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Ask the Patch Pro: Local Experts Answer Questions About Recruitment, Veteran Programs

We have two experts waiting in the comments to answer your questions about joining the military and education options for veterans.

It's time for another edition of Ask the Patch Pro, where each week we tackle a different topic and open up the comments section for questions. Our team of experts stop in to help you out and answer your questions.

This week we're talking military. We have two experts helping us out. One is a U.S. Marine who will answer questions about recruitment. Another works with veterans at a local college. 

Patch wants to help you get your questions answered, and we would encourage readers who have any input to chime in the conversation with their neighbors as well. 

Meet this week's experts: 

  • Tomi Schwandt: St. Charles Community College Coordinator of Veteran Benefits & Scholarships/VA School Certifying Official
  • Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Gibbs: U.S Marine Corps Recruiting Station in St. Louis 

 

If you consider yourself a local expert and would like to be added to the list, let us know! jordan.lanham@patch.com

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SSGT GIBBS January 31, 2013 at 03:44 pm
This is Staff Sergeant Gibbs I will be around today to answer any question you may have about enlistment in the military.
Tomi Schwandt January 31, 2013 at 04:41 pm
Greetings! I am Tomi Schwandt from St Charles Community College. I work with current service members and veterans to use education benefits through their military branch and the Department of Veteran Affairs. Current or prior, there are many programs available to you if you are pursuing a degree. I am happy to answer questions about benefit programs and navigating the VA system to set up your eduation benefits!
Jordan Lanham (Editor) January 31, 2013 at 04:43 pm
Welcome Staff Sgt. Gibbs and Tomi! Thanks for teaming up with us today!
Joe Barker (Editor) January 31, 2013 at 04:47 pm
I have a friend who is interested in joining the military. He's 27—is that too old?
Angela Atkinson January 31, 2013 at 04:49 pm
Hello! So glad you're here today. I've been wondering about something. My oldest son is 15 and says he wants to go into the military after high school. He hopes to help pay for his college this way as well as to be part of such an esteemed group. What does he need to be thinking about at this time? What will he need in order to enlist? Thanks in advance!
Kalen Ponche (Editor) January 31, 2013 at 04:52 pm
Hi! I'm curious to see if you have a female recruiting officer in your office to answer questions that woman recruits might have that are specific to women. I heard a story recently that women recruiting officers are few and far between and it can be difficult for women entering the military to find information about what life is really like for a woman in basic training or serving in Afghanistan. Here's the story: http://www.npr.org/2013/01/30/170691567/women-enlistees-use-video-blogs-to-share-advice-with-other-recruits
SSGT GIBBS January 31, 2013 at 09:13 pm
No he is not, the services all have different age requirements max age ranges from 28-34.
SSGT GIBBS January 31, 2013 at 09:18 pm
For anyone at his age I talk with I always encourage them to really spend some time with the different military branches if possible as he is making a decision. For example my Office in Ballwin has weekly work outs every Saturday we always have a few guests that attend just to see if it is what they are looking for. All of the Services offer the same basic benefits, when you are looking to enlist or for those in college thinking of a commission as an Officer you need to find what fits your personality the best.
SSGT GIBBS January 31, 2013 at 09:27 pm
I can’t Speak for all the different services in the St Louis area, as for the Marines we have two female Marine recruiters in the area. They are always more than happy to talk to anyone that has questions. We also have several Marines that we can call and have you talk to.
SSGT GIBBS January 31, 2013 at 09:48 pm
I can’t Speak for all the different services in the St Louis area, as for the Marines we have two female Marine recruiters in the area. They are always more than happy to talk to anyone that has questions. We also have several female Marines that we can call and have a young lady talk to.
Jordan Lanham (Editor) January 31, 2013 at 10:02 pm
We seem to be having some technical difficulties with the comments on this article today. I'll try and figure it out asap!
SSGT GIBBS January 31, 2013 at 10:23 pm
One of the things we see a lot when it comes to the people wanting to enlist is they do not really understand all the options that are available in today’s Military. For example that while serving on Active duty you get what is called Tuition Assistance that is $4500.00 a year to attend college.
Stephanie R. January 31, 2013 at 10:59 pm
Will you be asking the leadershp of the Working Women's Show in St. Louis next month if they'll have a male on staff to answer questions about offerings for men at this year's show? I've heard that men have been shunned from this event in recent years.
Jordan Lanham (Editor) February 1, 2013 at 06:38 pm
Thank you SSGT. Gibbs and Tomi Schwandt for answering this week's Patch Pro questions!
Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Mary Mackey June 19, 2013 at 05:40 pm
Good question and one that has been asked many times. It seems all they do is tear buildings downRead More and leave empty lots. I've lived in O'Fallon all my life and it is sad to see. I would like to see something like St.Charles has,with small diners,craft and antique stores. A small walking path through the area would be awesome and something people could enjoy. Renovating the historical Krekel Home into a museum also needs to be done.
Jim Frain June 17, 2013 at 08:17 am
I rest my case that there are nearly not enough comments on articles that we read in the Patch...IRead More asked for a comment, got no comment.
PMS June 19, 2013 at 12:22 pm
I agree Jim. I am one of those who do comment and I do wish that more people would. I guess thatRead More is why our country is in the shape it is in. Not enough people that have minds of their own.
Jim Frain June 13, 2013 at 04:55 pm
This is an important opportunity for all residents who want to have input on Civic Park and theRead More changes that they want to see now that Civic Hall is gone. The men and women of the city council and parks department who are making these decisions need to hear from us.
Patrick Breyne June 18, 2013 at 09:05 am
The O'Fallon Parks and Recreation Advisory board encourages all residents to come out on the 20th toRead More view the proposed plans for Civic Park & Civic Hall. A couple of great ideas will be presented keeping in mind both the history of Civic Hall/Park and the current and future recreation needs of all of the the citizens of O'Fallon. We need your input!
Jim Frain June 14, 2013 at 10:59 am
This will be a wonderful ceremony and a fitting tribute to the brave and honorable men and women whoRead More served their country in the Vietnam War. I look forward to seeing many O'Fallon Veteran's and residents attending the ceremony on June 22nd.
Jordan Lanham (Editor) June 11, 2013 at 02:46 pm
Thanks for the reminder Jim! Sounds like the perfect concert to kick off summer!
Jim Frain June 12, 2013 at 09:05 am
A Great "Love the Beatles" crowd last night at Civic Park...We all had fun...the City ofRead More O'Fallon does a great job in putting a nice, relaxing and family oriented concert for all of us. O'Fallon Jammin' is a great thing to do every tuesday all summer.
Jim Frain June 7, 2013 at 12:51 pm
We all need to get out there to cheer the Rascals on to some long extended victories!
Mike Kromer June 7, 2013 at 08:52 pm
Agreed...love watching a good ballgame, even a bad one, on a warm summer evening!
Joe Barker (Editor) June 3, 2013 at 03:31 pm
She's on vacation at the moment. When she returns she'll still be here, but in a different role.Read More Instead of just working with O'Fallon, she'll be working with multiple Patch sites across St. Louis. While she's doing other things, Tammy Duncan and I will be posting often around here. Basically Jordan is still very much involved, but she just won't be writing as many stories.
Malarkey Jones June 4, 2013 at 01:05 pm
We've been away from O'fallon for a couple years but plan to return next summer...please tell meRead More they have put in a Chick-Fil-A in O'fallon!! That is fantastic news...can't wait to get back home and see what has changes since we left!
Jason and Mike standing in front of Extreme Gun Care
Michael Linhardt June 4, 2013 at 09:18 am
Congrats! I've met Jason and he is a super nice guy with tons of knowledge about their products.
E. Holloway June 4, 2013 at 10:55 am
Gourew? Try Guru.
Jim Pepper June 3, 2013 at 08:15 am
Joe, any chance they have figured out how to port the past news stories over yet?
Joe Barker (Editor) June 3, 2013 at 09:58 am
@ Jim Pepper -- No word yet. Most of the stories came over just fine, but the stories from earlyRead More last week seem to be stuck. All I know is they are working on it.
Daniel 'Cubby' Moynihan June 4, 2013 at 02:18 am
Just a heads up... while browsing on my phone I have to click leave a comment link above instead ofRead More the box which is typical... just an fyi