“I believe deeply in being a resource, a brother, and a support system for my fellow veterans and service members, ensuring that none of them face their challenges alone.”

Return to Work Champion:

Matthew Rodriguez Continues to Serve Fellow Military Veterans

Returning to work is frequently a crucial milestone in any brain injury survivor’s recovery journey, but it takes more than just effort on the survivor’s part. Employers play a key role in creating an environment and culture in which a person transitioning back into the workforce can succeed – for themselves and the company or organization.

That’s why our October Brain Health Leadership Breakfast is celebrating Return to Work Champions, people or organizations that go above and beyond when it comes to helping survivors of brain injury return to work after an accident, illness or injury.

We’re excited to introduce you to these extraordinary individuals and some of the insights they have to share when it comes to creating a healthy, vibrant, productive and inclusive workforce

Phoenix native Matthew Rodriguez continues to serve his country after his Marine Corps service by empowering military servicemen and women to re-enter the civilian workforce. Rodriguez became a Marine in 2016, a natural choice for someone who has always had a deep sense of duty and community.

Rodriguez left the Marines after serving five years as a corporal. He used his active-duty time to focus on honing his leadership and technical skills and, like many former servicemen, felt a bit adrift upon re-entering civilian life.

But Rodriguez also felt the pull to serve others grow even stronger. He became a Milieu supervisor in behavioral health, where he said he “immersed myself in every role I could, eager to learn the intricacies of the field and help those in need.”

It was an eye-opening experience for Rodriguez, who quickly realized the immense impact he could have on people’s lives through that work. He knew he wanted to leverage his newfound skills, experience and knowledge to help other service men and women, whether they were still serving on active duty or veterans like himself. Although he volunteered as a veteran advocate, Rodriguez wanted to do more.

That’s when Matthew joined Via Linda Behavioral Health to lead their Patriot Support Program, which has proven to be an immensely fulfilling role for Rodriguez.

Writing about his new position, Rodriguez explained how the role was an opportunity to fulfill what he believes is his new mission.

“This role has allowed me to fully dedicate myself to serving veterans and active-duty service members, not just in my local community but across the United States,” Rodriguez wrote. “With a network of resources and partnerships with other veteran advocates and champions, I am committed to ensuring that every veteran receives the care and support they deserve.”

Every day Rodriguez goes to work, he helps to do what he calls “carry the weight,” or helping other servicemen and women shoulder their respective burdens.

“It is my mission to help shoulder that weight, to show those who are struggling that there is always a path forward, no matter how heavy the load may seem,” Rodriguez wrote. “I believe deeply in being a resource, a brother, and a support system for my fellow veterans and service members, ensuring that none of them face their challenges alone.”

Helping Employers Help Those Returning to Work

Rodriguez has learned a lot about workforce re-entry during the past several years. While his role is focused on helping veterans navigate the personal, physical and professional challenges that come with going back to work, he also has some guidance that may be useful for employers.

Creating a Culture Fit

When it comes to newer veterans who are re-entering the workforce, Rodriguez said it’s important to recognize that the veteran employee may be “coming back to the workforce with a loss of identity.”

“You go from serving the country and being thanked for your service to being an individual in the community where no one can distinguish you or differentiate you from anyone else,” Rodriguez said. “And you’re no longer feeling that special urge or that sense of pride that you previously had.”

While being at work will never be the same as actively serving, there is a cultural gap that employers can help fill that can mitigate this very common identity crisis.

Specifically, creating a culture in which productivity is framed as a mission the team is completing rather than individuals completing tasks to further corporate or company goals.

“That’s the biggest aspect lost when leaving the military,” Rodriguez said. “No matter where you are or what your job is, you know the person to your left and your right have the same goal and understand and have the same meaning.”

Placing objectives within a more military framework can help mitigate a new employee’s loss of sense of self. 

With older veterans, Rodriguez said remembering that some days are worse than others is key. As a traumatic brain injury survivor himself, Rodriguez personally understands the challenges that can come with health challenges that fluctuate from day to day.

“You kind of feel it a little more on certain days,” Rodriguez said.

Some of these challenges are emotional. Even if the issue was caused years or even decades ago, for some veterans it’s only fairly recently they’ve been given the resources or have the capability to process certain things. Rodriguez pointed out that among older veterans, a sense of exasperation, deep anger, frustration and traumatic injuries has been noticeably on the rise. Any one of these things may be worse from one day to the next, and all of them will inevitably impact work performance to some degree.

This is where the non-ADA or EEOC part of being a Return-to-Work champion comes into play. Compassion, understanding and reasonable accommodation can be just as powerful as a wheelchair ramp with a soft incline and, in some ways, perhaps more important.

Specific Context for the Military Employees

Another way employers can improve the return-to-work experience for veterans for active duty service members is to put that specific employee within the proper context for them.

It’s easy for employers to generalize or make assumptions about military employees, but Rodriguez pointed out that those assumptions aren’t always true.

“Not every veteran has seen combat; not every veteran has experienced a traumatic injury,” Rodriguez said.

Furthermore, the military offers an incredibly vast array of different duties and jobs; “understanding that every veteran has a different job” will go a long way toward positioning that veteran for success.

Mark the Calendar — But Also Understand Why

One thing employers can do that is generally applicable to all military employees is mark the work calendar with specific military holidays, acknowledge them, but also do so with understanding.

For example, don’t wish a living veteran or active-duty service member a happy Memorial Day, as that holiday honors those who gave up their lives in service to their country.

Remember that each military branch has its own identity, culture and context. For example, a former Marine may want to celebrate the Marine Corps’ birthday, known for its annual gala and huge celebrations. Similarly, someone who served in the Navy or Coast Guard is a sailor, whereas an Army veteran is a soldier. Those distinctions matter to the veteran, and they should matter to their employers, too.

Re-entry to the workforce is its chapter of healing for brain injury survivors. Still, it also presents a wonderful opportunity for employers to be part of an important cultural shift in how society treats those who have served.

And that’s why we call these organizations champions.

ABOUT BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION OF ARIZONA

The Brain Injury Association of Arizona (BIAAZ) is the only statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of adults and children with all types of brain injuries through prevention, advocacy, awareness and education. BIAAZ also houses the Arizona Brain Health Resource Center, a collection of educational information and neuro-specific resources for brain injury survivors, caregivers, family members and professionals.

What began in 1983 as a grassroots effort has grown into a strong statewide presence, providing valuable life-long resources and community support for individuals with all types of brain trauma at no charge.