“Nicole, I got it! Operation Mission Insight (OMI)! I exclaimed as I barged into her office.
“That’s the name and we will serve current military, veterans, and their families as well as educate the community.”
Nicole and I worked together at an online university. My role was to serve and advocate on behalf of all military connected students. Nicole oversaw enrollment. As a team we attended countless events and fostered many relationships within the military-veteran community to help communicate our passion to serve. In 2018, we officially launched OMI a501.c3 non-profit organization that enables us the opportunity to continue that service. Its name symbolizes our passion to provide a lens into the experiences of veteran and military families within communities.
Therefore, OMI’s mission is to “Educate, Empower, and Encourage the Understanding of military culture.” As a team, we share a vision is to ensure that “Our Military Families are living within communities that Embrace their strengths and seek to understand their challenges!”
From the very beginning of the OMI’s formation, our focus was to ensure we did not duplicate services and programs already available but instead fill the gaps. In our infancy, OMI has had the opportunity to change lives, careers and even marriages of military and veteran families through education, training and other consulting programs.
“As a military caregiver, transitioning back into the workforce is intimidating. Thank you, Geri, for helping me find a company that appreciates my skills and knowledge as a military caregiver. I would not have been able to both continue on my career path and still provide the care my veteran needs without your help. Operation Mission Insight helped me turn my passion into my profession. Thank you!”
Hols Fischer, Post 9/11 Military Caregiver
Throughout the past year, #TeamOMI has visited with companies to educate all levels of their staff on military culture from all perspectives. Through our consulting services we are able to provide a lens into life on active duty, balancing duty and home while serving in the National Guard or Reserve, discuss the challenges of the transitioning process, and draw a picture of what it is like navigating life for the those service members and their families impacted by both physical and invisible wounds. In addition, #TeamOMI visits with local schools to speak with both students and staff to help them identify military-connected students within their district and provide guidance that will help identify the unique needs of military-connected students. As well as, aid in the development of academic, social, and developmental supportive programs.
“Geri, We loved having you and Emily share your personal accounts with military culture. I am glad that I could increase my awareness of the subject, with the help of your talk today. Military culture is a subject that needs so much more attention and traction that it gets. Your talk today made me reflect on how I look forward to implementing sensitivity to military culture in my future counseling work. Thank you again for coming in today and best of luck to both you and Emily on your educational journeys. With gratitude,
Nolynn
#TeamOMI works with Institutions of Higher Educationtoaid the development of Military Programs focused on recruitment of the entire military family and give attention to career readiness programs for the service member, spouse, dependent children and military caregivers. Our family programs are designed to equip military-veterans and their families with the tools necessary to be successful and overcome obstacles during and beyond service.
Operation School Supply – Provides children of active duty, national guard, reserve, veterans of all eras with Back to School Supplies! In 2018, #TeamOMI equipped over 150 students with the supplies to ensure a successful start to the upcoming school year.
Operation Santa Shop – Provides parents with the ability to shop for Toys for their children during the holiday season. In 2018, #TeamOMI provided over 100 families with 10 toys per child!
Operation Holiday Adoption – #TeamOMI partnered with another Non-Profit during the 2018 holiday season. Together our foundations adopted 14 military families and provided each of their children with 1 outfit each and Toys off their wish list.
Uncle Bob’s Backpacks – Inspired by Geri Lynn’s (OMI’s Founder & President) husband, provides veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, Irritable Bowl Syndrome and other Chronic Illnesses with a Backpack filled with items to help them be prepared upon leaving the home. Thus, improving their qualify of life.
Each of these transformative programs were made possible by the generous contributions of other charitable organizations, fundraising efforts, and individual donors. However, sustaining, growing OMI’sprograms, and continuing our mission to serve the military-veteran and their families is hard. Therefore, OMI is eager to partner with individuals and corporations committed to supporting those who are serving and have served so bravely. To learn more about, make a donation, or partner with #TeamOMI please visit our webpage: www.operationmissioninsight.com
With ongoing support #TeamOMI can continue our mission to educate, empower, and encourage the understanding of military culture. Thus, continue to strengthen military families and the communities in which they live.