335 – Chris Johnston – VA Mobile App

I was in the VA system before I could watch movies and sports on my phone. Doing anything with the VA, even with a computer, could be daunting at best and frustrating at worst. I was excited when I was told the VA was developing and fully functional app that could be used on my phone. I had such a great experience after I downloaded VA App that I asked to talk to someone involved with developing this app for Veterans. Imagine my surprise when the VA told me I would get to talk to the development lead for the project, Chris Johnston. Chris Johnston is the son of an Air Force Veteran. As part of VA’s Digital Modernization Strategy, he led the team that launched the redesigned VA.gov in 2018 and today serves as VA’s Deputy Chief Technology Officer for Digital Experience. Talking with Chris allowed me to understand the challenges the team faced to deliver an experience for Veterans across many demographics. The VA App is designed to give Veterans the tools and information they need right on their phone no matter where they are. I can tell you from my experience that it is like having a fully functional VA office in my pocket. I can’t recommend it enough. Thank you, Chris, for talking with me and creating something that benefits all Veterans in the VA system. Special shout out to Keith Hayes of Sinsta 1 Productions who took the VA’s Public Service Announcement about the VA Mobile App and put in all the videos for my show over the last couple of months. It has always looked great. Thank you. Go to Apple’s App Store or Google Play to download The VA App today! Apple - https://apps.apple.com/cv/app/va-health-and-benefits/id1559609596 Google - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.va.mobileapp Veterans Administration – Public Service Announcement View and cancel health care appointments, view claims and appeals status, upload documentation to VA, securely message your doctor, locate VA facilities, retrieve your vaccine records, access the Veterans Crisis Line, and more—right from your phone—with VA’s Health and Benefits mobile app. The app also makes it easy to prove your status as a Veteran so you can take advantage of available retailer discounts. Join nearly 700,000 users in the Veteran community who are accessing their benefits and services, safely and securely, wherever and whenever they need them: https://bit.ly/3O43Yoe Thanks for all the support from my sponsors Joyce Asack of Asack Real Estate and Army National Guard Veteran Mark Holmes of Reapers Detailing and Power Washing. Also, please check out my supporters, Semper Savage, Bottom Gun Coffee, and Caisson Shaving Company! Oscar Mike Radio is now on Wreaths Across America Radio Thursday at 11 am and Sunday at 8 am eastern. Find Wreaths Across America Radio on the iHeart Radio app, the Audacy app, and the TuneIn app. Search the word wreath for Wreaths Across America Radio. Oscar Mike Radio is a top 100 podcast on Feedspot – https://blog.feedspot.com/veteran_podcasts/