Stacy Bare

Posted on 10. Mar, 2010 by john in VGJ's Veteran Staff

What is your role at VGJ?
I am the Director of National Programs and Government Relations. Currently, I am transitioning my duties as the Director of Operations / COO until we are able to hire someone else.

I am also normally the individual people call on if they need to reach something really high but don’t have a ladder.

Where were you stationed overseas?
I received my commission from Ole Miss in 2000; completed the Military Intelligence Officer Basic Course at Ft. Huachuca, AZ in November 2000; first duty assignment was with the 66th MI Group in Darmstadt, Germany; deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina as the SFOR Counter Terrorism Team Chief from 2003-2004; had a break in service until receiving a recall from the Individual Ready Reserve in 2005; Ft. Bragg for the first three months of 2006, and then to Baghdad at FOB Justice and FOB Liberty for 2006-2007.

I am still a member of the IRR.

How did that experience affect your perspective on life?
I am incredibly proud of my military service and very thankful for the opportunity to have served my country. The Army paid for my undergraduate education, taught me leadership and critical thinking skills and introduced me to some of the greatest people I have had the fortune to ever meet.

There are a lot of positives and negatives to military service. I certainly saw my share of horrible events, death and destruction through my time in the military, but I also saw an incredible amount of compassion, courage, and real leadership. I miss the Army but am thankful for my service, what I have learned from my time in uniform, and for the choices it helped me to make to put me where I am now.

What are your hopes for the “green economy”?
That we get to a point in the future where there isn’t a ‘green economy’ and actions and activities that are outside the triple bottom line of sustainability in economy, society, and environmental responsibility are the exception and not the rule.

I look forward to America’s increased and ultimate energy independence, an era of renewed innovation in America around sustainable products and practices as well as stronger communities. Ultimately, if we intend to maintain a similar level of quality of life or increase it from what we, or at least I, as a member of the middle class currently enjoys, and for a safe and secure nation, we have to embrace these ideals.

What are your hopes for veterans of America?
That we are not seen as separate from, dangerous to, or as strangers in our current society. That our actions are not judged quickly or harshly and that people begin to explore the nuanced and complex nature of why someone would serve in the military, what that service means to everyone in the nation, and ultimately that the veteran is honored and taken care of upon return from service.

At the same time, I hope that veterans are able to create identities for themselves that allow them to be proud of their service, but also to move on from their service and not get stuck in a history.

How does VGJ inspire you?
As a non-partisan, veteran focused group, I’m excited that it is taking a comprehensive approach to veterans issues and not just working on advocacy, but putting quite literally boots on the ground to solve problems.