On this episode of The Dog Tag, our hosts Jim Bob Mickler, Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) Director for Marketing & Outreach, and Jimmy Smaragdis, VLB Marketing Specialist, talk about how to find a lender, prequalify for a mortgage and why you need a good real estate agent. Their guests include Director of Strategic Products Elizabeth Robertson and Loan Officer Marcia Boyer of Gateway Mortgage Group, as well as Kim Mangum, Loan Origination Manager for the VLB Veterans Land & Housing Program.

After you’ve established your credit score and calculated how much house you can afford, the next step in the home buying process is finding a good mortgage lender who can help you pre-qualify for a home mortgage. On this episode you can find out how the VA Home Loan Guaranty works, what kind of documents you initially need to provide the lender and how an experienced real estate professional is essential to help you find the perfect home that fits your budget.

The information and advice in this episode can help you take the right steps to becoming a homeowner.

On this episode of The Dog Tag, our hosts Jim Bob Mickler, VLB Deputy Director for Marketing & Outreach, and Jimmy Smaragdis, VLB Marketing Specialist, talk about the first steps to take when buying a home. Their guests include Elizabeth Robertson, Director of Strategic Products at Gateway Mortgage Group, Marcia Boyer, Loan Officer for Gateway Mortgage Group, and Kim Mangum, Loan Origination Manager for the VLB Veterans Land & Housing Program.

Buying a home can be a very intimidating process, especially if it’s your first time, so we’re going to break it down with some of the most knowledgeable real estate people we know. On this first podcast we’ll cover the first two subjects related to buying a new home: credit scores and budgeting.

We’ll discuss what credit is, why it’s important and how to obtain it. We’ll also go over how to read your credit report and fix any incorrect items, so you can raise your credit score. We’ll also talk about how to budget for a home including how to calculate your desired monthly payment. We’ll get into down payments, closing costs, housing-related expenses, loan terms and much more.

On this episode of The Dog Tag, Matt Elledge talks with Terry Tottenham the founder of Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans (TLTV). Mr. Tottenham established this program with the State Bar of Texas to develop and assist pro bono legal clinics throughout the state for Veterans who otherwise cannot afford, or do not have access to, the legal services they need.

Matt and Terry discuss the mission of this unique program, how it’s funded, and what kind of legal services they provide to Military Members, Veterans and their family members in Texas. The attorneys who volunteer for TLTV provide legal advice and assistance on a wide range of issues including VA disability claims, family law, criminal matters, real estate and tax law, and much more.

The Dog Tag® is brought to you by the Texas Veterans Land Board. Find more episodes at TexasVeteransPodcast.com. If you have questions about this topic, or suggestions for other podcast topics, call 1–800–252-VETS or email [email protected]. Visit TexasVeterans.com to find out more about your benefits!

On this episode of The Dog Tag, Matt Elledge takes a deeper look at the variety of programs and assistance for Military Members and Veterans provided by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). Matt’s guests are Dale Robertson, Manager of the Office of Employer Initiatives and Outreach and Project Development, and Jeff Singh, Program Manager for College Credit for Heroes.

Matt, Dale and Jeff discuss how to find a Workforce Solutions Office in your area and connect with a Veteran Resource & Referral Specialist. You’ll learn how to register as a job seeker on the Work In Texas website and what special priority status is afforded to Veterans looking for work.

Whether you’re planning your transition from the military, or you’ve already left, listen to this podcast and let the Texas Workforce Commission help you find a career that’s right for you.

The Dog Tag® is brought to you by the Texas Veterans Land Board and the Texas Veterans Commission. Find more episodes at texasveteranspodcast.com. If you have questions about this topic, or suggestions for other podcast topics, call 1–800–252-VETS or email [email protected]. Visit TexasVeterans.com to find out more about your benefits!

On this episode of The Dog Tag, Matt Elledge talks with Deputy Director, John Berkely, and Program Administrator, Kathy Johanns of the Texas State Veterans Homes.

The VLB Texas State Veterans Homes provide affordable, long-term nursing care for Texas Veterans, their spouses and Gold Star parents. Located across Texas, each first-class facility is designed to enhance quality of life with a clean, caring and dignified setting appropriate to those men and women who have served our country with honor.

Matt, John and Kathy discuss the origin of these special homes, eligibility requirements, associated costs, quality of life and much more.

John Berkely, a Navy Veteran with 23 years of experience in long-term care administration, took on the role of Deputy Director for the Texas State Veterans Homes at the Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) on Monday, May 12, 2014.

Kathy joined the Texas Veterans Land Board in 2015 and has almost 20 years of experience in the field of long-term care. Her father was a U.S. Air Force Veteran who served in both Korea and Vietnam and she is also the spouse of a U.S. Air Force Veteran. Kathy, and her colleague, Sara Rodriguez, a registered nurse who also works for the Texas State Veterans Homes, developed and teach the Post-Traumatic Stress Program to every staff member at all eight Texas State Veterans Homes.

The VLB is extremely fortunate to have these very compassionate and dedicated people on our team serving Texas Veterans!

On this episode of The Dog Tag, Matt Elledge talks with Bill McLemore, Deputy Director for the VLB Veterans Land & Housing Program, and Charlotte Mumphord, Director of the Land & Housing Program, about the Texas Veterans Home Improvement Program (VHIP).

Matt and his guests break down the home improvement loan process including how to apply for pre-approval online, select a contractor and which projects are eligible. These loans are available to Veterans, Military Members and eligible spouses in Texas.

Charlotte Mumphord has served Texas Veterans and Military Members in Texas for 32 years at the Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB), helping them realize their dream of owning their own little piece of Texas.

Before Bill McLemore retired from the U.S. Army in April 1986, he deployed on four combat tours — three in Vietnam and one in the Dominican Republic. After leaving the Army, Bill worked as the Travis County Veterans Service Officer until 2001 when President George W. Bush appointed him to the position of Senior Advisor and Deputy Assistant Secretary for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, where he served until 2008. From 2008 to 2013 he served as a Senior Staff Advisor and Veteran Advocate to the Director of the VA Heart of Texas Health Care Network. In 2013 Bill joined the Texas Veterans Land Board.

We are very proud to have these two hardworking, dedicated individuals on board serving Texas Veterans and Military Members.

The Dog Tag® is brought to you by the Texas Veterans Land Board and the Texas Veterans Commission. Find more episodes at texasveteranspodcast.com. If you have questions about this topic, or suggestions for other podcast topics, call 1–800–252-VETS or email [email protected]. Visit TexasVeterans.com to find out more about your benefits!

On this episode of The Dog Tag, Matt Elledge sits down with Deputy Director, Eric Brown, and Chief On-Site Representative, Doug Gault, of the VLB Texas State Veterans Cemeteries.

VLB Texas State Veterans Cemeteries are special resting places, where friends, family and fellow Texans can honor Texas Veterans. These hallowed grounds are an expression of our respect for the men and women who have served our nation with distinction.

Matt, Eric and Doug talk about the history of these cemeteries and discuss eligibility, costs, burial options and much more.

Eric Brown served in the U.S. Air Force for 22 years and in 2012 joined the Texas Veterans Land Board. Doug Gault served in the U.S. Army for 30 years as a Combat Engineer, deploying three times during Desert Storm/Desert Shield, Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).

The Dog Tag® is brought to you by the Texas Veterans Land Board. Find more episodes at TexasVeteransPodcast.com. If you have questions about this topic, or suggestions for other podcast topics, call 1–800–252-VETS or email [email protected]. Visit TexasVeterans.com to find out more about your benefits!

On this episode of The Dog Tag, Matt Elledge talks with Pam Maercklein, the Women Veterans Healthcare Liaison for the Women Veterans Program at the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC). Pam served eight years in the United States Air Force and has a Master's Degree in Education from the University of Texas at Austin. She's worked at the Texas Veterans Commission since 2008 and assists Women Veterans with their health care needs.

Matt and Pam dive deep into the issues that affect Women Veterans' physical and mental well-being including maternity care, military sexual trauma, post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury and more. If you are a Woman Veteran, or know one, please listen to this podcast and find detailed insights about health care for the brave women who have served in our nation's military forces.

The Dog Tag® is brought to you by the Texas Veterans Land Board and the Texas Veterans Commission. Find more episodes at medium.com/the-dog-tag. If you have questions about this topic, or suggestions for other podcast topics, call 1–800–252-VETS or email [email protected]. Visit TexasVeterans.com to find out more about your benefits!

On this episode of The Dog Tag, Matt Elledge talks with Nicole Anderson, the Women Veterans Employment Coordinator for the Women Veterans Program at the Texas Veterans Commission. Nicole and Matt discuss topics such as career counseling, resume assistance and interview techniques. They also cover some of the unique challenges that Women Veterans face when seeking employment including child care and homelessness.

The Dog Tag® is brought to you by the Texas Veterans Land Board and the Texas Veterans Commission. Find more episodes at medium.com/the-dog-tag. If you have questions about this topic, or suggestions for other podcast topics, call 1–800–252-VETS or email [email protected]. Visit TexasVeterans.com to find out more about your benefits!

On this episode of The Dog Tag, Matt Elledge talks with Martin Traylor, the Transition Service Manager for the SFL-TAP at Fort Hood. Martin shares his insights on how to get the most out of any military career fair. Martin and Matt have several years of experience working together on Fort Hood to help transitioning service members find their post-military careers.

Martin and Matt cover the whole spectrum including how to prepare for a hiring fair, what to do and not do at the hiring fair, and how to follow up with recruiters after the hiring fair. Looking for a job is a full time job, but don't let that discourage you. You already have the skills and training to prepare for any mission and this is no different.

The Dog Tag® is brought to you by the Texas Veterans Land Board and the Texas Veterans Commission. Find more episodes at medium.com/the-dog-tag. If you have questions about this topic, or suggestions for other podcast topics, call 1–800–252-VETS or email [email protected]. Visit TexasVeterans.com to find out more about your benefits!

On this episode of The Dog Tag, our host Matt Elledge talks with two Veterans Education Coordinators from the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC). Fernando "Fuzzy" Conejo and Rand Bindford break down the different types of education benefits available to military members, Veterans and their dependents.

Matt, Fuzzy and Rand discuss the different GI Bills, as well as education benefits for vocational and on-the-job training. Don't let these often confusing and complex processes keep you from furthering your education. These are some of the most valuable benefits you've earned through your service, so don't leave them behind. Going to college, or learning a trade, will change the quality of your life for the better.

The Dog Tag® is brought to you by the Texas Veterans Land Board and the Texas Veterans Commission. Find more episodes at medium.com/the-dog-tag. If you have questions about this topic, or suggestions for other podcast topics, call 1–800–252-VETS or email [email protected]. Visit TexasVeterans.com to find out more about your benefits!