Lynne Halbert

Lynne enlisted in the US Navy in Mesa, AZ in May of 2013 following her youngest son getting diagnosed with a rare seizure disorder.  The navy recruiter said the Navy would give her (a 33 year old stay at home mom) training and a job, assist with college for her 7-year-old son, and provide medical care for her 4-year-old son.  Six months later, she was in boot camp in Great Lakes, IL, in December, questioning all sorts of life choices.  After follow-on school, she was stationed at 32nd street naval station (NBSD) as an Electronics Technician aboard the USS New Orleans. Military has always been a family tradition, but Lynne is, thus far, the only woman, and the only Sailor among Soldiers. From the beginning, her military career became a game of one-upmanship with her younger Soldier brother. While on deployment, they sent each other treats from home to share with the host country locals and host country treats to share with their fellow Joes/Sailors. The day her brother retired from the Army, and just under 4 years, Lynne made Electronics Technician, Petty Officer 2nd Class (E-5/ET2), hitting her dual goals of making E5 before her brother ETS'd and in less time to E5 than he took. 

After 7 years active duty which included WestPac 2016 deployment, Lynne and her family relocated to Texas from California, where her boys are using Chapter 35 benefits to go to Community college as part of Texas's Dual Credit program.  Lynne is currently Veteran's Benefits Adviser with Undaunted Warhorse Initiative, a non-profit organization whose goal is to prevent homelessness among veterans.  She is a natural born teacher and loves substitute teach in the local ISD.  Seeing a need for guidance and an area to put her talents to work, Lynne, leads team of volunteers -veterans from the Vietnam era as well as the Gulf War era- hosting an open forum question and answer workshop at the Lavon Area Chamber of Commerce to teach veterans how to file a successful disability claim with the Veteran's Administration. Her team describe her as a high octane squirrel with a caffeine addiction and hiccups, which makes the workshops entertaining while simultaneously giving out necessary information and direction.  The workshops allow veterans to help each other while also seeing that they not alone, and that filing isn't hard, it's just a LOT. Many of the participants join the workshop multiple times to ensure they have everything in order before filing, and learn something new each time. In addition to the workshop, Lynne and her team of DAV volunteers also help veterans one on one with filing claims.  She's been a Chapter Service Officer for the DAV for just over 2 years and has yet to see a claim submitted by her or her team be decided as completely denied by the VA.