sometimes Veterans just need another Veteran to hear what they\u2019re going through.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tejeda and Hernandez hope the impact of peer specialists continues to expand, including into the medical setting.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeers are on the front line,\u201d said Hernandez. \u201cAs Veterans, we know what the Veteran is going through, and it\u2019s all about our experiences and how we connect with them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs<\/a>. Its Veterans is an independent publication and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

For Veterans Noe Tejeda and Robert Hernandez, work as peer specialists continues the brotherhood they forged in battle 20 years ago.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":67,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8022","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-u-s-veterans-news"],"yoast_head":"\nVeterans continue brotherhood as peer specialists with VA - Its Veterans<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"For Veterans Noe Tejeda and Robert Hernandez, work as peer specialists continues the brotherhood they forged in battle 20 years ago.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=8022\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Veterans continue brotherhood as peer specialists with VA - 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