Alex Aldrich: October 2023 Veteran of the Month
This article is part of our "Veteran of the Month" series that celebrates Veteran Social Club’s active members or partners and their contributions to the organization and the Las Vegas Veteran Community. See more of our Veterans of the Month by visiting VeteranSocialClub.vet/news.
When former Army National Guardsman Alex Aldrich had his service cut short in 2013 by a medical discharge, the inability to deploy and complete a full enlistment left Alex feeling unqualified to call himself a Veteran – a surprisingly common situation for military members. It wasn’t until he began connecting with organizations like Veteran Social Club and his employer, Veteran Benefits Guide, that he realized he could find a home in the Las Vegas Veteran Community.
“It's probably common, especially for those of us who've never deployed – even if we did our four years – to feel that way,” Alex said.
Following his discharge, Alex worked as an Account Executive for Incorp Services Inc. and a B2B Sales Manager for H & H Enterprises. However, Alex could feel his heart wasn’t truly in his work despite being naturally friendly, open, and talkative.
Things began to change, he said, when he signed on with Veteran Benefits Guide, a veteran-owned and operated company that helps Veterans navigate VA Benefits. His catalyst for embracing his Veteran identity and becoming connected was a Task Force Give service project he attended almost a year ago.
“I felt like by giving my time in that instance, I was getting some time back and continuing my service,” Alex said. “It was a very different atmosphere than (other groups), but still a lot of the things I enjoyed. It feels like a ‘one team, one dream’ mindset that affects real change and makes people feel like they belong.”
Alex is currently the Community Relations Manager at Veteran Benefits Guide and works closely with community partners to educate the Veteran community on all the resources and benefits available in the industry.
He is also more active in the Veteran community and works with several veteran organizations. He recently became a committee member for Veteran Social Club, where he plans to, in his mind, fulfill the service he couldn’t due to his discharge.
Since connecting with VSC, Alex has helped set up the February Beers & Benefits event, participated in our first softball season, volunteered for Task Force Give, and is working on bringing a quarterly breakfast to VSC’s calendar of events. He said the acceptance and inclusivity he’s felt from so many Veterans help him embrace the idea that his service still matters.
“I've talked to literally 100 veterans and told them my situation, and they've all told me that I'm a veteran,” Alex said. “So now, in that case, I am much less apprehensive about it.”
Alex is scheduled to graduate from the Vegas Chamber’s Leadership Advance course in December and is certified in ETS/VSI (Veteran Sponsorship Initiative) by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs through Onward Ops. He hopes his experience as a committee member will help him grow personally and professionally and wishes to see Veteran Social Club expand to neighboring cities and states.
Q & A excerpt with Alex:
Does helping Veterans with their benefits hold any particular significance to you since you were medically discharged?
Yes, that's one of my prime motivators to do what I do. I struggled with my status as a veteran. Now, I can level with people who feel like they aren’t real Veterans or don’t deserve benefits and explain that they're not taking away from another Veteran. It doesn’t make them any less deserving because they couldn’t finish their service.
It gives me the same sense of camaraderie that I had while serving, in the sense that I can help Veterans when they come home. It's very soul-fulfilling and enriching for me.
What made you want to join a committee and get more involved in VSC?
I wanted to complete my service through my work at VBG and in the community. It makes me feel like I can still serve, and allows me to complete the service that I don't feel that I did.
You mentioned VSC has qualities you like from other organizations but some things set it apart, too. Can you tell me more about that?
I would say the camaraderie. And if somebody is not the right resource for you, they will find a way to get you in contact with the right resource.
What makes VSC different… There’s a lot of anxiety about attending a new event or getting involved in a new group. The way VSC welcomes all veterans and provides them with the support and relationships they need makes it less intimidating.
It is exclusive in the sense that you had to have signed on the dotted line, but it doesn't exclude any Veteran in any shape or form as long as you are a Veteran. There's that level of exclusivity and inclusivity. And it’s difficult to make people feel both included and part of a select few all at the same time.
Can you think of a time when you felt that welcoming environment?
I remember the first VSC event I attended after meeting TJ at the Task Force Give event. TJ did spotlight VBG and introduced us. He and several other members always made it a point to bring up VBG and bring me up and include me in conversations, especially about VA benefits. I immediately felt welcomed into the fold professionally, as a person, and a Veteran.
What do you hope to see from VSC in the future?
I'd like to see another city have a Veteran Social Club. I'd like to see if this can expand regionally in the next four years or so and, eventually, nationally. And then, you know, we could have a conference where people from every Veteran Social Club can connect and make bad decisions together. *laughs* Okay, not really – we can bond.
What would you say to someone who may be in the same boat you were – who feels apprehensive about claiming their Veteran status or benefits, or even connecting with the veteran community?
Start with just one veteran you can talk to. See if they can give you more confidence to make the next step of considering yourself a veteran.
Regarding claiming your benefits, reach out to a VSO or somebody who's gone through the process, or reach out to me. I'm happy to tell you the ins and outs and help you look through your records to see what you would qualify for.