MVAA adds three Veteran Service Officers (VSOs) to its ranks to help assist Michigan veterans throughout the state

The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency is excited to announce the addition of three new Veteran Service Officers (VSOs) who are now taking calls to assist veterans and their dependents throughout the state. VSOs are trained and accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to provide assistance to veterans and their families free of charge. VSOs can answer questions about federal, state, county and local benefits and resources available to them, assist with filing benefit claims and represent individuals in VA hearings.

The VSOs and their schedules are listed below:

Brian Brooks (Washtenaw & Livingston County)
By appointment only

Brooks served in the Army and Michigan Army National Guard in the Active Guard Reserve program, retiring in September 2022. While serving, Brian was an artilleryman and later became a howitzer section chief. After his first tour, he became passionate about helping families and honoring fallen veterans and was active in the Michigan Army National Guard Military Funeral Honors Program. In his last assignment, he served as senior recruiter in Metro Detroit. Brian stays connected to comrades and prior service members by interviewing and helping veterans speak about military experiences and tell their stories on the record.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in business science and a master’s in business administration from Spring Arbor University and is currently studying for the Project Management Professional exam.

Amber Guerrero (Otsego County)
By appointment only

Amber was born and raised in Alpena. After graduating from Alpena High School in 2000, she attended Alpena Community College for one year before joining the Marine Corps in 2001. She did tours in North Carolina, Japan, South Carolina, Iraq, California and Afghanistan. Amber earned an associate’s degree from American Military University (AMU) in 2012 while on active duty. In 2013 she got out of the Marines and attended the University of Northern Colorado. Amber earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Northern Colorado in 2015 and a master’s degree in psychology from AMU in 2017.

In July 2014, Amber began working with veterans as part of a work study for Weld County (Colorado) Veteran Services. In April 2017, she was hired full time by Weld County and was quickly promoted to Veteran Service Officer, then Supervisor. Amber is eager to get back into helping veterans after three years of self-employment and is very grateful for the opportunity to work for the state of Michigan.

Austin Ramey (Kent County)
By appointment only

Austin Ramey served as an Army artillery officer for seven years, mostly in Europe. His most recent duty station was with the 1-6th Field Artillery Regiment in Grafenwoehr, Germany. Prior to that, he served in the 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) in both Grafenwoehr and Vicenza, Italy.

Austin earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and received his commission as a second lieutenant from Spring Arbor University. He is pursuing a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids.

Veterans and dependents in need of assistance can use the Find a Veteran Service Officer tool on the MVAA website to find a VSO nearest to them. Veterans and dependents can choose any Veteran Service Officer on the list for their county of residence, regardless of affiliation. Any veterans dissatisfied with their service are free to contact another counselor on the list for their county of residence.