FORT HOOD, Texas — For some soldiers, leaving the U.S. Army can be overwhelming. That is why the Central Texas-Fort Hood Association of the United States Army (AUSA) is mentoring veterans for success.
"I completely changed my life from everything I did when I was 18 years old until now,” said Andrew Trevino, Army veteran and current real estate agent at Home Vets Realty in Killeen.
As one of Killeen’s newest real estate agents, Trevino is optimistic about his future. Before leaving the Army, he became a part of the Central Texas-Fort Hood chapter AUSA's mentorship program.
"The program is to help with life after the military,” said Kelly Brown, President of the Central Texas AUSA. “We want to continue to grow it and make it so much more than that. The overall plan and goal is, we want our soldiers to be comfortable with our community leaders and our community leaders have that comfort with our soldiers."
Trevino was mentored by former Killeen mayor Jose Segarra, who is the broker and owner of Home Vets Realty.
"Like myself, I spent 10 years in the military,” said Segarra. “When you get out, a lot of times it is like you just graduated high school. It is like here I am. You are starting at ground zero because a lot of times, you don't know what you want to do and what career path you want to go."
Trevino is an example that this is a program that works.
"So far it is going pretty good,” said Trevino. I have several clients I am working with. I was fortunate to have a deal close in the first 90 days. That is something I’m happy with and very proud of."
So far, 28 soldiers have gone through the program.
If you are a veteran or a civilian leader who wants to sign up to be a mentor for a solider and their families please send an email to Fernando Fernandez at fernando.fernandez@fhnb.com.