VA Pacific Islands Health Care System (VAPIHCS) has a variety of programs and services, and when Veterans transition out of the military, they can feel overwhelmed when they enroll for care.

One of the roles at VAPIHCS devoted to making the transition easier is the peer specialists. VAPIHCS peer specialists are people who have served in the military, and who understand the

challenges Veterans face. They work with Veterans one-on-one and in group activities to help them find things they love outside of the military.  “We do a lot of events because Veterans

really benefit from being around other Veterans and feeling connected,” Ernst said. “Recently we did an event at Ke’ehi Lagoon; it was a horticulture day. We trimmed the plants and made it

Council President Jesse Sotelo says the best part is the crown flower plants, because the guys like watching the Monarch butterflies that lay eggs on the plant, and the caterpillars that

hatch and make new butterflies. While it may not heal physical wounds, the garden is healing because it improves overall wellness, just like the services Ernst provides. “Veteran wellness is

more than just volunteer events and outings,” Ernst said. “Peer specialists can help Veterans discover what services they need and help them connect with those services. Sometimes Veterans

are hesitant to admit that they need help but talking with other Veterans who have needed help in the past, we can model what recovery looks like for those Veterans and help them see a

future for themselves out of the military.”  Ernst served active duty in the U.S. Army for 12 years, and then joined the Hawaii National Guard. He served there until he retired, and then he

worked as a federal guard at Schofield Barracks for the Department of Emergency Services. Ernst received a MBA in Business Administration. When doctors told him that he needed a pacemaker,

he found himself disqualified from his job because of it. Ernst found another way to serve by joining VA 2010. First, he worked in Beneficiary Travel, and then he became a peer specialist in

2014.  “I’m a combat Veteran -I was deployed two times to Iraq and Bosnia- so I carry that with me, and it helps me relate to other Veterans who have been to war,” Ernst said. “In Iraq;

-you know- we trained so much before we went and you think you won’t actually use that training, but then you get there, and you find it’s like muscle memory. You move like you were taught

to move. You do what you were taught to do. It’s not a thing everyone understands. That’s why it’s good to have Veterans helping other Veterans.”  Ernst has helped many Veterans to get off

the couch and avoid being home alone, both through work he does at VAPIHCS clinic locations, and through work he does at Veteran housing like Cloudbreak and US Vets. He gets them involved in

activities and helps them connect with VAPIHCS services, which aids their recovery from difficult situations. He’s been so successful that this year he won VAPHICS peer specialist of the

year award, a rare honor. He says he’s grateful for VA giving him the chance to continue to serve, and that he is glad to have been given the chance to improve the lives of Veterans in the

Pacific Islands.  “There is so much structure in the military,” Ernst said. “They tell you where to go and what to do. Your days are planned out for you. Sometimes they even tell you what to

think. Leaving that structure behind can be devastating for some Veterans. It can lead to alcohol and substance abuse, which we see often.”  VAPIHCS has a variety of recovery programs to

help Veterans who have fallen on hard times. The Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Residential Recovery Program (PRRP) cures most Veterans who commit to the process. There are substance abuse

counselors as well, for those who have gotten involved in drugs. The Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Program (IPVPP) helps those who have been victims of violence, and those who

struggle with using violence in inappropriate ways. VAPIHCS has a Veteran Treatment Court designed to support Veterans involved in the criminal justice system. Even with all that, some

Veterans can be helped simply by feeling connected.  “When you get a bunch of Veterans together, they can help each other,” Ernst said. “Maybe a Veteran is having a hard time getting a

disability rating. The other guys can give advice and share how they did it. It’s also just that sense of camaraderie and community like we had in the military. That’s one of the main

reasons to plan the outings and events; so Veterans can be with other Veterans.” Ernst does a food distribution event every month in coordination with the Hawaii Food Bank and the Armed

Services Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA). Like the Ohana Open Market events at the Daniel K. Akaka VA Clinic on the second Friday of every month, Ernst’s events are done on

Schofield Barracks and are for active-duty military families in need. Taking Veterans to volunteer on base helps them feel like they are giving back and helping others. The Veterans enjoy

donating their time to set up the food, man the line, and tear down at the end of the event.  “Getting them out to volunteer and do things keeps them from being at home alone,” Ernst said.

“The danger for Veterans is in sitting alone at home with nothing to do. That’s when they get into trouble. We can prevent that. I think I bridge the gap for a lot of Veterans from active

duty to connecting with VA.” Veterans interested in volunteering with VA can call CDCE Voluntary Services Specialist and Army Veteran Alfred Domingo at 808-433-4772.